"D-Dustin? How could it be him?" Ronald was taken aback. He was in total disbelief. They had just been discussing how they were going to nurture him. And now, something like this happened. "Could you be mistaken? Why would Dustin murder Sir Paul?" one of the elders asked."It's true! I got the news firsthand from the Hills household. There were many eyewitnesses too! There's no mistaking it!" the member said solemnly. "How could that be? Has he gone crazy?" "To think that we were just talking about helping him grow! Who would've thought that he's such a merciless beast?""He's a threat to the alliance!" After hearing the news was true, the elders were all upset and furious. Paul Hill had made tremendous contributions to the Balerno martial arts alliance. He was a figure of great importance. Everyone who met him had to show him a certain level of respect. For such a respectable person to be killed evoked a sense of anger and resentment in them. And even more so when th
Zephyr Lodge, on the outskirts of town, was now the base for Kirin Gang.Dustin had gone there to lay low after he left the Hill family residence. The Hills were upset. So, there was no point in trying to explain himself to them. The best course of action was to uncover the truth to prove his innocence. Who was the one who murdered Paul? Why did the murderer set him up? With those questions in mind, Dustin ordered everyone in Kirin Gang to uncover the truth. Everyone available was sent out to gather information. Time was of the essence. They had to stabilize the situation before things got worse. "Sir Rhys!" Nelson barged into the meeting room with sweat running down his face. "Sir Rhys! We've got trouble! The Hills and their men are headed for Zephyr Lodge!""So soon?" Dustin frowned.They had just started using Zephyr Lodge as their base. Only a handful of people knew its location. He never thought they would be able to track him down within mere hours. It was obvious
Dustin was surprised by the dagger that clattered noisily by his feet.The dagger was indeed the one that Ronald gave him. But after a few drinks last night, he had put it in his room.He hadn't paid the dagger much attention this morning when he left for the Hill family residence. He hadn't expected it would be the weapon that killed Paul! And because of that, he was now the prime suspect! "Well? Do you have anything else to say? Are you going to tell me that the dagger had been stolen?" Spring asked darkly. Dustin furrowed his brow. He swallowed back the words on the tip of his tongue. It was true. He indeed wanted to say that the dagger had been stolen. But at this point, no one was going to believe that. "Rascal, we've got solid evidence now. Let's see how you get out of this!" Autumn roared. "Dad! Don't waste your breath on him. Just kill him right now to avenge Granddad!" Torben egged him on from behind. "Dustin! Did you really kill Sir Paul?" Ronald, who had been
There were just slightly more than a thousand people from the alliances. However, the disciples of the Kirin Gang added up to over five thousand people.Skills aside, just their numbers alone were enough to scare their opponents. Those clamoring to kill Dustin earlier on now kept their mouths shut. The people from Kirin Gang not only had knives with them. Some of the elites even had firearms. Unless one was a grandmaster, they could not hold up against those weapons."Sir Rhys, are you alright?" Cornelius and a group of elites from Kirin Gang rushed up to Dustin. They formed a circle around him, protecting him from the crowd. "I'm fine." Dustin shook his head. If he wished to leave, no one could stop him. But he might have to live with the label of a murderer and be hated by everyone for the rest of his life. "Dustin! Do you honestly think your underlings can fend off the Hill family's hidden guards?" Spring took a step forward aggressively. Though the Kirin Gang had the
"Septemortis?"Everyone looked wary of the black pill.It was an extremely poisonous substance. Once consumed, death was certain if one didn't have the antidote. No one could resist the poison's effect, regardless of their cultivation. It was something that struck fear in everyone's hearts. "Dustin! If your conscience is clear, then take the pill!" Spring shouted at him."That's right! If you don't take the pill to show you're innocent, we won't let you go!" the Hills clamored. They weren't happy to let Dustin go. But now that they had the Septemortis, things were different. No matter what tricks Dustin had up his sleeves, he couldn't escape death unless he gave them a satisfactory explanation. "Fine. I'll take it." Dustin nodded and placed the pill in his mouth."Sir Rhys! No!" Nelson immediately stopped Dustin when he saw what he had done. "This is highly poisonous! You'll die!""If he doesn't take it, he'll die too!" Autumn yelled."Damn it! I'll fight it out with yo
If Ronald hadn't calmed the crowd and bought Dustin some time to investigate, violence would've erupted. Things would be vastly different if that happened. "Dustin, I can't help you openly. But if you ever run into any problems, you may come to me in private," Ronald told him sincerely."Thank you, Sir Reeds." Dustin was thankful. "Now that things have come to this, you should watch your back." Ronald shook his head and sighed before walking away. The crowd came quickly and left just as quickly. Once they saw Dustin swallow the Septemortis, they knew he would die. It no longer mattered to them whether he was guilty. "Sir Rhys, you were too rash to take the poison! Why would you risk your life like that?" Cornelius sighed heavily. He really couldn't understand why Dustin would take the pill."All the elites from Balerno and Glenstead martial arts alliance were gathered here. Even with all of you here, you won't be able to stop them," Dustin answered calmly."Even if we ca
When Dustin finally opened his eyes again, he was in the hospital.It seems that the toxin within him had finally stabilized. But things still weren't looking up for him."You're awake, dear?" a surprised voice sounded beside him.When Dustin turned around, he found Natasha sitting by his bedside. Worry was evident on her beautiful face."Natasha, why are you here?" Dustin was shocked."I heard from Nelson that you fainted. Of course, I had to come over to check on you. What's the matter? Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere?" Natasha asked, concerned. "I'm fine. I guess I was just exhausted, so I dozed off." Dustin pretended to be relaxed."Exhausted? Poisoned, more like," Nelson muttered."Shut up!" Dustin glared at him. "Poisoned? What happened?" Natasha asked, furrowing her brow. "It's just a little poison. It isn't serious. I'll be fine after taking some medications." Dustin chuckled."Are you sure?" Natasha was doubtful. "What? Don't you trust my medical skills?
"Yay! We're going to the theme park tomorrow!" Haley cheered excitedly when she heard Dustin's reply. She didn't forget to thank him sincerely too. "Thank you, Uncle Dustin! I wish you the best of luck and happiness and that you can rest in peace." "Rest in peace?" Natasha was first taken aback for a moment before she burst into laughter.The child was too entertaining!"What nonsense are you spouting? I think you mean to wish him a good and peaceful rest!" Nelson shot her a look and quickly corrected her."I'm so sorry, Mr. Rhys! She didn't mean what she said. Please don't take it to heart," Cecilia immediately apologized.She worried he might be offended to hear something like that when he was hospitalized."That's alright. She means no harm." Dustin smiled warmly, not offended in the least. "Uncle Dustin, it's my birthday tomorrow. Will you join us to celebrate my birthday?" Haley cocked her head and asked innocently. "Sure! I'll be there!" Dustin ruffled her hair affe