Yume screamed and cursed Kaze loudly. She dropped her frosty image and cried like a wretched hag. Even Zephyr and the others frowned at her sudden change of behavior. They understood that she was furious and agitated but the words that came out of her mouth were entirely different from her usual personality. “Finally, she stripped her disguise.” Kaze scoffed. “Do you know why I keep slapping you? I want your admirers to see your true nature.” He slapped her two more times before he released Yume. “Finally, ten slaps.” Kaze tapped his hands and then looked at Harry and the others, who were still infuriated. “You people want me to slap myself ten times, so I slapped Yume ten times. Happy now?” Harry, Micheal, Zephyr, and the others reacted grimly. Yume was on the floor, screaming like a witch. “Kaze Lee! You fuck! Your wife’s grandfather and his family had changed their names to Vinland. I will torture them every single day and let them know what it’s like being a V
Everyone waited for Hank to punch Kaze but he left in a hurry after a phone call. No one understood what kind of selection was more important than avenging Yume. “Selection? I heard the Lilyrose Strategic Department is selecting soldiers to be sent to foreign battlefields. All the ace soldiers from different strategic departments wanted to join, but there were only so many slots.” “My cousin who served the Spec Ops Team for many years didn’t even get a slot, but Hank got it?!” Harry looked at Hank in surprise. Hank said proudly without looking back, “How hard is it to get a slot in the preliminaries? Your cousin is useless.” Harry grunted but he did not argue. Hank served the main Spec Ops Team of the South River Strategic Department. He served directly under the highest command. Those who were given a slot in the preliminaries were all ace soldiers. Hank was able to secure his position among the elites and he even became a team leader, not just a common soldier. He
Hank looked proud. He was confident about the preliminaries. “Are you sure you can get through the preliminaries?” Kaze asked with a soft grin. Judging from the young masters’ words, there seemed to be a lot of misunderstanding regarding the preliminaries. They thought getting a slot would mean a bright future. He decided to correct their assumptions, which he needed an example. Coincidentally, Hank turned out to be the best choice to make an example out of. “I am the ace in our team and with my family’s support, I have the power and the background. If not me, who else?” Hank was confident. His family had everything laid out for him. As long as he performed well, he could easily pass the preliminaries. As for the next round, his family would also invest a lot to make sure he got in. “Great. Then you will soon understand that reality is harsh.” Kaze ignored him and called Draco directly. “The preliminaries haven't started, right? I’m coming to have a look.” “Boss,
Harry and the others were surprised. “You are still being stubborn at times like this? We don’t want to waste time on you now. We’ll come after you after the preliminaries are over. We will surely crush you by today!” They then called their drivers to pick them up. Rose was upset by the young masters’ frivolous attitude. “Stop being arrogant! You people are laughing at Kaze because he can’t go? I’ll make it happen!” Rose pulled her phone out and called her father. She said she wanted to attend the preliminaries but she did not mention Kaze. “You want to go have a look? Sure, I’ll ask around.” Nelson was punished together with his direct superior for drinking on duty, but he was released for good behavior. Soon, he secured a way to get Rose in. “Thank you, Dad!” Rose then waved her phone at Harry. “I can also attend the preliminaries with just one call. What’s so great about that?” “Hmph. Quite capable, little girl.” The young masters were embarrassed but they
“That depends on what he did wrong.” Nelson said confidently, “If it’s a heavy crime, even if he’s not from the military, he would be punished. If it’s something light, he would still be lectured. “Besides, the idiot is arrogant. I bet he’s going to be taught a lesson, or even beaten up. The discipline division isn’t the friendliest. Even if he’s a stubborn one, they have a way to crack him.” Rose’s face turned pale when she heard her father. “Kaze, don’t argue with them! Just cooperate!” Sky was worried as well. “Hahaha! He’s taken away by the discipline division the moment he arrived? Did he just turn himself in?” “Do you think he’ll call the soldiers from the discipline division useless? If he did, they would beat the shit out of him!” “Kaze, the idiot! He made my day!” Harry and the others continued to laugh at him. “Since when did we allow public viewing for the soldiers’ selection? This is not by the rules. Find out who allowed it and deal with it.” Kaze was
The young masters were taken down from the platform that they were standing on. Harry tried to resist but was taken down as well. Agitated and flushed, he shouted, “What are you doing? Show some respect! I am Harry Lokeman of the Lokeman family!” Slap! The soldier slapped him in the face for being irritating and uncooperative. “I don’t care what family you are from. This is a restricted zone and no civilians are allowed in here… What are you holding? Give it to me!” Harry’s binoculars were confiscated. “Military binoculars? You’re a spy?!” The soldiers immediately surrounded Harry and the young masters to search them. “I’m not a spy! I just want to see what the God of War looks like! Don’t accuse me!” Harry shouted. He was called a spy just because he held a pair of binoculars. “Trying to see the God of War’s true face is spy activity. The God of War’s schedule is classified, not even we know about it, yet you are here with military binoculars. You are not a spy? I
Hank did not want the God of War to see him, yet he already stood out from the others. Kaze saw him lowering his head among the other uplifted and energetic soldiers. It was difficult not to notice him. Hank was in uniform, so Kaze did not recognize him at first glance. He frowned and asked, “Soldier, why is your head down? Look up!” Countless gazes landed on Hank instantly. Hank wanted to die on the spot to escape the attention. He nervously squeezed the words out of his clenched teeth, saying, “S-Sir! G-God of War! I-I am afraid…” He answered instinctively without realizing he violated a taboo in the army. Kaze looked rather angry. “What is there to be afraid of? Look up!” His voice was as loud as the rumbling thunder. Hank was so frightened that he fell on his butt, and even his hat fell off. He looked at Kaze blankly. Kaze finally saw Hank’s face. He smiled and then wore a frosty look. “Am I that scary?” “I…” Hank could not spell a full word. Kaze grun
All the soldiers on the scene fell silent. It was brutal out there on the foreign battlefield, and Draco had the battle scars to prove it. “Get dressed.” Kaze waved his arm and said, “You saw it. Your chief commander is single to this day for fear of scaring the women when he takes his clothes off.” It sounded like teasing. However, it was no laughing matter. “The battlefield is not a place for easy fame or fortune. It’s a dangerous and challenging place where you must be prepared to risk your life.“Let me put it out there now. If you’re looking for a career that will make you rich and famous, this isn’t the place for you. The door is right there if hard work and danger scare you.” Kaze said his piece and walked away. Back on the training grounds, the soldiers stood at attention for a long time. The silence lingered. “That’s so uncool, Boss. Now the kids have seen me naked. There goes my reputation.” Draco put on his clothes and caught up to Kaze. He removed
“Just tell me what you need, Arthur. You wouldn’t be calling unless you have received orders.” Philip was surprised to get a call from Arthur. Though they were acquainted, they had only communicated because of work. “We have just left Rising Sun. Don’t approve the films for now.” Arthur was blunt. “I can do that, but can I ask why?” Philip was caught in a dilemma because he had just promised Jet to release the films. Philip needed to know if the orders to delay came from a high power who could cover his ass. “Since you got a call from me, you should know that there are eyes on Jet. “You should know what you can and cannot say. Otherwise, you never know when you’re going to lose your job.” Arthur threatened. Philip was reluctant. He accepted Jet’s payment, and now he had to go back on his word. Nevertheless, Arthur was part of the Viper’s Den, and his status was rather unique. Arthur provided services to confidential individuals. These individuals were elites among t
A balanced, profitable dynamic had been developed among the ports in Butterworth. Jet spotted his chance in the lucrative port business. He covertly took out some money to invest in a dying port. The port was situated in a more remote area. Some businesspeople favored more accessible ports. This drove shippers away from the dying port. Jet snagged the steal and improved the logistics and facilities around the area. The port was up and running again. Business at the port was decent enough. As the Frosts would run their business through the port, the local economy took off too. It was a good thing. However, Jet set his sights on several residential buildings around the area. He needed space to accommodate containers. The land was required to make business at the port more profitable. This triggered a whole new thing. Jet could spend some money to buy the residents out of their homes. However, the residents preferred to stay put in their long-time homes. No a
“I’ll keep the bank cards for now. I’ll talk to our superiors and give you a decision. Since the man said that the cards are meant for us, they won’t be going anywhere.” Knox had no idea who Kaze was, but he knew Arthur was with the Viper’s Den. Arthur must be someone from high places. Eli soon put the little incident behind him. He got a call from Aloysius yesterday and was made aware of Jet’s plans. The films had been put on hold for far too long, and the people above Eli were anxious to get things moving. Though Eli was surprised by the review board’s visit, everything was still in his control. Eli left the matter at that without reporting the incident to the higher-ups. The flashy, red car sped along the road. Arthur kept looking back at Kaze, eager to find out about the next plan. Arthur brought Kaze out today to witness how Eli and his team operated. As it happened, Eli adopted such a shallow ploy. Arthur was not surprised, though. Eli’s methods were common.
Eli dined offhandedly as if he had taken hold of the group. His words were layered with threat. “What? Are you trying to replace us?” Knox asked in disbelief. “I don’t have that power, but the investor does. I heard that he enjoyed dinner with your superiors. I’m sure the project will get the green light in no time. “Even if you didn’t approach me today, my team and I would have invited you out for a get-together.” Eli knew when to back down, easing the tension in the air. It was another type of reconciliation. Eli needed to go through the review board to get the rights to air the films. The carrot-and-stick approach was the best way forward. Kaze was surprised by the sophistication of Eli’s tactics. Still, he believed he had come to the right place. Sure enough, Jet would stop at nothing to get what he wanted. Surely, he was bound to leave loose ends. Nevertheless, he probably did not care. Arthur cocked his head back to look at Kaze. Kaze grinned, unbothered
The purpose of the visit was to inform Rising Sun that the films did not make the cut. Since Rising Sun would not make the necessary amendments, the project would come to a halt. “Please, don’t. Since we are all here, we should talk it out.” It took Eli quite some effort to get the group to the hotel. Eli had plans to please the crowd, so he could not let them leave just yet. This went beyond getting the green light for the films. Eli needed to make the group happy. “There is nothing more to talk about. We can’t proceed unless you make the changes.” There was no way around it. Since Rising Sun refused to make the right amendments, and Knox had orders about putting a hold on Rising Sun’s films, that was one less problem for Knox to deal with. Eli could not let the group walk out on him. Hence, he quickly sent people in. Several thinly clad women entered, each holding a small bag. Despite the weightlessness, the bag appeared to be carrying something of substance. “You
For that reason, Rising Sun’s film productions were not cleared to be aired. “I told you the reason. The investor supplied us with the scripts, and we were told to base our productions on the scripts. Our hands are tied.”Eli would have made the amendments if he could. He knew where the problem lay. However, the company had to take the investor’s perspective into consideration. In the end, the films were yet to be approved for release. “I guess you won’t get the permission to air them then.” Knox was surprised that Rising Sun would not budge on the matter. Nevertheless, Knox and his team were not there to give the all-clear or talk some sense into Rising Sun. Knox and his team could care less about what Eli had to say. “We’re serious about getting the approval. “I’m sorry that we aren’t a better host for your visit today. Why don’t we move to the nearby hotel for a talk?” With the review board making an appearance, Eli knew there was still hope. If Eli did not grab
Arthur chuckled, his smile carrying a touch of sleaziness. “Oh, I see.” A realization dawned on Kaze. “Are you with quality control?” Several individuals in dark blue suits approached. The men and women carried files and documents. Kaze nodded without a word. “We are just here to announce the results. We shouldn’t be long.” Arthur came forward to engage with them. The group was likely given the heads-up as they had the right number of people. They swaggered into Rising Sun’s building. The general manager straightened up his tie in a fluster and walked out. None of the film productions made the cut yet, and the delay was costing the company money by the day. At this rate, the project would go down under. Eli, the general manager, rushed to the entrance upon learning the news. The review team was there to do one final check. The films would get the green light if the board found that everything was up to par. The head office would stop putting pressure on
Given Kaze’s status, Alfonso knew better than to have him waiting under the hot sun. Of course, he would send his people to be on standby for Kaze’s arrival. Peter only came to the rescue when Kaze was pestered by some street gang. Alfonso’s omission of Kaze’s identity led to this hiccup. Kaze did not care one bit about the incident. Heck, he did not even bring it up. Arthur straightened his back nervously, becoming even more cautious behind the wheel. “You knew, but why didn’t you say anything, Mr. Lee? You didn’t even tell on us.” Arthur could not understand why. However, he had more respect for the man. “I didn’t see a point. You’ll learn what happens when you displease me, so I won’t bother telling you now.” Kaze was mild-mannered as ever. He spoke softly without a hint of anger. All the more Arthur revered him. “Mr. Lee, we didn’t do our jobs right. We didn’t know who you were.“But my duty is to protect you in the dark. “We saw you getting out of the train
“Rising Sun is a media company. Several of their films are about to be released. They are trying to get them approved to air due to some censorship issues.” Arthur took out a document. “Are there any issues with the films? Why aren’t they approved yet?” Kaze asked curiously. Kaze had no idea. “There are some issues. They aren’t fit to be aired. “Typically, there aren’t a lot of restrictions for film productions so long as the themes aren’t sensitive topics. “But these films featured altered history. The company has been asked multiple times to make revisions, but the films still don’t make the cut.” The Viper’s Den’s members were not privy to the information. The Frosts were insignificant. Kaze was after the Frosts. Otherwise, the Viper’s Den would not waste its resources on a mere film production company. Jet’s investment of nearly ten million bucks in Rising Sun caught the Viper’s Den’s attention. The delayed approval of the films would be catastrophic to the in