Jada had long since gotten sick of such discriminatory behavior, but she could not argue, as Pax always did whatever he liked.She only spoke about it now that Frank had taken the reins of the Jaric estate. And just as Jada predicted, he had already proven himself more worthy than Pax.Even if it was not that big of a deal, it was still the little things that were most telling of a person's character.After lunch, Frank and the others headed outside, where a Rolls-Royce was waiting.Jada took the wheel, telling Frank as she drove, "The people in our subsidiaries can be a little difficult, so don't get taken for a ride.""I won't," Frank replied—he was not even concerned about them.Alda spoke up just then, saying, "Don't get overconfident! I'm telling you, those gangs can be really disgusting. They don't consider how they should properly make money, only thinking about how to suck up to people and swindle them. Worse of all, most of them fall victim to them."Since Alda had been
Alda raised a brow. "Talk about a strange fetish."Jada certainly explained why Urich did what he did, though that was another matter entirely. The brat had just proven that he was brainless, and it would have been game over for him long ago if he had swindled someone who could put up a fight."No reason to keep him around," Frank said."Don't worry, sir. I'll make him pay," Jada assured him, clearly having a plan as she walked up to the security guards. "Get Urich Hampton right this instant!'Suddenly no longer groveling as she left Frank's side, she was once again her haughty self.It left the security guards terrified—they were presuming that Whitney and her gang were just some blockheads who were conned by Urich, only to find out she had connections with Jada! As such, they had no choice but to call Urich, while Whitney appeared puzzled. "I guess you're a big shot, missy!""Not just a big shot." Alda smiled as she shook Whitney's hand. "She's Urich's boss and could crush hi
Urich shrugged. "Or what?"He certainly could not push his luck when Jada was there—the best he could do was to be confrontational and push Whitney's buttons."Or you're out of here!" Jada snapped icily nonetheless.Urich could cry right then. "Do you have to go that far, Ms. Turin? I've worked here for years, you know that! Are you really going to fire me over something so trivial?"What was going on? He did hear that there was a new boss, but Jada was suddenly a completely different person too and even more cutthroat than before!"Don't misunderstand." Jada sneered. "I'm not friends with Ms. Chandler here—I just don't appreciate your despicable behavior. Now pay up what you owe.""O-Okay, I will…" Urich sighed.There was nothing to do when Jada outranked him, and by several levels at that.And it was just a hundred grand anyway, which was no big deal even to him.Then, he just had to wait after Jada was gone to get his payback! Whitney might be a little old, but she still ha
Whitney laughed. "I knew he's young and amazing, but I'm surprised he's this amazing. Guess I was right about you, kiddo! You're going to be a big deal!"Frank smiled but said nothing.A big deal? He would be long gone if not for his cultivation—this had nothing to do with talent, but it was his hard work in training instead.Jada then turned to Whitney, politely offering a solution seeing that Whitney and Frank were close. "Leaving aside Urich Hampton for the moment, my company will pay his victim with 500 grand. Consider the extra money for mental compensation, if that's alright?""Oh, sure thing!" Whitney exclaimed. "I'm not the victim, but I'm sure he'd agree to it."Jada nodded. "Allow me to apologize once again for the trouble. It's our lax management that led to this in the first place. Please come in!"With that, everyone headed to the Tammeron meeting room, where Jada poured everyone tea and smiled at Whitney. "Since it's rare for you to drop by, you should stay a few da
Jada stood up just then and said, "You can stay here, Mr. Frankton. I'll bring someone with me to check it out.""I'm coming with you." Frank was ready to get up too, but Jada waved him off. "You're the boss. It'd be demeaning if you had to do everything, and we'd look like we're slacking off. Even if it's just to look like we're doing our jobs, you can make the call in case I can't deal with this too."Frank nodded, while Sylvie and Alda headed to the lounge since they had nothing else to do.The interior was a lot more human, with arcade machines and various recreation facilities that was a good change for the office environment.On the other hand, as it was just Whitney and Frank left in his office, Whitney said, "I have a question.""Ask away.""Have you seen Sally? How is she doing now?" "Yes… too often, in fact. But she shows up whenever she likes, and I have no idea where she is now. Either way, she's doing well for herself.""Good." Whitney sighed in relief, but she
Frank chuckled. "And what can you do aside from archaeology?""Punching and kicking!" Sylvie retorted."Alright, keep going!""That's all… wait, there's one more! I have good eyes, and the people I like would never humiliate me!"Frank laughed in amusement, just as Jada came up to him. "Let's drink to your health, Mr. Frankton."He was both her boss and master, so she had to at least salute her once, if only just to leave a good impression.Frank smiled. "I'll be counting on your help."They clinked glasses, and Jada chugged hers, coughing after she did. Since she was in a high position and social drinking was unnecessary for her, she was not used to it now."That's not like you, Ms. Turin," Alda teased. "You should be a tougher girlboss.""You're joking, Ms. Ingram." Jada smiled. "I'm only human, so it's natural that there are things I'm bad at. I hope everyone understands!""It's alright." Sylvie nodded cheerfully. "We're all friends—don't worry about it."Jada smiled but
Everyone returned upstairs to continue the party, and it was eventually late.Even Jada got tipsy, no longer haughty and actually jovial and girly."She's so hot… I'd be expecting my second child if I were you," Alda blurted at Frank from alcoholFrank was not sure if he should laugh or cry—such words from a lady? No one would believe him."It's late. Time to go," he said, standing up."Wait, Mr. Frankton!" Jada was suddenly on her feet too, wobbling toward Frank and cutting him off. "It's a joyous occasion… Let's hit the dance floor too!"Frank waved her off. "Forget it. I've been to Golden Lily enough times that I'm bored, and the dance floor is even worse. I prefer having my safe space without getting molested or molesting for that matter."Jada pouted, shaking her head silently.Even Sylvie smiled in wry amusement as she watched, surprised the girlboss was such a maiden inside.Talk about some serious contrast… "Be good. Maybe we will do it some other time." Frank chuckl
Urich paused and gestured for his goons to surround Frank and the others. "Long time no see, Ms. Turin!"Jada simply smirked in turn. "And you have the balls to show up. What, aren't you afraid that I'd kill you?"Urich laughed. "You should be more humble, Ms. Turin. Who can you beat in your drunken state? Now, let's see if you can be tamed to serve at my beck and call!"Jada glowered. "You want some of this?"Urich laughed even louder. "You're the one who wants some of this! I'll admit that you're good, but you've been careless!"He strode up, ready for action, when Sylvie stopped him. "This ain't any of your business." He snorted. "Get out if you don't want to get hurt, or you will!"Sylvie was furious and did not stop to chat as she kicked Urich from the side, knocking him down to his knees."You've done it now!" he screamed. "Go! Whoever takes her down gets her!"That was exactly what his goons wanted to hear, and they all leapt toward Sylvie like hungry beasts.However,
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