Edon was ready to point at Chet's nose and snap, but he froze as his brother calmly said, "The chief of the Martial Alliance is here in our residence.""What? The chief of the Martial Alliance?! You mean…""Yeah." Chet nodded somberly, looking at his brother's shocked reaction before adding, "She has been maimed, her cultivation almost lost.""Then, the spiritron vein…""She doesn't have it," Chet replied.As disappointment showed on Edon's face, Chet continued calmly, "I know what you're thinking—in fact, I was thinking it when I received her. However, she gave it up before she arrived, and the Martial Alliance lost over a hundred martial artists in the battle. There was no shortage of Ascendant ranks, and only she managed to escape, barely alive."Sighing somberly, Chet concluded, "For me, it's clear from this that the spiritron vein is too important for our family to even touch. Too much greed really consumes you."Edon lowered his head, clearly doing the math.When he looke
"Jaden is second in Skyrank!" Edon exclaimed anxiously at Chet. "And he's your son! Just think about it—if the boy grows further, we won't just become one of the strongest dynasties on the East Coast… We might even establish ourselves in Morhen!""I know." Chet sighed, leveling a cool stare at his brother. "But who aside from Hundred Bane Sect can save Jaden now? However, if we agreed to their demands, our family's cultivation and hard work that spanned over a hundred years would be for naught."Unlike the Martial Alliance, Hundred Bane Sect would have complete control over our family. Where the Martial Alliance is a loose organization, we would be reduced to their lab rats. Even if you were in my shoes, would you be able to sacrifice so many of us for Jaden's sake?""That's true, but…" Edon wanted to argue but scowled as he had no retort and sat down again. "Hehe… Chet, Edon."Just then, a pale man wearing glasses and a white suit entered.Edon was immediately glaring at him.
That was why Edon despised Lubor.Moreover, if Lubor took over, their family would completely fall under the control of Hundred Bane Sect and be reduced to lab rats.That was why Chet never let down his guard despite Lubor seemingly compromising."Chet, why don't we just take them up on their offer?"Edon turned toward his eldest brother anxiously. "As long as we're not reduced to vassals of Hundred Bane Sect, anything else can wait after they cure Jaden.""You're being naive."Chet shook his head, smirking at Edon. "Do you really think Lubor is sincere about helping us? Just think about it—what would the Martial Alliance do if they found out we handed their chief over to Hundred Bane Sect?""Oh!" Edon smacked himself on the lap for the umpteenth time and wheeled on Lubor furiously. "I knew you were up to no good!""Now, now. You've got it all wrong." Lubor smiled, shaking his head. "The elders of Hundred Bane Sect have spoken. The chief of the Martial Alliance is actually lo
It was very late into the night Frank arrived at Favoni House in Norsedam.He actually found the ancient furnishings around the residence curious as a servant led him inside.The Favonis really were a martial arts clan, with everything from the architecture, gardens, to fountains decorated in traditional styles.He was brought to a drawing room and served a glass of expensive tea.Frank did not expect such a polite gesture—he even thought the Favonis would want revenge.Nonetheless, he soon found a familiar face.It was Stella Favoni, wearing form-fitting training robes and appearing shocked to see him there. "It really is you… W-What are you doing here? Wait, don't tell me…"Stella's face paled as she thought Frank came for revenge.Even from her perspective, Frank was the one who was attacked for no reason at Lanecorp, slandered by her family and the Bearsons before being coerced into that duel.They had insulted Frank profoundly, and it was only natural for him to come for
Chet did not directly answer Frank's question, instead asking quietly, "May I ask who's asked you and why you're looking for the chief of the Martial Alliance?"He simply answered a question with another question, passing the buck back to Frank."It's her father's asking, and as for why…"Frank paused, quickly smiling as he came up with an idea. "She and I were engaged as children, and I'm fulfilling that promise.""What?"Chet did a double take, narrowing his eyes in thought.The chief of the Martial Alliance was engaged?! He had no idea… No, no one in the Martial Alliance even mentioned anything about that!Was Frank bullshitting?!For Frank's part, he needed a reasonable excuse for his search for the chief of the Martial Alliance, or he would look like he had no business getting involved.Still, he had one—even if Silverbell was the chief of the Martial Alliance, was there a problem with him looking for his own fiancee?Naturally, the engagement was bullshit, though Frank
"You can think of it that way!" Edon dispensed with disguises right then, whipping out a gleaming machete from behind himself and thrusting it into the table before him. Glaring at Frank, he barked, "You'd better tell the truth, or you're not leaving this house!""Pfft…" Lubor snickered even as the air in the room tensed."What are you laughing at?!" Edon snapped in annoyance.He threatened Frank exactly because he did not want Lubor to win.If they could save Jaden by doing whatever Frank did, they would not have to give up the chief of the Martial Alliance to Hundred Bane Sect.They would not wrong the Martial Alliance and certainly would not give Hundred Bane Sect leverage against themselves.However, if Edon thought of that, Lubor certainly could."Like I said, Edon, the Soulbleeder is a novelty of Hundred Bane Sect. No one can neutralize it aside from the elders of Hundred Bane Sect."He scoffed, glancing at Frank in disdain. "Obviously, that brat is fine because he wa
Frank puffed his chest confidently. "It's simple—I will cure Jaden, while you tell me where the chief of the Martial Alliance is. How about that?""Pfft."Lubor was laughing as soon as Frank finished, watching him in glee. "Mr. Lawrence, do you think we are as stupid as you are? Who would believe your bullshit? I've said many times—the Soulbleeder is a novelty Hundred Bane Sect created, and only our elders can stop it. Watch out, or you'd bite your tongue if you keep making shit up."Frank remained calm despite Lubor's scorn, shaking his head as he said, "I can see that you are caught in a dilemma, Mr. Favoni. So how about this? Take me to your son, and you tell me where the chief of the Martial Alliance is if I succeed. If I don't, I will take responsibility… though I'd be infected too and die for my lies anyway. How about that?"Chet paused at Frank's confident offer.It was only natural that he did not want to hand over the chief of the Martial Alliance to Hundred Bane Sect. Af
Frank followed the Favonis to a smaller building to the back, and he could see Abel being surrounded by everyone even before he entered.He stood on the edge of the group, refraining from greeting Abel since the two Favoni sentries before were watching him.They only allowed Frank to wait instead of meddling.After all, they were told that Jaden Favoni, the star of the family's younger generation, was now half-dead because of Frank.Even if Frank had cleared his name and proved he was not some despicable poisoner, the Favonis still extended the blame to him.And whatever the higher-ups said was naturally taken way more seriously by the minions, which was why these sentries were hostile toward Frank.There were even Favoni martial artists who came, sizing up Frank to see if he really was that good. If anything, a fight would have started if those two sentries did not stop them.As such, in contrast to the respect and humility afforded to Abel, Frank was kept on a tight leash, not
Frank's words left the white-clad geezer sweating down his back.Even he had to admit that the brat projected a menacing presence that intimidated even him! "Are you really going to do this?!" he snarled through his teeth nonetheless.He certainly would not have caused trouble if he had known that he would run into someone as powerful as Frank in this place.And now, forget revenge—they had nowhere to run.But as if bothered that the white-clad geezer was not dead already, his entourage kept adding fuel to the fire."What's the problem, sir?""It's obvious that he wouldn't win against you. Why are you getting cold feet?'At this sage, the white-clad geezer had nothing to hide and bellowed, "All you know is revenge! Do you even know your level compared to his?!"Forget you lot—no martial artist would ever win against that man! "Let me put it to you this way—there aren't more than a hundred individuals who could defeat me in this country. Not only is he among that hundred, bu
However, Frank was already prepared.He silently sent a tremor of the same frequency down under, nullifying the white-clad geezer's tremor with ease.Hence, before anyone realized what had happened, the white-clad geezer already realized that he would not win against Frank! Unlike her niece, the white-clad geezer had been traveling all his life. He understood that while earthbending was amazing, it was hardly invincible.A technique was just a technique, and nothing more. It came with its deficiencies, depending on the way it was wielded, and prodigies were completely on a different level compared to them—in fact, the white-clad geezer was recently beaten by another youth.Even if it rarely happened in a small town like Shagan, it happened all the time among martial artists and the like. Youth surpassed all—was there any martial artist worth their salt who did not understand that the kids would eventually surpass them?"Let's go!"Without hesitation, the white-clad geezer was
As it turned out, the white-clad geezer did not return for revenge.People change as they age, along with their mindset, and develop a longing for their hometown.In fact, the white-clad geezer had returned to make peace with his family, and died in their company.Naturally, he was furious to hear that someone was using his name to bluff their way out and abduct his niece, the hag.And so he came with the rest of them, looking for Frank.After all, if Frank was not sent by the white-clad geezer, the only other person would be…-Back at the present, the white-clad geezer growled icily, "Where is my niece?"Frank smirked. "She paid the price for her crimes. What, do you want revenge?""A life for a life," the white-clad geezer growled. "That's the one rule that has never changed since olden times!"His entourage roared in approval. "Don't get so full of yourself, brat! He is different from the rest of us, and he can kill you anytime!""Really?" Frank simply snorted nonchalant
As the geezer spoke, he opened the rosewood box and put an ashtray in it. "I actually don't have any abilities—everything I make is produced from this box. With its help, I can imbue any object with an enchantment beyond human comprehension. See for yourself!"He closed the box and held it by its sides as the box glowed in a rainbow gradient.Frank felt a sense of familiarity as he watched, as the energy signature resembled the spiritron vein, but one different from the meteor.So what the heck was going on?While Frank was left surprised, the geezer stopped and opened the box, handing Frank the ashtray.As Frank held the ashtray, he saw that it really was altered—it could carry more now!The geezer then passed him a yellowed old book. "This is how you can use it!"Frank frowned. "Why are you giving it to me? I can't take it, or people would just say that I stole it from you when they find out."The geezer smiled in wry amusement. "It's yours either way, kid! And after you've d
To be honest, the hag really had not considered that question and was just playing along to her own whims, never once considering why she was such a philanderer.Frank then pressed his advantage. "Your so-called love is but a manifestation of your lust. It seems noble, but it has no warmth or color, and the world has no way of determining if it exists."If I want it, I can do what you do too. Heck, I'm sure that's the same for everyone else—they're just kind people who know that they shouldn't hog the limited resources of mental asylums.""Insolence!"The hag lunged at Frank as she realized that he was mocking her, but Frank was already prepared and pinned her to the floor with his telekinesis."Alright, you can quit hollering now. The more you do, the more you're just proving that you've lost!"Crouching in front of the hag, Frank growled coolly. "Did you think I'd only rely on brute strength to force your compliance? You're kidding—I don't even need to do that with someone like
It was just as the geezer had said—the hag had been pampered for so long that she could not tell right from wrong.In fact, in her mind, everything she did was never wrong and was even reasonable!That was what frustrated the geezer the most, and he simply stopped arguing and started whipping her with his belt.Pain really clears the mind, and the hag was no exception. In fact, she thought for a split second that she might have made a mistake.However, it only lasted for that split second—a little whipping was never really going to correct a lifetime of distorted beliefs!"I don't get it!" she cried. "Why do you treat my love with such disdain?! You don't have to love me, but you have to respect me!" The geezer laughed coolly and continued to whip her as he snapped, "That's true! But now, what I say goes—that's all there is to it!"That was when Frank suddenly reached out and caught the belt.It stunned the geezer, who quickly checked Frank's hand, and sighed after seeing that
It had been so long since he had seen his enemy, that the geezer almost fell out of his lounger.If he were to be honest, he really did not hold out much hope since it had been years, and no one lasted more than twenty strikes against the hag.However, while he was convinced that his revenge was futile in this life, Frank suddenly appeared.While he looked like he had nothing but his looks going for him, he brought the hag like she was some harmless hatchling."H-How did you do it?" the geezer exclaimed, presuming that Frank must have pulled some cunning trick.However, the geezer was once again reminded of the hag's conceit as she snorted. "How, you asked? With just a wave of his hand, and I lost!"Turning to Frank, she snapped, "There, he had his justice. Can you tell my uncle to show his face now?"Frank rolled his eyes. "I don't know your uncle. I only brought you here because of him!""No… That's impossible!" The truth was starting to dawn on the hag, but she still refus
"H-How did you do that?!"While the cabal was left flabbergasted, the hag was much calmer for some reason.After all, her father had told her about an uncle of hers, who had left the family because they kept abusing their earthbending ability.It was rumored that the uncle eventually cultivated a superior ability, fusing things that would otherwise not be just like what Frank just did.As such, she told her cabal as much, but Frank shook his head. "I learned your technique by directly observing you when you used it. And by doing so, I found a fatal flaw, which I adjusted for."He certainly did not have anything to do with the hag's uncle—he was just that quick a learner and that gifted to wield earthbending in an instant.Naturally, the hag was not about to believe that.No matter how gifted a person could be, there was no way anyone could learn earthbending instantly and even perfect it. In the end, someone must have taught him!As such, she was starting to get impatient with
Before the cabal could react, molehills appeared beneath their feet and sent them flying.Most passed out when they hit the ground, while the rest were barely holding on."W-Who the hell are you?!" The cabal had grown conceited since they did not have many rivals in a remote corner such as this one, and they therefore presumed that no one could challenge them.And now, they could not win with numbers against Frank, let alone one against one.Could anyone bear the shame?"What a bunch of mooks. I told you kids to stay on your training, but none of you listened. And now you're acting surprised?"A hunched hag appeared on a nearby alley, looking very much affable.Surprised, the cabal exclaimed, "What are you doing here, ma'am?""Do you think I'd miss the tremors?" the hag snapped coolly before wheeling on Frank. "Impressive physique! I certainly didn't expect you to hurt those boys."The cabal quickly warned her, "This isn't the time, ma'am. He knows earthbending, and he could