The Scott family.
News of Kayden annihilating The Nightshade had spread like wildfire. Zlando’s upper echelon was already aware, and naturally, so was the Scott family.
Jason sat in the family meeting room, his face lined with worry. Though he had foreseen this outcome, now that the moment had arrived, he couldn’t help but furrow his brows.
To destroy a Hermit sect-whether to celebrate or to worry about it was unclear.
“Father!” Vicente broke the silence, his voice sharp as he addressed Jason. “Kayden’s actions have already impacted our family severely. He went so far as to destroy an entire Hermit sect! This has greatly hindered our family’s future development. Even though The Nightshade wasn’t one of the Four Great Sects, it still held a significant position.”
“And what exactly are you trying to say?” Jason asked flatly, his gaze locked on Vicente.
Vicente hesitated for a moment, then declared, “I believe we should strip Kayden of his heir status and distance ourselves from him. Otherwise, sooner or later, we’ll all be dragged down with him. He’s like a double-edged sword-capable of bringing us fame and fortune but equally capable of plunging us into ruin.”
He paused before adding, “So, I suggest giving the heir position to Brodie. Now that Brodie has married into the Whitley family and has always worked tirelessly for the Scott family, he’s more than deserving of the role.”
Vicente had finally voiced his true thoughts. To him, this was a golden opportunity.
Kayden’s recklessness would inevitably drag the Scott family into chaos.
Edgar chimed in, “Father, Vicente’s right. Kayden doesn’t even care about our family’s reputation. Why not just cut ties with him? Destroying The Nightshade might just be the beginning; who knows if he’ll take on the Four Great Sects next!”
“Enough!” Jason erupted, slamming his palm against the table.
The sound startled Edgar, who jumped in fright. Though he was already in his forties, he still feared Jason’s authority. Vicente, too, shrank slightly under Jason’s glare.
“I do not want to hear such words again!” Jason’s voice was cold and commanding. “Kayden is in trouble, and I believe our family should stand united, facing the outside world together, not abandoning him at such a time. Such disloyalty is unbecoming of the Scott family’s men! And let me make this clear-not just Kayden, but for anyone in our family who encounters difficulties, I do not want to see this indifferent, self-serving attitude again.”
Though Jason was clearly angry, his voice was calm, steady, and unshaken.
It was his composure that encouraged Vicente to push back. “Father, isn’t this unfair? Brodie has worked so hard for the family, but Kayden-what has he done for us?”
Jason’s tone grew resolute. “He will elevate the Scott family to unprecedented heights. He will make the Scott family a name revered in Seclela and even the world! As long as I live, no one is to bring this matter up again. If anyone dares, they can leave this house immediately!”
With that, Jason stood, gesturing for Billy to assist him. “Let’s go, Billy.”
Billy helped him up, and the two left the meeting room one after the other.
The remaining family members were left with dark expressions, their frustration palpable but powerless to act.
—
At the same time, the Trenton family.
Kayden’s destruction of The Nightshade had shaken all of Seclela. As the most powerful family in the northwest, the Trenton family had naturally heard the news as well.
After all, their patriarch, Langston, was a Grand-level Hermit himself.
Langston was unlike the heads of other families, who inherited their positions through generations. Langston had relied on his fists to carve a path through life-and-death situations and solidify his family’s status.
For this reason, Langston deeply respected strength. Upon hearing of Kayden’s deeds, his admiration for the young man was boundless.
He was sitting in the family’s rear garden, sipping tea with his eldest son, Daniel, a man in his mid-forties.
“That Kayden is truly formidable,” Daniel remarked. “I’ve heard he single-handedly annihilated The Nightshade, leaving nothing behind. Even their four Grand Lords combined couldn’t defeat him.”
Langston let out a soft “Hmm,” nodding thoughtfully. “To take down The Nightshade alone, he must have been thoroughly prepared. His strength is at least at the Master level! For someone in his twenties to reach such terrifying heights-it’s extraordinary. Has the government taken any action against him?”
Daniel shook his head. “No, it seems they’ve turned a blind eye. You must understand, he’s done a great service for the nation. With his many contributions, the government wouldn’t reprimand him over something like this.”
“True!” Langston nodded slightly, his tone tinged with excitement. “I’m not interested in his status, but his abilities are astounding. To achieve the Master level at such a young age… the last person to reach such heights was the legendary Godefroid. At this rate, reaching the Legendary level and becoming one of Seclela’s most prominent figures is only a matter of time.”
“Should you ever meet him, show the utmost respect. He’ll bring nothing but honor and unexpected benefits to us. On the contrary, offending him would lead to utter ruin-a fate like The Nightshade’s.”
“Yes, Father. I understand,” Daniel replied.
Langston’s expression turned serious as he asked, “We haven’t offended him, have we?”
Daniel reassured him, “Of course not. There’s no such thing.”
“Good.” Langston let out a long, relieved sigh.
At that moment, a woman wheeled a bandaged Eddie into the garden.
“Father, Father!” Eddie called out from a distance.
“Eddie, why aren’t you resting? What are you doing here?” Daniel asked, concern evident on his face.
Eddie, however, was agitated. “Father, have you avenged me yet? Have you sent someone to deal with George Philips?”
Since George Philips had broken his limbs, Eddie had been consumed by a burning desire for revenge. Philips hadn’t just crippled him-he had humiliated him by taking his woman and shattering his pride as a man.
Daniel frowned slightly. “Not yet.”
Instead of being disappointed, Eddie grew more excited. “That’s good! Father, do you remember the person who started all this? I’ve found him. When the time comes, you can deal with him alongside George Philips.”
“His name is Kayden!”