"I…"The girl was going to say yes out of sheer defiance.However, she was soon hesitant and blushed as she hung her head, remembering how Candor was defeated instantly and left coughing blood."Hmph."Frank said nothing and snorted, but that was enough to leave the girl ashamed.The Riverton martial artists and audience members around them heard the exchange between the girl and Frank too. At first, they could side with the girl, but Frank's retort soon made them reflect on themselves, and they all eventually hung their heads gloomily.However, just as the Zamri side was left dejected and many were ready to leave, Frank clapped Kat on the head again."Come on. Let's go," he said and led them toward a boat."… Eh?""Wait, are they really going to fight?"Seeing that Frank's group was getting on the boat, all the martial artists and audience members present were left stunned."What…?"Even the girl who had just mocked Frank was stunned too. "I thought you weren't going to
But things were different now.There was no telling how far Heartfar's strength went. His behavior was savage on top of that, so Mr. Zoran was really concerned that he would defeat Frank's apprentice before humiliating them in full public.They might even have their meridian nexus crippled, or worse, be killed.He certainly could not explain himself to Lady Silverbell if that happened! It would not just be lectures or penalties that await him then, but it would be dismissal or worse—execution!That was why Mr. Zoran could not care less about dignity or self-gain at this point. Staying alive was way more important!That was when a girl shouted loudly and clearly, "Objection!"Mr. Zoran turned to find that it was none other than the brat standing beside Frank."Why are we giving up already? We haven't taught that fuckface a lesson yet!"Kat huffed, folding her arms before her chest. "Even if we do, we must give that prick a whopping first!""What?!"Mr. Zoran's knees almost buc
Frank continued, "As promised, I will claim three of the four qualifying berths. Or did you think I'd stop my apprentices from taking part because I'd shy from taking those berths?""What?"Mr. Zoran was left scowling as Frank suddenly brought that up.It was a hopeless situation, but Frank's nonchalant speech somehow made it look like Mr. Zoran was deliberately holding him back!In fact, Mr. Zoran was not the only person who was left confused—Heartfar, along with the rest of the audience, was stumped too.Was that brat really going to let his apprentices fight Heartfar? Was he not just kicking them down to the firepit?!Moreover, Heartfar was clearly furious judging from his outburst, and things would definitely go bad for the apprentices! Hell, he would probably not want their lap dance at this point!Nonetheless, Frank flashed a smile at Mr. Zoran just then. "So, Mr. Zoran? Are you doubting me or my apprentices?"Mr. Zoran gulped, finding it hard to swallow. "Are you serious
Heartfar's agility was not affected despite having both hands tied behind his back.As he leapt to the side, Scarface's pure vigor bursts shot past him pointlessly.However, when Heartfar was ready to launch a counter, he realized that Scarface had already reached him, and his hand was reaching straight for Hearfar's throat! "You're fast—but that's not enough!" Heartfar snorted.However, he also realized right then that Scarface was way stronger than Candor. He instinctively tried to raise his hands and counter, but he soon remembered that both his hands were bound.He certainly could not renege on his handicap, or all his boasting would be pointless."Hup!"He raised his foot, knocking away Scraface's palm with the tip of his sole.Then, he laughed coolly as he leapt into the air and launched a quick succession of roundhouse kicks so rapidly that he looked like a windmill.At the same time, the hidden blades he concealed on his boots shot toward Scarface as well.Shunk! S
As Heartfar gloated, he glanced at Frank in the distance."But this is it for you!" he bellowed, raising his hand and taking aim at Scarface's head, as if to flex on Frank and Mr. Zoran.However, even as everyone held their breaths and the more faint-hearted had covered their eyes, Heartfar suddenly turned rigid, his hand remaining in mid-air.In fact, the audience waited a long while, but Scarface's head was still not exploding."Pfft…"Then, despite the tense situation, someone snickered with terrible timing."Pfft…"Another snicker could soon be heard, and everyone turned to see that it was the two girls standing at Frank's side.Frank himself was not laughing, but his face was weirdly contorted, as if grimacing in pain."What…?"Nonetheless, as everyone looked where the girls were looking, they found a large hand grabbing Heartfar between the legs.Moreover, blood was pouring out from the gap between the fingers."Oof…"When all the men present saw where the hand was g
Moreover, this was a duel to the death between martial artists. To call a technique despicable, when used in a life-or-death situation, was simply laughable.Moreover, Heartfar was using hidden blades that were coated in poison—what right did he have to complain?"I'll kill you! I'll kill you!"Nonetheless, Heartfar was glaring murderously at Scarface like a terrible monster.At the same time, he curled into a ball as he lay on the floating platform, clutching his own bleeding groin with both hands."Oh, save it already. Did you really think your poison would work?"Scarface was suddenly on his feet, appearing perfectly fine as he grinned at Heartfar, who was as shocked as he was in pain. "Brother Lawrence saw through you from the start—you're actually an Ascendant-ranked elite, aren't you? You only look like you're Birthright-ranked because you took a suppressive drug."As for your poison, Mr. Lawrence had already let me take an antidote before we fought. The whole time I looke
Escorted by a procession, the lady in white strode toward the edge of the lake.Everyone had turned toward her when they heard her laughter and froze up right then."L-Lady Silverbell…"Stanwick turned rigid when he saw her too, and he dropped on the floating platform with a thud.He stared blankly at the lady, panic written all over his face."Lady Silverbell!"Upon seeing Stanwick's dramatic reaction, the martial artists and audience members—be it from Zamri from Riverton—were all bowing their heads in salutation."At ease."It was indeed Silverbell in the flesh, and the crowd's collective salutation truly enlightened Frank to the authority she commanded as the chief of the Martial Alliance.Over a thousand people were greeting and bowing at her, a seemingly frail woman. None of them would dare question her strength or the official ties she had.And right now, her visage was cool as she stared at Stanwick, who was on his knees, "Mr. Quaker, don't you think I have the right
Clang!Frank moved even before Silverbell could react, knocking the short blade out of Stanwick's hand with a bullet of pure vigor."How dare you!"As the short blade landed audibly, Silverbell was sweating bullets as she finally realized that Stanwick had tried to take her by surprise and stab her.She would definitely be hurt if Frank was not there, and the surprise in her eyes soon turned to rage."How dare you, Stanwick!""You tried to attack Lady Silverbell?!""There's no hope for you!"The other Martial Alliance executives were definitely stunned by the sight as well.Thank goodness Silverbell was safe, or they would definitely be blamed for the mishap!As for Stanwick, he gave up on all pretense upon seeing that his sneak attack had failed."Hehehe…" He sneered in contempt as he stared Silverbell in the eye up close. "Lady Silverbell? More like an impudent brat! Do you really think you're such a big deal?!"Silverbell glowered and bellowed, "What's that supposed to m