Moreover, there was mastery in the way Frank directed his pure vigor—even the average Birthright rank would never accomplish that!"Could he have completed Birthright rank?" Lothar murmured.While his own hunch shocked him, his heart was also suddenly welling up with hope.The kid just might be able to save his brother's life!"Bastard…" On the other hand, Yed's pupils dilated as he watched Frank perform acupuncture.The brat was Birthright rank too? Did that mean he was actually capable of saving Ciril?!The thought left him anxious right then!Beside him, Abel's doubt toward Frank was completely dispelled even as he watched him and murmured, "The Five Plum Spiritus technique…?!"It took one to know one, and Abel's face paled as he watched Frank work on Ciril.He was suddenly remorseful, since he had been rude to the boy! He was still stubborn about asking Frank the identity of his mentor, or where he had gotten the Yellow Shrive from… But now, it was obvious that Frank
"See what you've done?!" Yed seized Ned by the collar right then. "That settles it. You were definitely trying to kill our father!" However, Lothar exclaimed in surprise before Yed could hit Ned. "Stop! Look!" Everyone looked where Lothar pointed. Then, they saw that Ciril's face was shedding black ice shards all over the floor where the boiling water had made contact."What? How…" Yed was stunned.Ned freed himself from his grasp, sneering. "It seems that you're the one who doesn't want Father saved, Yed!""What…" Yed was left speechless."Watch your mouth, Ned!" Paula promptly leapt to Yed's defense. "He's worried about your father. Why would he try to hurt your father?""Exactly!" Yed nodded despite his gnawing guilt.On the other hand, seeing that his work was done, Frank breathed a soft sigh and lowered Ciril, allowing him to lay in bed.A healthy red had returned to Ciril's cheeks too—a far cry from the purple complexion earlier. Although he was still unconscious, it
Abel then finished, "All I ask is for some pointers from you, Mr. Lawrence, and me and my family shall always be indebted to your generous favor.""Your family?" Frank became interested just then.Ned hurried to him, explaining, "Mr. Lawrence, Mr. Loggins' family is a dynasty of doctors and healers. They are the top family in Morhen when it comes to the medical field, owning hospitals and apothecaries.""I see…" Frank stroked his chin, more or less hatching an idea.He would probably fail if he stood against the Lionhearts and the Turnbulls on his own… But that might not be the case with Ned and his family's help.As for the Loggins, they seemed to hold considerable influence in Morhen as a family of doctors, and Frank would certainly like to make their acquaintance should there be an opportunity.With that in mind, he nodded. "I can see that you're very sincere—just leave me your address. I'll visit some time when I'm free.""Wonderful!" Abel's beard was bristling from his ex
Yed's concern was actually reasonable, and Lothar paused in thought. "The way I see it, he must be in league with Abel Loggins." Paula laughed coolly just then. "He must be using some misdirection trick on the laymen like us. I think Ciril was never cured at all!""Exactly. I think so too." Yed sneered."So you're not going to pay me?" Frank's tone became threatening, taking a step forward."And what are you going to do about it? You're in my house!" Yed snapped back and beckoned.Several Janko retainers loyal to Yed strode out, their death aura spilling.Frank turned to Lothar right then. "Mr. Janko, is this how your family treats guests? And the man who saved the head of the family at that?"Lothar did a double take but quickly reasoned, "Please calm down, Mr. Lawrence. I can see that you've cured my brother, and there was no mistaking it. And I've also promised that you'd be paid whether you succeed, as long as you come over."Wheeling on Yed with a vicious glare right then
As the retainers and bodyguards loyal to Yed encircled Ned and Frank menacingly, Ned snapped at Yed, "What is the meaning of this?!" "What, you ask? Haha!" Yed laughed loudly and coldly. "I won't hide it from you now, dear brother—yes, I was the one who poisoned our father! It's his fault for choosing you as his successor! He's asking for it! Also, it's not just me… Paula is in this too! She's the one who personally did it!""What…" Ned blurted, looking around as Yed's men closed in on him in shock and rage. "Have you forgotten Uncle Lothar?! If he finds out about this—""Oh, don't worry. That fool would never know." Yed sneered savagely. "Still, he did mess up my plans a little, wasting so much of my time… I would've turned on him right away if he didn't bring those retainers with him!" "But that's fine—I made a deal with Sif Lionheart, and she'll soon be here with the Lionhearts' best men. Once they killed Lothar, I'll succeed Father as the next head of the Janko family! I did
"What?!" "What is that brute strength?!"The Janko bodyguards could feel their hearts clenching when they saw the sheer power Frank fought with.Even Ned was left stunned for half a beat as he stood right beside Frank!On the other hand, the Birthright rank Janko retainers were unfazed—they were no pushovers. After all, they were the backbone of the Jankos' strength as they rose as one of the Four Families of Morhen, replacing the mysterious Lawrence family.As everyone watched, the ashen-haired retainer stayed on course, kicking the limousine thrown at him in two.As he landed and looked around for Frank, he abruptly felt a cold burst of air on his cheek."Huh?"Before he could turn, Frank's foot was on his check, launching him into the air, spinning violently as he coughed liters of blood."What?!" Yed, who had been watching all along, did not even notice when Frank appeared mid-air."He's so fast"The two remaining Birthright rank Janko retainers did, however. They m
"Brother!" Lothar cried, unable to keep strangling Hal as he dropped to the floor.When he looked up, he saw that Ciril was suddenly on his feet. However, his hair and beard were standing on ends and his eyes were thoroughly red, his veins throbbing like a raging beast."He's gone amok…?!"Even as the word came to mind, Lothar was left watching as Ciril launched a punch at him on the floor."Move!" Lothar threw Hal aside as he barrel rolled out of the way, dodging Ciril's punch by inches… which left a meter-deep crater on the floor."Brother, it's me, Lothar! Get a hold of yourself!" Lothar cried out anxiously.His words did not seem to reach Ciril, however.If anything, it made Ciril even more violent.He bellowed again and kept attacking Lothar."Go… Get Mr. Lawrence!" Lothar shouted to the retainers nearby even as he parried Ciril's assault. "T-Tell him that Hal ruined his treatment… Ciril has gone amok!"-Meanwhile, Frank was slowly rising off the ground in front of Y
"Frank Lawrence."Yed did not run.He was a martial artist too, though he also knew that he would never escape an Ascendant rank, which Frank was.Composing himself, he growled through his teeth despite his reluctance, "I'll pay you your 800 million. But you have to promise that you'll leave my house right away and never meddle in my family's business!""Mr. Lawrence…" Ned was left flustered—he would be killed if Frank really left for that money! To his dismay, Frank stopped and leveled an impassive look at Yed. "Really?""Of course," Yed said. "I'm the next head of the Janko family, and my word is golden."In Yed's mind, overflowing glee was quickly replacing his panic as he realized Frank was just a fool who got involved for money.Losing 800 million dollars while he turned the tables against everyone and became the next head of the Janko family? That was no loss at all!In fact, once his succession was complete, he could repay Frank with this humiliation!This time, Yed e