After taking Serena and the other company representatives away, the soldiers shoved them into several military vehicles outside the hotel entrance. Later, the soldiers put their prisoners in detention cells at a nearby military base.There was no daylight in these cells. Instead, they were dark and damp, with many mosquitos. The environment was harsh, especially for businesspeople like Serena. One of the soldiers pushed her into a cell and then shut the iron gate.Serena anxiously grabbed the door railings and shouted, “Lieutenant, can I make a phone call to tell my family where I am?!”No one answered, and the soldiers stood at the doorway like statues. They would not converse with Serena without an order, no matter how much she shouted.Meanwhile, the previous junior lieutenant entered a mansion on Drakonix’s outskirts. “Flame King, we’ve captured all the targets.”The junior lieutenant bowed to Flame King, who was sipping tea on the living room sofa. The latter was bare-chested
Flame King was no fool. He quickly understood the situation. “So, your target has always been the Supreme Commander’s wife.”Hadden smirked and nodded. “Indeed, who would’ve thought that her husband was the Supreme Commander’s wife? What surprised me and my family even more is the fact that he’s the remnant of the Xavier family.”His eyes turned cold as he spoke. The Bullards had just found out about Xayne, and the news shocked the family’s high-ranking members. Even the five elders were alarmed.After destroying the Xaviers, the Bullards checked several times and found no survivors. Until recently, Alexander told them that there was indeed a survivor and that Xayne was just a nobody.Initially, the Bullards did not care much about Xayne. After all, a nobody was not worth their time. However, they found out during a secret meeting with the other three prominent families that the Xaviers could decipher the Heavenly Tome’s fragments.For that reason, the Bullards spent considerable
Flame King turned to the junior lieutenant and said, “Gather some men and head to the hotel those business representatives stayed in. You know what to do.”The junior lieutenant nodded and left the mansion. Soon after, news of the Venzor business representatives were in possession of contraband and firearms, resulting in their official arrest by the military.Furthermore, additional information circulated that the CEO of Serenco, who represented the Venzor delegation, was under strict investigation for stealing military and national secrets. The news shook Drakonix.While ordinary people might not recognize Serena, the higher-ups in Drakonix were well aware of her background. Even the Draconian council was outraged."That’s absolute nonsense! How can they pin such absurd charges on the former Supreme Commander's wife? What are these fools thinking?!" Hammond was furious as he slammed the table and continued, “Find out which department arrested the business representatives and who f
Echoes of miserable screams filled cell nine. Each cry sent shivers down the spine, leaving one trembling uncontrollably."Ah! Please stop! Have mercy...""Help! Someone framed us! We don’t know what you’re talking about!""Ah! Okay, I'll confess!"In the innermost room of the cell, the sound of a whip echoed. Each strike resembled thunder, making hearts pound and bodies shudder."I don’t know what you’re talking about! I didn't do anything! I'm not a spy, either!""I didn't steal any secrets. I don't know what happened. You must’ve made a mistake."Miserable cries resounded from the interrogation room. Serena's bloodied hands were suspended in mid-air. The whip had torn her clothes. Her arms, legs, and waist were a bloody mess as drops of blood fell to the ground.Serena had blood dripping from her face. Her lips were pale as she gasped for air. She shouted with all her might, "I didn't do anything! I'm not a spy, and neither is my husband! I'm just a businesswoman. You've got
"Don't worry. We'll clear you of all charges if it’s all your husband's doing. You're just an innocent bystander. Nothing will happen to you."Serena shook her head vigorously and shouted, "No! My husband didn't tell me to steal any secrets! You're bullshitting! My husband is the Supreme Commander of the Northern Plains. He has made significant contributions to Drakonia. He wouldn't do such things. It’s all a set-up!"The sergeant frowned and ordered, "Pluck her nails off!"The burly man gripped one of Serena's fingernails with the plier and asked, "Will you talk?"Serena trembled as she shook her head, saying, "No, I—""Stubborn little brat!" The burly man rebuked, slowly pulling at Serena’s fingernail.An excruciating pain spread throughout Serena's body. It felt like her soul was getting ripped apart, causing her entire body to tense. She bit her lips until they bled and then screamed, "Ahhh!"The burly man had pulled out her fingernail, causing blood to splatter and Serena t
The Military District Seven soldiers were stunned. The captain saluted and shouted, "Duty Captain Ericson at your service, Mr. Hammond."Ericson knew who Hammond was and that stopping him would resemble seeking death.“Company, salute!” Dozens of soldiers stood at attention and saluted.Hammond scoffed and asked coldly, "Where are the businesspeople from Venzor? Take me to them now."Ericson responded, "Sir, yes, sir!"He then quickly led the four elders to cell nine. Inside, Serena was in a bloody and fleshy mess. Blood dripped from her fingers and fell to the ground. She was unconscious and unable to hold on any longer.The burly man tried several times to wake her with cold water, but it no longer worked. He said, "Sergeant, it's useless. She won't wake up.”The sergeant glanced at the time and said grimly, "Is there another way to make her confess?"After some thought, the burly man glanced at the red-hot branding iron in the nearby stove and said, "I could use that."The
The sergeant bled from his lips as he looked up and saw the figure standing before him. He was terrified, quickly lowering his head and stammering, “M-Mr. Hammond, sir…”Hammond was outraged as he turned and glanced at Serena, who was bloodied and bound to a chair. The older man was anxious as he looked at the young lady. Hammond roared, “Quick, get her to Dr. Stephen now!”Several guards untied Serena from the chair and then removed her from the interrogation room. Meanwhile, Hammond glared at the sergeant and said, “Take him away, too. Don’t let him contact anyone without my permission. Wait until the Supreme Commander returns before any further discussion.”“Right away, sir!”Afterward, Hammond jogged to catch up with the other guards. Warren and the other two elders were waiting in the courtyard. Warren’s expression turned grave when he saw the Drakonian guards carrying a severely injured woman out.‘It’s over for whoever did this. Something terrible is about to happen.’Warr
The lieutenant was in a dilemma. One side was the Drakonian Council, and the other was Flame King. He dared not defy either side. “Please forgive me, Mr. Warren. My unit has orders to seal this place off. If you have any issues, please consult Flame King.”Ultimately, the lieutenant gritted his teeth and waved for his men to reinforce the blockade.Warren had never felt so angry. A cold aura engulfed him as he roared, “Let’s see if any of you dare to shoot me when I try to leave this place!”When he stepped forward, the five hundred soldiers stepped back. They dared not shoot Warren as he was the Grand Elder of the Drakonian Council. His authority was even higher than Flame King’s in certain aspects.“Let’s leave,” Warren told the other elders as he took another step, causing the soldiers to step back again. He continued to walk, and the soldiers kept retreating.The lieutenant’s expression turned solemn when he saw the elders almost leaving the area. He shouted, “Stop them! That’
Dean's wild provocations quickly drew a crowd of onlookers.At that moment, a striking young woman stepped forward, removing her sunglasses as she made her way through the throng.The woman was dressed in an elegant black gown, the hemline revealing a pair of flawless, slender legs that caught everyone's attention. Her expression, however, was haughty, as though she looked down on everyone around her.She was Deanana Lovorka, the heiress of the Lovorka family conglomerate. While not exactly a household name, she was considered a minor socialite in the upper circles of Drakonix."Manager Dean, it's been a while!" Deanana greeted casually.As someone who frequently traveled abroad for business, Deanana was a familiar face at the airport and she had crossed paths with Dean on several occasions.But she was not here for a casual chat with Dean. It was far from it.She had come specifically to see Xayne.This was, after all, the legendary King of the North. Just six months ago, he w
"Do you have any idea whose luggage this is?" Aava asked coldly with a sharp and commanding tone.She was on the verge of revealing her special credentials—something she rarely used unless absolutely necessary. Xayne had been her hero, someone she deeply admired. The ridicule from Miodrag moments earlier had already pushed her to the edge, and now even a low-level airport staffer dared to humiliate him."Of course, I knew. Xayne, the King of the North six months ago; now he's just a regular civilian," the staffer replied with icy indifference. The staffer smirked. "Miss, do you think Xayne is still the mighty King of the North? There's no war, the capital isn't under siege, and he's utterly useless now. Take my advice—someone young and beautiful like you should stay far away from trash like Xayne. Get closer to someone like Young Master Dongfang instead. It'll do wonders for your future!"Dean swaggered over, cigarette dangling from his mouth, hands clasped behind his back. His ex
Upon hearing those words, both Xayne and Aava paused in surprise, then frowned in unison.The VIP lounge was clearly still operating as usual. Inside, over twenty people were relaxing—some reading newspapers and sipping coffee. There was no sign of any "closure" or "disinfection."It was obvious that this so-called announcement was deliberately targeting Xayne and Aava."Manager Li, isn't this going a bit too far? That's Xayne—formerly the King of the North. He has special privileges to use the VIP lounge. If this gets reported to higher-ups, we could all be in trouble…," whispered one of the airport staff, cautiously approaching Dean."Higher-ups? Haven't you heard? Young Master Lyuben already gave the order—anyone who sides with Xayne will see their entire family wiped out." Dean sneered, exhaling a cloud of smoke as he lit a cigarette."And even if the higher-ups find out, what can they do?" Dean added mockingly. "I'll admit, six months ago, I wouldn't have dared cross Xayne. B
Miodrag's laughter quickly caught the attention of onlookers in the bustling terminal. But their gazes were fixed not on him but on Xayne.The "King of the North" was a name nearly everyone recognized, yet no one dared approach him. Lyuben's warning had spread far and wide: anyone who got close to Xayne would face annihilation."Miodrag! What gives you the right to mock Mr. Xayne? Just hours ago, he was fighting on the front lines for this country. And you? What have you done besides indulge yourself in luxury?" Aava snapped with a sharp and clear voice."Heh, I pay taxes, don't I? Doesn't spending money generate tax revenue? Without people like me keeping the economy alive, what would Xayne have eaten in the north? Dirt?" Miodrag smirked, his tone dripping with mockery. He sneered and continued, "If not for us rich kids throwing around millions in donations every day, Xayne wouldn't even have warm dirt to eat!""Damn it! The nerve of that guy!""What's so special about the East
"Is it true that Xayne captured the so-called 'Lord of Light' alive?" Lyuben remained calm as he was playing a grand piano in the lounge."Indeed! Word is, the Lord of Light's master, Master Emin, was present as well. However, Xander also made an appearance. My analysis suggests it was Xander who forced Master Emin to retreat, while Xayne crippled the Lord of Light." An older man lowered his head respectfully as he spoke, his voice tinged with urgency."Oh? Defeating the Lord of Light… he must have had a trick up his sleeve. Was it some kind of tactic or setup?" Lyuben asked without betraying a hint of emotion."It's said that Xayne specializes in traps and ambushes. Otherwise, Hiram and his crew wouldn't have met their end in that mansion. Master Dongfang, you mustn't underestimate him!""Hmm?!" Lyuben's eyes shot open suddenly, piercing beams of icy resolve radiating toward the older man.The man immediately lowered his head further, not daring to meet the gaze of the young lead
"Lowes, what are you panicking for?" Zoro's cold gaze locked onto Lowes.Even though Lowes was several generations younger than him, as the head of the Bullard family, he had the status to stand on equal footing with Zoro."I'm not panicking, I just don't want to see more white funeral banners hanging at the Bullard family estate. If Xayne comes back and chooses to settle the score, do you think any of us can handle it? You might not know this, but back when King Quidie rebelled, even Klink didn't dare lay a hand on him," Lowes replied, his voice strained but steady.He paused, taking a long, slow breath to calm himself. "Put it another way, if Xayne comes for us, even KB Kings Circle won't step in to save us. If that doesn't scare you, then I don't know what will!"The air in the room grew colder. Lowes glanced around at the faces of the other family heads, hoping to see reason in their eyes. But then came a sneer.Zoro let out a low, disdainful chuckle. "Even if Xayne didn't die
"Xayne!" Zoro clenched his fists so tightly. If anyone had a grudge against Xayne, the Eastin family's hatred was no less than that of the Bullard family. Not to mention, Flamey had been killed by Xayne not long ago. This blood feud had to be settled.The Big Four weren't some weak, defenseless prey that Xayne could toy with as he pleased. For decades, the Big Four had controlled the heart of the Drakonia's economy. Every senator, governor, and political figure had to show them respect. But since Iver's death, the Big Four had lost their glow. People who once bowed their heads were now looking down on them. The root of all this was because of Xayne.That's why, after Flamey's death, the Eastin family had no choice but to call upon their master, a man who had been living in seclusion for decades. Every bit of information regarding Xayne's trip to Egenda, his plans, his contacts, and even his flight schedule had been deliberately fed to Lord of Light.They made it clear that the momen
"In the end, his ambitions were never realized. When he attempted to merge all five Dragon's Hearts, he died. After his death, the Dragon's Hearts vanished without a trace. That's why the Light Order has always kept a close eye on Drakonia, especially on the methods Commander Zedd used to track down those Dragon's Hearts," Joe explained.Hearing this, Xayne was utterly stunned. He had never imagined that over a century ago, Commander Zedd had possessed five Dragon's Hearts. That would have been a time when Drakon Destiny was on the rise. However, because of the failed fusion, Commander Zedd lost not only his life but also Drakon Destiny's, which declined, leading to the humiliations and defeats that followed over the next century."So you're saying the Dragon's Hearts are tied to the fate of a nation?" Xayne asked, his shock evident."Absolutely. Based on our research, there's no doubt about it. The fate of Drakonia is linked to the Dragon's Hearts. Every time someone successfully f
In the VIP lounge of the airport, Xayne and Aava were waiting for their flight. Not long after, a tall, broad-shouldered young man strode in. He scanned the room briefly before his eyes locked onto Xayne and Aava. Without hesitation, he walked straight toward them. "Mr. Xayne, I'm sorry for the wait. I was sent here by Yves."The young man sized up Xayne, his eyes flashing with surprise when he saw that Xayne was completely unharmed. Word had spread about Xayne's clash with Lord of Light, a confrontation that even drew out a Radiant Commander figure, Emin. Yet here Xayne was, perfectly fine. It was hard not to be impressed.As Yves's right-hand man, Joe Zhird knew better than to underestimate someone like Xayne. His respect was evident in his tone and demeanor. With his status as the top lieutenant of Black Ice Platform, even the heads of prominent families would approach him with courtesy. But right now, it was Joe who was showing deference to Xayne, and this caught Aava by surprise