"I've got a grasp of your issues with Jayden. Here's a suggestion," Layton continued, "I'll have Jayden come up with seven hundred thousand dollars for you two, and we can put this matter to rest. What do you think?""Well, if I'm not mistaken, Jayden has likely swallowed hundreds of millions with just that one community," Howard said, sipping his tea. "Now you're asking him to cough up seven hundred thousand dollars to settle the matter? Do you think I'd be interested in that?""My friend, a bad compromise is better than nothing!"Layton was getting irritated. He had lowered his stance considerably, but Howard seemed unimpressed. Everyone had a limit to their patience, especially one that had been in power for a long time."Enough of this. I don't have time to waste on words. If I don't see him repaying the money in the community tomorrow, I'll make sure he shuts down his company! If you want to handle this, make your move quickly. After the fight, I need to go back and get some s
Before Howard could act, Yoel chimed in, "Can't you have a bit of self-awareness? Why don't you believe it when I say you're too weak?"Then, he raised his hand to create a mighty gust with a seemingly effortless sweep. Though appearing nonchalant, his palm harbored a violent energy akin to a hurricane sweeping toward Samuel.As Yoel's aura fluctuated, Samuel was stunned. Only now did he realize the magnitude of trouble he had stirred. Ironically, he had contemplated exchanging blows with this person! Attempting to dodge, Samuel found himself in a difficulty. The gap in their martial abilities resembled an abyss, and he did not even have the chance to evade.Soon, a muffled sound echoed as Samuel was sent flying. He soared for more than ten meters before crashing heavily to the ground, spewing out a mouthful of blood. Clearly, Yoel had shown mercy. Otherwise, Samuel would already be dead. The scene immediately fell into a silence, so quiet that one could hear a pin drop. Mendorra's
"Know your place!" Kenny glared at him before walking to Howard.After that, he bowed deeply. "I'm so sorry, Young Master Howard. I was delayed by a call from the old master and was late. Please forgive me!"Seeing that, both Layton and Jayden crumpled to the ground with looks of shock, and they started to sweat. The person in front fo them was someone even Kenny had to show respect to? What kind of a person was he? Thinking about how the two of them had wanted to beat Howard up just now, the two of them were rendered speechless. They were practically being suicidal!"Do you know them?" Howard said calmly."I've had Layton help me with a few things for me before," Kenny answered respectfully."Is that so?" Howard said calmly again, "The two of them were planning on crippling me and Yoel just now!"Layton and Jayden immediately crawled over, kneeling down in front of Howard."I-I'm sorry, I didn't know my place. Please forgive me," Layton said with great difficulty, his face comp
""D-don't worry, Master Howard, I'll definitely compensate them for everything," Jayden hurriedly said.Money was important, but you need to be alive to spend that money. He had no doubt that Howard killing him would be as easy as drinking water!"I don't want any outsiders knowing about what happened tonight. Both of you deal with your own men!" Howard waved them off. "Get lost!""Don't worry, Master Howard, word won't get out," After Layton and Jayden apologised again, they brought their men away."Master Howard, I'm so sorry. I didn't know they came for you." After all of them left, Kenny sat down next to Howard."It's not your fault," Howard said after taking a sip of tea. "I called you over today because I need to tell you about something."After that, he told Howard about what happened with Albert's family."The Jenkins family is really crossing the line!" Kenny said after he heard Howard's story."Master Howard, there's no need to go through so much trouble. I'll just bu
"Even so, there are still those who tried to scheme against him and stab him in the back. They've got nothing else to do, so they decide to cause trouble!" The old man in casual clothes continued to say."They say that he formed his own alliances, eliminated any dissidents, established his own troops, wants to rebel and all of that!""What's even funnier is the fact that there are actually those who believe all that nonsense!""Tell me, if you were in his place, could you remain silent?""What?" The man int traditional clothes frowned. "Who did you hear this from?""When you're free, you should go take a walk outside. Stop being cooped up in your own home!" The man in casual clothes glared at him in frustration. "If you continue like this, you'll find yourself completely detached from the world!""This has been circulating in Ciolara for a long time!""Even so, surely he can't just drop everything and leave?" Another old man said."The Western front is stable now, but the other
"Alright! You'll be in charge of talking to him. The resignation isn't approved. We'll let him have a three month break to be with his family. After three months, he's to come back to accept continue his appointment!"The man at the head of the table continued to add, "Also, while he's resting, he'll still be in charge of the shadow Sect. If anything happens, he'll be questioned!""Dismissed1"After that, he got up and walked to the exit before he said, "Old Tucker, come with me!"After a minute, they were at the corridor."I know you really love that brat!" The man said, "But he still has too many flaws that need to be properly polished. This country still needs him to take up big responsibilities in the future!""But those people are just impossible to work with!" Tucker responded, "They just sit on their butts the whole day and pull these idiotic tricks!""Do you not have any confidence in that boy? If he can't even deal with something so simple, then what about the future?"
"Those people can't be underestimated," The man said with a smile."If they're led to Ciolora, it would be a bit of a headache. We still have a great deal of other problems we have to handle too.""The brat has been doing nothing in Medorra anyway. Let's just let him handle a few ants as training!""You really are an old fox!" Tucker looked at him in exasperation."If that brat knows that you did this to him, he might barge into your office to settle the score. Don't come looking for me if that happens!""Haha, he might even thank me after that!" The man laughed."Alright, that's enough. You don't have to worry too much about that brat."At the same time, in Mendorra.After having breakfast with Yoel, Howard drove over to Talia's house. Yoel brought a few toys with him as well."Daddy!" The moment they walked inside, Riley rushed over. Over."Riley, have you had breakfast?" Howard said as he lifted Riley into his arms."I did, grandma made it. It was good!" Riley said loudly
"Okay!" Howard walked over with a smile."Kaylee! Are you home?" Not long after that, there was a shout downstairs, "Come over!""Oh?" Kaylee was surprised.After a few minutes, Howard and the others all went downstairs.When they arrived at the gate, tehy saw a large group of people with happy looks on the faces."Kaylee, thank you. Thank you so much!" When they saw Kaylee's family, they all knelt down in front of them."Oh my, what are you all doing? Get up!" Kaylee hurriedly helped the old lady in front of her up.After that, she looked at the people people and said, "Everyone, please get up. What's going on? What happened?""Kaylee, don't act like you're clueless. All of you have helped us so much. We don't even know how to thank you!" The old lady stood up with tears on her face."What exactly happened?" Kaylee asked."Kaylee, JC Real Estate paid us all the money they owed us this morning," A middle-aged lady said."Not only did they give us back our money, they even ga
"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