While the battle at Serenity Villa was raging under the dark, moonless sky, underground in Blumedale, Ronald’s headquarters was also filled with flashing blades and thunderous battle cries.
“Sir, it’s over. Our entire operation is gone,” a trusted aide, bloodied and teary-eyed, stumbled to Ronald’s side.
Ronald’s sinister face was blazing with fury. “Is the Driscoll family really going to wipe us out completely?”
His subordinate broke down completely. “We’ve already lost over 100 men. The attackers are Driscoll family affiliates, including elite martial artists pulled from various family branches and dozens of hired mercenaries from the martial arts world. With all these core forces combined, we don’t stand a chance against them. Sir, we need to surrender and preserve what little strength we have left!”
Surrender?
Ronald’s weathered face twitched violently, his teeth nearly cracking. His own turf was worth more than any gilded palace. Here, he was the mighty Dragon King of Blumedale, a man who could call the shots. However, surrendering would strip him of that crown and turn him into nothing more than the Driscoll family’s dog, a crawling insect.
Still, refusing might mean he would not even live to be a dog and would be crushed into mud. The Driscoll family’s strength was not something one Dragon King could match.
“That damned Andrew… He’s a jinx,” Ronald muttered. He wanted to roar, to rage, to curse the heavens. Yet, all that came out was a long, heavy sigh.
At this point, words meant nothing because the Driscoll family’s slaughter had already reached his doorstep, and blame would not change a thing. He swept a glance at his men and saw only fear in their eyes. His fists clenched as he made his decision: he would yield.
He was not like Aaron, that hardheaded fool who refused to bend. He knew when to bow his head; survival came first. As long as he could ensure their survival, they could start again.
Ronald asked, “Who’s leading the Driscoll family outside?”
“Three of the Driscoll family’s top enforcers, along with the head of a vassal family; he’s a martial king himself. They remain in strong," the aide replied.
Ronald took a deep breath and shouted, “Friends outside, stop the fighting, please!”
However, the sounds of battle did not fade, and his men kept falling.
His temper flared. “Friends, I am Ronald Potter, the Onyx Dragon King of Blumedale. I announce here and now that the Driscoll family’s advance is unstoppable, and I can only beg for mercy!”
At last, the fighting outside began to quiet. Soon, Ronald’s battered men stumbled in and lined up to the sides as the Driscoll family’s fighters strode in, chests out, steps firm.
At the front, the martial king family head, Mario Marsh, eyed Ronald with a smirk. “Ronald, this is it? Weren’t you supposed to be tough as steel? It didn’t take much to make you surrender, did it?”
Ronald’s head was buzzing. The humiliation was overwhelming. Not long ago, he had been so proud and successful, or else why would he call himself a Dragon King? Yet now, these dogs trampled his dignity and treated him like nothing. Nonetheless, for the sake of survival, he could only endure.
“Gentlemen, I lay down my arms and swear allegiance. Tell the Driscoll family to stop slaughtering my men,” he said, raising his hands in surrender.
Mario seemed reluctant, but with Ronald yielding, he held back. “Fine. Since you know your place, the Driscoll family will spare your life. From now on, you’re a slave of the Driscoll family. Serve them well, and you might keep breathing.”