The grand foyer of the Xaviers Manor is filled with an air of tension as the family gathers, seemingly in a heated discussion. On a regal chair, sits a middle aged man, exuding an aura of a formidable leader. This man is none other than Rutherford Xavier, the esteemed Patriarch of the Xaviers and Logan's father. "Logan, are you trying to say that Arthur Smith was part of the attendees at Eve's Allure Emporium's just concluded meeting?" Rutherford asks, his cold gaze dropping to his son, who stands in front of him."Yes, father. I swear, I wouldn't dare lie about this. I saw him with my own eyes. It's fine if you doubt me, but you can't doubt Sir Anderson, right? He was there and personally confirmed that the old man is indeed who I say he is." Logan responds earnestly."Hmm," Rutherford hums. "After a decade, he suddenly resurfaced. Was he tired of hiding or what? Even if he was, knowing his Lord was a public enemy, why would he risk exposing himself in such a blatant way? Wasn't h
"Enough. This is not the time for bickering," Reginald declares, slamming his hand on his chair. "Edith, how certain are you that the man you met is Arthur Smith?""Sir Anderson personally identified him. Without him, I wouldn't have known.""Mmm," Reginald hums and tilts his head in thought. "Opulence Heights has enjoyed peace for the past ten years. Why would the butler suddenly show himself? Are they trying to stir trouble and take away the peace in Opulence Heights?""Sir, my speculation is that he didn't anticipate being exposed. Perhaps, like us, he assumed the Callahans wouldn't be interested in the order. None of us, except Sir Anderson, recognized him. If Sir Anderson hadn't shown up, he would have left without anyone discovering his identity.""We can't afford to delve into these lengthy discussions that are of no significance to the matter at hand. Patriarch, pardon me for being so blunt but we are here for a reason!" Layla interjects."Oh?" Reginald raises a brow. "And what
Cornelius is silent for a moment before clearing his throat and saying, "You did well by coming to me regarding this matter. Years ago, I fought against that kid and ended up gravely injured. He was so powerful that he easily broke my meridians, undoing my years of hard work. "That's why I've secluded myself for the past decade and sat here trying to recuperate. If that kid is still alive as your words make it seem, then he must have gotten even more powerful. I'm afraid even with Mount Thunder Sect's interference, we can't do anything to him. In that regard, we can't take any actions against him.""But, father," Rutherford argues. "That kid killed so many of our relatives and destroyed some of our businesses, we bear a significant grudge against him. How can we simply stand back when the opportunity to take action against him has presented itself?""You came here seeking my counsel, correct?""Yes, father.""Then why persist in arguing? If you had it all figured out in the first plac
In the Cadens...After a lengthy walk that felt like an endless journey, Reginald arrives at an old house behind the Cadens Manor. He raises his voice, declaring, "Grand Patriarch, Reginald Caden, the current Patriarch, has come to see you.""Hmph! Too much blabber. What's the big deal about being a Patriarch that requires such an introduction? Anyways, you are of no use to me! Get lost!" A disgruntled voice responds from within the house and a black mist suddenly bursts out, speeding toward Reginald. The mist is so fast that though Reginald is a formidable artist himself, he couldn't notice it fast enough and before he can react, it's already too late.The mist slams squarely on his chest, sending him flying several minutes away. "Father!" he curses, standing from the ground and wiping dust off his robe. "I'm your son! Did you want to kill me?""Hmph! You're too weak. If I wanted you dead, you'd be dead already. I was only trying to make my statement sink into you. Now, what are you
"Little information on what really went down ten years ago? Is there something I don't know?" Reginald muses in confusion and gazes up at his father."What do you mean by little information of what really went down years ago?"Archibald doesn't bother to answer that question. Instead, he asks, "What do you know about the incident of ten years ago?""On that unforgettable day ten years ago, the young prince barged into the Cadens Manor and began a killing spree with no just cause. Our guards were no match for him, as well as the elders. It got to the point that you had to battle him yourself but you were no match for him as well. In the end, the Callahans restrained the young prince and told us he had an energy deviation while cultivating, resulting in his craziness. But they never offered any apology nor did they try to compensate us. Not like we have would accepted any anyway." He pauses and after a while, concludes, "This is all I know.""Hmm," Archibald shakes his head. "What you
"Alright, rise from the ground. You must have come for a reason, right? Let's talk it over glasses of wine. It's been so long I tasted wine. If there's food, I would eat as well; I've not eaten food in ten years."Archibald rises from the ground and says apologetically, "I'm afraid I have no food in my house. Just like you, I haven't eaten in ten years. But I've been drinking wine, so I have that. If you insist on eating though, we can go to the family kitchen and demand a plate or more. However, that might go against you oath not to ever appear.""Since you don't have food, then I'll just forget it. Wine would do. Let's stroll." Horace places his hand on his son's shoulder as they leave the mountain, heading back to Archibald's house.Meanwhile, after leaving his father's house, Reginald walks back to the foyer."You are back, father.""You are back, sir.""You are back, Patriarch." "Welcome back, Patriarch."At the sight of him, Milford, Edith, Layla and the rest of the Cadens say
"Hahaha, Reginald, I never thought you had such a cunning son!" A loud laughter suddenly reverberates in the foyer, and an aged man exuding a bloodthirsty aura materializes in front of Reginald."It's Mount Thunder Sect's leader!" A member of the Cadens, upon a closer look at the intruder, yells, his eyes dilating."It's really him!" The foyer instantly breaks out in a cacophony, the eyes of the members of the Caden family showing hints of fear. Though Mount Thunder Sect is not more powerful than the Cadens, they can't be underestimated, as the Sect stands above the food chain and is the number one sect in Opulence Heights.However, no one knows who would win if the Sect and the Cadens battle.There is an unwritten law that Sects can't interfere with the activities of the aristocrat families and vice versa, so there has never been any reason for them to get into conflicts, leaving the most powerful undecided. Nevertheless, the leader of Mount Thunder Sect is quite powerful. He ranks
"Oh, I see," Ambrose says with a light chuckle and sneers. "You still don't want your son to find out you are the reason for his wife's death and your grandson, his mum's death, right? How pathetic. How long do you intend to hide it from them though? With the way things are going, sooner or later, they will still find out and will probably hate you for the rest of their lives.""You speak as if you've been bold enough to tell your son you had a hand in the death of his twin. Or have you?" Archibald scoffs.Turns out Mount Thunder Sect's Saint and Saintess are twins.Ambrose lets out a helpless sigh. "If you couldn't, how can I? He will probably hate me for the rest of his life as well when he finds out. We really made a grave mistake ten years ago. To think the matter has not been entirely resolved and the young prince can knock on our doors any day from now.""So this is why you want to kill him once and for all? So you will be free?""Indeed," Ambrose doesn't bother to hide it as he