One Blood Guard strode forward, crimson runes flickering across his ararat. “Ararat, years pass, and you remain as hot-blooded as ever. Today’s affair is none of your concern. Stand aside!”
Ararat snorted. Sword light wove into a lattice around him. “A lackey from the Celestial Palace thinks to order me? Dream on.”
The Blood Guard did not flinch. Sword energy raked his chestplate, leaving only a faint chalk line. “Your blade is still soft.”
Ararat’s features tightened. The enemy’s defense proved monstrously stronger than rumor had dared predict.
Black mist swirling about him, Dioz drifted to the front line. “Mr. Goizeder, a wise man submits to circumstances. Jared is the nemesis of Malevolent Path Hall. Today he must die!”
“And I’m here too!” Lunaria screeched, violet gaze blazing. “I’ll rip his eyes out myself!”
Kishor swaggered forward, one arm slung around Alice, laughter booming. “A cluster of bruised gourds dares yap before me? One whisper from Whispers Tower and every dirty secret you own hits daylight.”
Alice stepped ahead, showing a device. “Celestial Palace’s Sixth Hall allies with demons. The Malevolent Path Hall collects the cultivator’s divine soul. Mr. Lester, your son assaulted many women.”
Lester’s face darkened. “Nonsense!”
“Whether it’s nonsense, we’ll spread the news,” Alice replied, voice cool as morning frost. “Withdraw your troops, and we’ll wipe the slate clean.”
The Blood Guard snorted, “Whispers Tower? Nothing more than a nest of gossip-mongering rats. Speak one word, and I will cut you down where you stand!”
“Then come try me!”
At that, Kishor’s men fanned out behind him. They were few, but every breath they drew felt honed and lethal, as if each man were a blade kept forever on a whetstone.
Auras collided invisibly in the dusk, bows drawn without arrows, swords half-raised—one heartbeat from an explosion of carnage.
From deep inside the compound, Jared’s voice rolled out. “Enough posturing.”
He stepped through the gate at an unhurried pace. Corin, Flaxseed, Lyra, and a lean line of Sword Sect disciples formed up at his back. They numbered barely a few dozen, yet every last one stood tall, faces bright with a fearless, almost reckless pride.
“Lester,” Jared called, eyes locked on, “hasn’t your only wish been to kill me? Then face me now. We fight one-on-one. Do you dare?”
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: A Man Like None Other (Jared Chance)
Josephine's first time seeing Jared kill isn't with Leyton but with Falcon. Pay attention to your work....
You need to correct yourself,dear author. Josephine was in the City of Herbs when she was a kid, so why is the city's smell surprising to her?...
I need more chapters...
When can I get the next chapter...