Henry looked at his uniform. In surprise, he asked, "Are you a soldier as well?"Nox smiled, but he said nothing."Still, thank you for what you did. I will do what I can to repay this debt," said Henry with respect."You only healed so fast because it wasn't an illness you were down with.""Are you sure?" Henry now had questions."Yes," said Nox. He asked, "You only started feeling ill after your training, didn't you?""How did you know?" Henry was petrified.Nox answered, "Your training went awry, and the circuit of your inner energy went haywire. The inner energy got stuck in your stomach. All I did was smooth out the energy that's been trapped in your belly for years."Henry was at a loss for words. "You're a miracle, sir. Yes, I did get ill after my training. Forty years ago, when the war was still raging, I found an incomplete fist technique manual among the bodies of fallen soldiers."He continued, "After I retired from the military, I started practicing. Everything was
At the same time Nox was healing Henry, Queenie and her family were on their way to Sanders Pharmaceuticals. The factory was on the outskirts.Queenie and her family were in two cars. The one in front housed Queenie and her parents, while the one in the back housed Hogs and Jezebiah.George pointed at the road leading to the factory on the clearing ahead. "We're here, Queenie. And good thing Queenie's the company's owner now. If Dad finds out that Empire Corp bought out the company, he's going to have a heart attack."Yvette said, "What are you talking about? Henry's been in a coma for nearly a year. He can't even get angry at anything.""True." The thought of his wizened father made George sigh.A moment later, they arrived at the factory. The first thing they saw was over a hundred workers huddled in the factory.When Queenie came out of the car, someone shouted, "They're here! Surround them!"The workers quickly surrounded Queenie and her parents. The sudden confrontation sho
"You're the one who owes them, not me. The company belongs to your daughter now, remember?" Hogs answered.George thought he would blow up in fury. He couldn't believe his own brother would do this to him, but he couldn't argue. Queenie was the one who owned the place now, and Henry was still in a coma. He couldn't pay the workers."Give us our money!""Pay us, or you're not leaving!"The workers shouted and screamed again. They closed in on Queenie and her family, weapons at the ready. Hogs and Jezebiah smiled darkly.Just when things were about to get out of control, Queenie stepped forth. "I'll pay you guys."All the workers laid eyes on her. Queenie's parents were flummoxed.They thought, 'You're paying them? With what money? We owe them nearly a million. Collectively.'"You're paying? Fine, then show us the money." One of the worker's leaders stepped ahead. The man's name was Hudson Swines. He was a distant relative of Hogs' wife.When Hogs was the boss of Sanders Pharmac
The reignited wrath of the workers prompted Queenie to take more action. "If you don't believe me, I can swing by the bank and withdraw some money."Hudson sneered. "You're going to withdraw some money? Why should we trust you? What if you run away?"Angrily, Queenie said, "Then, you guys can come with me.""We're not going. We want cash, and we want it right now. Pay us, or you're not leaving," said Hudson, and he riled up the workers. "Listen up, people. We can't let them run away this time!"The workers were convinced, and things got out of control again.Queenie's parents were scared by the sight of this chaos. If they pushed the workers to the brink, they knew these people would stop at nothing to get what they wanted.George had to step in. "Honey, you need to call the family. We need to take whatever cash we have. And call all our friends. We'll have to take a few loans."Yvette was tearing up, but she quickly made the calls. Queenie, on the other hand, was blowing up wit
"Take me to Queenie right now."The servant paused for a moment. "But Master George told me to raise the funds. If they can't pay the workers today, something bad is going to happen.""Don't worry about the money. Just take me to Queenie, and I'll handle it," Nox said.The servant was hesitant. After all, she didn't know Nox. She didn't think she could trust him so easily.In the end, Henry had to step in. "What are you waiting for? Take Queenie's husband and go."The servant shivered and looked at Nox again. "Yes, of course, sir.""I leave Queenie to you, lad. Take her home in one piece," Henry told Nox.A smile curled Nox's lips. "Of course, Henry. I'll bring her home safely." He then left the house quickly and hopped into the car.The servant was driving. On the way there, Nox borrowed a phone from her and called Alexander. "Alex, do you still have the cash I told you to bring along last time?"Alexander was in his office. "Yes, milord. I still have it.""Good. I need some
"I do have money. The card is legit!"Queenie tried to explain, but Hudson wasn't going to listen. "Either you pay up, or I'll make you. We worked our asses off for you, and you're withholding our salaries? Guys, what say you? Should we make them pay?"Their emotions stirred, the workers roared, "Yes!"A venomous sneer twisted Hudson's lips. He held his steel bar tighter and jabbed it at Queenie. "One last time. Pay up!"Queenie was crying from fear now. She had no cash to pay everyone."You're not paying? Then you're asking for it." Hudson approached Queenie.George darted ahead and tried to stop him, but Hudson kicked him away. George fell, the pain keeping him down.Queenie roared, "Dad!"Hudson raised his weapon.The steel bar swung away at Queenie, but the split second before Queenie was hit, someone grabbed the weapon."You filthy bastard. How dare you attack my woman?" A towering figure stood before Queenie.It was none other than Nox.Hudson froze. Jezebiah and Hogs
The sight of Ferguson petrified George while Queenie's eyes went wide.Ferguson approached Queenie and smiled. "We meet yet again, Ms. Sanders.""M-Mister, what brings you here?" Queenie stared at Ferguson, dumbstruck.Ferguson answered, "My employer has heard of your financial woes. He sent me here to aid you. Monetarily speaking, of course."'Monetary aid?' Queenie's parents were speechless, and so was Queenie.Ferguson then snapped his fingers at the armored cars. The great vehicles roared closer to the factory. A dozen armed officers leaped out of the vehicles and pulled the doors open, revealing wads of cash stacked in the storage.Four armored cars brought a total of 150 million dollars. The impact stunned everyone once more. The workers, Queenie, and her parents, everyone. Yes, Jezebiah and Hogs included. Eventually, Hogs' legs buckled, and he almost fell unconscious.Nox was the only one standing still."A hundred and fifty million, Ms. Sanders. Take it. If you need mor
And with Empire Corp's help, the fiasco came to an end. The workers were paid, and the Sanderses could rest easy.Queenie, however, was still staring at the armored cars and the mountains of cash within. She was still basking in disbelief, but Ferguson eventually came up to her and broke her out of her stupor."Now that your financial woes are settled, what will you do? Do you require more assistance?"Queenie stared at Ferguson for a while. She shook her head."Very well. We shall be taking our leave, then."Ferguson was about to leave, but Queenie blurted, "Hey, wait a minute."Ferguson turned around, smiling at Queenie. "What might you need, Ms. Sanders?"Queenie pointed at the armored cars. "Can you tell me the reason you guys keep helping me? I don't think I know anyone in Empire Corp."The smile on Ferguson's lips remained. "But my employer knows you.""You mean Alexander, the richest man in Riverton?"Ferguson nodded, but that only added to Queenie's pile of questions.
Brundela's so-called fleet only consisted of three tiny ships. In comparison, the Faeastian fleet consisted of nearly a hundred ships, over thirty of which were large-scale battleships. It even included a recently commissioned aircraft carrier.The sight made the commander of the Brundela ships sigh in envy. Centuries ago, Brundela was the ruler of the seas with a navy no one could defeat. However, things had changed. Brundela's navy had fallen from grace, replaced by Faeast, the nation everyone once picked on.Just the might of this one portion of the fleet could overwhelm all of Brundela's navy.Moreover, according to Vermillion Bird, these were just the ships from the Southern Sea fleet that could be deployed in an emergency and just one of Faeast's five fleets.Brundela's commander was left gaping the entire time.With both fleets united, Nox led Elizabeth onto the Southern Sea fleet's flagship. With state-of-the-art technology, it was a top-tier capital ship. It would not be
White Tiger was extremely savage. The ship’s crew was scared to the brink of death, and the demigods from the Assad Temple were so shaken that they abandoned the ship and ran off. "Where are you running off to, scum?"White Tiger leaped off of the ship and slaughtered the fleeing demigods. The wind had stopped howling, and the rain came to an end. Everything on the ships went back to normal, swaying with the ocean waves. "Lord Nox, the ships are settled. As ordered, we have killed off everyone from Assad Temple while leaving the crew unharmed."Still, if you didn't send me over to keep an eye on things, White Tiger would have been crazy enough to slaughter the crew as well," Vermillion Bird said to Nox in a message. "Very well. Your Highness, it's time for the transfer."Nox led Elizabeth and the survivors to the ships. As James and the other team members rowed toward the ships, Nox flew across the sea with Elizabeth in his arms. Nox was not just the Nine-State Lord. I
On the ship's bridge, Vermillion Bird noticed something was off. The deck below her was engulfed in a dark cloud that her Divine Sense could not penetrate."Stupid White Tiger. You refused to strike back then. Now, look at this. You've given him a chance to use the Forbidden Arts. If I weren't here, who knows how much more time you would have wasted?" she grumbled. Just as she was about to make a move, White Tiger's voice reached her."Stop! Who are you looking down on? I don't need your help! Also, keep a civil tongue! I am ranked second among the Four Great Generals. I am your superior!"She fell silent."You're a fool!" Vermillion Bird rolled her eyes. After informing White Tiger to deal with his own mess, she ignored the fight and went into the bridge control room to contact the security center of Brunhild Manor.As she communicated with them, White Tiger's fight continued.However, it was not White Tiger who made the first move. It was Nocturna, who had merged with the black
In the straits near the Brunhild Manor, a fleet of three ships was stationed there.Thunder crackled across the skies as the waves crashed in fury.Even so, the three ships remained stationary on the sea, unfazed by the weather.This was not good news to the ships' crew members.It felt like the ships were haunted. It was just too creepy!A dark and sinister force enveloped the three ships, causing the crew to panic and fervently pray to their gods for protection.On the flagship, all of the crew members were rendered immobile on the floor by a horrifying aura.Occasionally, shrill screams of pain would echo across the ship.Half of the corpse of a demigod from Assad Temple crashed through the ship's cabin walls, leaving a trail of blood across the deck.Not long after that, Nocturna was pinned to the deck by an immense force. It took him a long time before he managed to stumble to his feet.At that moment, Nocturna lost all of his previous confidence. His face was stark whit
Elizabeth grabbed Nox's hand, forcibly shaking it. "I'm Elizabeth Snowden, and I've always admired you. How did you survive being surrounded by the ten nations in the Ocean of Death?"Nox chuckled in shock. How did the princess of Brundela know of that?At the same time, he felt some awkwardness. After all, what he did in the Ocean of Death was not something to be commended for.Even James could tell Nox was feeling awkward. It was a surprise to find the Nine-State Lord anxious."Your Highness, the martial arts masters of the ten nations in the Ocean of Death were no match for Lord Nox. He was only surrounded by enemies because he was betrayed by a woman he trusted," James explained.As a national intelligence officer, James naturally knew the truth behind the Ocean of Death incident."Please stop talking about it. It was so embarrassing. I've never been so pathetic before," Nox said with a wave of his hand."No! How can it be embarrassing? It was none of your fault. In fact, it
Nox could fully represent Faeast, but James couldn't do the same for Brundela, so he had no idea how to answer.Nox said, "It's alright. We'll strike up a partnership with the royal family. I'll handle the affairs with Brundela after that."James heaved a sigh of relief. Without Nox, Elizabeth would've died. Then, James remembered that Dickson's fleet was still in the waters."This isn't a safe place to talk, Nine-State Lord. Dickson's fleet is here. If they were to fire their cannons, none of us can leave," James said quickly.Vermilion Bird gave him a look of scorn. Cannons were useless. With her lord around, he could stop even a forbidden item."I'll handle him when the time comes. Is White Tiger done? Check on him, Vermilion Bird. I don't want him taking out the whole fleet. They're our exit ticket."Vermilion Bird quickly went to the fleet. At the same time, Elizabeth stirred."Your Highness!" James and the royal special forces huddled around Elizabeth. They were overjoyed
"So, you're Vermilion Bird?" James' eyes shone. His respect for her was obvious. He had heard of Vermilion Bird, of course."Good, then let's cut to the chase. Thanks to my lord, we won the battle with Winterosch. It is now our vassal state. He has also slain Ice Emperor on Nineside Peak and scared the Light Nations into submission."We came to Brundela to get rid of the Assad gods. The enemy of my enemy is my friend, as they say. So now you know why we came," finished Vermilion Bird. There was a veiled threat inside.James looked grim. They were trying to force Brundela into a partnership. James said darkly, "We can strike up this partnership, but I don't think you're just trying to partner up with us, are you?"Vermilion Bird didn't even bother arguing. "So what if we aren't? Do you think you have a choice? Faeast is not the same nation you once knew. A hundred years ago, Brundela was the first to attack us and poison our people. You stole so much from us. Our vengeance is justif
James then remembered that the princess asked that he give her cyanide. Their intel did say that Nox was a miracle healer, so James quickly let Nox check on Elizabeth.Nox could tell if Elizabeth was poisoned or not right away, and she was not. However, he pretended to check on her anyway. "She's fine. She's just weakened and a little shaken. She should wake up soon."The princess was fine, yet Nox picked her up. James knew what he was doing, but he couldn't do anything about it. The guy blasted a god into nothingness. James prayed that Nox wasn't the same kind of scum these gods were.The rain of bullets came to a stop. With their bullets finished, Ebony Skeleton's members whipped out their knives and pounced at Black Tortoise.These super soldiers were made by the hands of gods, and they were killing machines. However, they were nothing but jokes when their enemy was Black Tortoise. They only felt no pain and didn't fear death when their enemies were people like Brundela's specia
"Well, that's rude of you. I helped you regain your sanity. You'd have to spend the rest of your lives in an asylum otherwise," Nox joked. Then, he realized these people didn't speak Faeastian.Nox was about to ask Vermilion Bird to translate, but James spoke in fluent Faeastian."Who are you? What do you want to do to Her Highness? She is the princess of Brundela. Are you going to take her as well, Faeastian?""Huh, that's some fluent Faeastian. Wait, I think I've seen you before." Nox realized that the agent looked familiar, and he remembered seeing the guy on TV. "Ah, I've seen you on TV before. You must be the celebrity agent. The movies are based on you, aren't they?"Nox gave him a thumbs up. The adaptations were well done, after all. James let a bit of his guard down. He was about to ask who this guy was. After all, not everyone could scare a god. He wondered if Faeast had gods as well.On closer look, James thought Nox looked familiar. "Wait a minute. I've seen you on TV b