The woman was furious that Frank was not afraid of Joven Loom or Crown Company."I warned you, brat!" she snapped. "Even the Four Families of Morhen have to show the Crown Company some respect! Kneel and apologize, or you could get yourself killed!""Wow, that's so scary," Frank replied, completely immune to her threats, even turning to level a look of contempt at Joven.The rich kid was so drunk he was sitting limply on the road—he was exactly the type Frank despised.At the same time, Joven was bragging, "D-Don't you know who my brother is?! He's Kain Loom, the Wild Blade of Cloudnine Sect. If you leave… I'll show you…"Frank already had enough of the name-dropping and whipped out his phone.He quickly called Trevor Zurich to send his people to handle the incident, while he left right away with Kat.Even as he did, Joven was still snapping intermittently, "Get back here… Don't leave if you have the balls… Fuck…""Oh, calm down, Mr. Loom…" His girlfriend had to stay and take c
Vicky sighed. "And they're saying that you will work with the South Sea Crow to wipe us all out while we have our attention elsewhere.""You're kidding!"Frank was left a little annoyed—those ingrates!If Frank was determined to wipe out the Turnbulls, they would already be dead! Why would he wait until now?!Nonetheless, it seemed that the internal discord among the Turnbulls was still rife.After Glen Turnbull announced that the main family would be absorbing the businesses of the branch families and assimilating a large portion of human resources, the main family's authority also thinned considerably.As more voices now had a say, that also meant more voices of dissent.Even if Turnbulls' strength grew exponentially, the cost was all too clear.Still, Vicky asked tentatively, "Darling, why don't you stay at Turnbull Estate for a while since you're in Morhen anyway? My uncle's been recruiting martial artists and other specialists in preparation against the South Sea Crow anyw
The other two male apprentices were praising Til worshipfully too. "Exactly. We know our senior apprentice the best.""The South Sea Crow? Even the East Sea Crow would fall under his sword."Frank despised such obvious sycophancy, but he kept smiling for Glen and Vicky's sake.Shaking Til's hand, he said, "Frank Lawrence… Unaffiliated at the moment.""Oh, just look at how fake that smile is. Anyone could tell that you're nothing good already," Kiki muttered nearby."Are you done?!"Kat was glaring at Kiki right then, having had enough of her constantly disparaging Frank."What, are you upset? Why don't we have a duel?" Kiki was certainly not afraid, even whipping out his sword while brandishing it at Kat's face."That's enough, Kiki!" Til snapped as he frowned and stepped between Kat and Kiki. "Watch your manners!"Frank patted Kat's head too and smiled."Haha…" Glen chuckled just then. "Everyone's here under my invitation to fight against the South Sea Crow. Let's not quar
"The South Sea Crow's declaration of war is no trifling matter," Glen said solemnly. "Frank, you said that you both came to an agreement, and my third brother is left permanently disabled as a part of that agreement. So, why would she break her promise and return now?"He could not ask those questions in the open, but he certainly sounded concerned as he questioned Frank urgently now."I'm not sure," Frank admitted—his fellow apprentice had promised him and had no reason to go back on her word."Are you sure?" Glen pressed.Frank could see the suspicion in his eyes but nodded in exasperation.It was in a businessman's nature to be suspicious, and the Turnbulls were Draconia's most successful family in trade and commerce. Words alone would never have been enough to convince Glen—the leader of said family—but Frank had nothing else to offer anyway.If anything, it was normal for Glen to be suspicious, even if he had no idea why Ciaran would resume her vendetta against the Turnbulls
Glen was scowling a little less the next day, as he received all the martial artists who were arriving at the conference hall.Frank, Vicky, Til, and everyone else were there, just as a retainer hurried inside and announced, "We have visitors from Cloud Nine Sect asking to see you, Mr. Turnbull.""Cloudnine Sect? Already?!"Glen exclaimed in delight. "The branch families really have some decent connections! Quick, show them in!""Yes, Mr. Turnbull," the retainer replied and turned to leave.Soon, a sonorous laughter echoed from a door, as a bearded man with bulging muscles and stood over two meters tall strode in.He was wearing shades, and he had a giant machete slung over his back, with several lackeys in tow.The man must at least weigh over two hundred pounds, and the ground almost seemed to shake with every step he took.In fact, the faces of many other martial artists fell when they saw that burly man."Wait, isn't that Kain the Wild Blade?! What's he doing here?!""Shi
Kain was never known for his restraint. And if he caused trouble because of Vicky, Frank would not just sit by and do nothing.At that point, there would be a bloodbath in Turnbull Estate even before the South Sea Crow showed up.But to no surprise, Glen's voice of reason was shown no respect at all.In fact, Kain slammed his hand on the table and glared viciously at him as he bellowed, "Mr. Turnbull! I came out of the goodness of my heart to save your family, but you would spit on my grace with such terrible hospitality?! Are you belittling Cloudnine Sect or me here?!" He then stomped his foot. A chair around ten meters away exploded into countless splinters, and the other martial artists had to leap out of the way."Shit, Kain Loom is really as crazy as they say, causing such a mess in the Turnbulls' own home!""Hehe. You don't get it, do you? That guy is banking on the fact that the Turnbulls don't have martial elites to pressure Glen Turnbull.""How despicable."Their co
Nonetheless, Til spoke with strength and determination, "The fight against the South Sea Crow is no trifling matter. In days, my mentor and his peers will be arriving as agreed—if you still insist on impudence, friend, you'll find us less than accommodating!"Kain was actually scowling when Til mentioned his mentor.If he were to be honest, there was no one present whom he feared, but he was still wary of Til's mentor.After all, every South Sea Sect would have their fair share of martial elites.If Kain really got on Til's nerves here, he would really get into trouble when Til's mentor and his peers arrived.No matter how he thought about it, Kain realized that he must not push Til too far.Hence, he spread his arms as his glare abruptly turned into a hearty grin. "Hahaha! You're too serious, my friend. I've been sent by Cloudnine Sect to assist Glen Turnbull in defeating the South Sea Crow, not to start pointless fights."Then, turning towards Glen, he said, "And I apologize f
And seeing that Til had no rebuttal, Kain smugly turned toward Glen. "Hahaha… Mr. Turnbull, if you'd let the babe—I mean, Ms. Turnbull—marry me, we'd be family! That means all your troubles are mine and Cloudnine Sect's. Just think about it—you really lose nothing here."While Kain kept yapping, Vicky strode out even before Glen could speak, snapping shortly, "Fuck off!"The air in the room seemed to turn still at her outburst."Huh…"Kain chuckled awkwardly and leaned his ears forward as if to listen closely. "I think I missed that, Ms. Turnbull. Could you repeat that?""I said, fuck off!" Vicky repeated bluntly, folding her arms before her chest. "Who do you think you are, some uncivilized boor asking me to marry you?!"The conference hall was left in an uproar as Kain's face darkened, and he wheeled on Glen, "I was being sincere with my proposal, Mr. Turnbull. Don't you think that your niece is out of line?!""Vicky."Glen was frowning, not keen to let Kain's antics cause fu
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