The man wearing a robe lowered his arm. He had a sinister look on his face. "Stop the fight. Wait until the beast of fortune leaves before continuing."The Krowonian soldier felt a surge of irritation at the endless stream of superstitious nonsense Morlock Grimalkin was spewing. "We're at war. I'm sure the Farshyans know that the battlefield is everchanging. We can't afford to delay any opportunities.""I understand that. However, the fortune is now on their side. A reckless attack could lead us astray in ways we cannot predict."Morlock turned, revealing a deep scar etched across his brow. His face, sharp and unkind, carried the harshness of his words. High cheekbones jutted like blades, and his piercing eyes glimmered with malice.It was said a person's features could reveal their nature, and Morlock embodied that belief. Yet, Darius favored such individuals. He saw them not as men of principle but as tools, driven by personal gain—tools he could wield to his advantage."What sh
It was one thing if this was the Beast of Fortune's own intention—but what if someone else was manipulating it? Morlock's gaze darkened. He had to find the culprit. The Beast of Fortune should belong to him!Just as Morlock was about to leave, Darius stopped him, "Mr. Grimalkin, some of my cowardly soldiers claimed they keep hearing cries from fortune-tellers. Do you have a way to deal with it?"Morlock sneered. "They're still making a commotion even after death. Take this talisman. My fellow peers sure never knew what was good for them."Darius immediately gestured for his subordinates to take the talisman. Darius was quite cautious around Morlock. He never forgot why Morlock's peers had their guard down. It was all because of Morlock's betrayal. These thoughts never left his mind.Morlock came to Darius during the night. He was exactly what Darius thought Farshyan fortune tellers would look like—eerie and unpleasant.However, Morlock's proposal was too tempting. He said he cou
There was no way the Cerulean Dragon would change its master without Landon's permission. He was not like Chaos, who would obey anyone who fed him. The Cerulean Dragon was the smartest among the Four Perils. It was proud, and thus, it was difficult for him to yield to any human. Although the Cerulean Dragon might have swapped owners willingly, it had to endure a thunderstrike from the heavens as a punishment. However, there was no thunderstrike or punishments of any sort. It seemed like the heavens were celebrating—the Divine Clouds shimmered brilliantly.The crow circled above, observing the extraordinary scene. After all, it wasn't every day that such joyous celebrations occurred in both the Heavens and the Netherrealm.The crow decided it was better than Landon being hot-headed and hosting a grand wedding. Compared to that, gifting a beast of fortune and invoking divine fortune seemed perfectly reasonable.In the depths of the Netherrealm, the air stirred with the crow's fl
There were no surveillance cameras in this era, so Aria didn't have to worry about being discovered. At the heart of the camp, the patrolling guards were far more alert.Snipers were usually stationed at high points, lying in wait, so Aria needed to identify every blind spot carefully.This required careful observation, but Aria had a solid grasp of the soldiers' routines. Those with a keen understanding of military operations knew that patrolling schedules, though predictable, adhered to a strict schedule. By cracking their routine, Aria spotted her opportunity to infiltrate the team during the handover.Aria moved discreetly as the soldiers exchanged their covert signals, pulling the last soldier out of the line without drawing attention.The darkening sky made it easy for her to take action. She quickly changed into his uniform and blended into the squad without anyone noticing.She even left behind a Krowonian traditional outfit beside the young soldier. Aria didn't leav
The soldier was clearly a traitor who had studied abroad. He followed Viktor closely, speaking respectfully in accented Krowonian and fanning him as he talked.Although Aria couldn't see his face, his voice sounded familiar. She felt certain she had heard it somewhere before.As Aria lagged behind, her slow pace drew attention."You, there! What are you doing?" the squad leader barked. Instantly, all eyes turned to Aria—including those of the traitor.Aria was fluent in Krowonian, but disguising her voice was a challenge. Lowering it to a gruff tone, she replied, "Yes, sir! There seems to be a fire over there."Everyone immediately looked in the direction she pointed. Viktor's expression darkened. "Damn it! Our food supplies!"The dining area and food storage were ablaze. No one understood how the fire had started, and panic erupted among the soldiers.In his frustration, Viktor kicked the traitor—Eddy Caldwell—to the ground. Yet Eddy scrambled to his feet, unfazed, and offered
However, Viktor failed to find anything. His expression darkened as he whipped the person over and over again."Some Farshyan bastards must have sneaked inside!"Viktor turned abruptly, pointing the whip at Eddy. "You! Didn't you say the Farshyans' weaponry is limited and outdated? How the hell did they set fire from outside?"Eddy was at a loss. Desperately trying to piece together an explanation, he ventured, "Maybe... one of them studied abroad in Krowo and became familiar with our weaponry?""Studied abroad…" Viktor suddenly looked up. "Apart from our soldiers, are there any outsiders in our camp?"The deputy officer immediately replied, "There are some dancers and musicians here to entertain the troop.""Investigate them immediately!" Viktor ordered, his teeth clenched as his gaze fell on the scorched remains of their food supplies.At first, Viktor hadn't been too worried. He had dismissed the Farshyans as incompetent fools, incapable of such sabotage. After all, the Krowo
Since the soldier reminded Aria of the time, it meant that there would be a new code after 7:00 am.There was no way Aria would know the new code. However, if she showed any signs of hesitation, the other soldiers would start to suspect her. Worse still, she noticed the soldier reaching for the back of his gun.It was too late. Aria narrowed her eyes and replied. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't look at the time. Let's go over it again."The soldier kept his hand on the gun and was about to speak when Aria unleashed several silver needles with a swift flick of her hand. The needles shot out with a sharp whoosh, striking all 12 members of the two squads.In an instant, the soldiers stood frozen. Their acupuncture points had been precisely targeted. Though fully conscious, they were now incapable of speech or movement.However, leaving all 12 soldiers standing there would be too conspicuous. Anyone passing by would immediately notice something was wrong.Fortunately, the Krowonian soldiers
Aria's heart skipped a beat. A tremor ran through her as she touched the plaque, causing the black mist surrounding it to evaporate. The plaque, once at the center of the Soul Lock Manifestation, now rested in her hands."Isn't this too easy?" Aria muttered, lowering her gaze.As she held the plaque in her hand, fragmented scenes suddenly flooded her mind. The chaotic, turbulent images seemed to emanate from the plaque itself.In the visions, a sect was preparing for a wedding. Clouds gathered ominously, and heavenly trials loomed overhead. Aria, wearing a traditional wedding dress, observed as sect members from different clans gathered.Another scene showed her standing atop a mountain stream, her sleeves billowing in the strong wind. Before her stood numerous arcane seekers, accusing her of being a demon who had corrupted their minds.Aria raised an eyebrow at their accusations. "What nonsense," she thought. She didn't even practice the Decatorian arts, let alone involve herself
In that moment, Cormac couldn't afford to care about pride or appearances. His survival depended on severing all ties, especially with a traitor."I don't have a daughter like you!" he snapped, slapping Aliya again. "Do you even realize what you've done? Trafficking human organs—do you think that's something you can walk away from?"Aliya collapsed to the floor, stunned. A chill unlike any she'd ever felt seeped into her bones. She stared up at her father in disbelief, watching as he bowed his head respectfully toward Aria, the very woman she had just mocked.In Aliya's world, her father was the state government. She had grown up believing that their family controlled everything, that Cormac Windham's influence extended far beyond his office, even as retirement loomed.But all of it was crumbling before her eyes.Outside his office, word had already begun to spread. Though muffled, the sharp sound of a slap echoed faintly through the corridor.Everyone understood what that meant—
The group dared to be reckless as Amos was Ludwiten's lieutenant governor. They were peas in a pod and did corruption together.However, they didn't know that their support had already collapsed. Aria was not in a rush to capture Amos' lackeys as her target was in the state government. She didn't go alone either, for Aliya also went with her.Shortly after, Aria issued a new command. "Seal the premises. No one is to leave. Tell everyone to remain in their seats."A request like that, especially directed at the state level, would typically require an exhaustive process—dozens of forms, layers of red tape. Even in cases involving fatalities, senior officials were rarely detained on the spot.But Aria followed with a second message, one that sent chills down spines. "This case involves foreign infiltration. Someone has betrayed the country."Those words landed like a thunderclap. No one dared raise an objection. No one wanted to be associated with treason—not ordinary citizens, and
"Grandpa, it's not convenient for me to get in touch with all of you right now. Remember to take your medicine on time. I have to pretend that I'm locked up. Uncle Eamon and Uncle Waymond have to seem fretful so that the enemy wouldn't be alerted. I'm sorry, Grandpa."Aria didn't reveal what she had encountered in the message. This was because the Special Missions Unit was bound to a confidentiality contract when making decisions. What Aria said was almost pushing the limits.Aria only agreed to get locked up just to see how people would react when the Grisham family was in trouble.When the opponent placed their attention on this incident, they would let their guard down and give Aria a chance to secure evidence of their crimes.If the Grisham family retained its usual influence, the mastermind wouldn't show himself so easily. As Aria felt sorry for her family and worried about Clyde's health, she immediately sent a message to apologize after the auction. However, she couldn't s
There was no way Aria didn't know that the conviction was unfair. Furthermore, Percy specialized in handling economic cases. He knew there was no way Aria would be locked up so quickly. Yet, her crime had been publicly declared without prior warning. Percy was absolutely furious. He tugged his tie and declared the system was corrupted. While Fergus was also helping to find connections, Warren had just landed from Janovin.Clyde had sought out all sorts of connections, even his ex-colleagues in the education field.Fiona clenched his hands. "They promised to help Dad look into it." "They're just trying to fool Mr. Grisham Senior. Their higher-ups have already warned them about it." Nisa suddenly lowered her voice. "They're trying to make his health relapse again. If that happens, the Grisham family is done for."At this moment, a low voice sounded from the door. "So that's what happened. I was wondering why there was no progress with Aria's side after a whole day."It was Eamon.
Because Amos' arrest was part of a covert operation, the news didn't reach anyone outside the circle. That meant Durand remained completely unaware. He was still riding high on the thrill of his plan, blinded by the pleasure of watching the Grisham family fall.That night, he raised a glass of wine in early celebration, his mistress seated beside him. He didn't know that the move he'd made would become the greatest regret of his life.Elsewhere, Nisa couldn't bring herself to be as heartless. That was why, under the quiet cover of night, she made her way to the Grisham residence—not to see Clyde, but to speak with Fiona. She knew Clyde would shut her out immediately, but Fiona… Fiona might just listen.They weren't close. Not the way Fiona was with Priscilla. But they had once shared a few polite meals, floated in the same social circles. Enough to warrant a conversation—barely.When they sat down, Fiona's expression was cool, even distant. She hadn't forgotten the things Nisa had
Lucas could hear the pride in his mentor's voice for Aria. After all, his mentor had taken Aria in Southbury and even owed her his life. Lucas didn't dare to inform his mentor that Aria was being suppressed in the political world. He understood his mentor well. He was devoted to the country and couldn't stand such injustice.Therefore, Lucas didn't tell the truth to prevent his mentor from worrying. If someone with his position made a move, it would become a huge issue. That was why Lucas hid the truth from him. The former had to play along with the other politicians and endure them spouting empty promises. Before Lucas set out, his mentor stood on top of Old City and looked at the vast mountains. "Do whatever you need to, just like what you had done in Southbury. I'll be waiting for you and Aria's return at Janovin."These people didn't deserve his mercy at all!"You used your authority to disregard people's lives." It was the first time Lucas had shown his emotions so open
Amos was too stunned to react. One side of his face throbbed with pain, and fish oil clung to his hair, glistening from the dish he had been slammed into.He had always eaten fish a particular way—only one side. No matter how expensive the fish, he refused to flip it over, believing that leaving it untouched brought good fortune.But today, that superstition had been smashed—along with his pride. Pinned to the table, Amos hadn't even found the time to get angry. Confusion flickered in his eyes as he struggled to rise.Then Lucas spoke, his words crashing down like a stone wall."Amos Lune, you conspired with the Draycott and Fitzroy families to crush honest entrepreneurs. You've abused your position shamelessly."Lucas didn't stop. His tone cut sharper with each sentence."We also have evidence linking you to a human organ trafficking ring in Bellebrook. You've disgraced the people who supported your rise—and the country that invested in you."Lucas had been suppressing his ange
Lucas shook his head steadily. "Not yet."Amos, still basking in the glow of his "victory", had no idea what was coming. He answered Durand's call with a smug smile. On the other end, Durand's laughter rang out loud and triumphant."Mr. Lune, you should've seen the Grisham brothers' faces! I bet they never expected to be abandoned like that!"You played it brilliantly. One quiet move, and boom—the Grisham family's out of the Chamber of Commerce. From here, it's just a slow bleed. They'll lose everything."Amos kept his tone cool. "This isn't enough. Keep pushing the online chatter. The narrative needs to focus on how their precious granddaughter cost so many investors their savings. And don't forget her carefully crafted persona—it's about to unravel."He paused, voice crisp. "Reach out to the other businessmen. Now that the Grishams can't offer any benefits, it's time for everyone to take a bite. You understand, don't you, Durand?"Durand took a moment, then replied, "Right. Got
Cormac even thought of leaving some of his influence behind after retiring. This way, he could still have some power over decisions. He thought he could remind Lucas that not just anyone could do his job well. Therefore, Cormac remained calm after receiving the note. He was already so used to handling his daughter's troubles.Cormac strode into his lounge and asked Pedro, "Is it drunk driving again? Don't you know how to handle it?""It's not drunk driving." Pedro still seemed out of it.Cormac's expression darkened. "It's not drunk driving? Was she on drugs again? I already reminded you numerous times to get someone to keep an eye on her. Which stage of the process is she at right now? Call the people from the drug-testing institution.""No. That's not it." Pedro took off his glasses and his badge.Cormac finally realized that Pedro seemed off. "What happened? Just tell me. I doubt she'll kill someone. Although my daughter is troublesome, she won't do something like that. I kno