Franklin hissed with venom. “But I seriously underestimated that damn bitch Victoria! All these years, I’ve been lurking in the shadows while she appeared to be living quietly. To think that she’s actually become even more vicious and dangerous than before…”
He added, “This move of hers was like pulling the rug out from under us. She managed to push you, me, and Joe right into the eye of the storm all at once.”
Mia screamed like a woman possessed. “I told you years ago to kill that bitch, but you wouldn’t listen. You were completely mesmerized by her! And for what? She never even wanted you. Now she wants both me and Joe dead. Franklin, bring back the ruthless spirit you had when you ruled the martial world. Make sure she’s gone for good.”
Franklin sneered. “Don’t worry. Victoria’s martial skills are finished. She’s weak now and can’t stir up trouble anymore. Maurice wants me to help Scarlett, using her as bait to lure Andrew in. He thinks he can use me as his muscle, his attack dog, to do his bidding. But I have my own plans, Mia. You might not know this, but the top-tier martial art, Inferno Strike, is in Andrew’s hands.”
Mia froze, then her eyes lit up with excitement. “Inferno Strike? A heavenly-tier technique? Franklin, you found it?”
Franklin nodded with a pleased grin. “That’s right. I’ve dreamed of it for years, and now it’s within reach. This technique is pure, scorching power. Mastering it would be enough to shake the entire world. But it’s always been in Jerome’s hands, and I couldn’t challenge him without breaking my current limits. I could only watch. And now, Andrew has it. I’ll take him down and force him to hand it over.”
Mia nodded eagerly. “Yes, before you kill him, you must get Inferno Strike first. Then, you can pass it on to Joe.”
Franklin’s eyes narrowed, his face filled with greed and dark ambition. “If I can get my hands on that technique, my martial skills will soar to the next level, and I’ll break through my current bottleneck. When that happens, even if I fall out with Maurice, I can still protect you and Joe.”
Mia was thrilled but also had some lingering doubts. “Franklin, you’re still recovering from serious injuries. Even though this technique is amazing, are you sure you can handle Andrew? That guy single-handedly fought off three of the Driscoll family’s strongest fighters, which makes him a hundred times more dangerous than even Joe!”
Franklin scoffed. “If it hadn’t been for Victoria’s insane, self-destructive fighting style during that battle, killing Andrew would have been easy. Do you really think my title as Gabo Creek’s number one fighter is just for show? He’s tough, sure, but his aura hasn’t reached the level of a true martial saint. His power comes from a solid foundation and deadly techniques. Inferno Strike is what he used to kill Bradley and Walter, but without it, his strength would drop by at least half. My Mighty Beast Palm can match it blow for blow. I’ve got a technique to counter his, plus the edge in level. So tell me, would I be the one dying? Don’t make me laugh.”
When this bald monk chanted Solmortis prayers and talked about Solmortal, his face was full of compassion and mercy. Yet, when it came to killing for treasure, his eyes burned with greed, and his face twisted with desire.
Strangely enough, the more corrupt and cunning Franklin showed himself to be, the more Mia adored him. Even though she was middle-aged and both a wife and mother, Mia could not change her fundamental nature: she was basically a crazy woman who fell for bad boys.
She said, “Then it’s decided. You kill Andrew and take the Inferno Strike for Joe. As for me, I’ll find a way to kill that bitch Victoria. For years, her strength kept me from daring to touch her, but now? Crushing her will be no different from crushing an ant.”