Although Gina shot Frank an accusingly look, she still puffed herself up and retorted, "Yes, he's my son-in-law. Don't you know the saying that goes 'the nail that sticks out gets hammered down'? That's my son-in-law—don't get jealous of me now."Both Helen and Frank were left gaping, flabbergasted.Still, Helen only stared at Frank blankly for a moment before coming to her senses and beaming at him.Her smile left all the younger men staring fixedly at her right then.While there was no telling if Gina was just trying to save face or just being tactful, she was more or less acknowledging Frank as her son-in-law. If anything, it was a massive improvement from her unbudging refusal to approve him before.Even Frank was caught off guard.He was ready for Gina to get on his nerves again, and this felt… different."Hahaha… Quoting such nonsense? You're so amusing, Gina."However, the flamboyantly dressed middle-aged woman simply laughed audibly at Gina. "Don't bother pretending to
After all, everyone invited here were classmates of their families who had been doing well for themselves.Forget a two grand suit—even wearing a twenty grand suit would be embarrassing here and an insult to the hosts."Tut, tut… I didn't think that someone as bright and beautiful as Gina's daughter would get herself such a cheap husband.""Yeah, and she's so successful, but she had to get herself a gigolo!"Gina turned pale right then, while Helen was embarrassed too.Walking up to Frank, she asked under her breath, "I told you to get a better suit, Frank. You know my mom, and… Urgh…"Frank was frustrated when he saw Helen's disappointment too.He certainly would not try to embarrass Gina and Helen given the occasion and had ordered a tailored suit at one of Gene Pearce's expensive boutiques.If anything, this was the most expensive suit he had ever worn, and it cost 800 grand just as Ilsa said earlier. He even paid an additional 200 grand as a tip to have it delivered early,
"Hahaha…"Even after Frank explained himself, Ilsa Mendy was laughing loudly from the crowd, even clapping. "Amazing! That's a gigolo for you… how quick he is, crafting a lie out of nowhere!"While Gina and Helen were left taken aback, a greasy-haired youth strode out of the crowd and snorted at Frank.He had the look of a successful businessman and scoffed at Frank. "I've seen many gigolos like you. You obviously squandered Ms. Lane's money elsewhere while spending two grand on some cheap suit just to go through the motions.""Who are you?" Frank frowned at the man."Theo Whiteson. I'm the deputy CEO of Pearson Group after graduating with two PhDs."Theo raised his chin further even as he sneered at Frank. "I've always despised deceitful men like you, and now you've even embarrassed Ms. Lane. Honestly, why are you still here?"The women around were all looking at Theo worshipfully after he stepped out."It's Mr. Whiteson!""Yeah, I didn't expect him to show up here!""He's t
It was supposed to be an occasion for Frank and Gina to mend things, only for it to turn out like this."You heard your mother-in-law, brat. Quit hanging around and embarrassing her further already."Theo sneered at Frank in contempt before turning toward Helen with a twinkle of obsession in his eyes. "Ms. Lane, you're as beautiful as you are successful, owning a big company like Lanecorp. You can have any man you like, so why would you pick someone like him?" "Just give up on him already—he's not just going to embarrass you, but he'd soon be dragging down Lanecorp's progress and reputation with him."Then, whipping out a business card and shoving it into Helen's hand, Theo flashed a gentlemanly smile as he continued, "You can call me anytime if you need me, Ms. Lane. I'd even consider the possibility of jumping ship to work for someone as talented and as successful as you."And with that, Theo and his mother Ilsa Mendy strode off triumphantly, leaving Helen standing there holdin
The man quickly let the fangirls and his family clients who were surrounding him, leaving them hanging as he hurried to Frank and dropped on one knee. "What brings you here to Norsedam, Master Lawrence? Why didn't you call?"Naturally, the man was none other than Jaden Favoni, heir to the Favoni family of Norsedam who had just recovered from a terrible case of poisoning.The bigwigs around him were certainly astonished as they looked on.After all, Jaden had always carried himself with pride, but he was now kneeling to some unknown character with such zeal?!Still, only a handful of people were aware that Jaden had recognized Frank as his mentor, and it certainly was no public matter.Therefore, they were all gaping as they watched Jaden address such a young man as his mentor.And their shock only doubled when Jaden's sisters—Chelly Favoni and Stella Favoni—bowed their heads when they saw Frank too. "Greetings, Mr. Lawrence."While the girls were not kneeling like Jaden, the cro
Hence, as everyone looked on, Jaden audibly kowtowed thrice before Frank and took the Jade Marrow Pill with a look of gratitude.As soon as it went down his throat, it turned into pure life essence flowing down Jaden's gullet.Jaden's pupils dilated even as he felt the life essence of the body unfurling in his body, and his body cracked audibly even before he cultivated it.It was a sound that delighted Jaden instead of causing a panic, as it was the sound of his meridians remodeling themselves, while his meridian nexus regenerated and expanded.In fact, he seemed to hear splashing as if from a waterfall, and his withered meridian nexus was suddenly filled with liquid pure vigor.It soon flowed throughout his meridians, repairing his wounded body and organs."What is this pill…"Jaden was astounded—his cheeks were pale and he felt exceedingly tired earlier, but his body was suddenly light and his cheeks were a healthy red.He stared blankly at his hands just then, euphoric as h
The security guard quickly explained, "We didn't say that, Mr. Favoni! It was Mr. Clarke, and—"Smack!Jaden slapped the security guard across the face even before he could finish, sending him tumbling on his rear, cracking a lip."You wretches!"Jaden clenched his fist as he bellowed, "My mentor graces the Clarkes with his presence, but those pompous pricks don't even know who he is?! You're all nothing compared to my mentor, and you're going to chase him away?!"Laughing despite himself, he threatened, "The Favonis will come and take all of your heads, believe it!"It was not just the security guard—all of Norsedam's rich and important individuals standing nearby were left astonished.As they turned to glance at Frank, they were left wondering who he really was to be able to spur the Favonis into going on a slaughter?!"Go, bring me Eddie Clarke! I must properly interrogate that pompous scum this instant!"While Jaden was going on a rampage and drawing everyone's attention,
With his suit taken away, Frank only had a white shirt on, which was quite an awkward sight.Jaden saw that too and nodded. "In that case, I'll be inside, Master Lawrence. Just give me a shout if the Clarkes bother you again.""Sure." Frank nodded.He watched as Jaden strode into the wedding hall spiritedly, with the rich and important individuals of Norsedam in tow.When they were gone, he breathed a sigh of relief.Noticing that there were less stares fixed on him, he headed to the buffet outside the wedding hall, picking up some delicacies and began eating at a corner.All he had to do now was to wait for Trevor Zurich and his new suit.-Meanwhile, within the enormous wedding hall, the rich and important individuals of Norsedam were standing around, mingling in groups since the wedding ceremony had yet to begin.Someone exclaimed just then, "Oh, that dress is just so beautiful! It matches Helen perfectly!""Exactly. If only my daughter was that beautiful…"Helen was star
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