“Let me explain to you the accomplishments of this man.“After having achievements in Kronen Temple, the first thing he did was single-handedly break our Mokujin Formation!“Then, he reached the border before slaughtering eighteen traitors of Kronen Temple!“He even dueled Stefan and tied.“It’s said that Stefan believed him to become the next Great Wall if he kept honing his skills.“It’s a shame that he isn’t interested in martial arts.“He only trained for self-preservation.“He loves delving into ancient ruins, searching for the secrets of the sects hidden from the world!“I wouldn’t have recommended him to Mandy if I could find a better person to be her bodyguard.“Rhodes initially declined to do this…“But he said that it was fate for him to be asked to protect Mandy and that it was a small world…“And since he’s also a business partner of Mandy, he was willing to accept the job.“He didn’t want anything in return either…“As long as Mandy treated him to a meal.”Th
Julie Augustus glanced at Harvey York.“It’s not that I want to criticize you…“But Mandy, your kept man just looks so weak.”Mandy Zimmer was at a loss for words.“Harvey’s an expert too. He’s also my…”“Expert?Julie would no longer listen to Mandy.“Now that’s a stretch, Mandy.“Look at his skinny limbs! Do you call that an expert?“A true expert doesn’t even look like that!“And did you forget? All martial arts originated from sects!“Kronen Temple has authentic teachings!“My junior is a mighty man compared to people from your generation!“More importantly, he isn’t all brawn either!“With him around to protect and make arrangements for you, maybe even be your boyfriend if you’d like…“Isn’t that just great?!”Julie showed Harvey an even more disdainful glare.The other women kept nodding, believing they would never be presented with this opportunity.If that were not the case, they would do anything in their power to grab it.After all, a Prince Charming like R
“You should’ve told me about your situation, Mandy.Rhodes Wright cracked a smile.“If it weren’t for Julie, I wouldn’t have known that you had no one to support you!“Don’t worry. From now on, not only am I your business partner, but I’m also your personal bodyguard!“For your safety, I’ll be around you twenty-four-seven!Rhodes seemed a little shy.“I don’t mean anything else. I’m doing this for your safety, Ms. Zimmer!”Julie Augustus gave a chuckle.“Don’t hold back with my junior, Mandy!“He’s a little stubborn!“He won’t go back on his word after making a decision!“He’ll keep you safe for sure!”The other women started to feel jealous after hearing Julie’s advice.After all, Rhodes was still a part of the main lineage despite not being the successor of the Wright family.Marrying him, or maybe just a one-night stand with him would also be extremely beneficial!Mandy Zimmer felt speechless. She frowned without knowing how to decline Rhodes.After seeing Mandy in a
What would even happen for a kept man like Harvey to lose a hand?Prominent figures like Rhodes didn’t need to care about that. To him, Harvey should pay the price for ruining his plans.Julie understood her junior the best; she knew this discreet man had always been prideful. He’d never let those who tried to ruin his plans get off that easily.The other women were thinking of every possible scenario that would happen; they couldn’t understand the gravity of the situation at all.Their faces had nothing but glee.‘How dare he go against a prominent figure like Rhodes?! He’d definitely suffer!’ they thought.“Heh!”Rhodes chuckled; he applied more force on his hand, but then he realized that Harvey’s expression didn’t change at all.“You’re right about that, Young Master Rhodes,” Harvey said casually.“I’m a bodyguard, not a kept man.“If I want to do my job, I need to have actual training instead of just being a show-off. “Since Mandy hired me, it’s only natural that I hav
Rhdoes quickly let go. Harvey squinted at the door, ignoring what had just happened.A man in an off-white robe walked in; he had a chubby appearance, with a powerful aura. Those who knew him recognized him as the manager of the vegetarian restaurant, Vanny Augustus. He was also one of Stefan’s trusted subordinates.Vanny stepped in, his arms crossed; before Julie could say a word, Miley hurriedly stepped forward.“Something wrong, Vanny?” she asked.Vanny glanced at Miley with a profound expression.“I’m sorry, Maiden Julie,” he said with a smile. “Mr. Stefan uses this room. The staff didn’t know, and they brought you here instead.“He’s on his way here to have a meal after his evening lesson.“I’ll have to move everyone here to a different room. Of course, as an apology, the meal is free of charge.”Vanny was showing a determined expression when saying those words.Julie was the Kronen Temple’s Maiden…but the relationship between the three great temples was mediocre at m
Julie’s face worsened instantly.“We’re only here to have a chat and a midnight snack, Julie. It doesn’t matter where we have it anyway,” Mandy said with a smile.“Since this is where Mr. Stefan eats, let’s just let him have it. Is it fine if we get another room instead, Vanny?”Vanny, smiling, was just about to speak up. But Rhodes, who had been looking for a moment to shine, took a step forward first.“You must be mistaken, Mandy. The three great temples are powerful in the outskirts, but they’re nothing to the top ten families.“I know you’re kind and approachable, and you think it’s fine just to hand over the room…“But the others wouldn’t think that way. If we actually do that, they’d think of the top ten families as pushovers.“We need to have strength of character.“I usually don’t like to bring my identity out like this, but I don’t think I have a choice right now. Don’t worry, Julie; with me here, you won’t be wronged.”Julie seemed pleased to hear Rhodes’ words.A f
Stefan looked at everyone with a deep gaze. Then, he nodded and led the group to a different room.“I’ll remember this, Mr. Stefan,” Rhodes said, crossing his arms. “If there’s anything you need in the future, let me know. I’ll do everything in my power to help you.”Stefan paused for a brief moment before leaving. The beautiful women were ecstatic after seeing what had just happened.“That’s impressive, Young Master Rhodes!“That was the legendary Stefan Augustus and Takai Kawashima, one of the grandmasters from the Island Nations!“Those two are no ordinary people!“And yet, Master Takai still greeted you like that! That’s just…“Young Master Rhodes, you’re the only one here with such a powerful reputation!”At this very moment, the women were on the verge of kneeling in front of Rhodes.Only Miley knew the truth; she scoffed quietly after seeing Harvey’s calm expression. Considering the circumstances, she would never make anything clear.She could tell that something was
Having said that, Julie looked at Harvey meaningfully.She believed that a kept man like him was unworthy to be with Mandy, but she had no choice but to accept it. After all, this was Mandy’s decision.“You’re Harvey York, right?”Julie approached Harvey, and adjusted his collar.“I’ll let you off the hook since Mandy said so,” she said, her tone considerate yet prideful.“But, I will chase you down if anything even happens to her. If she loses even a strand of hair, I’ll cut off your arm!”Harvey slapped Julie’s hand away.“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure that she’s safe.“As for you, you should stop sleeping with so many men. The more partners you have, the less pure your energy is. If this keeps up, your energy might just implode.”“What did you say, you bastard?!”Julie’s face darkened instantly.“I’m a Maiden! I would never sleep with anyone! How dare you slander me like that! How are you going to take responsibility for this?!”“You should know full well if this is slande
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