Chapter 11

Theodore almost burst into tears.

He didn’t shed a single tear even when his energy core was crippled. However, his grandfather's words nearly broke his composure. Still, he forced himself to hold them back.

"Innate Realm… Lord Callum has broken through to the Innate Realm."

"The Yardleys finally have an Innate Grandmaster. No one will dare bully us anymore in Philodorah."

"Our ancestors are watching over us!."

Feeling Callum's powerful aura, the Yardleys finally let out a sigh of relief. They had been suffering under oppression for too long.

The events of thirteen years ago were still fresh in their minds. They all believed that this time, the Yardleys wouldn't be able to escape a disaster like the one before.

With the patriarch emerging from seclusion and breaking through to the Innate Realm, the Yardleys had hope now.

"No way! He couldn't break through for so many years! How did he succeed?"

One man's joy was another man's sorrow.

Carson's face turned ashen, and the elders who had sided with him looked just as grim. They had betrayed the family; they would all be executed by the familial rule.

"Well, well, Callum, you've hidden yourself well."

Harold's expression darkened. He was at the Early Innate Realm, yet Callum who was at the same level, was clearly stronger than him. "But do you think this will save your family from being annihilated? Today, the Boltons will seize the Seraphic Swordplay."

"And what if we refuse?"

Callum stepped forward to help Anthony up from the ground and transferred a surge of internal energy into him. "Leave the rest to me. Go and rest."

Theodore immediately rushed over and supported Anthony to the back.

Just then, a voice rang out, "Callum, it's been thirteen years. I didn’t think you would break through to the Innate Realm."

In the next moment, an elderly man dressed in black appeared within the Yardley Manor. He looked no different from an ordinary old man as he walked slowly toward them. He had his aura completely concealed.

However, his face was terrifyingly sinister as it was marred by several deep scars.

"Lord Richard."

The Boltons immediately greet him respectfully.

That man was Richard Bolton, the patriarch of the Boltons. He was also one of the masterminds behind the attack on the Yardleys thirteen years ago.

Richard swept his gaze across the crowd, lingering on Theodore for a long moment. His gaze made Theodore's skin crawl; it was as if he was being stared at by a venomous snake.

"So this is the live-in son-in-law, huh? The Ashcrofts have raised you well."

Richard's gaze then shifted to Callum. "You've certainly played a long game. But unfortunately, today will be the same as thirteen years ago. You are going to hand over the sword technique no matter what."

His words were like a death sentence for the Yardleys.

"They have two Innate Grandmasters, and the patriarch achieved Innate Realm thirteen years ago."

"It's over. Lord Callum has only just broken through. He won't stand a chance against the Boltons' patriarch."

"If the two of them joined forces, then..."

The Yardleys, who had just begun to feel hope, became dismayed once more at Richard’s arrival.

"They have two Innate Grandmasters. There's no way he can win!"

On the other hand, Carson and his group, who had been on edge, suddenly felt a sense of relief. Callum was his older brother, so he was clear about his temperament.

If the Boltons were to retreat now, he would be dead for sure. Callum had never been one to show mercy to people who betrayed the family.

As expected, Callum frowned and smiled bitterly. "I know that I can't defeat both of you alone. But, I want to try."

Richard and Harold furrowed their brows upon hearing that. They were all Innate Grandmasters, and they might not be able to stop Callum if he was determined to escape.

However, they knew that Callum wouldn't run. If he did, the Yardleys would be annihilated.

If he were to stay, he would fight to the death. Even if they were to kill him, it would come with a price.

Philodorah was a place with powerful factions. If either of them were to sustain serious injuries in this battle, other noble families would surely take advantage of the situation.

"Heh." Richard chuckled. "We have no intention of fighting you to the death. Since we dared to come here today, we naturally came fully prepared. Mr. Wayne, it's showtime!"

An elderly figure clad in black robes and a mask swiftly approached them. He made no effort to conceal his powerful aura at all.

"It's another Innate Grandmaster! The Boltons have three of them!"

Despair spread across the faces of the Yardleys.

Even Callum's expression darkened. He hadn't expected another Innate Grandmaster to be here.

"Hand over the Seraphic Swordplay and take your own life in front of me. If you do, I will allow a single bloodline of the Yardleys to survive. Otherwise..." Richard unsheathed his sword and pointed it at Callum. "I will slaughter your entire family."

The scene was similar to what happened thirteen years ago. Back then, three noble families joined forces against the Yardleys. This time, it was just the Boltons.

Callum chuckled bitterly and was about to speak when a voice suddenly rang out.

"Sorry, but none of you will ever get the chance to see the Seraphic Swordplay."

All eyes turned toward Theodore, who stepped forward with a black sword in his hand. He stood beside Callum and declared, "When I married into the Ashcrofts thirteen years ago, I memorized the sword technique and swallowed it. If you want it, you'll have to find it in the Ashcrofts' toilet."

"What?" Richard's expression turned ugly. "So, the sword technique is in your head?"

"That's right. It's in my head. If you want it, you'll have to crack open my skull. But too bad… this is not thirteen years ago."

Theodore tightened his grip on the sword, his eyes burning red with rage. "The Yardleys will never be trampled on again!"

Callum patted his shoulder and chuckled. "What he said goes for me as well. If it's a fight you want, I'll fight you to the bitter end."

"Heh. Very well." Richard looked at Theodore before signaling to Harold. "Harold, take care of that little brute. Make sure you capture him alive. Leave this old man to me. Once we have him, we can take our time interrogating him."

As soon as he finished speaking, Richard and Wayne charged toward Callum.

Callum unsheathed his sword and met their attack head-on. The battle of Innate Grandmasters sent fierce gales through the air, and the courtyard was filled with the sound of clashing steel.

The Yardleys had always been known for their swordsmanship. Even without obtaining the legacy of the Seraphic Swordplay, their techniques weren't weak. Callum, who had broken through the Innate Realm, held against both opponents without falling into a disadvantage. But, he couldn't protect Theodore at the same time.

Harold appeared before Theodore in the blink of an eye and sneered. "Little brute, no one can save you this time."

"The same goes for you!"

Theodore gripped his sword tightly as his mind was filled with the memory of his father being killed by Harold thirteen years ago.

The next moment, his internal energy surged violently, and the temperature around him suddenly spiked.