Nightreaper stood tall before Nemesis Thorne, his massive frame casting a shadow across the room. His voice was low and steady, but it carried a hint of unease. “There’s a problem, boss.”Nemesis sat lounging in his chair, a cigarette dangling lazily between his fingers. He took a slow drag, exhaling smoke in a thin stream as his eyes narrowed. “What’s wrong?” he asked, his tone deceptively calm.“Both Ponytail and Brutal Flame are in trouble,” Nightreaper said flatly.Nemesis’s frown deepened, his gaze sharpening. “Wait a damn minute. Weren’t Brutal Flame and his men supposed to get rid of Elias Verrick and film his death? What the hell did he get himself into?”Nightreaper’s eyes were grim. “Ponytail and his men never returned. We’ve lost all contact with them.”Nemesis sat up straighter, his cigarette pausing halfway to his lips. “Then where’s Elias Verrick?”“I already had someone check,” Nightreaper replied. “Elias Verrick is alive and safe at home. Which means Ponytail and his c

Miracle Avenue was undergoing renovations, its usual hum of chatter and clinking cutlery replaced by the faint echo of hammers and construction equipment. The restaurant remained closed to the public, giving the place an eerie quiet, punctuated only by the footsteps of those moving within.Nightreaper strode into the restaurant with his nine subordinates, their heavy boots echoing ominously against the polished floor. Each man carried himself with deadly precision, exuding the confidence of trained killers accustomed to getting what they wanted.At a table by the window, Jaden Rift sat leisurely, a perfectly cooked steak in front of him. He cut through it slowly, almost lazily, as if he were completely unconcerned about the armed men approaching him. Morix Sable stood silently nearby, his presence calm but imposing, like a shadow ready to strike at the slightest provocation.On the floor, Brutal Flame and his men lay motionless, groaning in pain, each monitored closely by Jack and his

Knowing that Nightreaper had pieced together his identity, Jaden cut him off coldly. His voice carried both weight and disdain. “Since you know who I am, you’d better watch yourself. How could someone once hailed as an elite end up wagging his tail like another man’s dog?”Nightreaper lowered his head, shame and regret flooding his expression. “Forgive me,” he said, his tone heavy with remorse. “I’ll sever all ties with Nemesis Thorne from this moment on. No more blood money. I’ll live honestly, even if it means starting from nothing.”He tried to rise, his broken arm hanging limp by his side, but before turning away, his pride forced one last question out of him. His voice was hoarse, almost pleading. “Tell me… how much of your strength did you use just now against me?”Jaden cast him a calm glance, his answer delivered like an iron verdict. “One-tenth.”Nightreaper froze, his body trembling. His eyes widened with disbelief, and then a bitter smile curled on his lips. “As expected of

With a cold gleam in his eyes, Jaden shifted his weight and demonstrated a perfect shoulder throw.Bam!The 170-pound bodyguard slammed into the ground like a sack of bricks, his bones rattling against the hard floor. He writhed in pain, gasping for air, unable to comprehend how quickly he’d been taken down.The woman in sunglasses, Stephanie Skys, a rising celebrity who had been basking in her newfound fame, froze in shock. Then her face twisted in fury.“How dare you!” she shrieked. “All of you, get him! Now!”Her command snapped the remaining bodyguards into motion. Like a pack of wolves, they charged forward with a roar, fists raised and teeth bared.Jaden didn’t flinch. The moment the first guard closed in, Jaden’s fist shot out like a cannon.Crack!The man’s face contorted under the impact as his body lifted clean off the ground. He spewed a mouthful of blood and flew backwards, smashing into the wall with a sickening thud before crumpling to the floor, unconscious.The crowd g

The hall was in chaos.Thousands of spectators hurled insults at Jin Chen, their voices overlapping in a storm of fury.“Shameless!”“Arrogant foreigner!”“Go belongs to our country—how dare you!”Even the children, sensing the anger in the air, clutched their parents’ hands and frowned at the man on stage.The Director of the Children’s Activity Center, Wade Trent, tried to restore order. His face was dark with disapproval as he stepped forward, raising a hand. “Mr. Jin Chen, please watch your words. Your match with Mr. Black has ended. If you wish to continue this discussion, let’s do so elsewhere, not in front of the children.”But Jin Chen simply waved him off with a sneer. “No. I’ve come here with two goals. First, to crush every so-called Go player in this country. Second, to tell the world the truth—that Go was invented by South Korea. If you want me to step off this stage, then announce it publicly right now!”Gasps rippled through the audience. Wade’s jaw clenched, his fury b