“So, you’re telling me that bumpkin escaped under your watch and even stole your storage ring, and if it wasn’t humiliating enough, he even left his ‘mark’ on you that you can’t remove!?”

Wallace stood in his private herb garden, in front of a glowing herb as he watered it with extremely precious Ascension Grade-1 Spirit Nectar, as he spoke coldly to a burly man wearing the same kind of uniform as the Inferno Weapon Smith Association members. Still, there was a glowing crimson flame symbol on his rob, different from the ‘Crimson Cauldron’ symbol on Wallace’s.

This burly man with stern features and fierce eyes was a Flame Disciple, Irv Oriente, and the most loyal follower of Wallace and his cousin. He also belonged to the Oriente family, one of the four top clans of the Artifice Inferno Sect, who control the Eastern Guardian Sect City.

At this moment, the normally arrogant and overbearing Irv had a vicious expression on his ghastly face, filled with fury and hatred, as he looked at the small horned owl tattoo on his finger, which was extremely vivid and imposing.

But in Irv’s eyes, it was a symbol of mockery and humiliation because, just half an hour ago, there used to be a storage ring instead of this hateful owl symbol. He still couldn’t believe that it was the work of an ‘ant’ whom he could crush as he wished; it was like a nightmare.

“Lord Wallace, I don’t know how he did it, but it happened too fast, and I’m not the only one who was caught off guard by that vile bastard! I’ll make sure to pay him a hundredfold next time!” Irv gritted his teeth as he vowed.

If previously he was only going after George under Wallace’s secret order, now it was personal, and he won’t rest until he avenges his grievance and wash away this humiliation with that hateful fellow’s blood.

“Next time?” Wallace finally stopped watering the herb and looked towards Irv before he glanced at Wallace’s finger, and his narrowed eyes almost turned into slits; killing intent shone in his eyes as he looked towards the owl symbol.

“Does this mean you’ve already found his whereabouts and know who he is?” He asked coldly. Irv was pale as he shook his head, breaking into a cold sweat. He knew the calmer Wallace seemed, the angrier he was. Irv quickly explained, “N-no, Lord Wallace, but he had stolen from many people, and the City Guards won’t sit still and detain him, no matter his background. I’ve also sent some men to gather information about him.”

This content is taken from fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cm.

Wallace scoffed with disdain, “You’re still as dumb as ever, cousin. Think about it for a second with me; a 1-Star Ascension Solider not only managed to pull the wool over many Ascension Solders, who were all stronger than him, but he even managed to steal their storage rings right under their noses and even a 6-Star Ascension Solider like you are his victim. Tell me if you know anyone who can do the same within a matter of seconds!”

Irv was ashen, as he had no excuse or words to refute that statement. He knew this was surreal, and no matter how much he hated that fellow, he had to admit that guy was

extremely mysterious and had strange abilities.

Seeing Irv speechless, Wallace continued, a peculiar glint flashing past his eyes, “Now, think if he used the ability for assassination instead of petty thievery? I’m pretty confident that I wouldn’t be seeing your grumbling about your failure but your corpse right now!”

Irv’s eyes widened as he trembled slightly. A sudden chill ran down his spine just thinking about the consequences of Wallace’s implication. He suddenly started to feel somewhat lucky that he had escaped a calamity. Although he lost his treasures, his life was more important. “Hmph!” Wallace sneered, seeing Irv’s reaction before he solemnly said as he looked towards the symbol on his finger, “That guy is far more conniving and insidious than I’ve thought. If I’m not wrong, what he did back then was all part of his plan, and what he actually wanted by not killing anyone, only taking away your treasures, and then leaving behind this mysterious curse mark is all because he wanted to promote himself, and draw the attention of the big wigs of the Western Guardian Sect City.

“After all, with his uncanny abilities, even the sect elders might be interested in him, not to mention the Weston family, who is at loggerheads with the Sutton family. Those so-called city guards are all loyal to the Weston family, and once they report it to the Weston family, I’m pretty sure the result won’t be what you expect it to be. I’ve already got contact from our spies, and they have already started to investigate his background.”

Wallace’s eyes suddenly flashed with killing intent as he uttered, “All in all, that guy used me as a stepping stone to show off his abilities. He directly slapped my face, and I don’t like being used by others, especially by ignorant vermin who didn’t know the difference between us.

“If he thinks I would back down after his clown show, he didn’t know who he’s messing with. Go, I’ve already contacted the clan, and they are sending a few people; I’ll leave you in charge. But this is your last chance!”

Irv’s eyes glowed with murderous intent as he quickly nodded, “I won’t disappoint you, Lord Wallace!” He then quickly left while rubbing the tattoo on his finger as the rage in his heart burned even more fiercely.

Once Irv was gone, Wallace clenched his fist, releasing a powerful shockwave, and muttered, “I won’t be humiliated by some unknown clown!”

While the Western Guardian Sect City was slowly learning about George’s ‘display,’ the man himself was walking in a maze of dark alleyways, wearing a dark hood over his head.

It was bizarre because there wasn’t such a huge maze of alleys in the city, yet as he turned comers, multiple crossroads appeared before him, and he took careful and calculative steps.

At this moment, when he stepped inside another alleyway, the vision in front of him suddenly changed, and he appeared in front of bleak streets filled with cloaked figures walking silently. It was a stark contrast to the bustling city.

Ace’s eyes shone when he saw the place, and his lips curled up, ‘I’ve finally arrived in the black market!’