Frank breathed a sigh of relief at Glen's assurance.Thank goodness the man kept his word—if the man pulled another technicality on him, Frank really would not mind turning against the Turnbulls right then and there.As they left Turnbull Estate, Vicky was once again the coquettish Turnbull heiress.Throwing her arms around Frank's neck, she jammed her lips firmly on his cheek. "Oh, darling… You're amazing! How did you manage to gather the evidence against Titus?""Uh…" Frank was about to explain when he spotted Helen in her car, having been waiting for a while.She alighted, striding to stand between Frank and Vicky while folding her arms before chest. "Let's head home, darling. You're driving.""Okay…" Frank tamely ran off to get the car while wiping the lipstick stain off his cheek as hard as he could.He really would not stay for another second, sensing the conflict brewing between both women.Still, Vicky was giggling as she watched Helen. "What, are you jealous? Oh, don't
"What's wrong? You can just tell me, Uncle Gavin," Helen said, frowning."Alright… Just stay calm, alright?" Gavin asked."Okay," Helen replied.Gavin sighed and spoke solemnly just then. "Your uncles recently returned. They found out about that farm, and they argued with me and your granduncle a few times about it."Pausing, Gavin sighed again. "Then last night, a large group of goons charged into the farm and burnt down the place, causing devastating losses.""What?!"It was not just Helen and Vicky—Frank was furious too."I've told your granduncle already," Gavin continued exasperatedly. "We both believe the goons were sent by your uncles, and your granduncle had them both brought back to Laneville. But they refused to admit it, and there's nothing we can do."Hearing that, Frank grabbed Helen's phone and asked urgently, "Mr. Lane, what about the herbal bath extract I kept in the warehouse? Are those still around?""Oh, Mr. Lawrence…" Gavin murmured guiltily. "If you meant
Frank wasted no time in contacting Glen to save time and cook more herbal bath extract.Glen had certainly seen the pretend state of affairs, and that there was no chance of reconciliation between his family and the Lionhearts. As such, he was now completely on Frank's side for Vicky's bridegroom, not Titus.In fact, he did not hesitate to deliver copious amounts of natural treasures from his vaults, and there was no shortage of century old herbs.Even Frank was impressed—the Turnbulls were really rich as expected.When he was in Riverton before, he had to spend ages just to find even one, but Glen had them in scores. However, though Loggins Apothecary were also sending much of their herbs to help Frank as well, what they could give still fell short compared to the Hale Marrow that he had acquired by chance at an auction.Still, it was enough for the time being.That night, Frank got on a private jet provided by Glen and returned to Skywater Bay with Vicky, Helen, Nash, and Kat
Kat continued nonchalantly, "I don't really get it, but my mom is the catalyst for their incubation technique. My blood, which is basically my mother's heirloom, has that incubation effect for medicinal herbs. Honestly, I wouldn't have known because my father's so overprotective, but I'm also not sure if it'd work since he's the one who told me that."Frank realized with a start after Kat's quick summary—so that was why Nash had been so careful with Kat, and why she had a seal in her body.Still, he shook his head. "I know what you're getting at, but I have enough herbs for now, don't worry—"Before he could finish, Kat had picked up a knife and pricked her finger, drawing scarlet blood."What…" Her determined visage left Frank sighing. "You're such a brat...""Oh, quit overextending," Kat said solemnly. "I heard from Vicky that you have the herbs, but they're not old enough to be as effective as before. And you know it's not easy to get older herbs. Moreover, I have to pay you
However, Frank had only inserted a drop of Kat's blood, and the sedimentation improved by leaps and bounds.Suddenly, it was as if the ingredients he used were over 500 years old. The medicinal value of the herbal bath extract was actually on par with the herbal extract he refined from the Hale Marrow before. In fact, even Frank's abilities could improve if he drank this extract, which would further condense his pure vigor!"Shit…" Frank froze, unable to calm down for a long while.Kat's blood was frighteningly effective… She was a walking, talking panacea spirit!It was not surprising now that Nash was so protective over Kat… even from Frank himself.And if Hundred Bane Sect were to find out about Kat, it would be all over for her, as they would hold her captive and bleed her like livestock.Either way, Frank was relieved—with the vial of Kat's blood, he could both refine the herbal extract again while improving his abilities.And with the pressing issue resolved, he could fi
Even Fleur Lang could not help complaining, "Why would you snap at the boys as soon as they come home? They're the ones you have to rely on after you retire.""Hah! Rely on them?!" Mark snapped tempestuously. "I'd rather pick up a stray! How much money have I given these two pricks? They promised to accomplish something, and not only did they fail, but they only got worse!""That's too much, Dad," Clark retorted, frowning."Too much?!" Mark laughed despite himself, and slammed his palm forcefully on the table. "Fine, then where are the 500 million dollars I gave you each for investment? Come on—tell me whatever you've done over the years. I'll curse my own ignorance if you can give me anything, how about that?!"Both Clark and Gable hung their heads right then, too embarrassed to respond.After all, they had wasted the millions their father gave them, and therefore had to come home.And seeing that they were silent, Mark snorted. "See? Nothing. And you still have the cheek to tal
As the vibes at the dinner soured, Mark was about to start shouting when Helen rose to her feet.Holding her wine glass between her fingers, her eyes were staunch and determined as she spoke, "Dear uncles—I can understand how you can doubt the success of others. After all, both of you are incompetent, and you're convinced that everyone else is no different. I'm not afraid of admitting that I owe much of my success to my husband Frank Lawrence, but even then, I wouldn't give up the way either of you had."Both Clark and Gable scowled even as Helen continued to disparage them. "I mean, losing all of granduncle's money and then coming home acting like you still own the place? I'm a woman, but at least I know shame and acknowledge my own shortcomings instead of resorting to cheap insults or personal attacks."Then, turning toward Luna, she smiled faintly. "As for you, should I tell everyone about the inspection at Morhen and the friend you met online, who supposedly owned a construction
Neither Clark nor Gable avoided Luna when they saw her. In fact, Gable actually approached her and asked, "You can't stand Helen too, can you?"Luna was taken aback for a moment but was soon glowering. "Yeah."Helen had always held herself head and shoulders above her, and her patience was more than used up as she remembered how pompous Helen had been tonight.All she wanted was an opportunity to express it!Clark and Gable traded glances in turn and saw the delight in each other's eyes.You cannot always get what you want, but if you try, sometimes you get what you need!They had just been discussing what they were going to do about Helen, but they were missing a key part—something or someone they could use to catch Helen off guard.As long as Helen 'vanished', the brothers would ultimately take ownership over the farm.They had certainly been coveting it for a while, and they hated their father for denying them all this while.If that geezer would just give them that piece
Baldie dropped to his knees with a thud.Not only did Frank possess superior abilities, but he had a functioning moral compass too?He certainly deserved the power of the spiritron vein!Baldie then said, "I guess I should warn you that there are people who keep their hands clean. They would do anything to further their mysterious goals, so you should watch out."Frank chuckled. "Don't worry. I never hold back when I should kill—just listen to the reverend, and leave if there's nothing else, or I might change my mind."At those words, Baldie turned to run without lingering another second. Frank then turned toward the beggar. "Is this what you want?"The beggar nodded, clearly not bothered to hide anything. "To be honest, I've been considering an issue—do all the people who gain superpowers deserve it? The dragon inside you, for example… I can't say that it's anything good."Frank nodded, smiling—she was right about that, as he thought the same himself.After all, it had done
Frank smiled, shaking his head. "No, you misunderstand. What I mean is that she's right. The paranormal, your mystical artifact—it all works using the same principle: You're all just a little stronger than the average martial artist."However, when you're up against the real deal like me, you're relatively weak and easily dealt with."Baldie was left flabbergasted. "No, no, no… That's impossible! We're not the same as martial artists. None of you stand a chance against us!"Frank shook his head. "What you're saying is impossible. Your kind is simply more gifted, while martial artists are less, and that's the only reason you're stronger than most martial artists."Baldie dropped to his knees with a thud, shaking his head repeatedly as there was nothing more that could tear him up inside.He had always believed that even if he was not divine, he was still an envoy among the mortals like the priests and monks in fiction. Naturally, he was convinced that the day would come when he tra
After strutting for so many years, this was the first time anyone had seen through the depth of Frank's abilities in its entirety.That alone set Baldie apart from the rest, or at least the average martial artist, if not placing him scarily high over them.Still, Baldie warned, "Word of advice, kid—mind your own business. This isn't my choice, as there's a larger faction at work here, and you'd be in trouble if you rubbed them the wrong way.""Really?"His warning only pleased Frank further.After all, this meant that there were more powerful individuals like Baldie!In fact, Frank was just getting sick of being invincible, or he would not have been amusing himself by tormenting baddies.And with Baldie's words, he found himself a new hobby… He had plenty of time to spare anyway, so he should use it!"What's that stupid grin for?"Baldie smiled in wry amusement as he realized what Frank was thinking.To think he had the bad luck to run into someone like him!"Simple, really.
The beggar continued, "The way I see it, those ghosts are basically people with superpowers. They are driven by their own desires to hurt the living, while some have trouble controlling their powers after suddenly awakening to it."Her unexpected explanation actually enlightened Frank.Ghosts and hauntings notwithstanding, they were just people who could do what normal people could not—but they were fundamentally no different!Without hesitation, Frank rushed forward when a tall, well-rounded bald man appeared before he reached the graves. "Does no one ever listen?" He laughed coldly.Frank felt a powerful burst of energy from his words—he was clearly trying to make them obey, but they were not listening!"In that case, I'd just have to be tough on you!"At those words, a bead appeared on Baldie's palm, and it shot up to the sky!At the same time, an unusual energy converged and ultimately morphed into a monster.It was basically a pile of rotting flesh crawling with maggots.
Frank smiled, shaking his head. "Don't worry—I'm neither blind nor deaf. I knew what was happening from the start, and I'd be even more upset if I were in your shoes."The stall owner sighed in relief at Frank's words and turned to leave, not forgetting to curse the beggar under his breath.At the same time, the beggar straightened herself off the ground and sat cross-legged, whipping out a large meatloaf out of nowhere and chomping down on it.Frank sat beside her too, not bothered that he was wearing an expensive suit and certainly not concerned about getting it dirty."So, do I pass your test, reverend?"The beggar said nothing, instead handing Frank the meatloaf that her dirty hands had left darkened. "Hurry up. It's good."Frank took it, not minding it at all and finishing it in a few bites. "It's good, but I can make something better. How about it?"The beggar was suddenly on her feet, stretching her back and yawning. "Next time. I'm busy.""What is it? Can't I help?" Fra
After Mr. Creston handed Frank his phone, Frank nodded. "Good, at least you're cooperating. So you can do it yourself!"Mr. Creston was left befuddled—what the hell?! He was already being so cooperative, and the brat still wanted him dead?!"Friend, a gentleman is as good as his word," he said. "People would laugh at you.""Laugh at me?" Frank chuckled coolly. "Who would dare laugh at me? Also, I think it might happen if I don't wipe out people like you.""What…!"As Mr. Creston realized from Frank's calm tone that he was not letting him off the hook, he ran without hesitation.But to Frank, he was slower than a tortoise and disappeared in the blink of an eye.Frank then whipped out Mr. Creston's phone and called the number in it.A coquettish woman answered the call. "Hey, buddy!"Frank laughed at the way she greeted him as if they were old friends. "Reverend Quietus, I presume? Why don't we meet up, if you don't mind?""I certainly don't mind." The woman laughed too. "Who
Frank smiled and nodded. "Ladies like you are rare these days."Drunken Moon snapped her fingers, grinning. "That's exactly why we need to work hard to eliminate all the terrible women. There would be more good girls that way, don't you agree?"I'm not out to make men happy—just to set a standard for my fellow girls. Not everything is black and white, since anything can be relative. Even if men were all gone, bad women would still be bad women. Don't you agree?"Frank nodded in agreement.Thirty minutes later, the stout Mr. Creston sat up on the bed, clearly startled.Frank, who was watching from a bird's eye view, was caught by surprise—how did that man sense his presence?Still, he understood when he saw that Mr. Creston was holding a gleaming yellow talisman.Shock soon turned to curiosity as Frank thought most street geomancers these days were conmen, but somehow, a working talisman was there right in front of him. Hence, Frank made up his mind to find them right then."I
Frank was not only the smart guy out there in the whole right world. In other words, Mr. Creston had that in mind too!He was helping because he had felt insulted after Frank flexed on him earlier, and Dani was still useful to him—for now.When she handed over the company, however, he would not hesitate to kick her out! On top of that, he would make sure that she took the fall for all the dirty deeds they did together.In the end, she would not even be able to defend herself, while suffering lawsuits and public condemnation!Even so, she said, "I understand now. But it's never too late—I swear I'll change if you give me a chance!"Frank simply turned to Zein. "Actually, this man had the right idea—if he gave you a chance, who would give him one?"We're all adults here, so act your age. I'm sure you understand how a good opinion, once lost, is lost forever.""I get it!" Dani quickly said. "You don't have to keep me around, just—""No!" Frank snapped and crushed her left hand und
Dani was under the impression that even if the goons were not the best, they were on the cusp of reaching that level anyway.It turned out to be just her wishful thinking—when against the truly powerful, she was a lamb at the mercy of the butcher's knife, no matter how many people she brought! "To be honest, I'm curious as to what you're thinking." Frank snorted as he strode up to Dani. "Why dump a man who loves you dearly for some prick you don't even know? Being abused in that state and still thinking that you'd chosen wisely—do you actually have a brain?"Seeing her launching, he knew she was not listening, and he tore her ear off!The horrific pain jolted Dani to her senses, and she was left clutching what remained of her ear as she stared at the seemingly handsome man.She was under the impression that Frank would let her live even if she lost, but it was once again wishful thinking.He would kill her, and savagely at that!And she was certainly right, since Frank had ne