Frank's pure vigor then manifested into a gigantic hand, seizing Horey's neck in an instant!"Donn… I mean, Mr. Lawrence! Please stop!"Yosil quickly shouted when he saw that Frank was ready to kill, wiping the cold sweat off his brow. "If you really kill her, and Cloudnine Sect comes for blood… Kornac's Keep will fall!""Yes, Mr. Lawrence! Please calm down!"The other elders quickly tried to dissuade Frank too, but he asked in return, "And, what? What do you think should be done about this? If you're dead set on giving up, give me the Stellar Windroot and I'll be gone.""Oh, uh…"Frank's question left the elders stumped, and they all turned toward Yosil.After a moment of silence, he eventually sighed exasperatedly, walking up to Frank and asking quietly, "Do you perhaps remember this old mug, Mr. Lawrence?""You?"Frank frowned at Yosil but shook his head."Well, that's fair." Yosil chuckled self-deprecatingly. "I'm really nothing and certainly wouldn't catch the eye of a p
"No, please don't!"Yosil smiled, his eyes welling up with tears at the mere idea of Frank addressing him as a fellow apprentice. "You're giving me too much credit, Mr. Lawrence. I just happened to be taken in by Mystic Sky Sect as a gopher—I have no business being an apprentice!""It's alright. Just listen." Frank reared his chin as he spoke quietly, "It's been three years since the fall of Mystic Sky Sect. But even if it's gone now, I won't let you down as the senior apprentice, as long as you keep the flame in your heart."I will revive Mystic Sky Sect, and you will be formally initiated as an apprentice, while Kornac's Keep may also be taken in as a vassal. Even if there's a huge gap between our ages, I shall be your senior as per sect rules.""Yes… Yes!" Yosil was awash with tears. He would die before dreaming that he would have the honor of being formally initiated into Mystic Sky Sect as an apprentice. Even if they were gone now, they would definitely see a resurgence un
Kairo was assuredly Sienna's most valued apprentice, as she was ready to avenge his death.It was all over for Kornac's Keep now!"Ahem. I just remembered that I have something to do. I'll be going now.""Me too. Forgot to collect my laundry before I left.""My wife told me to take care of the kids—""Bullshit. Where'd you find a wife?""J-Just now…?"The crowd was restless, as they sensed from Sienna's tone over the phone that Cloudnine Sect would come for them..And when they do, Kornac's Keep, Frank, and even innocent participants would be in deep trouble.Fleeing was therefore the best thing to do here, or even bystanders like them would get caught in the crossfire. However, while Horey presumed that Frank would drop his facade and flee at her mentor's threat, she found him standing there nonchalantly, as if he had never heard Sienna."You asked for this!" she growled through her teeth and told Sienna the phone, "It's this scumbag named Frank Lawrence! He's strong… stro
Horey simply could not understand—what connections Frank could possibly have that her mentor would show such a weak reaction?Talk about a bolt from the blue!"Hmph. It seems Sienna Noirot knows her place…"Frank strode a step forward just then, coolly demanding, "And what about you? Are you still going to insist on taking the Bloodcrane Spiritbloom?""I…"Horey had lost her trump card.In fact, everyone clearly heard what her mentor had told her—to kneel down before Frank and apologize.While Horey did not feel as humiliated as Kairo, she was still utterly confused.And since it was orders from above, she ultimately gave in for the sake of survival, kowtowing audibly and respectfully before Frank. "P-Please forgive me, Mr. Lawrence…""Get out of here."Seeing that Horey had acknowledged her mistake, Frank waved her off, not bothered to press the issue.Horey was certainly relieved, turning and fleeing the gates of Kornac's Keep without even collecting her late senior's belo
Frank finished, "Just mention my name, and you can enjoy special service and medicinal baths that won't lose out to the Bloodcrane Spiritbloom.""Really?!" Yosil's eyes lit up. "I've heard about the farm resort myself, but I've never been and therefore presumed it to be some publicity stunt. I didn't expect it to be your work… In that case, I shall visit it myself."While they were speaking, Ira Summers approached them with a glass in hand. "Apologies, Frank… I meant, Elder Lawrence. I've spoken insolently, and as an apprentice of Kornac's Keep, I hope you'd see past my indiscretion…"His tentative mannerisms left Frank chuckling and shaking his head.He did not really take offense anyway and clinked glasses with Ira, a gesture to let bygones be bygones.Still, it had been a long day for Frank as he soon rushed to Riverton from Norsedam, but at the very least, Mark Lane was saved.Reaching Lanevillle, Frank immediately refined a pill with the Stellar Windroot and worked through
That was until an ignorant man came calling."I heard you're Ms. Lane's sugar baby," he said as soon as he entered. "How much is she paying you every month? I can give you five million dollars right now, but you have to leave her."The man looked around his thirties, and his suit gave him the look of one of those successful city boys.In contrast, Frank was wearing his loose pajamas as he sat in his garden, sipping tea and gaping at the man, speechless.He had only allowed the man inside when the latter rang the doorbell, saying that he was from a major construction company in another city and partners with Lanecorp.Frank was naturally stupefied that the man would immediately assert his authority as soon as he strode through the front door.And seeing that Frank was stunned, he laughed coolly. "How about that? I guess dregs of society such as yourself would never have seen so much money!"Looking smug just then, he waved for his secretary to bring his briefcase, opening it in
"What?"Helen was obviously surprised and murmured, "But there must be a mistake. Huub Droitner seemed so polite and agreeable, which was why I was fine with him asking to see you.""Can't judge a book by its cover."Frank chuckled. "You'd better watch out. I can see that he bears ill will.""We're just business partners, and I was thinking about using his family's government connections. Since they mean to do harm, I'll just have to call it off."Helen was determined, too—if Frank sensed an issue, she would not waste her breath.However, after hanging up and Frank dismissed it as a brief interlude, the Southstream Lanes found themselves in trouble a few days later.Gavin Lane, Helen's uncle, was supposed to return after a couple of days from a business trip, but it had been a week since he was last seen.His family could not reach him and there was no sign of him in Zamri, and there was nothing suspicious about the people whom he met for business talks either.They all testif
Despite Helen and Roth's pleading looks, Frank shook his head in refusal. "The origins of the Bloodcrane Spiritbloom is complicated. And I have use for it, so I won't give it up.""What?"Helen did a double take, especially when she saw Frank's determined expression.It was the first time he refused her, and ever since she knew him, he never cared for worldly attachments.He would definitely not hesitate to say yes in the past. But today he did, and so decisively that it caused Helen's imagination to run wild."Frank! It's just an herb, isn't it?! Are you saying that the fertile soil of Draconia can't yield another?! Could you not be so stingy?! We just want that herb because it's an emergency!"Gina Zonda, who had been listening to their conversation for a while, stood akimbo and snapped at Frank when she saw the troubled look on her daughter's face. "Gavin is the reason Helen became head of the family! What would the Southstream Lanes think of Helen if we don't save him?""