He could not believe his son's audacity to provoke Howard like that. Did he not understand the gravity of his actions?"You're a fool!" Yoel's voice was laced with disdain."And what right do you have to challenge the marshal? You want a fight? I'll give you one. Survive one round with me, and I'll grant you your life.""You mean it? No take-backs!" Jacob's eyes lit up with a flicker of hope. Resigned to his fate until then, hope began to take root in his heart.Jacob knew he was not quite in Howard's league, but he was not out of his depth either. Yet, as a contender for the Imperial Order's deaconship, his pride was at stake. Barely thirty and already possessing the cultivation base of a martial master, he could not fathom not holding his own against Yoel for at least one round.With a rush of energy, Jacob's presence filled the air, and he lunged at Yoel with the ferocity of a wild beast. He did not hold back, unleashing his most powerful move as a sharp whoosh cut through the
"I don't know who she is..." Terry said, shaking his head. "All I know is she's a woman. She always wears a veil when she meets us. There was something about her, a vibe. She got this allure that seems to captivate just about any man.""That's it?" Howard's voice was heavy with skepticism. "That's hardly enough to justify wiping out your entire clan.""I'm not done," Terry said, pausing for a moment before he went on. "Once, I accidentally saw a tattoo on the back of her neck.""What was it?" Howard pressed."A blood-red peony," Terry replied."And their endgame?" Howard's frown deepened."She didn't say it specifically, just said to go for it and that she'd send backup." Terry's head moved in a small, uncertain shake. "She was adamant, though. The Ziegler family had to be completely taken out. No survivors."Truth be told, if it wasn't for her, we... We wouldn't have gone on such a rampage. We were only after the Ziegler patriarch and his enforcer. If those two were gone, the Z
At first, no one bought into the news. It sounded like some kind of sick international prank.The three major families had been a cornerstone of Mendorra for a hundred years, commanding respect from all corners of society and boasting serious muscle. Who could have had the clout and firepower to bring them down overnight? Surely not even Kenny, the big-shot chairman of the Oceania Group, the current talk of the town, could have pulled off such a feat.However, some noisy parkers uploaded photos of the three families' compound from that very morning, showing the wreckage and desolation. Once those images hit the net, the rumors turned into stark reality for everyone.The three major families of Mendorra crumbled in a single night, and the rumors were true.Curiosity buzzed through the city like wildfire, sparking a new question: What in the world happened? Who was the perpetrator?Intrigue spread, and whispers traveled through the grapevine as every faction used their connections t
"Mr. Holt, now that the three major families are on the ropes, all those families and players sitting on the fence are gonna start making moves," Samuel mused before adding, "Should we get ahead of this?""Indeed! Looks like Mendorra's heading into a season of chaos!" Layton remained noncommittal.After one last puff of his cigarette, he rose and headed for the door. "Come on, let's go see Mr. Carter!""Okay!" Samuel, caught off guard, hurried to keep up.At the same time…Howard and Yoel pulled up at the Talia residence."Hi, Howard. Did you catch the news? Last night, Mendorra was rocked by a major event!" Yuffie exclaimed with the excitement of someone sharing a juicy secret as they walked in."What's the scoop? Fill us in!" Howard asked, grinning."You haven't heard?!" Yuffie's voice was loud with disbelief. "Since dawn, it's all anyone in Mendorra can talk about!""You still haven't spilled the beans." Howard chuckled."I can't believe you guys are out of the loop on th
"Howard, can you come here for a moment? I need to ask you something.""Okay!" Howard said, flashing a grin as he walked into the room with Talia."Tell me, was it the three major families who pulled the strings on the Ziegler mess five years back?" Talia asked once they were seated. "And what's the deal with you and the Shadow Sect? Are you one of them?""Uh... What are you getting at?" Howard blinked, thrown off guard."Cut the act, Howard." Talia's eyes bore into him. "Someone snatched me up the day before yesterday, grilling me about who I saved from the Zieglers. Then, bam! Last night, those major families hit a snag."And you. You were so sure I wouldn't have to sweat the Blakes coming after me again. You had to know they were about to hit a wall! I did some digging, too. This morning, the honchos from those major families were all over Saint Mount Cemetery, right at the Ziegler patriarch's grave."One weird thing could be a fluke, but all this? You're not gonna feed me som
"Spill the beans on the Judge's whereabouts, or none of you ten are leaving here alive today!" the middle-aged man barked."Hmph!" retorted a warrior from Elegant Uniformed Troops."The Shadow Sect dies on its feet, not running away!""Attack!" With his command, the nine other warriors echoed the battle cry, their morale skyrocketing.The Cold Moon Sabers arced through the air, leaving trails of icy light as they lunged at their foes, their battle cries ringing out.Clang! Clang! Clang!Armed fighters retreated under the relentless pressure, with several sporting deep cuts that bleed freely, their energy quickly waning."Refusing to play ball? Let's see how long you can last!"The middle-aged man's eyes darkened. He swiftly surged forward, sending out a barrage of fierce winds that exploded through the air.His combat skills far surpassed those Elegant Uniformed Troops, and in a flash, he sent several of them flying through the air. They hit the ground hard, coughing up blood,
"Seems to me I should be the one grilling you. You offended one of my Imperial Order guys. Got any clue what you just signed up for?" Spencer Wallace, the middle-aged man, demanded."I'm here to find out exactly how you plan to square things with my Imperial Order."Spencer had gotten wind of Jacob's fate just that morning. He found out that the Shadow Sect had taken him out, and boy, did that set him off.Jacob was his golden boy, a real prodigy, who hit martial master level while still wet behind the ears.Spencer had big plans for the kid and saw him outshining himself one day. He was all set to bump Jacob up to the big leagues of the Imperial Order, groom him for greatness.Then, the kid was dead. Just like that.Sure, Spencer knew the Shadow Sect was not in the habit of killing without good reason. They must have had their reasons to target Jacob. Still, Jacob was his man, and the Shadow Sect had no business handing out lessons."You're a fool!" snapped the Judge, his voice
Spencer let out a heavy, ragged breath, his face the picture of defeat.He knew the Judge was formidable. One of the Shadow Sect's Five Blades was not just for show. However, to think he could not withstand even a single move from his opponent was something he would never have accepted as possible.Even on his worst day, he was a top-tier martial general, but then he was getting schooled—impossible!Alas, the truth was staring him in the face. The gap between a martial general and a martial god was like night and day.Little did he know, a martial god going all out could wipe out dozens of martial generals with a mere flick of the wrist."I concede! You've bested me," Spencer said, pausing to catch his breath before he pressed on. "However, I need an answer. Why are you after my people from the Imperial Order?""Remember the rules when we first set up the Imperial Order and the Shadow Sect? We agreed to a friendly rivalry, but cold-blooded murder was off-limits. Break that rule,
"And look at that bracelet, it's stunning! Oh, and the compact has such a unique charm! Should we get one of each to decorate our homes?""Yuffie, you're still in school. How can you afford all this?" Talia chided gently. "You have a hundred fifty-dollar budget. Spend more, and it's coming out of your allowance.""What? Only a hundred fifty dollars? You're being too tight-fisted, sis!" Yuffie's complaint was lighthearted as she playfully turned to Howard. "Howard...""Don't even think about it. His wallet is in my hands!" Talia cut her off, fully aware of her little sister's ploy."Fine..." Yuffie's pout was all in good fun."Haha! It's not every day we get to do this, honey. If Yuffie finds something she loves, let's get it for her. Who knows if it'll be here next time?" Howard chuckled."Yay! You're the best, bro-in-law!" Yuffie cheered, her face lighting up with joy."You're just making her more spoiled!" Talia gave Howard a playful eye roll and turned her attention away from
Howard's willingness to visit the antique market was not solely to assist the sisters in their quest for a legendary blade. Such weapons were treasures often stumbled upon by chance, rarely found by those who sought them.His real intent was to immerse the sisters in the rich culture of the martial arts clans they were then a part of. More exposure to the ways of the warrior guilds could only benefit them on their chosen path.The following morning, Howard's group of five set off in the direction of Nathanael. Talia and Yuffie buzzed with excitement throughout the journey, their minds alive with wonder.Nathanael, nestled in the mountains to the northeast of Mendorra and a couple hundred kilometers away, awaited them.By 10 a.m., they arrived, parking at the gates of a sprawling estate on the city's outskirts—the site of the famed market.Stepping out, they were greeted by a lively throng at the estate's entrance, many adorned in traditional robes, weapons hanging from their belts
"And that's not all. They might even be a bona fide king-level warrior." Howard's brow furrowed with uncertainty."It looks like The Dark World is a whole lot more tangled than we thought," Yoel mused aloud.Then, turning back to Howard, he inquired, "Sir, did the old man ever share anything with you about The Dark World?""Not a word," Howard replied, shaking his head."Sir, do you think our mystery person could be from one of the elite families or sects, maybe just there on some errand?" Mystical Chubby chimed in.His speculation was not unfounded. Most of the king-level warriors from Rackaham were known to hail from the secretive clans and sects."It's unlikely." Howard dismissed the idea with another shake of his head. "From what Sabertooth described, our guy seems to know The Dark World like the back of his hand.""Who's that supposed to be?" Mystical Chubby scrunched his brow in confusion."Let it go for now. We'll head back to The Dark World in a little while," said Howa
"Um..." Blood Rakshasa nodded, the woman's earlier words still ringing in her head."Sir... Sir, was what you said earlier true?" Blood Rakshasa asked Sabertooth, her voice barely above a whisper."What did I say?" Sabertooth looked puzzled for a moment."You said... You said next time, we'd go back home together to get married..." Blood Rakshasa's cheeks turned a soft pink."Hehe, absolutely," Sabertooth chuckled, his smile warm and genuine. "The boss gave me the order, and I've given my word."Blood Rakshasa's smile was shy but filled with joy.Soon after, Qemal strode in."Sabertooth, I've tracked down the hideout of the Slaying Heaven Palace," Qemal announced upon arrival."Is that so?" Sabertooth's eyes sparkled with anticipation. "Tell the crew to take a two-hour breather, then we move out!"The Slaying Heaven Palace's goons had nearly wiped out them today. Payback was due.With the Palace's top fighters gone, the rest were hardly a threat. It was time to cross the Slay
"Shadow Demon Shrine?" The woman's brow creased for a moment, but she quickly dropped the subject.She then turned to Sabertooth and observed, "You and your group have the vibe of soldiers. You're not originally from The Dark World, are you?""Speaking to our savior," Sabertooth gave a respectful nod, "we were part of the Rackaham Western Region's military before we came here."He was open with the woman who had saved over a hundred of his comrades."The Western Region's military?" The woman paused, a hint of recognition in her voice, "You're with the Blood Shadow Force?""That's us," Sabertooth confirmed with another bow."Is your leader the King of the West, Master Howard?" she inquired further."You know my boss?" Sabertooth looked surprised."Not personally, but I've heard the name," the woman replied with a shake of her head. "What's he got you doing in The Dark World?""Over the past couple of years, the world's heavy hitters have been funneling their muscle and resource
"You'll live to regret this, Dark Demon Lord!" Blood Rakshasa declared, locking eyes with her adversary. "Kill us, and Master Howard will avenge us by wiping out every last one of you in your cursed palace...""Ha! That Master Howard of yours better think twice before stepping into The Dark World again, or it'll be his grave!" The Dark Demon Lord mocked with an icy laugh."You're the fool!" Sabertooth growled. "No one in The Dark World has been born who can take down our boss. Your time's coming!""Is that so?" The Dark Demon Lord sneered with disdain. "You're clueless, all of you. You have no idea how powerful the Shadow Demon Shrine truly is!""Enough babbling. Time to end this. I'll send you both to join your boss," he declared, his presence intensifying as he prepared to strike them down."I love you," Blood Rakshasa whispered, her eyes closing."No, don't!" Qemal and others shouted in despair.Then there was a thunderous boom.However, the expected tragedy did not unfold.
Sabertooth sneered, watching the man's futile efforts. "You're such a fool!"He then declared solemnly, "Blood Shadow Technique, second form, Sky Slash!"With those words, he summoned all his strength, his saber carving a fierce arc of light through the air, striking like thunder at his foe.The Blood Shadow Technique was known for turning the tides against stronger adversaries.The white-haired elder's eyes narrowed in alarm. Caught mid-leap, he desperately wanted to dodge but could not. The saber's light bore down on him, a chilling aura of death shrouding him completely.In that instant, a wave of energy crashed through the air like a tidal wave, bringing a howling gale with it.Crash!Suddenly, Sabertooth was hurled away like a shell fired from a gun, blood spraying from his mouth as he flew, before he slammed into the earth, leaving a huge crater and falling silent."Sabertooth!" Blood Rakshasa's shout pierced the chaos as she spun and dashed to his side.She barely made
The man in black was sent hurtling through the air, slamming into the ground with such force that he lay there motionlessly, struggling to rise. A gaping wound, carved by the relentless sword, oozed blood profusely from his abdomen."What in the world is that sword technique?" he gasped after a torturous effort to stand, his face ashen.He had underestimated Blood Rakshasa's swordplay. Since her breakthrough to a higher echelon of mastery, her blade's might had surged, utterly dominating her seasoned adversary."The Sword Without a Name," Blood Rakshasa declared icily.Without wasting another second, she launched another assault. Sabertooth was in dire straits, and she was determined to aid him.Her blade danced again, weaving a web of sword energy that shot toward the white-haired elder, ensnaring him in an instant.The old man's eyes narrowed in a flash of panic, realizing he was trapped with no way out."This is it!" he snarled, brandishing his blade and lunging forward.How
With a thunderous explosion of energy, Blood Rakshasa's power surged, forcing the old man before her to stagger back in disbelief."Impossible! Have you broken through?" he gasped, steadying himself, his face a mask of astonishment."You bet I have!" Blood Rakshasa's face lit up with triumph.She had done it, just as the old man had surmised. Amid her swordplay, she felt a dormant core energy within her erupt, catapulting her to the zenith of martial knight at peak mastery stage.Master Howard's words rang in her head. The core energy left in her by a once-mighty warrior was too much to absorb at once. Back in that cave, she only managed a minor mastery in martial knight. However, Howard had predicted further advancements, and he was right."Let's see if you can handle a few more of my strikes!" Blood Rakshasa challenged, her spirit soaring not just from her newfound strength but also from a deeper connection to her swordsmanship."Bring it on!" the old man bellowed, his blade re