When Jake finally regained consciousness, they were already thousands of miles away from Ashbourne, far beyond the borders of the frost fang mountains, in a distant city known as Open Bane. Over the following weeks, the old man explained everything to Jake, telling him why his family had been targeted and killed. All his life, Jake thought his father was a hopeless drunk. But it turned out his real identity was Lord Kael, the leader of the Blackwood clan—the most powerful house in the world and the ruling house of the martial world. Making him the illegitimate son of Lord Kael. Ten years ago, Kael had fallen in love with Grace Frost, his mother, a twenty five year old maid serving under his wife at the time. The two were involved in a secret affair and before long, Grace was pregnant. Knowing the child would never be allowed to live if his wife discovered its existence, Kael secretly arranged for Grace to leave the clan and brought her to northern Ashbourne. Upon his birth, Kae

The silence that followed was deafening.The men stared back in stunned disbelief for what felt like forever before they suddenly bursted out laughing.“So hilarious!”“He just called us punching bags!”“Damn aristocrats and their delusions. He must thinks he’s still in Ashburne!”Another wave of mocking laughter erupted from the group. Some laughed until there were tears rolling down their faces. Others were basically rolling on the ground as they held their weapons.Jake didn’t say a word. His expression didn’t change either. He just stood there, watching as each man continued laughing.Besides him, Elijah clenched his fist in anger, the veins on his neck visibly bulging. How dare this lowly pest disrespect his master.He turned towards Jake, his head slightly bowed. “Master, just give me the command and I’ll deal with these pests,” he said, his voice filled with quiet conviction.Jake turned his head slightly. “No need,” he said coldly. “I still need to let off some steam.”The men

Back in northern Ashbourne, silence reigned over the Briarwood estate like a storm. The dark clouds tore open and rain poured heavily, hammering against the windowpanes and mirroring the storm brewing inside the Briarwood villa. Inside one of the luxurious rooms of the villa, Cassian lay sprawled across the king size bed, his eyes closed, his body pale as snow. Dead. His chest was caved inward, as though it had been repeatedly pummeled with a hammer. His once-handsome face was crushed beyond recognition, and his legs were bent at angles no human body should ever be. Beside him, Martha Briarwood, the matriarch of the Briarwood family knelt on the floor beside him, wailing, crying, and begging for him to wake up. Her hair was a mess from all the crying, and her makeup was completely ruined. Standing around her were Elder Kane, the fourth-ranked martial artist of the Briarwood family and her personal guard. Samuel, the head of security and a man who had served the Briarwoo

About an hour later, the car arrived at the gates of the Whitmore estate, rolling to a stop in front of a luxurious villa.Richard got out immediately, followed by Jake and Elijah.The old butler was just stepping outside when he saw them getting out of the SUV. The moment his eyes landed on Richard, he rushed towards him, his eyes filled with a mixture of joy and panic.It had been three days since the patriarch had left to find the miracle doctor, but he hadn’t returned until now. Everyone had feared that something terrible had happened to him. After all, they all knew how dangerous the outskirts could be.“Sir, why did it take you so long to return? We thought something had happened to you,” the butler, a man in his forties, asked as soon as he reached Richard.“It’s a long story,” Richard replied, staring at him. “I’ll tell you all about it later. For now, where’s Elena?”“She’s in her room, sir. But her condition has gotten much worse since you left. I’m afraid she might not make