That roar made his stance unmistakably clear.The crowd’s spirits surged as one.They shouted with Adrian, “That’s right! Hand over the loser’s list! Apologize publicly to Skyline City’s medical community!”“Own your loss! Or can’t you Hinoku men stomach defeat?”The words were familiar—once flung by those four whenever they upended clinics across Skyline City. Now that the barbs were turned on them, they finally tasted how bitter they were.Kudo Ono fumbled in his pocket, then pulled out the carefully kept loser’s roster and tossed it to Adrian. “There’s your list. Satisfied? We’re leaving. See you at the Grand Medical Tournament.”They turned again to go.“Gentlemen, aren’t you forgetting something? The list is right here. You haven’t apologized to the heads of our clinics. Do it. Now.”Adrian’s resolve stiffened everyone’s spines.Kudo Ono ground his teeth. “Know when to stop, boy. Don’t push your luck.”With so many cameras rolling, an apology wouldn’t just shame the four of them.

Adrian’s pupils tightened. He truly hadn’t expected that the heretical physician who had passed him the legacy was the former Shadow Venerable under the last Smiling Yama.“Kid, we’ve said all there is to say. We’re here to reclaim the token. Hand it over and spare yourself a world of trouble—why make this hard?”White Reaper toyed with a lock of her hair, the curve of her brows carrying both warning and killing intent.Adrian’s voice was cold. “Forget the token. I won’t hand it over—and I couldn’t even if I wanted to. If it’s a fight you want, then fight. Last time I didn’t even go all out. Even together, the three of you aren’t my match.”Emptiness and Iris Lloyd stepped forward to stand at his sides, eyes blazing with battle lust.Octavia froze, stunned. She truly couldn’t fathom why they’d risk their lives for a mere token.Adrian was strong, yes—but look at who stood across from them.These were apex predators of the assassin world.Three Ghost Kings from Smiling Yama, the number

Adrian nodded and pressed on. “So—do I now have the standing to inherit Smiling Yama?”The trio exchanged helpless smiles. “Mr. Doyle, you are indeed stronger than the three of us. But to be frank, among the Ten Ghost Kings, we rank at the tail end. If you want to assume the mantle of Smiling Yama’s Shadow Venerable, you’ll need the recognition of at least half the Ghost Kings.”Adrian wasn’t surprised. He inclined his head. “Since I’ve been named a candidate for Shadow Venerable, that seat is as good as mine. Take them a message for me: anyone who wants to challenge me is welcome to try. I’ll make them concede without a word.”The declaration set their blood alight. They nodded, visibly stirred.“If there’s nothing else, we’ll take our leave,” White Reaper said, slipping an arm under Black Impermanence. The three of them were badly hurt and needed a place to recover.“Hold on. Your injuries aren’t light. Left to mend on their own, you’ll be out ten days at least. Let me treat you.”N

Kyoto Martial Association Headquarters.Ever since Adrian’s upheaval, the compound had been under reconstruction. As for the shattered plaque above the gate, no one had yet found a fitting replacement.Today, however, was different: Vice President Vincent Adams stood waiting at the entrance, craning his neck as if for an omen.A discreet Pagani rolled to a stop at the curb.A man in his early thirties climbed out—tall, broad-shouldered, all hard lines and harsher presence. A scar scored the space between his brows, lending him a savage cast.Vincent hurried forward. “President, you’re finally back.”This was Russell Kirk, the Association’s supreme president—Novaland’s acknowledged battle fanatic.Russell gave the barest nod and strode uphill. When he saw the wreckage strewn everywhere—and the smashed plaque—his temper detonated.“Which bastard did this? I leave you old coots to mind the house, and this is your idea of stewardship? If I’d stayed away a little longer, would the whole As

Adrian hadn’t planned on leaving anyway, and there was no time to waste. After a brief nod, he strode to the bedside.Seeing how much thinner she’d become, a pang tugged at him.After the exam, Max couldn’t help asking, “Mr. Doyle, well? Our president can still be saved, right?”Adrian nodded. “It’s a bit tricky, but I’m confident I can cure her.”Max and Ellis both let out a visible breath of relief.The others still held back a few doubts, though none of them dared voice it.Adrian took out a set of silver needles. With a flick of his wrist, the needles seemed to come alive—lifting into the air and then slipping precisely into Sandy’s body.The moment they entered, the needles began to tremble, fine and steady.The Western doctors had clearly never seen anything like it. Their eyes went wide with disbelief.“Oh my God, did you see that? The needles actually floated! That’s not CGI?”“They’re so thin! Doesn’t that hurt?”“Wait—are they vibrating?”A few gray-haired men gaped like tou