"Don't underestimate my boyfriend, Dad. Do you know why Empire Corp sent its head steward to our house this morning?"George felt something getting stuck in his throat, but he said, "What do you mean?"Queenie answered, "Isn't it obvious? Dad, Mom, to tell you the truth, my boyfriend is Alexander's godson. His name is Nox Greenshade."The news was like a bombshell. George and Yvette were petrified. They couldn't believe Nox was Alexander's godson.When they looked at him once more, Yvette and George didn't know what to say.Nox finally spoke up. "Hey, Mr. and Mrs. Sanders."George remained stunned for nearly twenty seconds while staring at Nox with widened eyes. "A-Are you really Alexander's godson? The godson of the richest man in Riverton?"Nox nodded with a smile. At the same time, far, far away in the resplendent halls of Watercloud Villa, Alexander sneezed. This was not the kind of honor he could take without suffering any repercussions.George couldn't believe his eyes, and Yvett
George was hesitating. He mused, 'If this man really is Alexander's godson, then Queenie really can find great success. Question is, is he really who he says he is?' George couldn't be sure about that.A long while later, George said, "Mr. Greenshade, worry not. If you and Queenie are really in love, we won't get in your way, but marriage is a big thing. I need some time to think this through. I promise you'll be satisfied."Nox looked at Queenie. Queenie knew she couldn't force her folks to make a decision right now, so she nodded."Please, Mr. Greenshade, have some tea. Queenie, meet me in my study. We need to talk." And he took Queenie away.George closed the door and pulled Queenie aside. "Tell me the truth, Queenie. Is he really the godson of Alexander?"Queenie lied, "Yes.""You're not lying?""No.""Odd. How'd you get in touch with an Empire Corp guy? I never knew about this," asked George curiously.Queenie scratched her head. "W-We met on a dating site.""A dating si
"There's no way she knows someone that high profile."Hogs answered solemnly, "I share your sentiment, but you saw what happened. I think Alexander does know her.""So, you're saying Queenie hooked up with an Empire Corp guy?" Jezebiah said."I don't know, but if we cross Silas because of her, we're in for a lot of trouble.""That's obvious. We took his money, and we're this close to the contract signing."Hogs looked more displeased than ever. A long while later, he shot up. "Tap into every single connection we have and find out if Alexander does have a godson. As for me, I'm going to Centersea.""To see Silas?" Jezebiah asked.Hogs nodded. "Yes. I don't care if Queenie did hook up with Alexander's godson. Silas must know about this, or we're going to be in big trouble.""Got it. I'll make some calls."…Ever since Queenie started the lie, she sat around, waiting for the outcome of this ordeal. If she could bullshit her way out of this and cancel her marriage with Silas, she
"But Dad just told me Centersea is a partner of Empire Corp, and the bastard knows Alexander. We can't keep up this act any longer. He's going to find out, and when that happens, we're done for!" Queenie added fearfully. "Why don't you just run, Nono? While you still can."'She wants me to run?' Nox cocked his eyebrow."This isn't your problem in the first place anyway. If he finds out who you really are, you're going to have trouble knocking on your door. Nono, just listen to me and run!" Queenie dragged Nox, attempting to make him leave.Nox did not budge. "I told you, calm down. I'm here, so nothing's going to happen.""What are you two talking about? Queenie?" Queenie's parents came closer.It was awkward for Queenie, but Nox stepped in. "It's nothing, Mr. Sanders. We were just chatting."George grunted, but he said nothing more. Queenie was fidgeting, but Nox was unperturbed. Calm. Almost as if he really was the godson of Riverton's richest man.Queenie's mind was racing. '
"Just you wait, Queenie. And you too, you bastard. You'll rue the day you crossed me."A moment later, the motorcade came to a stop before the Sanders Residence. Out came a swarm of bodyguards in black. Then Silas, Hogs, and Jezebiah came out. Finally, Raymond made his appearance.Hogs led the way into the residence. "Follow me, Silas. Queenie and her cur of a lover is right inside."Silas tossed his cigar away, his eyes twinkling venomously, and he strode into the residence.Queenie, Nox, and Queenie's parents were in the lobby. Then, a wave of black came in. Queenie's parents shot up from their seats, staring at the Joshton bodyguards in shock.Queenie was watching as well, and she blanched. Nox, however, didn't even spare them a moment of his time. He was quietly finishing his cup of quality tea.A shout echoed in the air. "Get out here right now, Queenie!"Hogs, Jezebiah, and Silas came in. George quickly approached his brother."What's wrong, Hogs?"A sneer curled Hogs' li
Total, utter panic had settled in Queenie's heart. She saw no way out. This was just an act, to begin with, but she never thought Hogs and Jezebiah would search for Alexander's family tree right away and throw money at their connections to find out if Alexander had a godson.The secret could no longer be contained, and Queenie had no idea what to do.The silence was making George nervous, and he was almost going to pounce. "Tell me the truth, girl! Who is that man?!""If she won't tell you, I will. I've spent a ton of money to get this intel. Unfortunately, Alexander has no godson. He has a daughter, however. Only daughter. And Centersea is one of Empire Corp's business partners. Ask Silas if you don't believe me." Hogs sneered.Yvette and George were petrified, and then Yvette's legs buckled. She plopped to the ground like jelly. George was shivering in rage, his eyes crimson. "He's not Alexander's godson? You and the bastard tricked us? We're your family!"Queenie was tearing up
"That you'll never be pushed around. That you'll never be used as a chip to bargain. Put your trust in me, and I'll make you the happiest woman in the world. Forever."Queenie was stunned. She thought, 'He just feels so cool all of a sudden. His eyes are shining, and even his face is gleaming. Everything about him just screams, "I'm the king."' Queenie had never had anyone give her that kind of promise before."One last time, Queenie. Do you believe me? Will you take my hand?" Nox asked huskily, and he extended his hand.Queenie stared at his hand, her mind blank. Not a single man had ever given her that kind of promise before. None of them would ever do this for her. She wondered, 'But he's just an amnesiac. He has no idea who he even is. Who is he, really? Is he a good guy or a bad guy?'So many questions, yet so few answers. Still, when she stared into Nox's eyes, she felt secure. Safe. And she was starting to waver.Driven by her impulse and desire to escape her family's oppre
The bodyguards swung their weapons. A scared Queenie covered her face, but Nox did not even move. A sneer escaped his lips, and he brought his foot down to the ground with a slam.The bluestone tiles were crushed into smithereens.An invisible shockwave undulated across the battlefield, and groans of pain tore through the air as the bodyguards were sent flying. They fell with a sickening thud, none able to get back up.Hogs was in disbelief. 'Is he even human?' he wondered.Even Silas did not look as confident as he was before.Nox stood regally. "Anyone still want some?"Silas came up. "Remember me, punk?"Nox glanced at Silas."You slept with my woman, and now you're taking her away? Do you think I'm that much of a pushover? I'm telling you, you're not leaving this place alive!"He roared, "Raymond!"With a thud, a burly Raymond came forth. He smelled like sickly, metallic blood, and he had the eyes of a leopard, glaring at Nox darkly."My family has kept you for three year
That was blasphemy. They were both Saints, and he was more powerful than Voltaic, yet he was insulted. "You bastard! Don't look down on me! I'm the leader of the Sect Alliance! I'll make you pay!"Tremeus had never been insulted before. He was one of the best cultivators in the world, after all. Flames erupted from his soul, and they crashed into Voltaic. Towering waves flew high into the air. The battle between a saintly swordsman and a powerhouse of the path of the martial was underway."Tremeus is putting in his all. If Voltaic hadn't won in his earlier fight, he might be defeated, but he did win, and his understanding of swordsmanship deepened. His aura's never been stronger. He might not be able to defeat Tremeus, but at least he won't fall." Dominic narrowed his eyes.Still, the outcome of this situation depended on Nox. If Nox could come out victorious, then all would be fine. If he couldn't, then not even killing Tremeus could change anything. Nox had cast all Eight Saintly
Voltaic arrived at a critical junction. Dominic suspected that he would be the powerhouse arranged for this plan. Voltaic stopped a distance away. He looked confused, and then he shouted telepathically, "Get out here, you bastard! Damn you, Aphrodite! You lured me out so you could attack Faeast? That's my homeland, you witch!"Dominic wasn't expecting this at all. "Wait, so there's someone else?" He was musing over the matter when he sensed another person's aura in the seas. "He's in the sea!" Dominic unsheathed his weapon. At the same time, Voltaic's divine sense noticed the person as well.He leaped into the seas, and then a hundred-yard ravine split open the waters a moment later. Voltaic's sword energy created a vacuum on the surface of the sea. Before him was a warrior in black, holding up the sword energy with his hand."Tremeus Lifenstein, leader of the Sect Alliance. He's a Saint too, but only his soul is intact. His life must be coming to an end, so he couldn't wait any l
"Yeah, this one's not as powerful as the ones in his tribulation, but it's no pushover either. Endure it, and she lives. Fail, and both of you die." Dominic looked at Aphrodite. "Look at her. She's smiling."Aphrodite had gotten over herself. She'd have stopped Nox if he hadn't tried to take the backlash, but now that he'd gotten himself into it, it was too late to do anything. When she'd freed herself from her chains, Aphrodite could finally be herself again.This was what she'd been waiting for. No matter the outcome, Nox had fought with her. Another lightning bolt fell out of the skies, and Nox took it head on. Only two bolts had fallen thus far, but Nox was starting to feel his strength fail.It was almost as if there was something watching from behind the vortex. It could feel Nox's strength fail, and it quickly dropped another lightning bolt."Eight Saintly Techniques!" Nox knew his body alone couldn't stop the bolts, so he quickly used his spells. However, that enraged the v
Nox dispeled the death energy and pulled Aphrodite back from the abyss."Nox!""Don't say anything. Death is easy, but living on isn't. You still owe the nation, and before you clear your debt, you are not allowed to die. Eight Saintly Techniques, Holy Revival!"That was Holy Revival. Once it became a Saintly technique, it could change fate itself. If Nox could handle the backlash, Aphrodite could survive.Dominic had been watching nearby, and he quickly flew into the Dao. "So he's made his move."Nox could save Aphrodite, but she'd run out of her lifespan. Not even he could tether that kind of person to life. It was time for the Master of Swords to make his move. "If you can handle the backlash for her, I'll use my power to prolong her life, Nox!" said Dominic telepathically.Nox glared at him. He knew the old man would save Aphrodite. That was why he came along. Aphrodite couldn't die. It would be a great loss for Faeast."Be careful, Nox. If you fail, you'll die too!" Domini
Nox nodded. "That battle was dangerous. I only got out alive through sheer luck, but to be honest, the traps after that were mediocre. I didn't even feel anything in the last few ones."After the Heaven's Cage trap, the threats from the northern battlefront, Mount Prison, and Sect Alliance did nothing for him. Aphrodite answered, "Because I relented. I hurt you and myself at the same time. Every time I tried to hit you where it hurt, I hurt myself too, so every trap after that had flaws in them. I wanted to kill you, but it only made you grow."Aphrodite smiled. She was just a maiden in love when she was dating Nox. Like regular couples, they'd banter and play games together, but those were days she couldn't go back to. Then, Aphrodite trembled, as if she could sense something. With a twisted face, she snarled, "Kill me. I want to die by your hands."It would be an honor to die at Nox's hands. She thought of herself as a warrior, and it was an honor to die in battle. She didn't want
Aphrodite almost felt like she'd found her old self back. It almost felt like she was his tactician again, and she was unstoppable back then. She could have anything she wanted. She thought she had everything under control. Everyone could be controlled, because she was smart enough to do that.And then reality gave her a big, fat slap. Without Nox, she could do nothing. "I've not done a lot of right things in my life, Nox. My grandpa's gone to the path of the martial. He's fully turned his back on Faeast," said Aphrodite. Nox's next enemy would be the path of the martial."They'll come sooner or later anyway." Nox nodded."One more thing. Amass all the power you can. Faeast hasn't survived this long all by itself. Where you stand now, you know the sacrifices of a group of people cannot fight the flow of destiny," said Aphrodite."Yes, it's thanks to the path of the ancient divine. It began in Faeast, and they wouldn't let the path of the martial do anything stupid," said Nox. The p
"You're an embarrassment! An animal!"The Mousses knew Aphrodite had given her verdict, and they lost their only hope at life. They cursed her in hopes to kill her. That could work. Verbal abuse, when taken to an extent, could turn into a spell. Goldenwheel made it work. He turned his curses into a spell.Aphrodite was dying, and she could not endure the curses from her family, but surprisingly, she started breathing better. It could be a last hurrah before death claimed her. Curious, she looked at Nox. She wondered why no one had the guts to curse him.Nox was strong, yes, but that didn't stop anyone from cursing him behind his back. Then she saw the determination in his eyes, and Aphrodite got her answer. Nox didn't care what anyone thought about him. He knew what he did was right.Nox had no personal demons, and he was a chaser of the truth. To the Mousses and Mystia, he was an evil god of murder, but to Faeast, Nox was a righteous hero who deserved to be respected.Aphrodite f
"Yeah. They've been a menace for a thousand years, especially in recent memory. They tried to work with foreign nations to colonize the people's land, and their ambition doesn't stop there. They want to split up Faeast. They want to destroy our nation and our people."And that's why you became their servants. You came back to slaughter your own people for survival." Nox's eyes were red with fury and sorrow. "Do you know why the Limerents allowed you to come back even though they knew you were up to something?"The Limerents are no saints. Their empire was created upon a tower of the dead. You'll never understand this. The Limerents hold the nation's fate because the people wanted them to. They're beholden to the will of the nation's fate, and they must work to fulfill that."Faeast accepts everything, just like how a mother should. Her children might be ungrateful bastards, but they're still a part of her. You know why I never wanted to take the throne? The emperor of Faeast is as r
She didn't want to say anything now. Nox smiled at the silent response. "An easy death is mercy for you," Nox said solemnly. Then, he spoke to the Mousses."I know your family has suffered humiliation before. Five hundred years ago, your family had a lord among you. The Southcloud Lord. And your family still exists in Faeast despite the changing dynasties is all thanks to your loyalty to the nation. The Mousses have protected Southstate for many, many years."When the tyrant reigned, he worked with the foreigners and sold out the nation, disregarding the lives of its people. Your family defended Southstate with your lives and beat back the invaders. To an extent, your family protected the nation's land. You have contributed to the nation."However, the tyrant had a trap set up for you. Eventually, the Mystians invaded Southstate. They held the people of Southstate hostage, and left with no choice, your family had to relent. From that day onward, the guardian of Southstate became the