Zaid Surrey burst into laughter.“What a straightforward man!“Since we’re at this point, I might as well be frank!“Mr. Layton has been with Heaven’s Gate for the longest time. He, of all people, knows that the mental cultivation technique doesn’t exist!“The technique was just a rumor spread a hundred years ago to protect the sacred martial arts training ground!“Then again, Quill Gibson managed to perfect his energy circulation!“Mr. Layton was curious. He wanted to know just what technique he learned to perfect his martial arts like this.“He wants to know…”“Mr. Layton’s a seasoned guy. It’s impressive that he admitted there’s no mental cultivation technique.”Zaid smiled.“And what of my deal?”“I can accept it, but on one condition.”“Name whatever you want. I’ll fulfill it with all my power.”“You don’t need to,” Harvey smiled faintly.“If you can prove that you and Mr. Layton have nothing to do with Quill’s death…“I’ll give you the technique!“But if not, then
Zaid Surrey spoke, smiling faintly.Now that he has shown his true colors, he has become extremely straightforward.Harvey York grinned back at Zaid.“Are you threatening me?”Zaid took a sip of his tea.“You’ve got the wrong idea! Why would I do that?“This is just a friendly reminder!“After all, I do hope to work together with you.“I’ve disdained the Lowe family and the Bowie family for the longest time anyway.”Harvey casually threw his cup to the ground, shattering it into pieces.Zaid’s eyes twitched and he squinted at Harvey. He had no idea how Harvey was going to choose.“If you’re threatening me, then that means you can’t prove your innocence.“And if that’s the case, then it means that Layton’s also involved.“And since that seems to be it, I’ll have you send word to him for the sake of your kindness.“He won’t get the technique. After all, it’d be useless to him even if he does have it.”Zaid froze.“What do you mean? If Mr. Layton gets the technique, he wil
Zaid Surrey frowned.“He said that he’d decline to cooperate with you if you were involved in Quill Gibson’s death!“He’ll also give the technique as soon as we can prove your innocence!“If not… it’d be useless even if you had the technique.”Zaid told Layton Surrey everything Harvey York said verbatim, ensuring he was not misunderstood.“What does that mean?”Layton did not understand either.Zaid stuttered.“He said… He said…”“What? Spit it out already.”Zaid nervously gulped.“He said… that a dead man wouldn’t have a use for the technique anyways.”Layton froze and chuckled.“As expected from a young man like him. He’s even questioning me at this point…”Layton glared.He had been in a high position for the longest time. He had been living idly but would not allow others to question his authority either!“Even if I admit I am involved, what can he do about it?“Working with me to deal with the Lowe family and the Bowie family should be enough to bring justice back
While Layton and Zaid Surrey were having a long chat…Harvey York had already thrown the name card into the bin.He was scrolling through his laptop, going through some information about Layton.His phone vibrated not long after. Kairi Patel, who had not been in contact for a few days, called.Harvey picked up the video call before seeing an incredibly alluring woman in a dress sitting on a chair while swirling her glass of wine.The seductive sight would make any man gasp for hot air.Kairi was a real angel. An eighty-year-old man would probably feel reinvigorated after seeing her.Harvey slowly looked away before quickly turning his attention to the documents before him.“What’s the matter? It’s pretty late at night.“You’re not done with the situation in Golden Sands now, have you?”Kairi grinned.“It’s not that I don’t want to. Blaine John’s been a little too discreet for the past few days. The John family’s been holding themselves back. Nobody knows what he’s trying to
Kairi Patel smiled.“As long as you know what you’re up against.“I was worried that you’d fall for someone else’s gentle embrace.“If that were the case, the rest of us might just go down with you.”Harvey York burst into laughter.“Don’t worry. That woman desperately wants me dead. She wouldn’t use tricks like that.”“That’s hard to say.Kairi frowned.“Women like her would use everything in their power to achieve their goals!“Weren’t there well-known experts like the Kawashima family during the Second World War?”Harvey gave out a chuckle.“Stop worrying. I’m an experienced man. There is no need to talk about this…“Let’s go back to Heaven’s Gate instead.“Did Layton Surrey have any relations with the Patel family?”Harvey flipped through the pages of the documents. He felt curious after seeing some history between Layton and the Patel family.“We did, but that was decades ago.“Grudges of the older generation shouldn’t affect our judgment anyway.“Besides, he’ll h
The sound seemed to echo the sense of a young lady’s excitement and intimacy, invigorating a man’s primal instincts.Harvey York frowned as he flicked his finger. An invisible wave of air opened the door instantly.Creak!A horrible shriek echoed, ruining the mood and stopping the sound of the harp.Harvey walked in, crossing his arms.Silk cloths were hung all over the place, showing only parts of the room.At the same time, at least a hundred candles were lit around the place, making it an incredibly romantic sight.A woman leaned on a harp with her shoulders exposed. Her pitiful gaze was locked onto Harvey as if she was sad that he did not understand the charm of the scene.It was Alani Carlson!That said, she was acting totally out of character.A sense of gentleness replaced the harsh attitude she had.“You’re finally back.“You haven’t eaten yet, have you? Please, eat up.”Alani smiled the moment she saw Harvey.Exquisite meals from Island Nations filled the entire
“But as soon as I discovered the leader was involved with Quill Gibson’s death, I immediately lost interest in the mental cultivation technique.“I knew the person he’s going after—you’re more important than some mere technique!“That was why I reported you to my foster father as soon as possible.“He gave you three benefits, hoping you’d accept the Way of Water’s hospitality.”Alani Carlson smiled faintly when she loosened her yukata to tell Harvey York he could have anything.Harvey seemed not to care when seeing the beautiful sight before him.“Are all Islanders philanthropists or something?“You’ve given up on the mental cultivation technique, and you’re giving me so many benefits?“Am I seeing the world with rose-colored glasses? Or are you people just too nice?”“There are some things that don’t need more context, Sir York,” replied Alani with a smile.“Since we’re giving up on the technique, of course, we’d be asking for something else…”“Speak English,” replied Harve
“Unite the world?“Narrow-minded?Harvey York burst into laughter.“Is the Way of Water really that naive? Or are the Island Nations’ higher-ups really that innocent?“Even your country’s defenses are owned by America, yet you’re still dreaming this big?“What should I even say to you?“I’m not interested in your pipe dreams as long as you don’t get Country H involved!“Now, leave!“I don’t want any of your benefits either!“Take all this away and get out! Remember to clean up the place before you do!“The smell is making me feel sick to my stomach. I feel like throwing up already…”Alani Carlson’s eyes twitched before forcing a smile.“You’d better think before you speak, Sir York.“Are you sure you want to reject the Way of Water?“If you do, you’d end up in deeper trouble…“For instance, we’ll give the same benefits to the Lowe family. If that’s the case, they’ll surely support us with all their might.“And if you agree to help, we can also discuss the conditions!“
It was obvious that Hale's anger and sorrow had pushed him to the limit. He was already blaming Sky Plane for everything. Sky Plane had just earned him as a mortal enemy."My condolences, Hale." Harvey extended his hand and tapped Hale's shoulder. "The dead can't be brought back, so the most important thing now is to recover. Sky Plane is a difficult enemy."Clarion nodded as well. "Now that Susan is dead, Sky Plane will not let this slide. However, we'll need to get you a new identity after you recover. Only when you're safe and when you can live for yourself will you have the chance to have your revenge."I've just received news that everyone in Grand City knows who you are. All the other Sacred Lands will find out very quickly. In a short while, there will be countless people looking for you, for us. That's why you need to get ready. We're running out of time."When Clarion said that, the frigid light in his eyes glinted. He didn't need to send anyone to find out what was go
"No matter what happened, she treated me well all these years. Even if I were to kill her, I want her to die with some dignity. As for the trouble from Sky Plan and her… I'll give you an explanation you'll be happy with. Please permit me," Hale said, not caring for the wounds on his body even when he was kneeling on the floor.Clarion looked stern. If he were to bring in a spy like Susan, it would help him immensely in his career. If they got her into the interrogation room and asked her proper questions, they could get valuable answers from her. That was the only value she had left.However, Clarion also knew why Hale framed it that way. She was still his wife, even when she had already betrayed him. Rather than letting someone like Clarion take her away right now and live a torturous life that she wouldn't be able to tell day by night, he'd prefer to kill her right now. That way, Susan would be able to die peacefully.But how should he choose? Clarion was having a headache rig
Hale's expression was one of shock.Susan was the same.Hale didn't expect Sky Plane's plan to be so vicious. They wanted the Chapter of Ascension and to use the chance to plunge Grand City into chaos.Susan was shocked about how accurate Harvey's guesswork was. If it wasn't because she knew that someone like him would never have a connection with Sky Plane, she would even think that he might have a hand in setting up the trap that looked like it was simply a string of coincidences.Otherwise, how would he have known everything in such detail?Clarion looked at Harvey with more admiration. While he looked like just an ordinary man, whether his power or perception was far beyond them.Hale slowly closed his eyes, forcing himself to calm down for a long time.Then, he turned and looked at Susan and muttered, "Now that we have reached this juncture, I don't think that there should be any more secrets between you and I. Just one question. Did everything happen exactly as Mr. Harvey
"Or maybe, in your subconscious, you do realize that something isn't right. Maybe you simply feel that it's better for her not to know about some things. That way, things will be safer for her," Harvey said with a shrug. "However, the truth is that she didn't get anything from you at all until yesterday, isn't it?"Hale nodded. "You're right. I did have some doubts about her in my mind, that's why I did tell her everything except the Chapter of Ascension."Hale seemed to reminisce about something else before giving a painful smile. "And then, as time passed by, I no longer suspected her. But I'm worried that it'll get her killed, so I chose not to say anything. I believed that as long as I said nothing, we'll be able to live a peaceful life! No one expects that in the end…"Hale signed, looking hopeless when he said that.However, Susan simply smiled icily. "Stop your crocodile tears, Hale. You never trusted me, so stop saying that you love me!"Hale smiled bitterly. He didn't w
Clarion was stunned when he saw Mrs. Hoffman was still trying to argue her way out."Even the way you argue is the same as the Origin Ninjas. Seriously?" Harvey smirked. "Right, I heard that the Origin Ninjas would leave the mark of a petal on the most private spot so that it was easier for them to identify each other. You must have seen it, right, Mr. Hoffman? Of course, I believe she'd definitely say it was just a tattoo that she had while she was in her youth."Unfortunately, I believe that Grand City has plenty of records. It should be quite easy for us to find the evidence we need. That's why, Mrs. Hoffman… Is there really a need to deny it anymore now that we've reached this point?"Mrs. Hoffman shuddered a little. She didn't expect that Harvey would be able to easily see through all her disguise. Most importantly, he even knew about the most damning evidence on her. In a situation like this, continuing with the argument really was pointless."You… You…!"At the same tim
Harvey said calmly, "You smell like one of them."Whoosh!Before Harvey could finish, Mrs. Hoffman immediately pounced at him. In midair, she waved her hand and threw a string of knives.All her blades were blue in color. They looked very pretty, but if they scratched one's skin, one could easily lose their lives if they weren't sent to the hospital immediately.Clarion was shocked when he saw what was unfolding. It was obvious he didn't expect Harvey's words to help them identify Mrs. Hoffman's real identity and forced her to attack.Still, that was quite normal. Thinking back about it, Mrs. Hoffman's calmness during this whole ordeal showed that she was not a normal woman.The power she suddenly showed was within their expectation, and they could understand it too.However, this exact revelation was making things more painful for Hale. It hurt him even more than finding out that his beloved wife sold him out. Clank! Clank! Clank!Harvey pulled up a small fruit knife and thr
Harvey's expression became cold as he watched Mrs. Hoffman. He was completely done with her.Mrs. Hoffman bit her lip and stared at Hale for a long time. "You're right! The one who sold you out is me. I sold your identity to other people, too. I'm also the one that almost got you killed. When I heard about the Chapter of Ascension in the morning, I was also the one who sent the message!"Hale's expression was one of bitterness and grief. He gritted his teeth and asked coldly, "Why?""Why?" Mrs. Hoffman scoffed, a hint of disdain on her face. "Why do you think I did this? Fine, I'll tell you. It's easy—after marrying you for so many years, I've never had a life of peace! We're either living in the streets or hiding! I didn't ask for a wealthy life. I just want a normal and peaceful life like any other ordinary woman! But I can't see us ever having that life! "If that's the case, why can't I gamble everything away? Why can't I sell you in exchange for wealth so I can have an e
Hale let out a bitter cry with a sorrowful expression. How could anyone expose that the person who slept next to them would be the one to stab them in the back?Hale whispered, "I simply didn't want that person to be you. You have been with me for so many years and have suffered so much. I've already treated you as my only family. If family like you betrayed me, it would do nothing but make me suffer."That was why I arranged such a test. I was hoping that Mr. Harvey would betray me once he knew who I really was and that I really did have the Chapter of Ascension. That way, I could continue executing my plans in peace."I didn't expect him to be completely uninterested in the Chapter of Ascension. Instead, you were the one who betrayed me again. It also meant that the one who turned me to Camellia and let her trace me was you…"Harvey didn't pin any blame on Hale after hearing what had happened. After giving it a thought, he said, "Normally speaking, we've just met for the first
"You… Hale! How…" Mrs. Hoffman crawled back up, her mind going black for a moment. She quickly pulled out her phone, about to make a call. Because she was too nervous, she kept on pressing the wrong numbers. She couldn't make that call.Harvey didn't say anything as he looked at this scene calmly.Meanwhile, Hale's expression began to change. There was a hint of sorrow in his eyes as he looked at the woman he loved. "Honey… Don't tell me that despite Mr. Harvey having no interest in the Chapter of Ascension, you let someone else get it instead? In short, you're the one that betrayed me… And has been betraying me…"A tear of blood formed from the corner of Hale's eyes as he spoke.Mrs. Hoffman, who was still trying to make that call, shuddered as she turned and looked at the man whom she had accompanied for many years.At the same time, someone pushed open the door. It was Clarion. He quickly walked into the room and leaned in next to Harvey, whispering, "Something happened