Edon was ready to point at Chet's nose and snap, but he froze as his brother calmly said, "The chief of the Martial Alliance is here in our residence.""What? The chief of the Martial Alliance?! You mean…""Yeah." Chet nodded somberly, looking at his brother's shocked reaction before adding, "She has been maimed, her cultivation almost lost.""Then, the spiritron vein…""She doesn't have it," Chet replied.As disappointment showed on Edon's face, Chet continued calmly, "I know what you're thinking—in fact, I was thinking it when I received her. However, she gave it up before she arrived, and the Martial Alliance lost over a hundred martial artists in the battle. There was no shortage of Ascendant ranks, and only she managed to escape, barely alive."Sighing somberly, Chet concluded, "For me, it's clear from this that the spiritron vein is too important for our family to even touch. Too much greed really consumes you."Edon lowered his head, clearly doing the math.When he looke
"Jaden is second in Skyrank!" Edon exclaimed anxiously at Chet. "And he's your son! Just think about it—if the boy grows further, we won't just become one of the strongest dynasties on the East Coast… We might even establish ourselves in Morhen!""I know." Chet sighed, leveling a cool stare at his brother. "But who aside from Hundred Bane Sect can save Jaden now? However, if we agreed to their demands, our family's cultivation and hard work that spanned over a hundred years would be for naught."Unlike the Martial Alliance, Hundred Bane Sect would have complete control over our family. Where the Martial Alliance is a loose organization, we would be reduced to their lab rats. Even if you were in my shoes, would you be able to sacrifice so many of us for Jaden's sake?""That's true, but…" Edon wanted to argue but scowled as he had no retort and sat down again. "Hehe… Chet, Edon."Just then, a pale man wearing glasses and a white suit entered.Edon was immediately glaring at him.
That was why Edon despised Lubor.Moreover, if Lubor took over, their family would completely fall under the control of Hundred Bane Sect and be reduced to lab rats.That was why Chet never let down his guard despite Lubor seemingly compromising."Chet, why don't we just take them up on their offer?"Edon turned toward his eldest brother anxiously. "As long as we're not reduced to vassals of Hundred Bane Sect, anything else can wait after they cure Jaden.""You're being naive."Chet shook his head, smirking at Edon. "Do you really think Lubor is sincere about helping us? Just think about it—what would the Martial Alliance do if they found out we handed their chief over to Hundred Bane Sect?""Oh!" Edon smacked himself on the lap for the umpteenth time and wheeled on Lubor furiously. "I knew you were up to no good!""Now, now. You've got it all wrong." Lubor smiled, shaking his head. "The elders of Hundred Bane Sect have spoken. The chief of the Martial Alliance is actually lo
It was very late into the night Frank arrived at Favoni House in Norsedam.He actually found the ancient furnishings around the residence curious as a servant led him inside.The Favonis really were a martial arts clan, with everything from the architecture, gardens, to fountains decorated in traditional styles.He was brought to a drawing room and served a glass of expensive tea.Frank did not expect such a polite gesture—he even thought the Favonis would want revenge.Nonetheless, he soon found a familiar face.It was Stella Favoni, wearing form-fitting training robes and appearing shocked to see him there. "It really is you… W-What are you doing here? Wait, don't tell me…"Stella's face paled as she thought Frank came for revenge.Even from her perspective, Frank was the one who was attacked for no reason at Lanecorp, slandered by her family and the Bearsons before being coerced into that duel.They had insulted Frank profoundly, and it was only natural for him to come for
Chet did not directly answer Frank's question, instead asking quietly, "May I ask who's asked you and why you're looking for the chief of the Martial Alliance?"He simply answered a question with another question, passing the buck back to Frank."It's her father's asking, and as for why…"Frank paused, quickly smiling as he came up with an idea. "She and I were engaged as children, and I'm fulfilling that promise.""What?"Chet did a double take, narrowing his eyes in thought.The chief of the Martial Alliance was engaged?! He had no idea… No, no one in the Martial Alliance even mentioned anything about that!Was Frank bullshitting?!For Frank's part, he needed a reasonable excuse for his search for the chief of the Martial Alliance, or he would look like he had no business getting involved.Still, he had one—even if Silverbell was the chief of the Martial Alliance, was there a problem with him looking for his own fiancee?Naturally, the engagement was bullshit, though Frank
"You can think of it that way!" Edon dispensed with disguises right then, whipping out a gleaming machete from behind himself and thrusting it into the table before him. Glaring at Frank, he barked, "You'd better tell the truth, or you're not leaving this house!""Pfft…" Lubor snickered even as the air in the room tensed."What are you laughing at?!" Edon snapped in annoyance.He threatened Frank exactly because he did not want Lubor to win.If they could save Jaden by doing whatever Frank did, they would not have to give up the chief of the Martial Alliance to Hundred Bane Sect.They would not wrong the Martial Alliance and certainly would not give Hundred Bane Sect leverage against themselves.However, if Edon thought of that, Lubor certainly could."Like I said, Edon, the Soulbleeder is a novelty of Hundred Bane Sect. No one can neutralize it aside from the elders of Hundred Bane Sect."He scoffed, glancing at Frank in disdain. "Obviously, that brat is fine because he wa
Frank puffed his chest confidently. "It's simple—I will cure Jaden, while you tell me where the chief of the Martial Alliance is. How about that?""Pfft."Lubor was laughing as soon as Frank finished, watching him in glee. "Mr. Lawrence, do you think we are as stupid as you are? Who would believe your bullshit? I've said many times—the Soulbleeder is a novelty Hundred Bane Sect created, and only our elders can stop it. Watch out, or you'd bite your tongue if you keep making shit up."Frank remained calm despite Lubor's scorn, shaking his head as he said, "I can see that you are caught in a dilemma, Mr. Favoni. So how about this? Take me to your son, and you tell me where the chief of the Martial Alliance is if I succeed. If I don't, I will take responsibility… though I'd be infected too and die for my lies anyway. How about that?"Chet paused at Frank's confident offer.It was only natural that he did not want to hand over the chief of the Martial Alliance to Hundred Bane Sect. Af
Frank followed the Favonis to a smaller building to the back, and he could see Abel being surrounded by everyone even before he entered.He stood on the edge of the group, refraining from greeting Abel since the two Favoni sentries before were watching him.They only allowed Frank to wait instead of meddling.After all, they were told that Jaden Favoni, the star of the family's younger generation, was now half-dead because of Frank.Even if Frank had cleared his name and proved he was not some despicable poisoner, the Favonis still extended the blame to him.And whatever the higher-ups said was naturally taken way more seriously by the minions, which was why these sentries were hostile toward Frank.There were even Favoni martial artists who came, sizing up Frank to see if he really was that good. If anything, a fight would have started if those two sentries did not stop them.As such, in contrast to the respect and humility afforded to Abel, Frank was kept on a tight leash, not