While Bexleigh spoke, she noticed the powerful energy radiating from Blood Rakshasa, and it left her utterly astounded.She had been there not too long ago when the Dark Ebon Corp had laid siege to the Rakshasa base. She saw how her Hall Master dealt a devastating blow to Blood Rakshasa, leaving her so weak that she was barely stronger than a martial general.She was sure, considering how badly Blood Rakshasa had been hurt, that making it through the next three months was a long shot.Blood Rakshasa, standing in front of her, was not just on the mend. She seemed to have powered up a whole level!It was beyond belief!"Master Howard, I'm sorry. I've let you all down." Blood Rakshasa did not respond to the earlier comment but walked over to Howard and gave a deep bow, her eyes brimming with remorse."Huh?" Bexleigh caught the change in Blood Rakshasa's demeanor and was taken aback.She had known Blood Rakshasa for years and was well aware of her tough-as-nails attitude. She was th
"Just a heads-up," Bexleigh added. "This pill won't kill you, but it'll lock down your energy. No more magic tricks. If you don't get my antidote within three days, your cultivation base is toast, and you'll be as good as useless.""Let's hope you're a woman of your word because I can still take myself out before you lay a finger on me," Blood Rakshasa said, her powerful presence ebbing away.Without a second thought, she popped the pill and downed it.Howard and his companions had not seen that coming. Blood Rakshasa had just gone up a notch in their estimation."Tsk, tsk! To be the Hall Master of the Rakshasas, your bravery is something else!" Bexleigh exclaimed, releasing Riley. "Hey kiddo, did I scare you? Run along and find your mom, okay?"Letting Talia and the others go was a risk for her as it meant losing her leverage over Howard.She was torn. The thought of Blood Rakshasa taking her own life was a gamble she was not willing to take—it would be a devastating loss.Stil
They surged toward their foes, the martial gods, their presence peaking with deadly intent.In their minds, the verdict was already passed: These men were as good as dead. They struck without mercy.The martial generals trying to intervene did not stand a chance. Before they could even catch a glimpse of Yoel and the Judge, they were swept up by the wave of energy and flung into the sky.They crashed to the ground and coughed up blood. With a final tilt of their heads, they were gone.The two warriors, once revered as martial gods, were paralyzed with shock from Howard's display of power, their will to fight shattered. They locked eyes for a split second before bolting in opposite directions. They did not hesitate nor look back.It was a nightmare come to life. Howard had taken down two martial god peak mastery stage warriors with a single, effortless move.The intel was way off, disastrously so! Whoever claimed Howard was merely a martial god was spouting dangerous lies. The pow
"Are you just figuring that out?" Blood Rakshasa's voice was heavy with scorn.Bexleigh, who barely got to her feet, collapsed once more. She shook uncontrollably, her face a mask of sheer panic.Never in her wildest dreams had she thought her assassination target would be Young Master Howard. If she had known, she would have never accepted the mission—not for all the riches in the world!This was the man who effortlessly cut down five martial gods. She was merely at the peak of martial prowess; she stood no chance against such a legend.Bexleigh understood why even the haughty Blood Rakshasa was so deferential before him. Her biggest regret was letting Talia and the others go; they might have been her last bargaining chip."Where's the antidote?" Howard stood right in front of her."I... I'm so sorry, I... I didn't realize you were Young Master Howard. Please forgive me... I..." Bexleigh groveled on the ground."I'm asking you one more time. Where is the antidote?" Howard's voi
"Between the Dark World crew that snuck into Mareno City and all these other radicals slipping in, I'm starting to wonder what our folks do all day. This wouldn't fly in the Western Region. No way."With the Blood Shadow Force's tens of thousands on watch and the Dragons each holding down their own turf in the Western Region, nothing would get by unnoticed."Xander's just spread too thin," Yoel chimed in. "He's running himself ragged and can't get a grip on the Eastern District.""Right now, the Eastern District's the weak link. It's the go-to for any foreign group looking to get in," Howard acknowledged with a nod."Sir, what's the deal with Ciolara? If they're serious about you running the Eastern District, shouldn't they send some official paperwork?" the Judge complained, his face red with frustration. "They're using you like you're some kind of volunteer. What's up with that?""You think getting paperwork would be a good thing?" Yoel shot a look at the Judge. People are alrea
"Well, sort of." Howard was taken aback for a moment.He had not been trying too hard to keep it a secret. He had meant to gradually let Talia in on his true identity anyway. Alas, the cat was out of the bag. A little heads-up for them was not the worst thing."Wait, for real!?" Yuffie leaped to her feet. "You're a martial god?"Holden and his wife, along with Talia, were equally stunned, their mouths agape as if they could swallow a couple of duck eggs whole.Holden was visibly shaking. With far more life experience than his daughters, he understood the weight behind the title 'martial god'.His son-in-law, a martial god? It was almost too much to believe!"Uh..." Howard saw their astonishment and realized the news had hit them like a thunderbolt. He paused briefly before quickly clarifying, "The title 'martial god' isn't all that it's cracked up to be."Plus, there are different kinds of martial gods. Even with the same title, the levels vary a lot. Not every martial god is a
"And this whole 'martial god' business? It's just a fancy way of saying I'm decent with a few martial arts moves. It's not a big deal."Maybe it won't be long before I quit all my gigs at the camp and come home to be with you and Riley full-time.""Don't!" Talia's voice broke through the quiet, "I don't want you to quit!""Honey, you... You have to promise me to not let us hold you back. If you do, I'll be wracked with guilt forever, and I'll end up leaving you..."Talia's voice trailed off as she fought back tears. "As long as there's room in your heart for me and Riley, that's all I need. I can't be the one slowing you down. Please, just do this for me, will you?""My love, why the tears?" Howard gently wiped her eyes. "I promise, I won't resign."But you have to promise me something too. No more talk of being a burden, and definitely no more divorce talk. We're in this together, and I'm all in, heart and soul.""Thank you, my dear," Talia said, her eyes brimming with love.S
Blood Rakshasa, standing off to the side, shivered involuntarily, feeling the saber's icy aura.She was certain that it was the same divine weapon that had, a year ago, cut down five martial gods in a single swift stroke."Sir, when can I take this beauty for a spin?" the Judge inquired, his eyes blazing with excitement as he gazed at the Blood Shadow Saber."Whenever you're ready to handle it," Howard replied with a smirk."What's that supposed to mean?" the Judge asked, looking confused.He had been at Howard's side for ages, aware of the saber's formidable reputation, yet he had only seen Howard unsheathe it once—during their last venture into The Dark World.He barely knew a thing about the Blood Shadow Saber itself."To tap into the full might of the Blood Shadow Saber, you've got to pair it with the right moves. Without them, it's just another piece of steel."Yoel turned to the Judge and added, "And you need the chops of a martial knight warrior to pull off those moves,
"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