Memphis John stared into Kayden’s deep, enigmatic eyes, a chill running down his spine. What trials had this young man endured to become so calculating and composed at such an age? It was unsettling, to say the least.
There was no doubt in John’s mind about the truth of Kayden’s words. He could sense it-a storm was brewing.
Kayden wasted no time. He pulled out his phone and made a call to Greedy Wolf.
“Spread this news among the upper echelons of Seclela. Let them know-I’m going to destroy The Nightshade,” Kayden said, his voice calm but commanding.
There was a brief hesitation on the other end of the line before a voice responded with confusion, “Commander, why is that?”
“Don’t ask questions. Just do it. And add this-tell them they have three days to prepare. In three days, I’ll march straight into their stronghold and wipe it out,” Kayden replied firmly before hanging up. His eyes turned cold, filled with a chilling, murderous intent.
To the people of Seclela, Kayden was a hero, a symbol of glory, the war god of the military, the supreme guardian of the borderlands. He was the nation’s unwavering pillar of strength, admired by millions.
But to the Hermits, he was a devil incarnate, a bloodthirsty specter.
And when it came to ruthlessness, no one could outmatch him. For The Nightshade to dare harm his people-it was pure arrogance.
Kayden was not one to let such offenses slide. He had no qualms about wiping out any sect connected to The Nightshade. Even a sect with ties to the nation’s defense wouldn’t be spared if they dared to touch his people.
The purpose of releasing the message was not merely to alert Seclela’s leadership. Kayden wanted both The Nightshade and Hellblazer to know of his intentions. He didn’t plan to attack The Nightshade immediately-no, he wanted to give them time to prepare.
This was his unshakable confidence, his style, his way of doing things.
When you’re strong enough, there’s no need for secrecy or surprise.
He wanted The Nightshade to know what was coming. He wanted them to wash their necks and wait for him. If they still fell after being given time to prepare, it would only highlight their weakness and his overwhelming strength.
At that moment, a servant approached, carrying a few ornate boxes.
“Master, these were found on the four brothers earlier,” the servant said, presenting the boxes to Memphis John.
John handed them to Kayden and said, “Dr. Scott, these are gifts they brought for me-century-old ginseng, a lotus from the snowy mountains, thousand-year herbs, and the rare Frostheart Bloom.”
Kayden glanced at the items and nodded. “I’ll take the snowy mountain lotus and the Frostheart Bloom. The rest you can keep.”
He pocketed the two items without hesitation.
Kayden didn’t take them for himself, but for Felicity.
He had promised to remove the scars on Felicity’s face, and these two ingredients were the key. Both grew in the most frigid places in the world, and their properties made them ideal for healing scars.
That night, Kayden decided to stay at the John family’s residence.
His reason for staying was simple-he didn’t want to miss the opportunity if Mags decided to show up.
Memphis John prepared the best guest room for Kayden, a room that surpassed even the finest presidential suites in five-star hotels. Its layout, design, and feng shui were all top-notch.
Kayden entered the room but didn’t rest immediately. Instead, he stepped out onto the balcony to enjoy the cool night air.
The view was breathtaking. A serene lake stretched out before him, surrounded by lights that reflected off the water’s surface, creating a dazzling display.
As he gazed at the illuminated lake, something unusual caught his attention. Amid the shimmering reflections, he spotted nine indistinct shapes lying motionless on the water’s surface, as if they were asleep.
Kayden’s eyes narrowed as he focused on the shapes.
Suddenly, a gentle breeze swept through the air, and the shapes moved.
But it wasn’t the water that stirred them-it came from within him.
The power of the Nine Dragons had begun to awaken.
What he saw on the lake was merely a manifestation of his inner self, a reflection of the energy stirring inside him.
The Nine Dragons’ Qi-it was alive.
Kayden tried to channel the energy, spreading his arms wide. But just as quickly as it had awakened, the Qi went still again.
“Playing games with me, huh?” he muttered under his breath, attempting to summon the energy once more. But the Nine Dragons’ Qi refused to respond.
Letting out a sigh, Kayden’s thoughts wandered back to the events of the day.
He couldn’t shake the feeling that something about Hellblazer’s motives didn’t add up. If their goal was truly to consume the nation, they must have prepared thoroughly. Hellblazer was a shadowy, elusive organization that had vanished a century ago, only to reappear mysteriously. Who knew what they had been plotting during their absence?
Kayden’s concerns weren’t born of fear. He wasn’t afraid of Hellblazer. But his injuries hadn’t fully healed, and his strength was only at fifty percent.
It was like trying to take on an eighty-thousand-dollar task with only fifty thousand in your account. You just couldn’t.
He needed to recover fully. Once he regained his complete strength, he’d confront Hellblazer head-on. He wouldn’t claim to be fearless, but he certainly wouldn’t let anyone dictate his actions anymore.
A knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts.
“Come in,” Kayden said, his voice steady.
The door opened, and a young woman stepped inside, carrying a blanket.
It was Mary-the woman Kayden had saved on the plane.
Mary wore a black dress, her hair cascading down her back. Her makeup was subtle but carefully applied, hinting that she had taken time to prepare for this moment.
“My grandfather asked me to bring you an extra blanket,” she said softly, her eyes quickly finding Kayden.
Kayden glanced at the bed. “It’s not cold. There’s already a blanket here,” he replied.
“Well… I thought you might still need it,” Mary said, her voice faltering.
Kayden nodded slightly and gestured toward the sofa. “Just put it there.”
Mary placed the blanket on the sofa, then turned to look at Kayden again. She noticed he was already gazing back out at the balcony.
Her heart sank.
She had spent so much time getting ready, hoping to catch his attention. And yet, he hadn’t even spared her a glance.
“Hey!” she called out, frustration creeping into her voice.