Novels by Camellia

After hanging up the call, Takahashi Machiko rubbed his temples, worn out to the bone.Tokyo had descended into utter chaos from yesterday until now, and the turmoil had frayed his nerves to the point of paranoia.Ten minutes later, Takahashi Machiko arrived at his private villa.One stark difference between Japan and China is that many residences are not built by property developers but constructed by landowners themselves, much like China decades ago. Both wealthy and ordinary people purchase land to build their own houses.As a result, gated residential compounds and apartment complexes are far less common in Japan.Takahashi Machiko’s mansion sat on prime land not far from the Imperial Palace and occupied a vast area.When he reached the gate, he immediately spotted a refrigerated truck parked along the roadside.The steward hurried forward to open his car door and spoke respectfully. "President, this is the vehicle. The doors are locked, the engine is still running, and the refri

This time, not only over a hundred reclusive experts from the Bruce Family arrived, but Jonas also came in person.The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department attached great importance to Jonas’s arrival. The commissioner personally invited him to the police headquarters to brief him on the progress of the investigation.The so-called investigation progress reported by the police was nothing more than summoning both Takahashi Machiko and Ito Takehiko to the station for interrogation.In their judgment, both men were suspects.Furthermore, each was convinced that the other was behind the attack and intended to frame them.Ito Takehiko believed Takahashi Machiko had deliberately orchestrated the incident to smear the Ito Family, hoping to use the Bruce Family’s power to wipe out the Ito Clan entirely.On the other hand, Takahashi Machiko thought Ito Takehiko, frustrated by failing to secure cooperation with the Bruce Family, had framed him on purpose. Leaving a Tenglin Family shuriken at t

As terror overwhelmed him, a cold smirk tugged at the corner of Alan’s mouth, and he spoke in an amused tone. "Buddy, why are you running?"The second brother, trapped in Alan’s chokehold, turned blue from suffocation.He tried to speak, yet he could not utter anything more than a single syllable.He stared at Alan with frightened, pleading eyes, hoping Alan would spare his life.But Alan said calmly. "I will not attack anyone who leaves me in peace. The lot of you have tailed and bugged me all the way from Tokyo, planning to kill me before I leave Japan. Do you honestly think I would let you live?"Desperation washed completely over Tenglin Zhengzhe’s second junior brother.Alan said flatly. "Enough. I will make this quick for you."With that, he exerted gentle force. A sharp crack came from the man’s neck, and all life faded from his body.Alan then stuffed the bodies of the second and third brothers into the trunk, as if the two men had never been there at all.Once finished, Alan

Osaka was the final stop for official business on his trip across Japan, so he wanted to eliminate these three tailers as soon as possible before heading to Kyoto without delay.He intentionally led Tenglin Zhengzhe and the other two away from the bustling downtown area, planning to find a suitable spot to strike.What he did not expect was that the three men, who had been shadowing him quietly two to three hundred meters away, suddenly turned around and headed back.Alan wondered to himself, What is going on? They stopped following me. Could they have sensed something?But that should not be the case. I am alone and have not shown any intention to attack. I even acted as if I was completely unaware of their presence. There is no reason for them to detect anything unusual.Could they have some urgent matter? Or maybe Takahashi Machiko has ordered them to stop tracking me.With that thought, Alan sighed, turned around, and began tailing the three men instead.He refused to leave any hi

Front desk staff traced the room number using the rope and headed straight to Louise’s room.When they found the suite empty and in disarray, the hotel manager grew frantic at once.Michael and Louise were far more than valued guests. The Bruce Family was also one of the shareholders of the Aman Hotel Group, so nobody dared to treat this incident lightly.Shortly afterward, they went to the rooms of the Bruce Family’s entourage hoping to get some answers.What awaited them was nothing but piles of corpses.Every guard and assistant serving the Bruce Family had been brutally murdered in their individual rooms.The sight was utterly gruesome.The hotel manager’s legs buckled instantly. He crashed heavily to the floor and wet himself out of overwhelming fear.Over a dozen people had died within his hotel all at once, and all the victims belonged to the Bruce Family.What made it even more catastrophic was that Michael and Louise had vanished.They were the eldest grandson and eldest gran

Louise said. "Call Takahashi Masachi and tell him we plan to sign the contract tomorrow. However, before signing, we need to discuss the specific details one more time. Set the meeting for tomorrow morning."Michael pressed. "What do you mean? Are we really going to sign with them?""No." Louise said calmly. "We tell him we intend to sign, but the details still need to be finalized. Then we can find any excuse to say some details require further discussion, and I can push the signing date back."She continued. "If word gets out now, Ito Takehiko will become desperate. Before tomorrow even arrives, he will lower his stance and come to us for another talk."Michael nodded. "All right, I will do as you say. I will call Takahashi Masachi right now!"When Takahashi Masachi received Michael's call and heard that the Bruce family intended to sign with him, he was beside himself with excitement.He immediately ordered his men to prepare a signing ceremony for the next day, while also having t

"I can’t explain that," Finnegan said, his tone sour.Jason’s face darkened. "Boss Oakley wants everyone pushing the drug routes full tilt. We all need to pull together."Finnegan shot back outright. "The boys work round-the-clock shifts moving product up and down the streets. We can’t kick down ordinary people’s doors and force the stuff on them.""Let’s talk this through properly. There’s no need to pick a fight."Finnegan stared straight at him. "Me picking a fight? I’m more eager than anyone to move stock and earn money. Do you think I’m not frustrated by slow sales?"Jason stood to his feet. "Can’t even take a little criticism now? Have you lot stopped answering to authority?"......Stairwell at the PrecinctKane stepped into the quiet corridor and made a call.A low male voice crackled over the receiver. "You’re looking for me?"Kane offered a faint smile. "Is that Brown?"......Finnegan glanced up at Jason, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "You’re Oakley’s golden boy these da

"Quit pretending. We all know each other well enough." Cruz forced the item into Kane’s hand, then hurried away supporting Zala.Kane glanced down at the wrapper, let out a faint smile, pushed open the bar door and headed straight for Booth 209.Inside, Raven sprawled messily across the sofa, yelling into a microphone.Kane stepped over and snatched the mic away. "Quit caterwauling."Flushed all over, Raven looked up at him and grinned. "You made it, buddy.""Who were you drinking with? This isn’t like you normally.""I drink when I feel like it." Raven tossed her hair and burped from the alcohol.Kane glanced around the booth and asked casually. "Such a big booth. Were there lots of people here?""Sure thing, seven or eight guys." Raven’s eyes glinted mischievously.Kane’s expression darkened. "Then why didn’t they drive you home? Why call me?"Raven burst out laughing. "Oh, are you jealous?""Get up right now.""I’m messing with you. It was only Zala and me. There weren’t any small

"My proposal: take the initiative to ease tensions with Kane, pull out of the drug trade for the time being, and let Wade and Kane tear each other apart. We stop being the ones out front.""Do you know what you’re saying?" The middle-aged man shot to his feet."I know exactly what I’m saying."The man snarled. "That’s nonsense!" "If we abandon the drug route, our ties with the Vigilante Coalition will fall apart, and the human trafficking business can’t restart. Can a handful of your gambling dens support all of us?""Once we step back, Wade will become the main target of the confrontation. When those two sides throw everything into fighting each other, our position will become crucial. If we get mixed up in this now, we’ll only scrape together petty gains—nothing more than cannon fodder for others. Do you really think Wade will hand over profits for nothing?"Oakley’s face turned livid. "Are you accusing me?""We can make money in the short term, but the cost keeps rising. Salem got

"Infrastructure plans for South Curtain District will be announced soon. I will coordinate closely with the Construction Department. The favor I owe you today will be repaid through your cousin down the line."Hewitt stared in surprise, realizing Cole had already dug up information about him. The two clinked their glasses once more.Kane watched the whole exchange, filled with genuine admiration. He could only plan one or two steps ahead, yet Cole thought five, six steps further and beyond.Holt’s impulsive revenge had satisfied his rage, but without Cole smoothing things over and covering their backs at the higher levels, they would never survive for long. Still, the relationship worked both ways. Cole needed men like him and Holt—bold, aggressive operatives—to carve out territory. Only by relying on each other could they hold their ground.When the banquet ended, Hewitt instructed his subordinates inside the vehicle. "Stay clear of Oakley and Wade from now on."The scene shifts outs

Cole waved a hand. "Enough, drop the act.""When do we leave for the meeting?" Kane asked.Cole let out a faint laugh. "Wait a little longer. Let them stew in anxiety."At four in the afternoon, Cole headed to an upscale restaurant in Novara alongside Kane and Cruz to wait. While they waited, Cruz spoke to Kane in a low voice."I’ve nearly wrapped up my intel on Oakley’s network. When do we make our move?""We strike right after we settle this current dispute. Oakley is nothing more than a scapegoat put forward by Wade. Black Street will never know peace unless we eliminate him."Worry crossed Cruz’s face. "A full truckload of goods was lost. How’s Crow City reacting?""We’ve caused one problem after another for Crow City lately, but Sira’s been fairly straightforward. She reprimanded me a little, yet she turned a blind eye to the hijacking and agreed to cover part of the losses. I owe her for that."Cruz teased him. "Even though Sira is a woman, she acts more decisively than many men

Meanwhile, upstairs.Kane made an urgent call to verify the facts. He learned that Cruz had taken the training uniform from the trunk of his car without permission a few days earlier. Everything clicked into place at once. He quickly stopped Cruz, who was about to stroll downstairs, and laid out the entire plan in a few concise sentences.Moments later, Kane and Cruz walked side by side out into the hall. Seeing them, the Deputy Director immediately announced to everyone outside, "The man you’ve been looking for is here."The Battalion Commander and Carson looked up simultaneously.Cruz sauntered forward casually, pulled out his ID badge to confirm his identity, and said calmly, "I signed the paperwork. What about it?"A buzzing sound filled Carson’s head, and he froze on the spot. The man’s height, build and bearing were nothing like the assailant he had fought the previous night.Before Carson could collect his wits, Cruz simply took off his jacket and lifted his sweater, openly exp

Nathaniel waved his hand. Light swirled across the ancient Sky-Illuminating Mirror, upon which countless dense pinpricks of light materialized. Those specks flickered and shifted ceaselessly.“Since you have stepped into my trap, how can I let you depart without leaving something behind? I owe that much to the youths who paid such a heavy price this day,” Nathaniel sighed softly. He flicked his finger, and streaks of radiance cascaded down from the Sky-Illuminating Mirror, coiling into chains. By an inconceivable power, the chains pierced the void and locked onto one of the luminous specks.Nathaniel’s gaze cut through the void to fix upon that location.It appeared to be a lifeless city, where countless figures shambled about like walking corpses. His eyes settled on one wandering ghoul among them.The ghoul’s frame suddenly shuddered. A flash of shock and fury surfaced within its empty, lifeless eye sockets.The consciousness housed inside it stirred anew, attempting to flee.Yet an

Tenderness welled up in Albert’s heart. He gently tightened his arm around Emily’s waist and pulled her into an embrace, murmuring an apology. “I’m sorry.” Albert was about to speak more comforting words, yet the power inside him began fading rapidly. As the Five-Tailed Heavenly Wolf’s strength departed, an indescribable weariness spread through every part of his body like tangled seaweed.Albert’s complexion paled in an instant. He could no longer even muster the strength to hold Emily. This was not merely the aftereffect of borrowing the Five-Tailed Heavenly Wolf’s power; repeated soul power transformations earlier had drained vast amounts of his vital essence and blood.“Albert?”Emily sensed something was gravely wrong with him at once and propped him up with her body, her voice laced with anxiety.Albert could no longer respond. His eyelids grew heavy, and his vision sank into darkness. At the final moment before the blackness closed in, he saw Tina rushing over. She sliced open

Yet this vortex was the White-Eyed True Demon’s final desperate assault, empowered further by the fractured might of the All Living Ghost Skin Realm. This vortex was an authentic death trap. Even Divine Tier experts would stand little chance of survival upon entering it. What could Emily possibly achieve?Albert was truly in mortal peril now that he had been pulled inside.Paying no heed to what the others were thinking, Emily clenched her slender fingers tight. Bluish veins bulged across the back of her pale hands, betraying how violently her emotions raged within.If one could peer inside her body, they would witness brilliant radiance beginning to pour forth from Emily’s resplendent Light Heart.Should there be no sign of Albert after a hundred breaths, she would not hesitate to ignite her Light Heart, charge into the vortex of malevolence, and drag Albert out to safety.As Emily counted down the final moments, deep within the vortex of malevolence, Albert was indeed trapped in dir

"Hehe, don’t be anxious. If we truly cannot hold them off, dying together as doomed lovers wouldn’t be such a bad fate," Albert comforted her with a grin.Of course, it was merely a jest. Albert had already summoned the three Dragon Tooth Swords with his mind. Surging streams of sword radiance burst forth, merging into one and taking on a somber dark hue.The shadowy sword radiance flowed like a raging great river, piercing through the void.Void Annihilation Sword Radiance!Yet something was different about this strike.As the sword radiance swirled, it faintly coalesced into an enormous dragon silhouette cloaked in shadow. Every scale covering its body was forged from razor-sharp sword intent.Sharp spear-like bony protrusions jutted from the dragon’s head, lending it an even more ferocious and menacing air.The dragon silhouette glided forward. Wherever it passed, the void was ground to dust by its domineering sword intent, morphing into dark, silent black holes.A thought crossed

He glanced at the Luminous Dragon Tooth Sword. Though it blazed brilliantly with endless radiance, it still appeared far more illusory compared to the Water Dragon Tooth Sword and the Wood Dragon Tooth Sword.There was no helping it. Cultivating the third Luminous Dragon Tooth Sword was vastly more arduous than the first two. If he had not forced its formation with surging soul power this time, he would not even have managed to manifest the luminous sword body.I hope it can hold.Albert stirred his mind and hesitated no longer. All the soul power within him roared forth to activate the Dragon Tooth Sword Formation.The three Dragon Tooth Swords instantly let out earth-shaking sword chimes.The next moment, three torrents of sword radiance shot out and merged into one.“Void Annihilation Sword Radiance!”The ancient sword formation trembled. The watching disciples stared with palpitations as an enormous river-of-stars-like sword radiance surged forth. Wherever the radiance passed, all

This was the very sight Albert never wished to behold again, no matter what.So then…"Come and try it...""Let us see whether the oppressive might of your Demon Lord’s Eyes, or my matchless Hatch Art, reigns supreme." A murmur echoed inside Albert’s mind.At that exact same instant, boundless sword qi surged skyward from the crown of Albert’s head. An ancient, majestic sword formation took shape, unfolding above him.At this point, both sides had laid bare their true final trump cards.The pinnacle clash of this Summoning Mission was destined to reach its conclusion!Endless sword qi permeated heaven and earth. The ancient, mysterious sword formation solidified overhead. The moment it manifested, the energies between heaven and earth roiled violently, drawn toward the formation, further amplifying its overwhelming momentum.Within the formation, sword qi weaved about like dragons, emanating a bone-chilling, razor-sharp edge.Drawing upon the power of the Five-Tailed Heavenly Wolf, th