“My Liege, we’ve finally uncovered something!” In the most luxurious villa in West River Institution, the long-absent Drake and Myst knelt on one knee before Dustin. Their voices trembled in excitement. “What is it? Speak,” Dustin said while his gaze locked onto both of them. He had tasked them with investigating the annihilation of the Fox family and tracking down any leads regarding his younger sister’s whereabouts. “We discovered that someone in Grayvale once came into contact with your sister when she was an infant. He might know where she is now,” Drake said. Dustin’s demeanor turned serious. “Who is this person, and where can I find him?” “He’s Wilhelm Proud, the branch leader of the black market in Grayvale,” Drake said. “I’ll handle this myself,” Dustin said and got up from his seat. An hour later, Dustin arrived at a dimly lit alleyway somewhere in Grayvale. This was the location of the North Border branch of the black market. Black ma
“I need to speak with your branch leader, Wilhelm. Please, let him know,” Dustin said calmly. The two receptionists exchanged glances. They looked awkward. Someone who had just walked in demanded to see the branch leader and addressed him by his first name! In the Grayvale black market, hardly anyone dared to show such disregard for manners. “Sir, may I ask who you are?” one of them cautiously asked. “Dustin Fox from Rivenesco. Just pass the message along. He’ll come out to see me,” Dustin said. Their faces grew even stranger. No one had ever dared to ask for Wilhelm Proud with this kind of attitude before. “Sir, do you have an appointment?” one of them asked carefully. Dustin shook his head. “My apologies, but we don’t have the authority to pass along your request. Besides, Mr. Proud rarely meets anyone…” Dustin’s face darkened. “Just tell Wilhelm this: if he doesn’t come out to meet me, I’ll smash his Grayvale branch to pieces,” he said flatly
The Grayvale black market stadium was packed with people and was noisy. Cheers and shouts echoed through the massive hall. Marco and Jimmy were there too. They watched a burly fighter defeat his opponent on the platform. The burly man delivered a devastating punch and sent his opponent flying out of the platform. The latter crashed into the floor. “Bravo!” the crowd roared and clapped enthusiastically. “Mad Lion! 23 consecutive victories!” the emcee shouted. “Mr. Thornton, your fighter is incredible. With his winning streak, I’m sure he’ll secure the title of Black Market Champion soon,” Marco said as he buttered Jimmy up. “And when he does, you’ll make a fortune!” Jimmy beamed in satisfaction. The fighter was someone he had hired for an exorbitant price, with the sole purpose of claiming the Black Market Champion title. The consecutive victories were already raking in money from the betting pools, and the Black Market Champion title came with not only
The next round began quickly. “Begin!” Whoosh! Before the emcee’s voice even faded, someone was already sent flying out of the platform. Dustin stood motionless and did not even take a single step. The emcee turned pale in terror. “Dustin wins!” “Bravo!” A few cheers erupted from the audience. His swift and decisive victory made one thing clear. He was not an amateur. Seated above, Jimmy and Marco fixed their gazes on Dustin and were intrigued by his skill in fighting. “Pair him with a higher-level fighter,” the reception manager said. His tone sounded grim. The emcee complied. “Begin!” Whoosh! The result was the same. As soon as the emcee said the word, Dustin’s opponent went flying out of the platform. This time, even the reception manager was rendered speechless. They had matched Dustin with a seventh grade fighter. He was defeated instantly. How powerful was Dustin exactly? It was not a stretch to imagine that Du
“Dustin, how dare you say that?” Marco stared in disbelief. Clearly, Dustin had no idea who Mr. Thornton was. “You’re too arrogant! Do you think this is Rivenesco? If you offend Mr. Thornton, your people can’t save you! “In your next match, you have to lose! Otherwise, you’ll face the consequences,” Marco said threateningly. Carrying out Jimmy’s orders was his way of buttering the former up. “With Mr. Thornton’s resources, making someone disappear is child’s play,” Marco said darkly. “Why don’t you disappear first and stop wasting my time?” Dustin said in annoyance. “You—!” Marco’s face turned beet red. “Fine! This is your own choice. When you’re lying in pain, don’t blame anyone but yourself!” he spat before storming off. Back in the stand, Marco approached Jimmy. “Apologies, Mr. Thornton. That kid is insolent and doesn’t take you seriously at all…” Marco said in a low voice. “He even told us to get lost. He completely disrespected your name!”
This kid had already reached the terrifying level of a Martial Saint at such a young age! How could anyone hope to match a powerful Martial Saint like him? Mad Lion desperately tried to dodge, but his movements were no match for Dustin’s overwhelming speed. Bam! In mere seconds, a devastating punch landed squarely on Mad Lion. His eyes bulged in shock, his face twisted in agony, and the sound of bones cracking echoed through the stadium. Every tendon snapped, and his internal organs ruptured. His body was crushed under the immense force. It was a power far beyond what he could endure. “Ugh…” Mad Lion spat out a mouthful of blood. Fragments of his injured organs were mixed in with it. Whoosh! Mad Lion was flung backward like a kite with a broken string. He was hurled through the air before crashing outside the platform. He lay motionless for a long time. The entire stadium fell silent. The reception manager stood with his jaw slack. Marco was frozen i
The occupant of the private room was no ordinary figure. He was the martial artist overseeing this black market stadium, practically the grandmaster. Dustin’s challenge was a direct provocation! Such a thing had never happened before. No one had ever dared to show such disrespect at the North Border black market branch, let alone openly challenge the grandmaster, who was a Martial Saint! That was how powerful the North Border branch was. Martial Saints were legends among martial artists. They were the national heroes of Lovellia and were granted special privileges by the government. Martial Saints of the black market were shrouded in mystery, but their strength was beyond question. “He’s actually challenging the grandmaster of the North Border black market stadium!” whispers spread through the crowd like wildfire. The audacity to challenge the black market’s authority so openly was an insult of the highest order! Even Lovellia’s most revered heroes would thi
Since Dustin was being rude, Colin would treat him the same way. “En garde!” Colin yelled as he got into a battle-ready stance. “Get ready. I’m about to make my move,” Dustin said. Dustin only warned him because he felt that Colin was courteous toward him. He moved right after he spoke. In an instant, all that was left of Dustin was his afterimage. In the blink of an eye, he had disappeared. Colin was not the sort of person to underestimate his opponents. He always gave his all when facing anyone. Yet, when Dustin moved, he was still stunned. Colin was a Martial Saint. Yet, he had not even been able to see Dustin’s movements clearly! He tried with all his power to track Dustin, but it was all in vain. At that moment, Colin lost his cool. His eyes were filled with shock. “What kind of move was that?” Colin was absolutely floored. Based on what he knew, all he could tell was that Dustin had mastered some unique, high-class technique. There was a hum of somethi
“The Quinn family of Central Harbor. Is that right? Is it really the Quinn family?” All the guests were taken aback after it was announced. They wondered if they had heard wrongly. The Quinn family of Central Harbor was a truly important family. They were one of the greatest and most elite families of Lovellia! They held a much higher position than any of the families in Somerton, including the Wilder family! For the main Langley family, the Wilder family was one they could barely hope to get close to. However, the Quinn family was even greater than the Wilder family. It was difficult to imagine the full power the patriarch of the Quinn family had. Yet, that lofty person was personally there to wish Alvern a very happy birthday. It was shocking! What kind of clout did Alvern have that even Jasper had come here? Daniel’s jaw dropped, and he looked thoroughly shocked. This had far surpassed his imagination. The guests who had come to this birthday banquet completel
“Happy Seventieth Birthday, Mr. Langley,” Braddick said and bowed to Alvern. The action shocked everyone. Braddick was the patriarch of a great family in Somerton, but he actually bowed to Alvern! Could this be Daniel’s doing? If it was, then Daniel’s influence as the son of the Wilder family was truly impressive. “Daniel, did you invite these people here?” Alvern asked softly. Daniel could not help but frown. “Maybe they rushed over here because they heard that I’m here.” “Truly, your reputation precedes you,” the members of the main Langley family said. They were all smiles. Although Daniel’s logic was sound, Thaddeus and Braddick only wished Alvern happy birthday and did not approach Daniel to speak to him. It was as if they were ignoring him. For a moment, Daniel’s pride took a hit. His face twisted in annoyance. ‘How dare the insignificant Shrike family ignore me? Do they want to die?’ After agonizing about it for a bit, he decided to throw his weight around an
“Who is Dustin Fox?” some members of the National Pharmaceutical Department yelled loudly as they stormed in. “That’s him!” The members of the main Langley family pointed at Dustin. “You are suspected of stealing confidential drugs from the National Pharmaceutical Department. You’d best comply and help with our investigation. If you don’t, you’ll have to face the consequences!” The people from the National Pharmaceutical Department were very aggressive. “Come with us now!” Daniel and the members of the main Langley family were all laughing. Meanwhile, Simone and her parents were worried. “Very well,” Dustin said flatly. “Wait for my return,” he said to Simone. Then, he followed the people from the National Pharmaceutical Department. Daniel looked away from Dustin. He was still smiling. He watched as the members of the main Langley family simpered before him before looking over at Simone, who was standing quietly nearby. He felt delighted. Dustin had beaten him up be
“Come here and bow before Daniel. If you apologize and slap yourself twenty times, he will forgive you.” Dustin’s gaze was sharp, and his posture became threatening. Were the members of the main Langley family serious? They wanted him to slap himself twenty times and beg for forgiveness? This was supposed to be the kind of negotiation they had done with Daniel on the family’s behalf? This was an out-and-out insult! The guests all looked amused at the proceedings. The members of the main Langley family were truly heartless in making one of their own family members beg an outsider for forgiveness. They were really giving their all to suck up to Daniel. Dustin looked pitiful. He had offended someone he should not have and gotten into such trouble with the main Langley family. At this point, everyone was waiting to see if Dustin would bow under pressure. “Are you deaf, Dustin?” the members of the main Langley family shouted. “Hurry up and beg Daniel for forgiveness!
“Actually, everyone, Mr. Daniel of the Wilder family of Somerton has some connection with us,” Alvern said loudly to the guests as he held Daniel’s hand. The guests were suddenly in an uproar. The Langley family was not very famous. It was a shock that they had any sort of connection with the Wilder family. If the Wilder family gave them just the slightest bit of a boost, the Langley family would be able to soar to unimaginable heights. “Daniel isn’t just here to celebrate my birthday tonight. We have another important matter to settle,” Alvern said. “Mr. Langley, what is the matter?” someone asked inquisitively. Alvern looked around and paused. “Some of you might have already heard whispers of it. Dustin Fox, Simone’s fiance from the branch family, beat Daniel up for no reason a few days ago and injured him severely.” The guests’ expressions turned stiff. Indeed, there were whispers of the incident. The whole thing had shaken up Hattan. It seemed that there w
All the other grandchildren presented worthy gifts, even though the most valuable presents were worth only tens or thousands of dollars. “Good! This is great!” Alvern was beaming where he sat. He was very pleased. “Simone Langley, a member of the branch Langley family, and her fiance present a petrified coral.” When it was Dustin and Simone’s turn, Dustin brought out the antique he had won at the Antiquities Trading Hall. When it was brought out, there was instantly an uproar. “I heard that this is a very rare antique. It’s worth no less than 20 million dollars. It’s a rare gem!” muttered the guests. “Dustin is too generous. Doesn’t the Langley family look down on him? How could he possibly have the ability to spend so much money?” Some of the guests were shocked. The members of the main Langley family turned ashen when the petrified coral was presented. They were very displeased. Meanwhile, Alvern’s eyes were sparkling. He was very pleased with the gift. The mai
There was an invitation card on a table at the villa where Simone and her family were staying. David and Simone frowned as they looked at it. It was from the main Langley family. “Alvern Langley will have his seventieth birthday soon and has invited us to the banquet. They even said that they will return the things we seek,” David said. “Our families are estranged, so why did they send us this invitation? It must be a trap!” Simone agreed as well. “Let’s ignore them. They’re on the verge of bankruptcy anyway. When the time comes, they will naturally have to return those things to us anyway.” Dustin only smiled. “We should go. Why shouldn’t we? I sure want to see what they have planned.” It was about time to deal with the main Langley family once and for all. … It was a big day for the main Langley family. Alvern Langley, the eldest member of the main Langley family, was about to celebrate his seventieth birthday. Dustin and Simone were all cleaned up and
The members of the main Langley family gathered in the main hall of their home. They had been thoroughly humiliated during the launch event. At the same time, all their hopes had been crushed. Without the sales rights of those drugs, their pharmaceutical company had no way to grow. At this point, Dusmone Pharmaceuticals had pushed Sunrise Pharmaceuticals right to the edge. The company’s stock price reached a trench, and the main Langley family lost nearly a trillion dollars in just a few days. As for Dusmone Pharmaceuticals, they were currently doubling down on their efforts. The main Langley family could do nothing to challenge them. None of them had any ideas for how to counter the situation. Right then, a member of their staff came up with more bad news. “Is this true?” In the seat of honor, Conan glared at the servant. “Sir, it’s true! All of Rivenesco knows about it. Everyone knows that Dustin beat up the eldest son of the Wilder family of Somerton. He’s cur
“Please sit.” The movers were very polite as they placed the chairs behind David and Monique. Brian took over from a mover and placed Simone’s chair for her personally. “Miss Simone, please sit,” Brian said with a smile. Simone and her family were stunned and did not dare to sit down. Why was Foxtin suddenly treating them so well? Conan and the others were similarly confused. Their expressions were ones of shock. Why was Foxtin treating these insignificant members of the branch family so well? They were the important ones here! “Mr. Foxtin, these three are not members of our family!” Conan had no choice but to remind Foxtin loudly. “Are you certain?” Foxtin’s voice was chilly. “Positive!” Conan said solemnly. “Since you have no relation, what did you come in here for? Do you think you have what it takes to be in this hall?” Foxtin suddenly shouted. The members of the main Langley family were stunned. “But… didn’t you ask us to come in?” someone asked weakly