As Frank hung up, he finally arrived outside Lane Manor.A doorman promptly stopped him, snapping sternly, "I'm sorry, Mr. Lawrence, but Mr. Graves gave express instructions not to let you drive inside."Aria wound down her window and snapped at the doorman, "Hey! This is plain disrespect! You have no right!"Frank stopped her. "Forget it. I'm not planning to stay anyway."He simply parked by the curb and headed inside Lane Manor with Aria.He immediately found Chaz and Donald having a particularly happy chat, and Donald's eyes went red the instant he saw Frank.Enemies really cannot stay in the same room. Although Donald was not about to start a fight just then, he flashed a sarcastic, savage smile at Frank. "Cherish your last days, Mr. Lawrence.""When's your son's funeral? Do send an invite to Skywater Bay—I'll definitely be there."Frank would naturally not take his jibe lying down, and his single remark certainly struck Donald where it hurt."You bastard!" Donald almost e
Aria argued, "Your ex-wife is even more unreasonable, telling us to leave!"Helen was going to explain herself but ultimately closed her eyes and repressed her flaring emotions as she snapped coolly, "You can both leave if you disrespect my grandfather again.""Be quiet." Frank glared at Aria too, finally silencing her.He strode up to Helen's side and stood before Henry's casket. He then dropped to his knees and kowtowed three times."I will never forget that you saved my life, Gramps. I've done you a dishonor—I failed to protect your family and caused your death. I'll always feel remorse for my actions and can only hope that you'll forgive me."Gina promptly laughed coldly at that. "Oh, you actually know that? Though I suspect that you'd actually feel remorse.""Yeah! You're a murderer! Helen's grandfather died because of you!" Cindy cried crocodile tears even as she pointed at Frank as everyone watched."Mom! Cindy!" Helen's eyes turned red as she lost it right then. "Please
However, Helen's plans went south.Chaz's involvement and his leverage forced Helen to go against her own wishes.She had to sacrifice herself to keep Frank safe…"Quit gawking. Frank is mine," Aria suddenly said coolly beside her.As a fellow woman, she could certainly see the intent in Helen's eyes and quickly asserted dominance."What?"Helen stared at Aria, stunned. She was just a college student dressed in risque fashion and with modest looks, depending entirely on makeup.And given her earlier outbursts, she clearly lacked tact.Why would Frank be interested in her?Naturally, Helen's skeptical reaction left Aria's inferiority complex flaring.Helen was a natural beauty with a stunning figure, but she would still beat Aria despite her haggard looks after all the recent stress.There was just no way Aria could win—not even ten of her would.There was even less need to elaborate on style, when one was a plain Jane and the other a strong, independent woman."Frank and I
Frank received a call from Burt Yorkman, who was wheezing and sounded weak over the phone. "It worked, Mr. Lawrence. Quinn Ocean and her father Bocek believed me, and you'll be hearing about Goldeater Cane before long.""Yeah, good work… Why do you sound so weak?" Frank asked in curiosity."Oh, I just had to suffer a little to make it look convincing… Oof, that woman can really land a hit. Some of my ribs are broken and she could've killed me right there." Burt chuckled.Frank, however, could tell that he was pushing himself. "Head to Flora Hall if you have the time. Just say my name, and someone will do their best to treat you.""Sure," Burt replied right away but soon added worriedly, "I have to warn you before that, Mr. Lawrence—Bocek Ocean is a monster, and his place in Skyrank is deserved. You have to watch out when you're fighting him.""Got it." Frank hung up and took Aria home to Skywater Bay, where he found a middle-aged man in a white shirt, waiting with two bodyguards o
Aria was sweating over her brow even as she stood at a corner.At White Court Hotel, she had set things up so that Frank believed he had a drunken fumble with her.She knew there were cameras in the hallways and the elevators, but there were voyeurs too…?!Did that mean that what she did that night was recorded, and Eron's daughter wanted to tell Frank about that?Forget Frank's fury once he was found out and take back everything he gave her—the life in glamor and riches she envisioned would go up in smoke!Even as the thought struck her, Aria forced a smile as he turned toward Frank. "I'm a little tired… I'll go to my room now.""Yeah, sure," Frank replied, already suspicious after seeing her unusual reaction.Moreover, he was a Birthright rank elite and had overwhelming self-restraint, not to mention that he checked himself right after and did not find anything unusual.And if he really passed out drunk, how would he even get it on with Aria?If anything, Frank had his suspi
Frank, however, did not even flinch.Now that he suspected Aria of duplicity, he was not about to give her another chance."I'm busy," he said, throwing a jacket over her as he pushed her outside and locked the door after. "I'll have to take a rain check." "Hey!" Aria was left stamping her bare feet outside in annoyance.Winter just happened to see that just as she left her room, and she appeared pensive.-Early next morning and after a good night's sleep, Frank took Aria and went straight to White Hall in Soutsthtream.Aria was obviously resistant to the idea and kept cajoling him. "Frank, why don't you go there yourself? I'm busy too…""Just needed to confirm something. Don't worry, I won't do anything to you," Frank replied flatly.His cold reaction only panicked Aria further, and her expression grew darker along the journey to Southstream.It was just a two-hour drive, and as they arrived at White Hall, Aria snapped at Frank, "What do you think you're doing?""Nothin
Frank was bemused even as he strode into the guest room, where Kim was already waiting with Liv Dawson.Kim appeared especially ethereal with her long, wavy dark hair and white dress, and she was on her feet as soon as she saw Frank. "Mr. Lawrence.""How have you been? Have you made a full recovery?" Frank asked politely in turn."Yes, all thanks to you, Mr. Lawrence," she replied."Yeah." Frank nodded, feeling like he had just wasted his breath—he knew Kim's condition better than Kim herself would.Not only did he treat her internal injuries, but he also cleared up his meridians so that she would be twice more efficient in cultivation.Aria, who entered the guest room as well, glanced at Frank in surprise, not expecting him to know medicine.Still, her attention was quickly drawn to Kim's guileless divine beauty.Though Kim's poise was affected by her injury before, she had recovered and regained her charm befitting a goddess.She would not lose out to Vicky or Helen, and a s
As Frank chuckled coolly, Kim appeared stunned. "What was that, Mr. Lawrence?""Nothing." Frank waved her off. "So, when is the recruitment tourney starting?""Tomorrow afternoon.""Tomorrow?" Frank appeared thoughtful.Kim studied his face in turn and said, "It's just a thirty minute drive from here. Why don't you stay the night here if you don't mind?""Sure," Frank replied, not shying from accepting her offer.And judging from Kim's reaction, she had more to say—this time about what had happened at White Court Hotel.Suddenly, Aria got up with a forced smile. "It seems this is going to be a sensitive issue, so I'll step out for the moment."Kim studied her and did not dissuade her, even turning to Liv. "Bring Ms. Lond for a stroll in the garden."Liv, however, was visibility resistant toward Aria. "I refuse."Aria was not tempestuous as she usually was either, instead smiling awkwardly. "Don't worry. I'll just be hanging around—I won't go far.""Very well. Thank you, Ms.
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