Sebastian was still drinking at the grocery store, trying to ease his frustration.Suddenly, a few black sedans pulled up outside. The car doors opened, and several burly men stepped out. They looked fierce as they stormed into the grocery store, surrounding Sebastian from all sides."Are you Sebastian?" the leader of the group, with a commanding presence, asked. One could tell just by looking at him that he was no ordinary person, more likely someone with military training.The other men stood in a way that suggested they knew what they were doing, possibly trained soldiers."What's this about?" Sebastian asked casually, taking a sip of his drink."Our boss wants to see you!" one of the men said coldly, reaching out to grab Sebastian by the shoulder, showing no courtesy.With a loud bang, the man who grabbed Sebastian's shoulder was sent flying back, and his entire arm went numb!"You punk! You dare resist?" The man who was thrown back shouted angrily. He pulled a baton from
"Very well! What a brave young man! I never expected there to be someone who could beat up my men and even ask me to visit him personally!" Eugene's face was filled with rage. He hit the armrest and said coldly, "Get the car ready! I want to see how powerful this young man is!" With that, Eugene walked out of the Targery residence.A large group of nearly a hundred men in black suits quickly followed. The entrance was lined with dozens of black sedans.Eugene got into his car, and Zakary quickly joined him. "Mr. Targery Senior, that brat is too arrogant. We need to give him a lesson he'll never forget!""I know," Eugene replied coldly.The cars started up, heading quickly toward the grocery store.Zakary had a sinister look on his face as he thought to himself, "You little punk! This time you're done for!"Meanwhile, Hans and James were also rushing to the store. They couldn't ignore Eugene's orders. After all, defying him would mean they couldn't operate in Steinberg anymore
Eugene was clearly displeased with Sebastian's attitude. He was a figure of authority in Steinberg, someone whose word carried significant weight. When had a young punk ever treated him with such disregard?"How dare you! Do you know who you're talking to? Kneel and apologize to Mr. Targery Senior!" Zakary shouted while glaring at Sebastian. It was as if he wanted to tear him apart.Sebastian frowned and gave Zakary a cold look. "Who do you think you are? This isn't your place to speak.""Why you—" Zakary fumed with rage, then turned to Eugene. "Mr. Targery Senior, do you see how arrogant this kid is? He has no respect for you! This is outrageous!"Eugene's expression grew even darker. "Very well. Young man, do you know my status in Steinberg?" Eugene asked coldly.Sebastian chuckled. "A bit. But so what?""Then why aren't you kneeling?" Eugene asked with a sharp gaze, exuding a stern air.Sebastian laughed, crossing his arms and leaning back in his chair as he looked at Eugen
Earlier, Zakary hadn't mentioned any of this to Eugene, only claiming that Sebastian had stormed into the casino, causing chaos. He also suggested that it might have been part of a power play by Hans.Zakary shuddered and quickly explained, "Mr. Targery Senior, I-I didn't know… This was all done by my subordinates. You know how it is with a large group—sometimes things get out of control. "Besides, even if what he's saying is true, there's no reason for him to attack and destroy the casino or hurt me! I'm one of your people! If he does this, it's like he's insulting you!"Eugene frowned, contemplating the situation. He looked at Sebastian and said sternly, "No matter what happened before, you shouldn't have resorted to violence!"Sebastian laughed. "So, Mr. Targery Senior, you're just going to ignore the facts?" he retorted with a cold smile.Eugene's expression darkened. "Boy, I don't want to hear your nonsense! Get him!"The two bodyguards quickly moved forward.Sebastian's g
Vincent? The head of the Hindon family? He was in Steinberg!Instantly, Eugene's face turned pale.But Zakary, blinded by rage, kept cursing. "I don't care who this Vincent is! Tell him to get over here and apologize! Otherwise, if Mr. Targery Senior gets mad, he'll be as good as dead!"That sentence shook Eugene to his core. "Shut up!" he roared, raising his hand and slapping Zakary across the face. The slap left Zakary reeling, and knocked him to the ground. "Mr. Targery Senior, why'd you hit me?" he asked while holding his face. He was utterly confused.Eugene glared at him with fury and said, "You idiot! Are you trying to get me killed? Do you have any idea who Vincent is?""I… I don't know... But he can't be as powerful as you, right?" Zakary replied, full of resentment.He thought Eugene had lost his mind. After all, it was just some man named Vincent! Was it worth hitting Zakary in front of everyone?"You're truly clueless!" Eugene snapped, raising his cane and pointing
Vincent looked sickly. An elderly man in a blue robe was currently checking up on him."What's the diagnosis, Dr. Evans?" Vincent asked.He'd fallen ill after returning from a private art exhibition, feeling weak, with aching limbs, dizziness, and occasionally even coughing up blood.Michael Evans was Vincent's personal doctor, known for his medical expertise.He paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "Mr. Hindon, it's nothing serious. It's just a common cold exacerbated by some underlying conditions. "I'll give you a few acupuncture treatments and prescribe some medicine. Rest for a few days, and you should be fine."Vincent nodded, "Thank you, Dr. Evans.""There's no need to thank me, Mr. Hindon. It's my duty," Michael replied with a smile before leaving to prepare for his treatment.Vincent coughed a few more times and asked the man in the black suit who had entered, "Is he here?""Yes, he's waiting in the parlor," the man replied."Bring him in," Vincent said as he c
As soon as he spoke, the atmosphere in the sitting room became tense. Vincent's expression darkened significantly, and his already unhealthy complexion turned even more grim."What did you say?" Vincent asked coldly, every word laced with anger.The man in the black suit also frowned, his expression showing displeasure at Sebastian's words. Who dared to curse Vincent, predicting he wouldn't live past the night? That was a death wish!Michael, however, just smirked, thinking that Sebastian must be insane to say such things to Vincent.But Sebastian remained unruffled. "Mr. Hindon, it's your choice to believe it or not. But from what I see, you won't last through the night. Even if I make the Life Prolonging Pill, you won't be around to receive it.""How dare you!" Vincent roared, slamming his hand on the armrest. In his sudden burst of anger, he coughed violently, spitting out blood.Michael was alarmed. He rushed toward him and said, "Mr. Hindon, you mustn't get agitated, or
The man in the black suit glared at Michael. "If anything happens to Mr. Hindon, you won't survive, either! Someone, lock him up!"Two guards immediately rushed in, grabbing Michael and restraining him."It's not my fault!" Michael protested in fear. He never expected Vincent to react like this.Vincent managed to force out a few words, his voice faint and strained. "Get… Sebastian…"After saying that, he fell unconscious.The man in the black suit quickly got up, instructing his men to carry Vincent to the bedroom. Then, he ran out to find Sebastian.…Sebastian had taken a taxi back to the grocery store.Outside the store, Eugene was still there, seemingly waiting for Sebastian. Hans and James stood nearby as well.Seeing Sebastian step out of the car, Hans and James quickly approached him and asked, "Mr. Ballard, what did Mr. Hindon want with you?""Mr. Ballard, are you okay? Did Mr. Hindon do anything to you?"Sebastian smiled and replied, "I'm fine."Eugene also walked
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