“I guess it’s normal. Your forefathers are arrogant people who loved showing off internationally anyway.“It’s only natural for you to inherit your father’s legacy.“That said, you should probably top this.“You’d be made fun of if you flaunt your lack of strength.”It seemed like Harvey York was teaching a lesson, downright enraging Ayaka Ueda and the others.He was simply crushing their spirits!‘This bastard’s preposterous!’“You’re crossing the line, Sir York!”Karina Joyner of the Locke Financial Group stepped out before glaring at Harvey sternly.“America has always been working with the Island Nations. You’ll have to take responsibility for slandering them like this.”Harvey gave a slight nod.“Is that so? You’re telling me that you people setting up base and exploiting the people in the Island Nations is what you call working together?“I’m sorry. It looks like we have a different definition of that word, after all.“I’ll make sure to learn more about yours after t
The genetically enhanced soldiers and ninjas, blended in with the crowd, were boiling in anger.Harvey York’s sharp tongue was way stronger than his fighting skills!Blaine John’s eyes twitched. Harvey’s words were outrightly disrespecting his alliance with the Islanders and Americans.The accusation was no different than sullying the John family’s reputation.Blaine took a deep breath before speaking.“You need to show proof for your words, Sir York. You’re obviously slandering me here!“The Americans and the Islanders are only here as guests!“You’ll make many people misunderstand us for saying things like that!”“Misunderstand?Harvey let out a grin.“What did I say to make anyone misunderstand things?“If you’re putting things that clearly…“Then you must be guilty of something, aren’t you?“Are you panicking because you’re actually working with the Americans and the Islanders?“That’s no good, Young Master John…”Harvey shook his head.The John family’s faces insta
Harvey York calmly looked at Damon John’s cold glare.Everyone instinctively shuddered after seeing the sight.“You haven’t answered me yet, Sir York!“Do you think we’re just walking targets?!”Damon furiously squinted at Harvey.Harvey merely smiled.“The John family’s the leader of the top ten families. How would that be the case?“There’s no need for self-deprecation.”“If that were the case, then aren’t you supposed to give us an explanation for gatecrashing?”“That’s not quite right, Mr. Damon,” said Kairi Patel, smilingly.“Sir York is the government’s consultant. He holds the same immense rank as both of us.“Even if he wasn’t invited, he’s still here to celebrate your rise to power.“What’s there to get angry about?“You should be happy! He came here for the sake of your respect, after all!”“Respect?Damon let out a cold chuckle.“He beat up my sister…“Insulted my guests…“Then slandered my dear son!“Looks like I’ll have to properly thank you after all, H
Bam!Harvey York threw a badge in front of Damon John.The title of Longmen’s young master could be seen glimmering on the badge.Not only did Damon feel like he was slapped in the face, completely halting his rage…The guards who stepped forward also instantly stopped in their tracks.Damon glanced at the badge before immediately realizing that it was real.His eyes lightly twitched before finally speaking.“Good! The badge is real!“But then, I can still get you out of here even if that’s the case!“According to the law, Longmen doesn’t govern the John family!”Harvey smiled.“If my memory serves me correctly, Longmen has the right to do exactly that to the top ten families.“After all, we’ll kill whoever the Dragon Palace wouldn’t dare. We’ll take care of matters that the Dragon Cell don’t. We’ll also protect people the Dragon Palace won’t!“We have special permission to take any action before making reports!“This is Longmen!”Damon gave a cold chuckle.“That’s righ
Harvey York did not premeditate this with the Hermit Families…But they knew that they needed to stand up for him at this very moment.After all, they would not get another chance after this.The six Hermit Families might just be kicked out of Golden Sands after the inauguration ceremony!That was why nobody wanted to miss out on the opportunity!Blaine and Damon John’s expressions changed instantly after hearing those exclamations.‘These bastards!‘Such perfect timing for them!’The other guests of the John family were twitching their eyes.‘The six Hermit Families stood up at the same time!‘They’re putting everything on the line at this point!‘After all, they weren’t just picking sides for accusing Blaine of such things!‘If the John family can’t hold them back, their position in Golden Sands would be jeopardized without a doubt!’The eyes of Master Mograine, Karina Joyner, Ibuki Masato, and the others were twitching.Everyone knew that the ceremony was just a ploy…
“I don’t know what sort of conflict the country has, neither do I want to know.”Ayaka Ueda stepped forward.“But you’ll have to pay the price for slandering the Islanders!“After all, it’s a huge crime just to spout nonsense like that!”Blaine John regained his composure before showing a profound look with crossed arms.“Everyone of the Hermit Families! All of Golden Sands knows you’ve had bad relations with the John family.“We’ve been enemies for the longest time now.“It’s only normal for us to fight for our benefits!“But it’s incredibly inappropriate for you to slander me during such an important event!“After all, the royal court has designated my father as the first-in-command!“How dare you disrespect the John family like this?!“If you can’t show any proof…“Slandering a government’s higher-up should be enough for you people to be sent behind bars for a long time!“There’s no need to become someone else’s tool just because of your recklessness!”Blaine smiled ge
“Enough, every single one of you!” exclaimed Damon John coldly.He sat in his chair, glaring fiercely.“I am the government’s first-in-command!“I have the right to decide what happens in Golden Sands!“If I have to prove the family’s innocence because of some random accusation…“We wouldn’t have time to do anything else!“Let me tell you something! Without actual proof, even the country’s Nine Great Elders aren’t allowed to search us!“If you’re going to whine some more…“I’ll make the six Hermit Families disappear from the face of the earth!“Don’t think I’m scared of you just because Eliel Braff’s about to become one of the Great Elders!“If I wasn’t interested in being the first-in-command, do you really think he stood a chance?!“Ignorant fools!“How dare you use Longmen’s authority to search my house?!“Who gave you the nerve?!”Damon looked gloomy.Naturally, the John family would not be terrified of anyone if they were desperate enough.After all, they would not
Harvey York heaved a sigh after hearing Damon John’s response.“Are you going to be this unreasonable?”Damon scoffed. Clearly, he had already lost interest in talking with Harvey.“That’s right! That’s exactly it!” Blaine exclaimed.“What can you even do about that?“Get out of here already!“You won’t get another chance!”Harvey nodded before stepping forward with his head raised.“Fine! Since the John family won’t cooperate with us…“Then I won’t bother considering the family’s contributions towards the country.“Screw respecting the John family!“If you want a fight, then here’s a chance for you!Harvey casually snapped his fingers.“Come! Bring Shepard and the twelfth branch of Evermore here!”‘Evermore?!’‘Shepard?!’‘The twelfth branch?!’Countless people gasped before instinctively turning around to look at Harvey.‘What does this have to do with Evermore?’‘Isn’t he talking about the man who controls all of Gangnam?’After hearing those words, the insiders
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