As Esmond finished speaking, he gestured for everyone to rise."Master!" The three disciples knelt before him, tears streaming down their faces, their foreheads pressed against the ground."Hurry," Esmond began, but before he could finish, the sound of a helicopter roared overhead.Moments later, a figure leapt down from the chopper."Mr. Xayne's back!" Esmond's disciples brightened instantly, wiping away their tears as they rushed toward the courtyard.Xayne noticed the traces of tears on their faces and frowned. "What's going on with you all?""It's nothing. It's just a relief to have you back, sir!" They greeted Xayne like he was the brightest star, ushering him into the estate with reverence.When Esmond saw Xayne, he bowed respectfully. "Master! Forgive my shortcomings for troubling you."He didn't need Xayne to say anything. He knew Serena must have called him. Otherwise, Xayne would never have returned so suddenly."Esmond, I've been informed of the situation in Folkswo

Finishing his explanation, Xayne closed his eyes slightly, sitting back on the sofa while waiting for nightfall. Meanwhile, Xayne's secret return to Folksworth remained unknown to Valedi and the others.On their way back, Valedi had repeatedly tried to convince the others to reconsider, but Hiram and the others dismissed his concerns outright.Esmond's weakened appearance only confirmed what they hoped: either he was carrying an injury or suffering a relapse of an old ailment. It was the perfect time to take him out.Even if Xayne returned, with Esmond dead, he couldn't do anything."Masters. I suggest we visit Esmond tonight." Hiram turned to the heads of Heaven's Feather Circle and Winslow Circle.By then, Valedi had already returned to Cyano Peak, leaving Hiram and the other two circle masters alone at the Shaw family estate. Bram's eyes brightened at the suggestion, and he looked at Hiram with admiration. "Hiram, you are the savior of the Shaw family. If you help us survive thi

The moment Esmond's sword left its sheath, a palpable aura of killing intent filled the air. Hiram and his companions could feel the biting chill even standing several meters away."Damn!" Hiram frowned. Esmond's sword aura became so intense, and there was something odd about that sword."Who's coming first? Or will all three of you come at me together?" Esmond challenged, his voice dripping with disdain.Hiram barely had time to reply before Harry stepped forward eagerly. "Let me handle him first!"Harry had his hidden motives. He knew that between Xayne and Esmond, Xayne was the true threat. If he dealt with the injured Esmond first, it would leave Xayne to face Hiram and Debryne. Depending on how the fight went, he could either finish off Esmond or escape if things went south. An injured Esmond would never be able to keep up with him.Hiram and Debryne exchanged knowing glances but didn't object. They had no choice but to let him take the lead. "Be careful, Harry! If Xayne make

Despite his lethal skills, Xayne had never sought to kill needlessly, especially within Drakonia's kickboxing community."Cyano Peak? It's best if we can avoid clashing with them. Excessive bloodshed won't benefit anyone." Xayne retracted his Ravenclaw Dagger and shook his head."Gather their bodies, and we will leave for Cyano Peak," Esmond instructed a few disciples, who carefully collected the corpses of Hiram and the others, arranging for their respectful return to their circles. Then, he joined Xayne, heading toward Cyano Peak.At that same moment, Valedi paced back and forth in his study room, his mind unsettled since he returned to the circle earlier that day. His disciples steered clear of him, sensing his dark mood. A disciple soon entered with urgency. "Circle Master, two guests are here asking to meet with you!""Who are they?" Valedi asked with a frown."One of them is Xayne, and the other claims to be the leadmaster of Heaven Sword Circle, Esmond," the disciple report

Silas shouted, his voice echoing through the room. Xayne walked forward, hands behind his back, and seated himself on the sofa across from Bram without waiting for an invitation. His steady, penetrating gaze locked onto Bram, who soon began to sweat under the intense scrutiny."Mr. Xayne. I'm sorry. I know I was wrong. But I couldn't control people like Hiram and the others," Bram said. As he spoke, he collapsed to his knees in front of Xayne. Seeing their father kneeling, Silas and his brother bowed their heads in defeat."You not being able to control them is why you're still alive. Here’s the deal: turn over every bit of your assets and leave Folksworth, or face death," Xayne said coldly.Finishing his ultimatum, Xayne rose, flicked his sleeve, and headed for the door. Esmond glared at the Shaw family, adding, "This is your last chance. If we don't see a show of sincerity from the Shaw family by tomorrow morning, tonight will be your last on this earth." With that, Esmond followe