"The main family has already investigated the South Sea Crow, and the truth is out!" Vicky continued, "She had been attacking us for years not because of Frank, but because she was conspiring with the Lionhearts! I remember informing everyone about that, so why are you still speculating pointlessly?"In fact, she had already heard of the speculations before this and knew that the branch families did not trust Frank.That was why they joined in on Rob's questioning of Frank, and Vicky had to state concrete proof to maintain Frank's innocence so that he would not get upset.But even as the ballroom turned silent, Rob asked quietly, "Dear cousin, weren't you originally supposed to marry Titus Lionheart, if I recall correctly?""Yes. What about it?" Vicky replied.She was never close with Rob since he had been away from home for years, but she could still clearly sense that Rob was prejudiced against Frank."Well…"Rob slowly returned to his seat, tapping his fingers on the table
Frowning, Glen snapped, "The Lionhearts will not let it slide if our family was indirectly culpable for Sif's death. But the fact of the matter is that they never showed discontent about the matter, and it's clear that they are guilty.""You're being naive, Dad." Rob snorted, waving him off. "General Lionheart informed me that the Lionhearts simply can't afford any mishaps at the moment, as they are in a critical juncture with Simon Lionheart on the verge of ascension. That is why Titus wasn't punished for masterminding a conspiracy, and they didn't even bother investigating Sif's death. They just can't be bothered."Then, sighing in disappointment, he continued, "And once Simon ascends, I'm sure they would come for us Turnbulls first thing. We have been preoccupied by our infighting because of certain rogues, even losing our greatest allies over a woman, and finding our former allies now our enemies."Rob was not hiding his accusation against Frank and Vicky at all, and the latter
Rob sneered icily even as he watched Frank walk confidently toward his fully-armed soldiers.He had served in the military for years—even if he had met many martial artists whose abilities the average Joe could not hope to reach, he had never met anyone who did not fear guns and bullets until now.That applied even to his commanding officer, General Jan Lionheart, which was why he quickly presumed that martial artists were no different from the average person. They were just better in a fight at best, aside from the tricks they used to deceive the masses.He simply was not aware that starting at Ascendant ranks, martial artists could cast protective pure vigor to repel physical attacks.And guns and bullets were no threat to martial artists with abundant pure vigor—in fact, it was pointless against Ascendant ranks.Even if Frank had yet to reach Ascendant rank now, he could cast a dense protective pure vigor around himself with Five-Peat Archaeus. Forget guns and bullets—even
"Many others are getting caught in the fight too!" The Turnbull sentry then finished."What?!"All the Turnbulls present were frowning at the report, each of them annoyed.If they had known those rogues were so unmanageable, they would not have called for them at all.After all, Rob was here, with hundreds of soldiers all armed to the teeth.With these trained military men, getting rid of the South Sea Crow was as good as done.In contrast, the martial artists were not necessary, and each day they stayed added further problems for the Turnbulls—like they were doing now, fighting among themselves, with many Turnbull servants getting caught in it.What a waste of time and resources.Rob spoke up then, saying, "Dad, those trash would only cause further disharmony in this house, while being totally useless. I'll chase them all away right now, so that the family's reputation won't be tarnished."With that, he rallied his men to head to Ballroom Three, when Frank stood up. "Rob Tu
The martial artists were mingling, playing drinking games, and recounting the old days, while others drunkenly headed to open spaces to spar.Many were cheering them on, and while it was a restless sight, there was no sign of quarrel, let alone destruction of property.If anything, it was within the accepted limit.However, just as they were busy playing around, the doors to the ballroom were kicked open, and a man in an ink-green military coat strode in.The commotion left the hall silent, as everyone turned to look at the military man.However, even before any of the martial artists could ask where he came from, he chuckled coolly and ruthlessly mocked everyone on the spot. "Heh. What a bunch of trash."Bang!Kain Loom the Wild Blade slammed his hand on the table, springing to his feet.He might have conceded to Frank days earlier, but that did not mean that just anyone was allowed to insult him!Shoving away the people in his way, he strode up to the military man, cracking
"What?!"It was a sight that left all the other martial artists astonished.After all, Kain Loom the Wild Blade was the best among them, reaching the middle of Ascendant rank and almost peerless.However, he was still no different from a chick to the military man, and the sheer difference left everyone agape. "From now on, you are all under my command… Naturally, those who have something to say about it can come forward."The military man smirked at the martial artists as he breathed out a smoke ring.Obviously, the martial artists present were not spineless, with an elderly man already glowering as he strode out."We're under your command? Who do you think you are?" he demanded."Exactly!" A youth who clearly belonged to a sect joined in. "You're strong, but don't you think you're overreaching, telling everyone to serve you?!"The military man simply smiled at them before whipping out a handgun and shooting the old man between the eyes.The bullet whistled through the air,
Just from that fact, it was unnecessary to guess why the South Sea Crow returned."Oh, by the way…"Jan did not afford Glen time to think, however, flashing a gentle smile as he said, "Mr. Turnbull, I heard you've been exhausted in integrating the Turnbull branch families back to the main family, and your health has been affected."Rob had been telling me that for a while, so I was thinking—why don't you take this opportunity to step down? Let Rob here take over as head of the Turnbull family while you enjoy the easy life of retirement.""How dare you!"Vicky snapped right then, having had enough just as Jan finished, clenching her knuckles. "This is our family matter, and not up to the Lionhearts to meddle! You leave Turnbull Estate right now!""Shut up!"Rob sprang to his feet right then, glaring at Vicky as he bellowed, "Jan is a brother to me! And as the next head of the Turnbull family, he naturally has the right to speak! You, on the other hand, are a woman who behaves so
Frank stood at a corner, his eyes growing cold as he stared at Rob's conceited expression."Frank Lawrence, was it?"Jan Lionheart strode over, folding his arms before his chest as he sneered at Frank. "I heard you've been messing with my family a lot of late.""So?" Frank replied as he strode up, shielding Vicky and the others behind him."Don't get so nervous. I'm not interested in you… for now."Jan grinned as he flicked his ink-green military coat. "But you should strut while the Lord of the Southern Woods is still alive… You will pay your debts when he's gone."Frank's expression stiffened, and he quickly demanded, "Debts? What debts?""Heh—I'm not obliged to tell you," Jan shrugged. "If you know what's good for you now, you will take your girl with you and get out of the Turnbull Estate right now. That way, you'd at least live a little longer."He was not hiding his threat at all, while Frank flashed his teeth in a grin after a brief silence. "Jan Lionheart, was it? Do yo
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