Stephen returned to his hotel and was in a foul mood."Useless trash!" he roared as he kicked an already injured Shadow.Shadow crashed to the floor and mumbled gruffly, "I'm sorry, Mr. Beckard. I was no match for him."Stephen was furious as he snapped, "Aren't the disciples of the Thunder Bow Sect always saying that they are undefeatable? Look! You were defeated by a useless idiot! How embarrassing!"Shadow had nothing to say to defend himself, and Stephen planted himself onto the sofa with a huff. Once his anger had subsided slightly, he turned to Shadow with a dark expression."What do we do now? That Sebastian bastard is so arrogant that I won't feel good if I don't teach him a lesson!"Shadow scrambled to his feet and bowed respectfully. "Mr. Beckard, I have a senior who is one of the best disciples of my sect. He would only need three arrows to kill Sebastian, and he doesn't even need to be close to him to do so." Stephen's mood visibly brightened. "Really?""Yes."
"Why are you here?" Sebastian asked with a frown when he saw Whitney and immediately stopped messing around with Rosalie."Do you really think I wanted to come?" Whitney scoffed. "Asshole!"With that, she turned and stormed off.She was furious!How could Sebastian be so close to Rosalie?She just saw Rosalie kiss him, and he didn't even reject her advances!What an asshole!Whitney's anger only rose when she realized that Sebastian hadn't come chasing after her to explain himself.She stomped angrily as she stood by the road and grumbled, "Why did I leave? It's not like I was the one who did anything wrong! Why did I have to leave?"At that thought, Whitney got even angrier, and finally, she returned to the convenience store.Seeing Whitney storm back into the convenience store, Sebastian frowned. "Why are you here again?" he asked. Whitney stomped into the convenience store and tossed her bag on the couch before sitting in front of Rosalie.She folded her arms and crosse
Whitney's tone was mocking as she asked, "The best man you've ever met?"She scoffed. "Ms. Griffin, I really don't understand how someone as useless as him is the best man you've ever met. I've been married to him for three years and know exactly what kind of man he is."We're both women, so let me warn you. He's not worth it."Rosalie flashed Whitney a light smile. "Whether or not he's worth it is up to me to decide. You'll never know how good he is because, to you, he'll always be useless. "However, it's precisely because of your bias against him that leads to so many misunderstandings between you two."Whitney frowned, her expression souring. What an unpleasant interaction.After a while, she sighed. "Regardless, nothing's going to change now. My impression of him won't change unless he really does something to change it.""You'll understand in the future just how foolish your decision was, Ms. Sutton," Rosalie said with a smile, but the glare that she shot Whitney was fille
Sebastian frowned. "That's not what I meant," he explained with an exasperated sigh.When did their relationship deteriorate so much?Whitney's expression was frosty as she snapped, "Then what do you mean? All I want is a letter of understanding from you so Shannon can be free. Is that too much to ask?"Or are you just preventing Shannon from attending my wedding as revenge to humiliate me?"Sebastian remained silent.Whitney didn't mind his silence and continued, "I'm getting married to Fergus in two days, and everyone who's anyone in Steinberg will be present! Why can't you just let me get married in peace?""Why… Why do you have to make things so difficult?" Whitney asked finally with a shaky voice as she knelt on the floor."Why is everyone forcing me to do things I don't want to do? Even you are forcing me!" she cried.Sebastian sighed as he stood silently to the side. He used to be able to comfort her whenever she cried, but he couldn't do that now. They were already divo
"I know more than you think, and it's precisely because I know so much that I chose to maintain a low profile. "I'm not interested in the petty squabbles that come with being at the top. And I know full well the second I allow myself to get entangled in that mess, I'll never know a day of peace," Sebastian saidWhitney smiled as she eyed him with disappointment and thinly veiled disdain. "How could you say something like that now? Do you have no shame?" she demanded."Such words would've probably worked on me in the past and Ms. Griffin now, but it won't work on me now," she sneered.Sebastian simply shook his head, unwilling to explain himself to her. Perhaps it was for the best that she didn't believe him."I'm warning you, if you don't actually like Rosalie and you're only using her for your personal gain, let her know! Don't lie to her like that! She's innocent and naive, and I don't want to see her hurt by a jerk like you," Whitney hissed as she glared at him.Sebastian tur
The Carlton family was shaken to its core as the general had returned. A monumental celebration was in order!Kevin hurried inside from the backyard. Upon entering the living room, he was met with the sight of a tall, imposing middle-aged man standing in the hall. His commanding presence radiated authority and fierceness as he stood there, hands behind his back."Lucas! You're finally back…" Tears streamed down Kevin's face.Lucas Carlton was Kevin's eldest son and the only general in the Carlton family. He held a prestigious position in the western military district, commanding thirty thousand soldiers. If all went as planned, he would earn another star in the latter half of the year. By then, the Carlton family would be the undisputed leading family of Sunway!Lucas turned and quickly helped Kevin to a grand armchair. With a flourish of his cloak, he kneeled on one knee and said, "Father, I have returned.""Good, get up," Kevin replied, visibly moved.Lucas quickly rose and
Lorraine burst into the room and flung herself into Lucas' arms, her voice filled with distress. "Lucas, you must avenge me this time. Catch that scoundrel, and let me torment him thoroughly!"Lucas looked at Lorraine, nodding firmly as he said, "Alright! I promise you, I'll capture that brat and let you have your revenge."Lorraine was pleased with his words. "How are your injuries?" Lucas asked. "They're mostly healed, thanks to Richard from the Hundred Heaven Sect. He gave me a healing pill that sped up my recovery," Lorraine replied.Lucas nodded just as Richard entered the room, exuding an air of wisdom and serenity. He bowed to Lucas. "Greetings, General Carlton."Lucas returned the gesture. "No need for such formality, Mr. Jett. You're a great benefactor to our family. Without you, Lorraine's recovery wouldn't have been so swift."Richard chuckled and said, "General Carlton, you jest. With the relationship between the Hundred Heaven Sect and your family, it was but a sm
Before anyone inside Frostwave Corporation could grasp the situation, Lucas arrived swiftly outside the company building. Two or three dozen elite soldiers accompanied him. The arrival of the military jeeps caused an immediate stir amongst the company's employees. Why would military vehicles be parked outside the building?Without waiting for the staff's reaction, Lucas swung open the car door. With a flick of his cloak, he commanded, "Seal off Frostwave Corporation, now!""Yes, sir!"The two or three dozen soldiers charged into Frostwave Corporation, swiftly sealing off the building. Every entrance and exit was manned by fully armed soldiers with live ammunition, and no one was allowed in or out.In less than a minute, Frostwave Corporation's executives and shareholders were all detained by several soldiers in the meeting room. At that moment, Lucas stood with his back turned to the executives kneeling on the floor. His gaze was cold and indifferent as he looked through th
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