"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
"Master Edon! He's causing trouble on our turf!""Yeah! He's out of line!""We don't have to tell anyone. Let's teach him a lesson to remember!""Silence!"Edon could certainly tell what happened but did not apologize to Frank.Instead, he snapped coolly at the Favoni martial artists, "Every guest deserves a proper respect, or people would laugh at us. Now, leave!""But, sir…""What?!" Edon glared at the Favoni martial artist furiously. "Are you disobeying my orders?!"Seeing that Edon was not giving ground, the Favoni martial artists could only leave, though not without shooting dirty looks at Frank while they did.Then, Edon turned toward Frank. "Mr. Lawrence, please understand this—no matter how you see us, it's still not up to you to lecture our apprentices."And with that, he turned to leave.Frank could certainly see that Edon did not think highly of him too.And now that Abel was here, Frank's offer to cure Jaden Favoni was inconsequential. After all, the Favonis cer
Frank snorted. "Alright, I'm hanging up. I'm getting started over here soon.""Yeah. Good luck," Jouri replied.Hanging up, Frank looked up at the waterfall overhead, and then at Skyler, who was standing beside him. "So? Is it time yet?""Almost… Now!" Skyler's eyes were glowing even as she stared at her watch."Alright."Frank looked up just as the skies abruptly darkened. "Ah, there it is—the eclipse."The sun seemed to disappear, and the world was suddenly shrouded in darknesses.And beside him, a stone door imbued with the power of the spiritron vein also rumbled as it parted."Got it!" Frank rushed inside without another word as soon as he saw it."Hmph. I'm surprised that you could reach this place." A cold, wrathful voice resounded inside even before Frank got a hold of his surroundings.Looking up, Frank found a youth in a black cossack and sporting grey-white hair, standing upon a cliff as he looked down on him.Frank chuckled. "Hehe. Like I said, I've come to kill
Frank narrowed his eyes. "Is that so?'Crane shrugged. "I don't mind giving it to you straight—members of Torrent are actually… Ahem. A part of Torrent himself."Frank paused. "What's that supposed to mean?""You don't get it, do you?" Crane grinned. "Then let me put it to you this way—every member is a clone of Torrent.""A clone?" Frank gasped in realization."Yes," Crane nodded. "That's why I believe that challenging Crane is just suicide. You have no idea how powerful he is—only death awaits you down that path."Frank smirked. "Oh, but I don't think so."Crane rolled his eyes. "Fine, whatever—now listen closely. You will find Torrent in the Mystic Trail, but you would only find that place when the sun and moon coincide, and the entrance is beneath the waterfall south of Horton."As he finished, he snorted coldly. "I have no idea if you can actually do it, but I'm hoping you do kill him… Heh. I'm getting tired of being stuck under his control for so long."Then, waving off
Frank abruptly turned, immediately noticing one of the Cranes crouching, ready to spring forward and blindside him."Got you!" He laughed."Hah! You fell for it!"Just as Frank swung a punch to pulverize that Crane, he suddenly burst into pus that splashed at Frank's face."Damn it!" Frank took a step back, surprised that the clone's presence was identical to the real Crane, and a trap on top of that!"Die!"The Cranes around him each whipped out a dagger, all of them stabbing at Frank at the same time."Get off!" Frank bellowed, unleashing a shockwave that sent all the Cranes flying across all directions."Frank! Above you!" Skyler suddenly shrieked."Yes! I'm right here!" A strange laughter sounded above Frank just as he wiped the pus off his face.Crane was suddenly directly above him, launching an aerial kick straight at Frank's head, and Frank had no time to dodge!"Die!" Crane's smile curled into a twisted angle as he saw that too.He was very confident with this kick
"Disgusting…" Skyler murmured through her hand.Despite being skinned and scalped, the women were all still alive and singing to the music that was playing despite their anguish."Talk about a terrible fetish."Frank was scowling too—why were all the members of Torrent such sick deviants? It seemed like his plan to wipe them out was absolutely correct!"So, you killed my clone?"The lanky man on the couch slowly turned to level his bloodshot eyes at Frank.His lips were wet with bed as they curled upward into an eerie smile."Clone?" Frank narrowed his eyes."Hehe. It's a sage art."Crane shrugged as he stood up and wiped the blood off his lips. "It's only natural that you don't understand… Still, you deserve praise. If you can kill my clone, that means you're not just slightly stronger than Ghost."Naturally, the man was none other than the real Crane.Still, as Skyler studied him from a corner, even she could notice the strange twitch of his fingers, and his veins were pro
Even as Crane ran, he was looking over his shoulder, his heart pounding. "No… I won't win in a one-on-one!"No, as long as I get back to my real body… we can do this together!" He frowned, having seen how Frank sliced off the pinkies of those hood rats. It hence quickly dawned on him that Frank was not just slightly stronger than Ghost, as Torrent had put it!"Almost there!" He gasped when he saw the signboard of Pegasus Showtown in the distance. "As long as I get there and rendezvous with my real body, that brat will lose—"That was when he turned and saw that a shadow had caught up with impossible speed."What?!" Crane's eyes almost popped out in bewilderment. "What speed is that?! Are you kidding—"Even as he spotted the shadow, the shadow turned into a youth with an impassive visage.His fist outstretched, he was clearly punching toward Crane's forehead!"Argh…"Even as Crane looked on, the youth's punch slowed down by tenfold, but his fist kept closing in.Then, whe
Seeing Skyler sigh, the tattooed thug presumed that his extortion worked.He strode up, grabbing Frank's shoulder. "No one's gonna help you, boy. Pay up, or you're not leaving.""Exactly! You're not getting away!" the crowd of hood rats hollered. "Last chance."Frank's eyes were cold and fixed on Dani, however. "Are you going to intervene? If you do, you can keep that check. If you don't…""Ugh. Fuck off! I don't care!" Dani spat, her expression smug as she folded her arms before her chest. "Who do you think you are to threaten me?!""Exactly! Pay up, and you can leave!""Yeah! Ten grand, at least!""You probably don't know my boss Wyvern, but when he's here, you won't get away with just ten grand!"Even as the crowd closed in, Frank shook his head. "Well, you had your chance. Don't blame me for what happens next.""You're giving us a chance?! Hah! Who—argh!"Even before Dani could finish gloating, Frank was suddenly in front of her, grabbing her viciously by the wrist."Arg
"Five grand?! Did you hear that?! He just threw five grand!""Must be a rich kid coming here for a secret rendezvous, out of prying eyes? Those types are the easiest mark!""Fuck! And Dani got one of us… It hurts me more than losing at the races!"Frank could hear the buzz around him but ignored it as he strode past the men flanking him and headed toward the street that stank of blood."Stop!" A big tattooed man grinned sinisterly as he intercepted Frank.As his buddies encircled Frank as well, Frank snorted—it seemed that they took his reaction for a sign of weakness and thought that he could be cowed.The tattooed man rubbed his chin as he leered at Skyler's voluptuous figure, chuckling. "Look, boy. I'm short on cash, so let me take a loan. I'll pay you back some other day, how about that?"His friend laughed. "Exactly! You just gave Dani five grand, and we won't ask for more… just four, how about that?"Skyler scowled in turn and glanced worriedly at Frank beside her—was he
Frank himself had just stepped out of the nightclub when his eyes narrowed."Blood," he murmured, his nostrils twitching."Blood?"Skyler sniffed the air, puzzled. "I can't smell it.""It's from the opposite street… I smell the blood of over a dozen people.""A dozen?!" Skyler did a double take.He could identify the number of people who were killed?! That was just ridiculous!"Come on, let's take a look."Just as Frank led the way toward the source of the stench, a woman suddenly came up, catching Frank off guard and throwing herself into his arms."Hmmm?" He looked down to see that she had thick makeup, average looks, and a rather pudgy belly."Argh! He touched me!" she pointed at Frank and shrieked even before he realized what was happening."What?!" Skyler was staring at the woman too, mystified."Oh, sister! You just didn't see it!"The woman kept hollering, pointing at Frank's face. "Your boyfriend grabbed my ass! Is that how you teach him manners?!""Teach him ma
Wyvern screamed even as he clutched the stump that was his hand, screaming so shrilly one might mistake his voice as inhuman."Oh, just shut up." The lanky man glowered and launched a kick, reducing Wyvern into puddles of blood and pieces of innards, splattering all around the lobby. "Argh!!!" the devilish lady screamed as she watched the carnage unfolded."Another sound, and you'd end up just like him." The lanky man turned and frowned at her impatiently."Hngh…" The devilish lady promptly clasped a hand over her mouth, tears welling up in her eyes as she trembled."What the hell?!"Outside, Wyvern's lackeys heard the screams and ran inside, looking for him. "Hey, where's Wyvern?!"However, the lobby was too dimly lit for them to notice the blood and guts scattered around the walls, and they only sensed that terrible stench."Hngh…" The devilish lady was too scared to speak, and tears trickled out of her eyes."Fuck!"One of the lackeys strode up and seized the lanky man