After a long time, Ryder scrambled up from the floor with difficulty. He spat out blood, along with a few teeth."Sebastian! Do you have a death wish?" He waved at the bodyguards behind him. The bodyguards surged forward and surrounded Sebastian and Whitney. Sebastian glanced at the bodyguards and smiled slightly as he said, "Ryder, this bunch aren't even worthy of being sent to their deaths."A pretty figure appeared at the door.The bodyguards who had been surrounding Sebastian and Whitney turned abruptly and looked at Rose warily. She was standing in the doorway.Although the beautiful woman behind them had not attacked, the bodyguards sensed danger.Rose seemed to be giving off a faintly murderous energy. It was the kind of energy that only a killer who could kill without blinking would have."You must have heard of the famous Rose. The person standing behind you is her! I advise you all not to resist," Sebastian said, grinning.Rose?The bodyguards were all stunned wit
"Collect payments?" Whitney's brow wrinkled, and she looked at Sebastian in confusion."That's right!" Sebastian looked expressionless as he said, "If I'm guessing correctly, only one person can get the Sartzade Chamber of Commerce to do this, and that's Jace!""Are you saying that everything Ryder did was done at Jace's command?" Whitney asked through gritted teeth as she clenched her fists.Sebastian nodded heavily and said, "Of course. Do you really think that Ryder could get Brandon's help on his own? Brandon is the person in charge of Bashmore Group. "Also, why would the Sunway Stallones support him? You always need to go for the head. Now, the time has come for us to put an end to some things!"Whitney took a deep breath and nodded heavily.When night fell the next day, Sebastian put on a newly bought suit while Whitney wore a black gown. The two of them got into Whitney's car and rushed to Sunway.Coeur Hotel was one of the most luxurious hotels in Sunway.Sebastian lo
"Is this your first time attending one of the Chamber of Commerce's banquets?" Daryl asked in a friendly manner."Yes, it's our first time here. I hope that we'll be able to get on well in the future," Sebastian answered very politely.Although Sebastian was smiling and chatting in an easy manner, Whitney's palms were drenched in sweat because of how nervous she was.When she saw how relaxed Sebastian was, she couldn't help casting an admiring look at him.Sebastian was able to talk and laugh so easily among all those prominent figures. It showed how self-assured he was. "Young man, you are very lucky. You'll get to meet someone very important today, and it's only your first time!" Eddie said to Sebastian, smiling."Oh? An important figure? How important?" Sebastian asked, smiling. Eddie grinned mysteriously and said, "As important as you can imagine."It was the 50th anniversary of the Sartvade Chamber of Commerce's establishment, which was why its mysterious supporter would
Ryder looked blissful as he imagined it, and there was a spring in his step. He greeted several strangers and raised his glass at them. "Mr. Sutton, I heard that you've managed to gain the favor of someone important recently. If you have a chance to prosper, don't hog it for yourself! As we're all members of this Chamber of Commerce, we should take care of each other." Someone went up to greet Ryder. Ryder nodded triumphantly and said, "Of course! If there's a chance to make money, I'll be sure to think of all of you."Whitney watched as Ryder laughed and chatted animatedly, and she pulled at Sebastian and said in a low voice, "Look. There's Ryder."Sebastian smiled and patted her hand to reassure her.While Sebastian was talking about medicine with Eddie and the others, Ryder caught sight of him and Whitney. At the same time, Sebastian turned to look at him.Their eyes met, and Sebastian's lips curved up slightly. He raised his wine glass, as if he were greeting Ryder.Howeve
"Mr. Sutton, what would you need to say to people like them? Mercy toward them is cruelty toward yourself," the middle-aged man said as he cast a cold glance at Sebastian.Among wealthy businessmen like them, a mere traditional medicine doctor who had married into the Sutton family had no right to attend a banquet like this.Even being in the same place with someone of Sebastian's status was an insult to them!"I'll give you three seconds. Get out of here right now!" Ryder yelled, pointing at Sebastian.Seeing that Ryder was actually angry, several people looked at Sebastian with interest. They seemed to be waiting for him to humiliate himself.Whitney bit her lip nervously and maintained a tight grip on Sebastian's arm. She was extremely nervous.Even Dexter, who had been the highest authority in Sunway, was not worthy of mention among the prominent figures who were in attendance here.Would they really be able to leave safely?However, even if they were going to die, she want
It wasn't that they didn't want to speak up for Sebastian. It was just that they had only been members of the Chamber of Commerce for a couple of years, and they had no authority to speak at all.Besides, the middle-aged man who had objected was one of the most important people in the Chamber of Commerce, and they couldn't afford to offend him at all. Therefore, they could only choose to remain silent.Sebastian scoffed, and his cold gaze swept over the people who had spoken. "If I have the guts to hit him, I have no problem hitting you. I advise you not to meddle in these affairs. You don't have the ability to do so. Don't end up regretting this."Everyone was immediately furious.Sebastian was only a traditional medicine doctor! How dare he speak so boldly in front of them?"Sebastian, who do you think you are? How dare you hit me here?" Ryder yelled, his voice echoing in the hall. "Security! Are you all dead? Damn it! Break the legs of this asshole! Toss him downstairs!"At Ry
"Mr. Ballard, things were very rushed the last time we met. I didn't have time to say goodbye to you properly. Since you're here, let's catch up inside," Brett said in a genteel manner.Sebastian shrugged and pulled Whitney along with him. While everyone watched them, they walked into a small lounge with Brett. "I'm very sorry, Mr. Ballard. Ryder deserves to die for offending you in front of so many people, but I can't punish him on the spot for the sake of our family's reputation in the Sartzade Chamber of Commerce. Please understand," Brett said to Sebastian as soon as they sat down. The middle-aged man who had gotten his head smashed in was one of the Dunhills' men, which was why Brett could deal with him as he pleased. However, Ryder was not, so Brett had kept to his boundaries. A slap was neither too harsh nor too lenient. He had expressed the stance of the Dunhills while not being too overbearing."It doesn't matter. He's going to die sooner or later, so letting him live
Sebastian opened the folder. It was filled with yellowed pages containing newspaper cuttings almost 100 years old. Fragments of information were also included. Every single one was related to a Yutarian sword sect called the Divine Swords."Mr. Ballard, decades ago, the Divine Swords engaged in several huge battles with a mysterious sect in Dramon," Brett explained. "That sect is the Sacred Medicine Society, which everyone in the Nine Orders, Eighteen Principles and Thirty-Six Sects is afraid of." He handed another folder to Sebastian. It was a photocopied document that had clearly been stolen from a historical archive. Several decades ago, Sebastian's mentor had once battled against Eduardo, the head of the Divine Swords, in Yutaria. However, the two of them had reached a tie. "The old sect leader of the Sacred Medicine Society is one of the greatest authorities of the mystic martial arts sects in Dramon. A person that even he cannot defeat must be terrifying. "Bianca is on
As the man in the black robe yelled, the entire hall fell silent at once. The thin old man threw the black-robed old man a disgruntled look, but he returned obediently to his seat.Once the noise had died down, Preston stepped forward and swept an icy gaze over the crowd who were present. "You call yourself the elders of the family?"The monument of our ancestral dragon is right in front of you. How could you bully two young members of the family in front of it? Don't you feel any shame?"Besides, how dare you speak before Arnaud does?"After the harsh scolding they received from Preston, no one in the crowd dared to protest. Sebastian nodded involuntarily. It appeared that Preston did have influence in the Ballard family. At least no one had interrupted his scolding, including Arnaud and the man in the black robe.Preston huffed angrily and bowed to Arnaud, who sat in the middle. "Arnaud, I've brought Samson and Sebastian!"Preston went over to the chair next to the black-robe
"Sebastian, I won't be going in. Remember, don't say anything without being spoken to, and don't be impulsive!" Andreas said softly in Sebastian's ear when they reached the door to the hall. He then walked over to the crowd, which was packed on both sides of the hall.Samson and Preston walked into the hall without any change in expression. Sebastian hesitated for a moment before hurrying to catch up.When they reached the entrance, the two old men reached out to stop them and said to Preston, who was in the lead, "Preston, I'm afraid that it wouldn't be a good idea for you to go in. Everyone knows that you're biased toward Samson's family. If you get into an argument with Arnaud, then—""Nonsense!" Preston yelled furiously. He spoke in a menacing tone to the two old men. "Don't try those tricks with me. Today, I'm going to be the voice of reason. Who among you can do anything to me?"With that, he pushed them aside and strode into the hall.The two old men gazed after his ret
The Ballard Estate's resources were unfathomable as it was. Could Isabella's family be even more powerful than theirs?Sebastian clearly remembered that both he and Samson were under the Sacred Medicine Society. They even had the same mentor.The Sacred Medicine Society was above all the other mystic martial arts sects. Even the sect leaders of the Nine Sects were very respectful toward his mentor.If Samson really was from the same sect as Sebastian, then his mentor had clearly been unable to save him. Wouldn't that mean that the Sacred Medicine Society was no match for the Ballards?Wouldn't that mean that Isabella's family was an even greater entity?"If my mother's family is really that powerful, why couldn't they rescue my father? There would also be no reason to let me join the Sacred Medicine Society either, right?" Sebastian asked probingly. It seemed as if Andreas had never even thought about such questions. He smiled and shook his head. "You probably don't know about a
As they stepped out of the courtyard gate, Samson suddenly turned and lowered his voice as he said to Sebastian, "I didn't treat you and your mother well. Please don't hold it against me."Sebastian felt even more conflicted. After everything he had been through, he knew very well that there were times when one really had no choice. When Samson saw that Sebastian was looking at him with a conflicted expression, he patted him on the shoulder and gave him a warm smile. Then he took a token from Preston and walked out of the yard.They followed Preston as he walked toward the east, where there was a majestic-looking building."Why are you helping me?" Sebastian suddenly turned and asked Andreas in a low voice. Andreas glanced at him and gave him a long, cryptic smile. "Do you think I'm helping you? I'm helping myself while doing so!""Oh?" Sebastian looked at Andreas in confusion, his brow knitted. Even Rexton had mentioned that Andreas was in Arnaud's favor. Why would he need t
When Rexton and the others had gone, Preston turned to look at Samson and said irritatedly, "You little rascal. Would I ever hurt you?"Besides, you've been here in isolation for ten years. Why hasn't your temper changed at all? Couldn't you show me some respect in front of all those people?"Samson glanced at Preston but didn't answer.Preston huffed and ignored him. He turned and looked Sebastian up and down instead."Hey, kiddo. Over ten years have passed in just the blink of an eye. You've probably forgotten me. I even gave you candy back then! Come over here and call me Great Uncle Preston!"Sebastian looked at him in surprise. It was true that he didn't have much of an impression of what had happened over ten years ago. However, he could tell from what Preston had said and done that his attitude toward Sebastian's family was completely different from Rexton and the others.Beside Sebastian, Andreas kept shooting him meaningful looks. Sebastian finally smiled and said, "Hell
Although the old man looked as if he was over 60 years old, his expression was sharp and lively, and his skin was smooth as a baby's. It gave him a youthful air.Even the severely injured apprentices all scrambled up from the ground when they saw him. They hastily bowed and said, "Greetings, Great Uncle Preston!"Even Rexton had no choice but to suppress his anger. He bowed sullenly to the old man and said, "Greetings, Uncle Preston."Preston Ballard glanced at Rexton and turned to shout angrily at the apprentices, "If I hadn't come, were you planning to tear the Ballard Estate apart? Look at all of you! Get out of here right now!"Despite the scolding they had been subjected to, none of them dared to protest. They all lowered their heads and slunk out of the yard. Preston glared angrily at them as they went and snorted. "What an embarrassment to the family!"Then he smiled slightly and looked at Samson and Sebastian as he asked, "Samson, do you have anything to say?"Samson lo
Rexton's pupils constricted, and the muscles in his face twitched. He stared at Samson with a wary look in his eyes. He and Samson were two minor stages apart. It was no laughing matter. If the two of them began to fight, Rexton would be sure to die if he didn't have any external assistance."What's the matter? Are you scared?" Samson sneered as he asked in a cold, accusatory tone. That flipped a switch in Rexton's head. His expression changed instantly, and he turned a fierce look on Samson. "Afraid?" he asked through gritted teeth.As he spoke, Rexton seemed to make up his mind. He slowly reached into his pocket and took out a pale blue paper charm, which looked thicker than usual.The paper charm was oppressive to look at. Sebastian instinctively sensed a threatening energy approaching!Even Samson looked wary when he saw the paper charm."Uncle Rexton, this is a Soulcrush Charm. Great Uncle Arnaud has clearly said that no one in the Ballard Estate is allowed to use spiri
Sebastian immediately felt the pressure around him drop. The feeling of being pinned down disappeared as well."How dare you—"Before Rexton could finish, a shadow flashed past him, and Samson popped up right in front of him.Samson stuck out his finger as if it were a sword and tapped him on the chest. Although Samson hadn't used any strength, Rexton could see the murderous look in his eyes. There was a dot of scarlet light that swirled around Samson's finger. A crimson rune was gradually appearing, and there was a chilling, murderous sensation in the air. Sebastian gasped. He had finally realized how the mystic spells should be used, and he was in awe. It wasn't that Sebastian was unable to do it. It was just that up until then, he had only seen the mystic sect apprentices of the secular world. Perhaps their understanding of how to use mystic spells was too superficial, which was why Sebastian's perception had also been affected.Realization only dawned on him when he saw
At Rexton's roar of fury, everyone turned to look at Samson, who was still standing there quietly without moving."A traitor? Murder?"There was finally a flicker of emotion on Samson's face. A sudden glimmer of light flared in his eyes, which had been devoid of life for a long time."Rexton, you know very well how your father died!"As Samson spoke, he walked toward Rexton with a steady step as he said, "I admit that I've wronged Sebastian and his mother. I was just too soft-hearted back then. That's why I believed your lies and tried to keep the big picture in mind for the Ballards, but look at how you've treated me!"There was suddenly a cold glint in Samson's eyes, and he said in a thunderous tone, "You set up a series of traps and tried to kill and torture my wife and son!"You pursued them until the ends of the earth! If my mentor hadn't rescued Sebastian, do you think he'd still be alive today?"Did you just accuse me of murder? Did you ever think of the fact that we're f