Janice smiled. "Hell, someone as down-to-earth as me is definitely way better than them!"Frank smiled and nodded—those rich kids were really not as impressive as they thought themselves to be. At best, they were just better at pretending to look the part than the ordinary citizen, and their personality and competence might not really compare in certain cases. In fact, they might have trouble surviving among ordinary citizens.Janice then asked, "By the way, are you going to be busy tomorrow?""Actually, yes!""Hey…!"It was a rhetorical question, as Janice knew that Frank would have nothing to do. While his response caught her off guard, she also could see that Frank was just messing with her.To no surprise, he chuckled and shrugged. "You know I'd have nothing to do. Why bother asking?""Fine, whatever. Just pretend I never asked!"Rolling her eyes, Janice returned to the bench and kept eating.-The next day, Frank arrived at one of the hospital storage shacks.Inside,
Frank laughed in amusement at the undertaker's words. "You've watched too much TV, haven't you? Do you think that the righteous are always righteous?"When it comes down to it, if I show you mercy, wouldn't it be a torment to the souls of those whom you've killed on a whim? Their pain is much greater than yours—why else would souls need repose?"The undertaker could not argue against that, as he realized that Frank was right.Even righteousness should be applied on a case-by-case basis. And against villains like the undertaker himself, it was ideal to punish him within the confines of what was acceptable."You've really shown me something new. I really didn't expect someone like you to exist!"The undertaker sighed. "Alright, I give up, though I must say it's not embarrassing to lose to you. I've not only lost to you in ability, even my insight dulls in comparison. You really have both virtue and strength."Anyway, in three days, he will be…"-A minute later, Janice arrived an
Frank shook his head. "It's nothing that complicated. To put it in video game terms, it's both active and passive. I can recognize noise and stink but also shut it off from my mind—like military headsets, it filters out everything and only provides necessary information."Janice realized with a start. "That means you're much stronger than the average person. If my grandpa knew, he'd be so excited that he could get out of bed.""Is he ill?""Yeah, or I wouldn't have tried to buy the lunarise root from you."Frank nodded. "Partnership notwithstanding, I'll try to help your grandfather—but on condition that he comes to Shagan."Janice nodded. "I know—you can't leave Shagan!"Someone entered just as he finished.It was a woman in a black dress. Looking around her forties and with a slender figure, she clearly still retained her charm, with her fair skin and bright eyes!Janice's eyes lit up as she greeted the woman excitedly. "What brings you here, Aunt Myra?" Myra Zahn smiled. "
As Frank was not powerful enough to handle everything all at once, Myra therefore had to inspect the strength of Mystic Sky Guild for now."A moment, please," Frank said and called Jada Turin. "Come in!"Jada entered just as he finished.Seeing Jada's powerful presence, Janice could see right away that she was from Mystic Sky Guild and could even be one of Frank's close confidants.She was shocked—did Frank already foresee that there would be problems and have his people come ahead of time? He certainly fit the young and dangerous type whom her grandfather had described."What would you like to see?" Jada asked just then."Anything you like!"Jada nodded before picking up a plate from the table and striding over to the west wall."What, is she going to show how she breaks the plate?"Myra laughed. "Now you're just underestimating us. Sure, we don't have many martial artists among our ranks, but did you think we wouldn't have seen them in action? This isn't going to work for
Before Janice could take her aunt's card, Jada snatched it out of her hands. "It's alright, Ms. Zahn. Also, are you sure Mr. Frankton is the man you think he is?"Any man who doesn't seize the day is a sucker, and it's your aunt's gesture of sincerity on top of that. Chief Frankton would definitely respond in sublime fashion."Janice smiled in wry amusement. Forget her aunt's heavy jokes—why was Jada doing the same?The times had really changed, with the way women teased men these days.-Thirty minutes later, Myra was lying on her soft, huge bed and frowning. "That's a far flung place for you—even the hotel beds are terrible. Are they trying to break my spine?"She moved over to the couch as she really could not adjust to the bed and popped open a bottle of Romanee-Conti, twirling it while remembering Frank's face.A rare, handsome face, matched with great power—it was only natural that Myra liked that!Bang!That was when the door was kicked open, and several burly masked me
Myra was at once amused. "Does Princely Sword School perhaps consider yourselves kings? "Also, declaring war? Really? Why do you think the likes of you could go toe-to-toe against the Zahn family?"Tido smiled in wry amusement. "And do you think that your family is all that impressive? I remember telling you that you might be a giant among the ordinary, but you're really nothing among martial elites."And with that body… I wonder if you'd be sold as a slave to some mountain village?"Myra frowned. "Do you think you can threaten me, Tido Kon? Hurt me if you dare—it wouldn't matter if I die. All of Princely Sword School would die with me, and that's all.""Really? Why don't I believe you?" Tido shrugged. "Even if it's true, you'd be too dead to care!"As Tido waved at his men to attack, six figures suddenly crashed through the windows as they leapt into the room.One of them snapped, "Leave, or die!" Seeing their strange getup and presence, Tido quickly realized who they were.
"Don't you think this is overdoing it?"Myra really could not understand why Frank came to help her.She was hoping that Mystic Sky Guild would grow to appreciate her family, but this was still an overkill and unnecessary!The Ghostly Six simply laughed. "The chief may lose to you when it comes to business, but he still wins in politics!"Princely Sword School is a major faction and wouldn't leave any insult unanswered. If they were to send everyone they had, the six of us would never survive."Naturally, the chief could send other members of Mystic Sky Guild, but there would still be casualties. So don't you agree that Chief Frankton should do this personally just to be extra sure?"Myra nodded in understanding. "I really didn't consider that. I'll make sure to properly thank Mr. Frankton once he arrives!"Thirty minutes later, Frank arrived with Janice and Jada, with Janice hurrying to Myra. "Are you alright?""Don't worry." Myra smiled and nodded. "With their protection, not
After hanging up, Jouri sent him Tido's real-time location.Just as Frank expected, he had yet to leave Shagan and was drifting around the region for some reason."I have a car—I can drive!" Myra offered."Okay. Ghostly Six and Jada, stay and protect Janice. I'll check things out with Ms. Zahn.""Roger!"With their plans made, Frank got into Myra's Maybach and left.-Five hours later, they stopped in front of a hill.It looked no different from any other hill, and there were traces of mining left on both sides of the road, with various holes lining the hill.Myra was left puzzled. "What do they want? To hide here until everything blows over?"Frank shook his head. "Don't judge the place by its appearance. There are dark, dirty things hidden within. They know we're coming and are just luring us in!""Then let's call for backup and wait," Myra quickly said. "We shouldn't get impulsive in such situations."Frank smiled, shaking his head. "To a frog, snakes are the apex predat
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