Only the Yimmels were scowling."Fine!" Cadell, who had had enough just then, whipped out his phone. "Since you're all so united, let's see how you'll stay that way after the Southstream Lanes are massacred! I'm making the call right now!"As he dialed the number, Frank was still smirking, while Helen's fingers dug into his arm, showing her nervousness."Uncle Cadell!" Hagar Yimmel was soon huffing from the other end."Hagar!" Cadell was barking at once. "We fell for Frank Lawrence's trap here! You still have the hostages, don't you?! Kill ten of them—show them the price of underestimating the Yimmels!"However, Hagar was huffing despite Cadell's orders, clearly on the run. "No… Uncle Cadell! We were attacked, too! They had martial artists and even the army… We've lost many retainers! Have you heard of the name Hans Schnee?!""Hans Schnee?! As in the East Coast Base Commander?!"Cadell and the rest of the Yimmels were left gaping in disbelief.On the other hand, Hagar was still
The key members and executives of the Yimmel family were scowling visibly at Frank's words.There were those among them who did not fear death, but they were few and far between as most did.And right now, not only had they lost all their leverage, but Frank was also clearly impervious to their threats.That was why the key members and executives of the Yimmel family were really, really afraid—two among them were a direct display of what would happen if they defied Frank.Worst of all, Frank only offered them two options.They would all die here with absolute certainty, as Frank had proven himself merciless. Or they could accept Frank's offer to become vassals of the Lane family, a choice that would leave them ashamed.After all, they had come confidently, led by their matriarch, to take over the Lane family and Lanecorp.And yet, if they returned to Bralog now, they would be exposed if anyone asked, for not only did they fail to conquer the Lane family and Lanecorp, but they
"The Yimmels agree to your condition—we will henceforth be vassals of the Lane family, but we also want your assurance that you will come to our aid when needed."Yora's words left everyone stunned, as no one had expected this, aside from the key members and executives of the Yimmel family, who all appeared troubled.Helen was especially dumbstruck and stared at Yora in disbelief.Just a couple of days ago, Yora was acting all high and mighty, forcing Helen to step down as the head of the Lane family.And now, bitterness showed all over Yora's old face as she begged for mercy.Helen then turned to see Frank smiling quietly and folding his arms before his chest, as if he had expected this.Two days were all it took for the Lane family to rise from the brink, turn the tables, and devour a great behemoth in the Yimmels of Bralog.It was simply unreal, and Helen would not even dream of it.Still, Frank chuckled. "Alright, since you're surrendering and acknowledging the Lane family
With the Yimmel leadership surrendering, the feud between the Lane family, which Hardy Xinder instigated, came to a close.Naturally, no one could have seen that despite the Yimmels coming to conquer, they were devoured by the Lane family instead.Still, the incident was kept under wraps—only members of either families were aware.Given the Yimmel family's scale, there was plenty of internal dissent, but Yora used whatever authority she had left to repress it.The rest of the family did not know why either, but they ultimately submitted to the Lane family due to pressure.As for the Lane family, despite the celebrations that they turned the tables against the Yimmels, there was a gloom that hung over their heads—Mark Lane.He was certainly not celebrating with the rest of the family, having been poisoned and left in a coma.While Helen had accomplished a major feat and became the head of the Lane family in no uncertain terms now, Mark remained the family's symbol and source of s
Even if one managed to harvest a century-old Stellar Windroot, it would be fated to stay in the cabinet as not many potions required it as an ingredient.Naturally, just keeping it around was bothersome too.After some thought, Frank asked, "How long would it take you to find out if you started searching now?"His question left Abel musing in uncertainty. "I would say around a month, but I also have no assurance that we would definitely get it either, Master Lawrence.""A month?"Frank shook his head—Mark would not last a month, given his condition.Still, Abel cleared his throat as he thought of something. "I have another idea, although it might hurt your pride, sir… if you're willing to hear me out?"Like I've mentioned earlier, I sold the Stellar Windroot we had to Kornac's Keep recently, so you can go to them instead."Frank was hesitant—he had never heard that name before. "Kornac's Keep?"Abel nodded. "They are a seclusive sect in Norsedam, but despite their anonymity, t
Fleur's death meant Frank had no other choice.While he had hoped to find the antidote from Fleur before, that hope had now gone up in smoke.And since he burned down Baba Yaga's clinic before, he could not pin his hopes on anyone else.He tried asking Yora Yimmel too, but she had nothing either, as the Rigor Pneuma was delivered straight to Fleur Lang from Baba Yaga through Borc Zomer.And Borc had long since killed himself, ingesting a poison tablet hidden in his molar after Jade Zahn tortured him horrifically.With all the other options out, Frank could only go to Kornac's Keep as Abel had suggested to save Mark's life.-After a few days of rest and preparation, Frank drove to Norsedam.Kornac's Keep was not particularly famous on the east coast, let alone Draconia, but they certainly held a strong reputation locally.In fact, on the day of the trials and Frank arrived at the gates, he was surprised by the crowds he was seeing.They were on the edge of Norsedam, at the ve
That was when the youth in plain robes snorted and moved to stand in front of the young woman, blocking Ira's ogling as he snapped coolly, "I am Kairo Wal, an apprentice of Cloudnine Sect's Hall of Flowers. This is my junior Horey Lindt, and if you ogle her for another second longer, I will gouge your eyes out of their sockets!"Ira's face fell right then, and he clicked his tongue before fleeing, blending in with the crowd.Even if his family business had some power locally, they could not afford to mess with Cloudnine Sect, one of the South Sea Four.In fact, Kairo could take his eyes as he threatened, and Ira would not be able to do anything in return."Shit, even Cloudnine Sect's apprentices are here?""When did Kornac's Keep become so popular?""Tut, tut. I guess this is their moment… But guess what? We'll be rich too!"Kairo did not appear particularly interested in those comments, but at the next instant, he singled out a look of sympathy amid the other worshipful and fea
"Also, the participant who takes first place may name a wish—Kornac's Keep will grant it, as long as it's within our power to grant it."As Mole Cricks—the black-robed elder—finished, he turned to look at another white-haired elder who walked casually out of the keep and sat on an armchair placed beneath the signboard.He nodded, and Mole continued, "Then, let's not drag our feet. The first trial starts now!"At this announcement, over a dozen apprentices carried a giant cauldron filled with a herbal soup with a weird scent, placing it in the middle of the crowd.Mole then explained, "Everyone will have a chance to taste this soup. You will then list down the ingredients used and its purpose on the piece of paper given to you."As soon as he finished, the crowd was pushing their way toward the giant cauldron eagerly, dipping into it with the spatulas prepared for them and sipping the soup.Yosil Darman—the white-haired elder who was seated on the armchair—stroked his beard and sm