Frank informed the guild that Shangrila Group was behind the impersonation of the God of War that made the headlines for the past two days. The guild paid close attention to this incident. Soon, a notice was released by the guild. The guild demanded all the offline medical supply distributors in South River to boycott the products manufactured by Shangrila Group. Whoever disobeyed the guild would be punished severely. “Shangrila Group purchased the factory and wanted to start production, but where are they going to sell the products?” Frank grinned when he learned the news. The notice from the guild was effective immediately. Everyone knew Shangrila Group was blacklisted. “Mr. Chairman, Ms. Souffle, we just got a call from Mr. Oliver Ramos, the CEO of Cynotech Medical, South River Branch. He wanted to cancel the meeting for tomorrow.” Sophie, the chairman’s assistant, updated Winnie and Kaze when they came back from the factory. Cynotech Medical was one of the top f
They could not even get out of South River State and Kaze was talking about nationwide sales? The executives were stunned by his words. They neither expressed it with their looks nor their voices, but they thought it was ridiculous. The chairman was either too naive or a complete rookie in the business world and its ecosystem. Shangrila Group had just been rebuilt and they had yet to form their own sales channel or have their sales team. In order to deliver their products to the consumers, the products must be on the racks of different physical stores and the only way to distribute the products was through the distributors, who had the sales channel. Kaze saw through their thoughts. He said calmly, “Why must we rely on the distributors? Our product can be sold online.” “Online?” The executives were surprised by his suggestion. They had never thought about it before because they were thinking in an orthodox way. “Anthony, can the chairman’s suggestion work?” Winnie aske
“The Four Ocean Commerce Guild thought they could kill us off with just one blacklist notice. How childish!” “There are more than a dozen social media platforms online! For example, Mega Dance, the hottest short video platform currently, we can market there and reach the entire nation! We don’t have to worry about the sales anymore!” The despair from being blacklisted faded when they found the solution. The executives were energized. “Let’s call it a day for now.” Kaze waved at them and ended the meeting since it was getting late. “Mr. Chairman, I have something to talk to you about.” Winnie stayed back. She said, “The company still has shortcomings in the biomedical field. I am planning to go south for a bit after James’ death anniversary. “I am going to look for talents and specialists in the field to join us in the R&D department.” After the Taylor Swan incident, Shangrila Group was turned down by multiple famous medical research teams, despite a handsome reward.
The video was clear, unlike the blurry surveillance footage. Someone at the party must have recorded the whole thing. It did not seem like Ryan was faking it, especially when his leg was hit by the baseball bat. Kaze could confirm that it was all a misunderstanding. Winnie misunderstood Ryan as the one who betrayed James. However, Zach, Aster, and Shelly obviously turned on James. Based on the video, Frank must have threatened James using Ryan and his team. That explained why James was forced to jump off the building. He took his own life because he wanted to protect the employees that he viewed as family. He was not a coward that the world claimed! James died a bitter death. Other than Ryan, others celebrated his death. Judging by their reaction, Frank must have bought them out long ago. “The lab achieved a major breakthrough that day and hosted a barbeque party on the rooftop. Frank invited James but I didn’t go because I was not feeling well. “I didn’t know Rya
The woman was Ryan’s wife, Rei. She scolded Ryan when she saw him talking to others. Ryan shrugged and said, “Rei, this is Winnie Souffle from Shangrila Group…” “I don’t care what souffle or pancake! If they are not here to see a doctor or buy medicine, tell them to… Wait, what? What did you say?” Rei widened her eyes at Winnie. “Winnie White you mean? James White’s wife?” Winnie smiled. “It’s Souffle now. Hi, Rei. I’m here on behalf of Shangrila Group to invite Ryan back to the company as the technical supervisor for the lab…” “Oh no you don’t!” Rei shouted and stopped Winnie before she could finish. “You just want the patent that Ryan has!” Rei’s arms akimbo as she glared at Winnie. “Don’t even think about it!” Winnie frowned. “Rei, the patents belonged to Ryan. Even if we were to use it, we would pay him accordingly, but a part of it belongs to our lab and it’s only natural for us to take it back.” “Winnie is right.” Ryan nodded. “What did you say?!” Rei slap
“He’s the chairman of Shangrila Group?” Upon hearing Winnie, not only Zach, Aster, and Shelly were shocked, but even Ryan looked at Kaze in surprise. No one expected that the young man who kept a low profile behind Winnie was the chairman who single-handedly brought Shangrila Group back to life. “Ryan, the chairman is here to welcome you back,” Winnie said. She wanted to use this chance to persuade Ryan back to oversee the lab. “Hmph! Chairman? So what? We are now working for the top three families!” “The top three families are kings in Lilyrose! They even got rid of Shangrila Group two years ago, and they can do it again now!” “As a matter of fact, Frank alone was more than enough to destroy you and your little chairman, let alone the top three families combined!” Zach, Aster, and Shelly mocked Winnie and Kaze after the initial surprise. The three of them were recruited by the top three families but they were never part of the core team. They had no idea that durin
“Get him!” Zach ordered Aster and Shelly. The three of them jumped on Ryan, punching and kicking him for the patents. Being crippled, Ryan was not capable of fighting back. He hugged his head and curled up his body on the ground, grunting in pain. The three of them were his students once, yet they turned on him. “Good one! Beat him to death! Useless piece of shit! If you gave the patents to the top three families, I would have lived a better life for the past two years, not being poor!” What devastated Ryan even more was his wife, Rei, cheering on his assaulters instead of helping him. “Hand it over!” “No!” Ryan refused to loosen his lips even though he was beaten up. Shelly was infuriated. She lifted her foot wearing the heel and aimed at Ryan’s crotch. Slap! Suddenly, a slap landed on her face and sent her to the ground. “What the fuck? You slapped me?!” She screamed as she covered her face. Slap! Slap! Kaze ignored the woman and slapped Zach and Aster t
“Really?” Ryan picked his chin up and looked at Kaze with a twinkle in his eyes. “As if! You’re just a good-for-nothing handicap. I will never regret my decision.“Hmph! Shangrila Group was no match for the top three families two years ago. I doubt that has changed even now. Ryan, you will only be in a worse situation if you go with him.“Mr. Golding said that it will be the end of Shangrila Group in the next few days.” Zach and the others expressed their disdain. Noticing Ryan’s hesitance, Winnie persuaded. “Trust in the chairman, Ryan. I wasn’t in a better circumstance than you before, but look at me now.” “Alright, I’ll go with you to Shangrila Group.” Ryan trusted Winnie more than anything. He rose to his feet. Rei panicked because Ryan had not handed over the technology. She blew a fuse and threatened him. “If you walked out on me, I’m filing for divorce, Ryan.” “Fine by me.” Ryan no longer cherished his wife who had betrayed their sacred vows. Nevertheless
To the young group’s surprise, Kaze pulled through without a hitch. That was not the only thing. Kaze retaliated against Robin and destroyed his beloved harp. The group speculated that Kaze could be stronger than Hannah. They looked at Kaze in horror. Still, it never once occurred to the group that Kaze was more powerful than Robin. Robin raised his arm. The young group got their act together and saluted Robin before taking two steps back. Robin narrowed his eyes at Kaze before uttering, “Not bad.“I didn’t think I’d meet someone of your caliber in Riverbank. “You have a stronger will than most of my men. “Despite your age, you put even the most experienced to shame with that determination of yours.” The young group felt alarmed and ashamed. The members of the execution hall were the elites in the West State Branch. They were the crème de la crème. However, they swayed under the sound wave attack. Though the group was around Kaze’s age, they did not possess h
“Get out!” Kaze gave Hannah the look. Hannah quietly turned around and stumbled her way out. Robin glanced at Kaze as his fingers danced around the harp. “I will behead the general, and once it’s over, tears will fall and fade away.” The tempest of sound took over the room by storm. Kaze felt sent back to his time during the war. He watched his comrades fall. Time lost meaning as the war came to an end. The battle cries subsided, replaced by silence. His brothers-in-arms were no more than a pile of unidentified bones. Even Kaze’s faithful steed whined its farewell. Darkness swallowed the last light over the desolate desert, and he was alone. There was nothing left in the world worth fighting for. No one would remember his death in a faraway land. It was better to die with honor than live in shame. The thought filled Kaze’s head, and emotions overcame him. He was better off dead. Life was not worth living anyway. A voice within tempted Kaze. The craz
Robin did not even look at Collier.Saying nothing, Robin extended his fingers and plucked the harp. “Clang!” A jarring, high-pitched sound wave pierced through everybody’s eardrums. The air was filled with a chilling aura of menace.The serenity on the ninth floor was shattered by the sound of the harp and replaced with malice. Collier and the young group turned pale. Only Robin, Kaze, and Hannah remained unfazed by the attack. “Amid the sweeping wind, the flute’s song echoes in the night. The desert sun descends for the crescent moon above. “To the sound of camel bells, I long for my home. I hold onto my sword, leaving letters where I lay my head.” The wind danced along the melody of General’s Order played by the harp, dropping the temperature down on the ninth floor. Robin’s clothes and hair fluttered against the wind, his face unreadable through it all. His eyes remained cold and distant. General’s Order was a piece known for its unsettling tone. Robin playe
The man’s hypocrisy was sickening. No one stood up for Kaze when Naomi and Rhys slandered him and their fighters tried to end him. When Kaze fought back, there were voices standing on high moral ground to reproach him. “You…” The middle-aged man twitched and breathed his last. The crowd was scared. Kaze was one mean killing machine. Sure, Kaze eliminated the Roads. The Roads were not going to rest until he was dead anyway. However, one man died because of what he had said. It was a clear message not to upset Kaze. Kaze had the taste of blood. He would not stop now. “Get Boris’ head.” Kaze tilted his head at Collier. “Bring it to Robin.” As the crowd watched on with a mix of emotions, Kaze carried the broken sword, the tip dripping with blood, and strode over Boris’ body and into River Watch Inn’s park. Collier led the way, taking Kaze to the ninth floor of River Watcher Inn. The furious wind and swirling clouds added to the building’s height and presence
Boris stumbled back and crashed into the door. The metal door ripped from its hinges and hit the ground. Once the dust settled, the crowd was horrified to find Boris lying limp on the floor. Kaze stood right in front of Boris, his foot on his chest.“Do you have any last words?” Kaze looked down on Boris amusedly, his tone carrying no arrogance. The victory over Boris was no big deal. Boris looked at Kaze in a daze. Kaze was stronger than he could ever imagine. Given another chance, Boris would never upset Kaze at Four Ocean Auction. Boris would not try to retaliate against Kaze even when his son lost his legs. It was a shame that he could not press the reset button. Even if Boris could turn back time, it was highly unlikely that he would show mercy to a moocher. “Ugh…” Boris coughed out blood and said with a struggle, “Kaze, I saved the Godfather before. If you kill me, you will be dead—” “Slash!” Kaze cut Boris off with a stab in the heart. Blood spur
Following the clash of metal, Kaze moved away several feet. The sword in his grasp broke in half, and the tip fell off. Boris grunted, his composed face turning crimson. He staggered and fell back tens of feet too. The crowd was shocked at the thirty-feet shallow pit under Boris’ feet. It was impossible. Twenty years ago, Boris basically had Riverbank in the palm of his hand. Yet, Kaze pushed him back. Anyone could tell that Boris was on the losing end. Boris was in utter disbelief because his wired gloves were splintered by the seams. Reminded by Kaze’s attack at Four Ocean Auction, Boris finally realized how terrifying Kaze was. “I underestimated you, Kaze. “But you killed my wife and son. There’s no going back. You must die today.” Boris looked Kaze dead in the eye and hissed through clenched teeth, “I will kill you!” Kaze raised his sword. The broken sword was still a powerful weapon to Kaze. The air was thick with tension. Boris scowled and flung his
Kaze looked up to Boris barging through the door with his trusted aides. The crowd shied away, not wanting to be caught in the crossfire. The deaths of his son and wife had driven Boris into insanity, and he was out for blood. Anyone would go crazy in the same situation. Boris stared at the bodies of his son and wife menacingly. His eyes turned red at Naomi’s headless corpse.Kaze killed his son, murdered his wife, and beheaded her right in front of Boris. Boris would not stop until Kaze was dead. “Kill him! Kill him!”Boris pointed at Kaze and shouted maniacally, “I don’t care what it takes, but I want him dead!” The deaths of his wife and son were infuriating enough. Boris was aware that Naomi and Rhys would go to Kaze, looking for trouble. He deliberately stayed behind the scenes, giving his wife a chance to punish and kill Kaze. To buy his wife some time to take care of business, Boris stayed on to have drinks with Robin. However, Naomi and Rhys were killed
The security team recoiled in screams and dropped their weapons. Before the musclemen knew it, Kaze raised his sword and inched closer. The blade flashed, its motion a blur.“Slash!” The menacing blade flickered across the throats of the musclemen. A dozen Roads’ fighters fell limp amid the high-pitched squawking. Blood spewed out of the thin slits of their throats. One dozen men breathed their last. The bodies on the floor scared the crowd stiff. No one expected Kaze to be so strong. Kaze was able to come on his own despite the siege. “Get him! Kill him!” Naomi had completely lost it. She yelled at the veteran bruisers, “Kill the asshole! Avenge my son!” The senior fighters were so eager to frame Kaze before. Now, they were scared stiff. Naomi’s order put them in the spot. While they hesitated and even released their grip on their weapons, Kaze struck. “Swoosh!” Kaze swung the sword at the senior fighters. The fighters collapsed to the ground, wailing
Rhys lay limp on the floor, his face forever frozen in disbelief.The crowd was stunned, feeling chills down their spines. One minute ago, Rhys was alive and kicking. However, Kaze took his life with just one squeeze. Kaze’s aggression and hostility when ending Rhys scared them. “Ah! My son!” Reality sunk in after a brief pause. Naomi plunged toward her son’s body with a pale face. Despite shaking Rhys, Naomi shuddered to find that he was no more. She fell on her bottom. It was every parent’s worst nightmare. Besides, she was there to witness the death of her son. The feeling could drive her over the edge. Moments later, Naomi lifted her head, bloody tears running down her eyes. She yelled at Kaze hysterically, “You did this, Kaze! You did this!“Kill him! Kill the jerk!“I want his life for taking my son’s!” Losing her head, Naomi commanded the Roads’ musclemen. The crowd backed away so as not to be caught in the line of fire. “Kill him!” The Roads’ secu