Learning

The two arrived at a quiet place that was close to the Lin Family's manor.

Swaying plants were everywhere. Green leaves blew around in circles.

Tylem bumped into Emily's back.

Shocked, Tylem thought, [What just happened?]

One moment he had been tailing Emily, and the next—the two of them had just appeared at a brand-new location.

There weren't other homes present as the Lin Family owned this entire zone.

"Cute mask, honey." Emily's disguise hid her smile.

Emily had spares, but Tylem had prepared himself instead.

"You knew I was following you, mother?"

"Mm." Emily shrugged. "Maybe?"

Looking at Emily's confident appearance, Tylem couldn't help but smile.

"But listen, I want you to stay here for now." Emily stated. "I'll leave an array here for protection."

Emily would not allow Tylem to charge into the middle of the battle zone. By watching, he would also be able to earn valuable experience, learning what to do and not do.

This current array was hiding their presence.

"I'm fine with that." Tylem nodded. In the first place, he had just wanted Emily to not be alone here, which was his main reason for coming.

[I won't let anyone harm you, mother.]

If he was able to feel her presence, he would be able to relax a bit.

"Good child." Emily hugged Tylem. "Mother will be finished soon."

Emily, after thorough preparation, took off.

With the new defensive array in place, Emily and Tylem could now sense one another across over a mile in either direction. The inscription was being quickly used up.

* * *

Lin Family's manor.

There was an artificial lake beyond the grand garden. The clear flowing water collided with the rocks. To be able to own such a great piece of land in the middle of Beijing, the Lin Family's power was obvious.

Outside, security guards could be seen everywhere. From their rough appearances, it was obvious that these guards were not normal people. Kane was not standing amongst them, however.

In a private room, Kane was currently speaking to a long-bearded man who was dressed in a luxurious black robe.

This long-bearded man was the Lin Family's head, Keith's father.

"Yes, Master." Kane bowed. "What the Young Master said is all true."

"He was indeed overwhelmed by some child." Recalling Tylem's face, Kane cleared his throat. "I couldn't quite believe it myself either."

"Is that so." Everett stroked his beard. "Keith also told me that you stopped him tonight?"

Everett had a natural aura that made others feel inferior, his dashing face seemed to belittle all life.

"This is also true. However, I had to do so in order to safeguard the Young Master's reputation." Kane explained. "I know how important the Young Master is for your plans."

"I do appreciate the intention; however, don't ever step over your boundaries." Everett patted Kane's shoulder. "Kane, you must always remember who the master is. Don't forget... I was the one who pulled you out from that hell and breathed new life into you."

"I gave you a reason to live—everything you could ever ask for—and I can also take it all away just as easily." Everett sighed.

"... This slave understands, Master." Kane lowered his head. "I will be more mindful in the future."

"That's good. I'm glad we're on the same page." Everett smiled.

"Now that the annoying part is over, let's talk about that child." Everett's eyes narrowed.

"Yes, according to his records, the boy's name is Tylem Dusk." Little did Kane know that the documents he had gotten from his investigation were outdated. "He seems to be an orphan with no backing."

"Seems?" Everett questioned.

"Mn." Kane nodded. "It's because I don't believe that these records are real. Likely, everything about him is forged."

"How so?" Everett inquired. In Beijing, the people who could forge official documents were all powerful figures.

"Well, how could it be possible that an orphan is able to attend Ivla?" Kane continued, "But there is one more important thing. That girl, Lynne, had addressed Tylem as brother."

"Lynne..." Everett had heard this name before; his son would regularly bring her up.

Lynne, hailing from a regular upper-class family, was a schoolgirl who couldn't be more normal.

"Then, is it possible that there is more to Lynne's family than meets the eye?" Everett pondered the information.

"The Young Master has done a lot of research on her before, and he had never been able to discover anything unusual, so it's not very likely." Kane deliberated. "However, we shouldn't discount that possibility either."

Indeed, the Lin Family was an ancient entity that had been expanded through numerous generations until it finally became the behemoth that it was today. It had not risen to the top from being rash. Starting from the most obsolete problems, everything was planned out with care.

Since Keith, his precious son, wanted to take their lives, Everett didn't mind giving him a helping hand. In the future, he would be the one to take over the reins of the Lin Family, after all. No one was allowed to offend him.

"I see. Kane, have your people investigate further." Everett agreed. "The Yan Family is a separate case though. I can't believe their daughter has the guts to go against my Lin Family. I'm wondering how her parents even raised such a fool."

"It won't be simple for us to completely get rid of the deeply-rooted Yan Family, but, given enough time, it is possible." Kane said, "It's just whether Master is willing to expend some resources on them."

"Hmph. Including us, the five families have remained at a stalemate for far too long." Grinning, Everett's deep voice projected authority. "I believe it is finally time for us to show everyone who the true powerhouse of Beijing is."

Gradually, over many generations, the mysterious weapons at the Lin Family's disposal were depleting. Despite all their research and effort, there was no way to replicate those complicated talismans.

However, the same could also be said for the other top five families. Right now, the Lin Family was still on top. This was also largely thanks to Kane, the underworld boss who backed them.

Kane was the powerful leader for one of Beijing's strongest underworld powers, Keel's Blade. However, when he was in front of Everett, he became just a mere slave. The subordinates beneath him were disapproving of this, but he didn't care.

Everett had saved him when he was at his lowest.

"However, you made the right decision back then, Kane." Everett feebly sighed, recalling the mysterious Winter's Edge. "It would be dumb to cause trouble at Starlight Paradise."

"Yeah..." Kane clenched his fists, remembering the time when he had been forced on his knees. "It's all because of their master. That woman is just too monstrous; she's undefeatable."

When Kane was standing in front of her, he had felt like a helpless child, waiting to be toyed with.

"That woman appears at the most crucial moments, and with just one move, she can change the tides of the battle." Everett thought about Winter's Edge and all the legends behind the organization.

"It's a shame that we can't get their support. Since its creation, Winter's Edge has never supported a single family."

If Winter's Edge decided to back a family one day, that family would be able to take over and tip the balance into their favor with ease. In the capital, that was the awe-inspiring might of Winter's Edge.

But whether it was for better or worse, Winter's Edge has never involved itself with politics. It was a secretive, independent organization on its own.

"Whatever, it's fine." Kane shook his head. "We just need to look at the bright side. Winter's Edge is not backing those other families either. Because of this, there have been many years of peace."

This was also part of the reason that none of the families dared to make too big of a move in the capital. If Winter's Edge decided to intervene, their position would be in danger. It was better to watch everything unfold from the sidelines.

Perhaps, at that time, the spectators could even fish in troubled waters.

Everett was about to reply; however, something incomprehensible happened.

From seemingly nowhere, a masked woman in a black coat had appeared between him and Kane.

The room now had three people.

This masked woman was wearing a large wide-brimmed hat, everything about her was the epitome of high class and authority.

"Kane!" Everett yelled.

To have seamlessly invaded into the residence of his Lin Family like this, this person couldn't be simple.

"I'm on it." Kane didn't even need to be told before a gun appeared in his hands.

It had been a while since Kane had last seen the Winter's Edge master. Furthermore, this time around, her appearance had changed once again. However, his heart did think of the chilling possibility.

What if it was her?

There was some resemblance, after all.

If it was, why was she even here?

Firing multiple rounds in quick succession, Kane had not uttered a single warning. Toward strong, unknown enemies, being merciful was a luxury that would hurt themselves in the end.