2024-12-26 14:52:52At that moment, Chief Raul and his men finally realized who these people really were.
They were subordinates of the "Lord of the Abyss."
The "Lord of the Abyss" was a figure of immense military power.
He controlled key trade routes, strategic territories, and wielded influence that extended into neighboring countries.
Seeing someone as formidable as him paying respect to Max left them both astonished and deeply impressed.
Chief Raul looked at Max with a newfound perspective.
In his heart, he reflected, if someone as influential as the "Lord of the Abyss" showed such respect to Max, then Max’s reputation must far exceed anyone’s imagination.
Max didn’t need to rely on corruption, threats, or underhanded methods to gain influence.
His very presence was enough to command authority and control any situation.
Chief Raul pondered for a moment.
If someone like Max ever turned his back on Morow State, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Only devastation would remain.
Moments later, the young man accompanying them stepped forward and opened the car door in front of Max.
With calm yet commanding steps, Max got into the car.
Before the door closed, he spoke briefly, “I’m heading to Mount Arleth.”
The convoy began to move.
Rows of armed vehicles advanced in perfect formation, catching the attention of the locals who came out of their homes to witness the spectacle.
No one said a word, but their expressions reflected curiosity and reverence.
***
At Mount Arleth
Upon reaching the base of Mount Arleth, another astonishing scene unfolded.
Warlord troops, who usually fought fiercely in the area, appeared unusually subdued.
The once-brutal soldiers lowered their weapons, standing along the roadside with their heads bowed.
Not a single person dared to speak or make a reckless move.
The cold mountain air was sharp, carrying the distinct scent of frost-covered ground.
At the summit, silence prevailed, broken only by the sound of the wind.
Max exited the car and walked alone toward a solitary tombstone standing resolutely in the frozen earth.
When Chief Raul mustered the courage to step closer, an unsettling sensation crept over him.
The atmosphere atop Mount Arleth was quiet yet weighed down by an invisible pressure.
Curiosity got the better of him, and he approached the young man.
In a hushed tone, Chief Raul asked, “Why is there a tombstone in this place?”
The young man immediately turned with a firm expression and hurriedly covered Chief Raul’s mouth with his hand.
His eyes were sharp and filled with warning as he whispered.
“Never ask questions that should not be asked!”
Chief Raul was startled by the sudden reaction.
But before he could protest, the young man continued in a low yet steady voice,
“This is a sacred peak. No one dares disturb it, let alone act recklessly here.”
“Even if rivers of blood flowed at the mountain’s base, no one would dare move. The peace of this place must not be violated.”
Max carefully placed the offerings he had prepared in front of the tombstone.
Fresh flowers and lit candles were arranged with deliberate respect.
The flames flickered but remained steady despite the relentless mountain wind.
Max’s face remained calm, showing no visible emotion.
It turned out that the tombstone belonged to Max’s late mentor.
In a quiet but resolute voice, Max spoke to the tombstone.
“I have followed all your instructions,” he said steadily.
“I have safeguarded Morow State as you wished.
“This state is no longer plagued by chaos and war. Now, the people here can live in peace.”
Max paused briefly, his gaze fixed on the tombstone, “Morow State has grown, just as you envisioned.”
“Now, it is time for me to leave.”
The wind suddenly grew colder, howling as if in response to Max’s words.
A snowstorm began to form at the summit, with snowflakes swirling violently around them.
Max stood unmoved in the heart of the storm, his posture as unyielding as the mountain itself.
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Without looking back, Max turned and began descending from the peak, passing rows of soldiers who stood silently with their heads bowed.Each of his steady steps on the snow resonated with an undeniable authority.Chief Raul, standing not far away, observed Max’s steps with mixed emotions—admiration and profound respect.The young man leading the troops suddenly moved forward.With a respectful demeanor, he knelt before the tombstone, followed by the rest of the soldiers.Chief Raul and his men could only stand frozen, unsure of what they should do.Then, the young man bowed deeply, and the entire troop followed suit.Chief Raul found the scene extraordinary, as though he were witnessing something that would never happen again in his lifetime.In his heart, Chief Raul thought, Max was a symbol of irreplaceable strength.If someone like Max were imprisoned, the damage to Morow State would be unimaginable.Chief Raul witnessed everything with deep admiration.The extraordinary power and
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Meanwhile, Governor Darrus, Seraphina, and Dominic returned to the Hayes family residence.The Lieutenant Governor, Avo, with his arrogant demeanor, had ruined the welcome dinner for Dominic, turning what should have been a warm occasion into a tense one.Nevertheless, a spirit of optimism remained among them.They were confident that Dominic would successfully take control of Morow State.Their plans were solid, alliances firmly established, leaving no room for Max to turn the tables.Max had already lost, and Dominic’s vision as the new leader of Morow State was becoming more tangible with each passing moment.Darrus sat relaxed in the spacious living room.Thoughts of the future began to fill his mind.He felt proud of how his family had forged strong ties with Dominic’s influential family in the capital.With these connections, Darrus envisioned a bright future ahead-opportunities for promotion, greater wealth, and an elevated social status.He even imagined one day moving to the
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Meanwhile, inside the prison.Chief Raul stood tall in front of the large cell.The old, rusty iron door became the focus of his gaze.He turned to his subordinates and spoke in a firm voice."Remove this door. Clean everything!""I want this place to be as comfortable as a five-star hotel."His subordinates immediately went into action.Some of them began unscrewing the bolts of the iron door with the tools they had brought.The process made a creaking sound that echoed down the prison hallway.Others started mopping the floor, scrubbing every corner until it shined.One officer wiped the walls with a damp cloth, removing the dark stains.Several others moved the old, rusty metal bed out of the cell.In no time, a new, luxurious bed with a sturdy wooden frame, clean white sheets, and a soft pillow was brought in and carefully set up."Make sure everything is neat," said Chief Raul, watching closely with sharp eyes."Almost done, Chief."One officer reported while straightening the la
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Chief Raul rushed out of the cell after ensuring Max's accommodations were perfectly arranged.Once he reached his office, he immediately called Lieutenant Governor Avo.“Lieutenant Governor Avo, what about Governor Darrus?”Chief Raul began the conversation.“He’s still being stubborn,” Mr. Avo replied on the other end of the line.“He remains insistent on that political marriage.”“He wants Dominic to take over Morow State. Nothing can change his mind.”Chief Raul slammed his fist on the desk.“Dominic? That man isn’t even worthy of cleaning Mr. Max’s shoes, let alone leading Morow State!”“I know,” Mr. Avo responded with a defeated tone.“But Darrus is obsessed with the capital alliance. He believes it will strengthen his position.”Chief Raul cursed loudly.“He’s a fool! Mr. Max is the only one who truly cares about this state.”“Meanwhile, Dominic doesn’t even know where the Morow State border lies!”“It’s ridiculous! We’re handing Morow State over to someone who will destroy it!
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Darrus grinned slyly."I recently discovered that Max owns several properties in Golden Hills, the most luxurious neighborhood in Morow State.”“I don’t think those properties are just ordinary residences. From what I’ve found, his has dozens of mistresses living there."“We also confirmed that Max had been transferring thousands if not millions of dollars to his mistresses.”Dominic remained silent for a moment, pondering Darrus’s words. "If that’s true, then Max’s good reputation is all a facade. We can easily defeat him."Darrus nodded as he adjusted his seat, his eyes gleaming with cunning."I have a good idea. You should invite some government officials to join you in inspecting Max’s properties."Dominic frowned, turning his cup in his hands."That means I take them to the Golden Hills properties and make them uncover crimes Max has been hiding all along."Dominic started to smirk, a sign he was beginning to grasp the plan."Exactly! Use the opportunity to expose who Max really
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Max quickly realized that Dominic and Darrus were behind the cheap rumors, trying to ruin his reputation with fabricated scandalous stories.However, he showed no signs of anger or frustration.What most people, including Chief Raul, didn’t know was the truth behind the houses in Golden Hills.Max, with a heart full of responsibility and gratitude, had purchased those properties using his personal funds, not state money.The houses were not homes for mistresses or anything immoral.They were sanctuaries for people who had sacrificed everything for Morow State.The residents of those homes came from diverse backgrounds, all connected by extraordinary dedication.There were wives and children of soldiers who had fallen in battles against crime or terrorist attacks.Some were relatives of top scientists who had lost their lives in mysterious accidents while working on technological advancements for the state.Others were undercover journalists, humanitarian volunteers, and workers operat
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Dominic stood in the middle of the room, gazing at the officials who were beginning to grow restless.He smirked arrogantly, confident that the situation was entirely under his control.With a casual gesture, Dominic pulled a file from under his arm and tossed it onto the table.“Here,” he said with an air of confidence, “is concrete evidence proving Max’s guilt.”The officials in the room exchanged glances.Some began to move closer to examine the file’s contents, but Dominic continued speaking before anyone could open it.“This file contains information on Max’s property holdings in Golden Hills and his financial transactions with several women.”“I believe this is enough to open everyone’s eyes,” he added with conviction.Dominic strolled leisurely around the room, his sharp gaze meeting each official in attendance.He felt a wave of exhilaration within him but maintained an expression of somber seriousness and feigned compassion.“How could Max, a former state leader, acquire doze
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Dominic led the group of officials through the Golden Hills community with a confident stride.The homes in Golden Hills were symbols of luxury and prestige.The cheapest house, priced at ten million dollars, featured minimalist modern architecture, complete with a spacious yard and a private swimming pool.On the other hand, the most expensive house, worth up to two billion dollars, was a grand mansion in a European classical style.Surrounded by hectares of gardens, the property included a magnificent hall, a private cinema, a garage for dozens of cars, and breathtaking views overlooking the hills.“Look at this house,” Dominic said firmly, pointing to an extravagant house on the corner of the street.“This house alone is worth more than two billion dollars. And it's just one of the dozens of properties Max owns here.”The officials fell silent, some beginning to whisper among themselves.Dominic continued, raising his voice to ensure everyone could hear.“I know this is hard to bel
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0076
Meanwhile, in downtown Morow State… Neon lights flickered above the city’s most luxurious nightclub. The music boomed, expensive liquor glasses cluttered the VIP tables, and triumphant laughter echoed from three men deep in celebration—Dominic, James, and Darrus. Dominic leaned back against the plush sofa, flanked by two scantily clad escorts. He raised his wine glass high, brimming with victory. “To Morow State’s soon-to-be new gubernatorial spokesman!” he declared with a smug laugh, met with cheers and the clinking of glasses from the other two men. James, already half-drunk, nodded proudly as he patted his son’s shoulder. “You deserve it, Dominic. After tonight, Max will be nothing but a memory. Mount Alken’s the perfect place to make someone disappear—no witnesses, just rocks and wild beasts.” Darrus chuckled, lifting his own glass. “And once Dominic rises, I’ll be back in the governor’s seat. Morow State will be back in our hands—where it belongs!” The three of them burst i
0075
In front of the governor’s office, more than a hundred people gathered in a massive demonstration. They shouted demands for Max to be removed from his position.Banners and posters filled the crowd with sharp criticisms: "Cowardly Leader!" "Max Ran Away, Morow is in Ruins!" "Governor, Fire Max Now!"The chaos was further fueled by the media, which kept reporting that Max was irresponsible and merely looking for an excuse to avoid the difficult situation.***On the other side, Max had just descended from Mount Alken. His steps were firm as he walked toward the parking area where he had left his car.However, upon arriving, his eyes narrowed as he noticed that all four of his tires had been deliberately deflated. His lips thinned, and his expression turned cold.He knew this was no coincidence. Someone wanted to stop him here.Max could feel sharp gazes watching him from the shadows. His battle instincts immediately kicked in. Calmly, he lifted his head slightly and spoke in a col
0074
Three Days After Max’s Departure from Morow State…Morow State, which had begun to recover, was once again gripped by fear.Within two days, a series of brutal attacks shook the city. Explosions rocked churches, causing widespread panic and outrage. Not only that, but a recreational park filled with families suddenly turned into a sea of fire due to an unexpected bomb attack.However, the terror did not stop there. Ruthless gangs roamed the streets, committing muggings, robberies, and acts of violence without anyone able to stop them. The police were overwhelmed by the highly organized and brutal attacks. Citizens who once felt safe were now too afraid to leave their homes. Social media exploded with complaints, demands, and widespread fear. People questioned: where was Max? Why had their hero disappeared when Morow State needed him the most?The situation worsened when political figures and opinion leaders began highlighting Max’s absence. The very people who once praised him now t
0073
After completing his martial arts training, Max stood with heavy breaths, sweat soaking his body. Yet, he knew this journey was far from over. Saheel gazed at him with wisdom in his eyes. "Now, it is time for you to master the second power," Saheel said. "The ability to heal." Max raised an eyebrow, still not entirely convinced that he possessed such an ability. But he remained silent, waiting for further instructions. "The first step," Saheel continued, "is to channel the energy of life into a living being. Touch this plant." Saheel pointed to a withered plant in the corner of the room. Its leaves had turned yellow, and its stem was nearly broken. Max stepped forward and crouched down, hesitantly placing his hand on one of the leaves. "Focus," Saheel whispered. "Feel your energy flow. Imagine life coursing through your body and into the plant." Max took a deep breath, trying to sense something. Several seconds passed, and nothing happened. He frowned. "This is ridicu
0072
Max sat cross-legged on the cold stone surface, his eyes closed, breathing slowly as Saheel had taught him.Saheel stood before Max, gazing at him with a calm expression. "Now, you will enter your subconscious. There, you will meet someone who has been waiting for you for a long time. Prepare yourself..."Without waiting for permission, Saheel placed two fingers on Max’s forehead.In an instant, the world around Max spun rapidly, his body feeling weightless before sinking into darkness.Yet, within that darkness, a dim light appeared, and suddenly, Max found himself standing in the middle of a vast field, shrouded in thick mist."You’ve finally come, boy." The deep voice echoed around Max.From within the mist, a man with long white hair and a flowing robe slowly stepped forward. His sharp gaze was like that of an eagle, and his body radiated a powerful, oppressive aura."Mentor..." Max furrowed his brows, his heart trembling. It was his late mentor, the man who had taught him the fun
0071
Sensing Max’s presence, the old man slowly opened his eyes. His gaze was sharp yet filled with wisdom. He immediately stood up and bowed respectfully before Max."Welcome, Young Master," he said in a deep, calm voice.Max returned the gesture with a slight bow, showing his respect to the figure before him.The man was Saheel, an 80-year-old hermit and the disciple of Max’s late mentor. His face was lined with deep wrinkles, yet his eyes still held sharpness and vigilance.Saheel looked at Max with confidence. "I knew that one day you would come to see me, and today proves it." A faint smile appeared on his face. "In fact, I could sense your presence hours ago."Max nodded slightly, not particularly surprised by the statement. "That doesn’t matter. I wasn’t expecting a grand welcome. I came here to see you and ask for your help."Saheel raised an eyebrow. "Help?"Max took a deep breath before speaking again, his voice quieter but firm. "I need your help to heal my mother. The illness s
0070
Hearing that, Sarah immediately shot Dominic a sharp glare. Her eyes flashed with anger. “Nonsense! Max is not that kind of person!” she exclaimed loudly. “All this time, Max has worked harder than anyone else. Even tasks that weren’t his responsibility, he completed with full dedication.” Sarah stepped forward, standing right in front of Dominic. “Do you even know how much he has done? He cleaned out the thugs in Bebank Town, eradicated crimes that weren’t even part of his duty as the governor’s spokesperson.” “He did it because he cares. Everyone in Morow State believes in his abilities, and he has proven himself time and time again.” Dominic tensed, his jaw clenched tightly, but Sarah didn’t stop. With a mocking tone, she continued, “And now, I ask you, Dominic. What have you contributed so far? What have you done?” Dominic didn’t answer. His face remained cold, but Sarah knew her words had struck his pride. “You’re just a young man relying on your father’s big name,” Sara
0069
Dominic clenched his fists, struggling to contain the storm of emotions boiling inside him. Seraphina’s degrading words felt like sharp knives stabbing his pride. But what hurt even more was the undeniable truth in her words. Dominic had fallen—he had lost all the connections and influence he once had. Seraphina smirked mockingly at him. “So, why are you here?” she asked sharply. “Are you here to meet Max as well?” Dominic remained silent, refusing to answer. However, Seraphina seemed to have already guessed everything. She let out a mocking laugh. “HAHA… So it’s true? You’re here to beg Max, to grovel at his feet, and plead for a position in this government?” Dominic gritted his teeth, his eyes blazing with fury. His fists clenched tightly, but he still refused to speak. Seraphina merely looked at him in satisfaction, savoring her small victory. Before Dominic could retaliate, the woman who had been sitting across from Seraphina stood up and walked toward them. S
0068
Max stared at his mother, his sharp and commanding eyes reflecting an inner turmoil no one could comprehend. He wanted to believe that his mother’s illness was merely a rare medical condition, something that could be explained logically. However, after witnessing firsthand how her body changed, how the convulsions seemed to react to something invisible—Max felt a crushing sense of helplessness in his chest. With all his might, he held back his emotions. He didn’t want his mother to see him vulnerable. Max wasn’t the type of man who let his emotions control him, but at this moment, he felt utterly useless as a son. He clenched his fists on his lap, his jaw tightening, and for the first time in his life, he cursed himself. ‘If only I were stronger… If only I could save her…’ Then, something strange happened. The air around Max trembled, and the temperature in the room dropped drastically. It felt as if something inside him was stirring—something long sealed away, wai
