"Hello!" The Judge offered a subdued smile."And how may I call you three?" Jazzy mirrored the smile."This gentleman is Master Howard," The Judge said, nodding toward Howard."Hello!" Jazzy beamed once more, approached Howard, and extended her right hand, adding, "Welcome to our establishment."Her eyes briefly scanned Howard, catching a hint of something extraordinary.The subtle yet unmistakable air of nobility about Howard immediately struck her as a sign that he was no ordinary man."Nice to meet you, Jazzy!" Howard greeted, shaking her hand with a warm smile."Master Howard, the Velvet Elegant you've selected is our restaurant's signature, and it requires a special touch in brewing to preserve its full flavor," Jazzy explained, signaling the woman in the red to place the wine set down."If Master Howard doesn't mind, I'd be happy to pour the wine for you all. What do you think?""Much appreciated, Jazzy!" Howard replied, still smiling."It's my pleasure, Master Howard,"
"Is there a problem?" Howard asked, his smile barely there."Master Howard, I'm sorry, but tracking people down isn't exactly what we do here, so..." Jazzy hesitated, searching for the right words."A hundred fifty million dollars." Howard cut her off. "Find the person I'm looking for, and it's yours. If that's not enough, we can talk."Jazzy and the lady in red both gasped at the figure.They had dealt with the rich and powerful before, but an offer of 150 million dollars straight out of the gate was unheard of."Just a moment, Master Howard," Jazzy said, rising to her feet. The sum was way above her pay grade; she needed to escalate that."Take your time," Howard said, the smile lingering.Jazzy and her red-clad companion turned and walked away."The Dark Shady Cartel is something else. That woman has the martial master peak mastery stage's cultivation base!" the Judge remarked once they were gone. "And even the server has the moves of a seasoned warrior.""Absolutely. The D
As the shock subsided, a creeping sense of unease began to take hold in their hearts.The fact that these guys knew they were tangling with the Dark Shady Cartel and still showed up meant they were not just on some foolish suicide mission.There was something else—neither Howard nor his buddies gave off even a hint of an energy vibe. That left two options: Either they were total outsiders to the Martial Arts scene, or they were on a whole other level.The smart money was on option two."I gotta say, I'm dying to know who you are," Darius said, his brow furrowed with a mix of respect and frustration. "To thumb your nose at the Dark Shady Cartel like this... Impressive."Howard cut him off, "I'm not a patient man. You've got sixty seconds to think it over. And when that minute's up, whether you leave here in one piece... Well, that's up in the air."With a sharp inhale, Darius' eyes flashed dangerously. "Alright then, show me what you've got!"He leaped up from the couch, lunging
Darius and Jazzy finally realized who was on their tail.Just the mention of the Shadow Sect' was enough to make them wary. Worse still, the top dog of the Shadow Sect's Eastern District had shown up in person. Panic was an understatement.There was another chilling thought—Howard could boss the Judge around, so who the heck was he?The King of the Western Region, the lord of the Shadow Sect, Young Master Howard!?Holy smokes! Did it have to be that terrifying? The untouchable big shot had shown up!Had Madam Peony stirred up some serious trouble to draw out such a VIP for a manhunt?"Ready to talk now?" the Judge asked, breaking the silence. "Come clean, and I might just be able to get you a break.""I... I have no idea where she might be..." Darius stammered, struggling to get the words out. "I... We're just on the fringes of the Dark Shady Cartel. We don't... We don't keep track of her movements...""Really? If you're clueless, then you're useless to us," Howard said, his vo
Wynter Rogers, known to her associates in the Dark Shady Cartel simply as Ms. Rogers, was a figure of intrigue to all who knew her."Thank you, Mr. Zavola!" Wynter's smile was enchanting as she gracefully sipped her wine."Ms. Rogers, I'm counting on your continued attention to that project you looked into for me," the privileged young man said, finishing his drink with a flourish."Mr. Zavola, you'll have your results in three days," Wynter assured him with another of her captivating smiles."I'm in your debt!" he said, his eyes sparkling with anticipation."No thanks necessary, Mr. Zavola!" Wynter replied, her laughter light and easy.Suddenly, the rhythm of approaching footsteps broke the hum of conversation. An elderly gentleman and a middle-aged man, flanked by a few attendants, made their way through the crowd."Please excuse me for a moment," Wynter said to those around her, excusing herself with a polite nod before moving to greet the newcomers."Mr. Lindsey, to what do
"Boy, you're really asking for it!" The guards closed in, ready to take down the Judge.They charged in fast but were sent flying even faster, sprawling out like they had been hit by a truck.Like their earlier comrades, they hit the ground. Their eyes rolled back and fell unconscious.The crowd gasped in disbelief. With just a lazy flick of his wrist, the Judge had everyone on the ground. Was this some kind of movie stunt?"Hm!?" Wynter's brow creased.Her keen eyes quickly sized up the Judge's cultivation base—he was clearly a top-tier martial general.A sense of alarm rippled through Wynter. Without thinking, she whipped out her phone and fired off a quick text."Ms. Rogers, do you know these guys?" Cimorene asked, eyeing Howard's group before turning to Wynter."I... I've never seen them before!" Wynter stammered, clearly flustered."Ms. Rogers, don't worry, I've got this!" Cimorene assured her with unwavering confidence."Thank you, Mr. Wells. We're so lucky to have you
"Move it, you're not involved," the Judge said commandingly, making his way toward Wynter."But you..." Cimorene was not ready to back down.He was cut off mid-sentence as the Judge's wrist flicked, and the Cold Moon Saber appeared in his hand. A chilling flash passed by Cimorene, and the table next to him was cleaved in half.Cimorene shivered, panic-stricken. His whole body shook, a clammy sweat breaking out along his back.His fear came not just from the Judge's formidable moves, but from the sight of the curved blade Howard wielded.The Cold Moon Saber, its handle crafted from the finest platinum, was the signature weapon of the elite Shadow Sect Five Blades. He was one of the Shadow Sect's five district governors, his rank equal to that of his boss's boss.However, what really sent shivers down his spine was the inkling he had about Howard's true identity.Who else but that mythical big shot could command the loyalty of the Shadow Sect Five Blades as his personal guard?"I
Wynter might have looked composed, but inside, she was a storm of nerves.She never dreamed she would be on the radar of someone as influential as Young Master Howard. Things were looking grim, and she had no idea if she would make it past this showdown.Just hearing the name Young Master Howard was enough to fill her with dread."You're courting disaster!" Yoel's eyes twisted in anger, his hand twitching with the urge to strike.The King of the Western Region, the lord of the Shadow Sect, would not stand for such insolence!"Yoel!" Howard's voice cut through the tension, commanding attention before he turned to Wynter."Let me give you a tip: let him go, and come with us. Play your cards right, and you might just save your skin."Wynter's laughter rang out, light and mocking. "Who knew Young Master Howard had such a sense of humor?""This is your one shot. Are you sure you want to waste it?" Howard's voice was composed, his question hanging in the air."What's your take?" Wyn
"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