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Chapter_300
The weight of responsibility was heavy on Philix’s shoulders. His every action now carried the lives of many, not just his own. With the Klein family’s power hanging over him, he knew he could not afford to focus on personal feuds. The pieces of the puzzle were falling into place slowly, and he had just begun uncovering the truth about the family’s role in his past.
The Klein family was powerful, a force to be reckoned with. It wasn’t just their wealth or influence—it was their strength, their wards, and their deep roots that made them dangerous. They had two wardens in their family, and Philix could sense the precariousness of the situation. It made him cautious, constantly calculating the best move.
He feared death, yes, but more than that, he feared being silenced before he could exact his vengeance on the Klein family. And if he fell, the turmoil along the borders of the Northern Territory would only escalate. That was a risk he could not take.
Stellar, sensing the depths of Philix’s thoughts, asked the question that had been on his mind for some time: “So, you established the Heavenly Doors Association to fight back against the Klein family?”
The Heavenly Doors Association was a martial arts organization in the Northern Territory, shrouded in secrecy. Stellar had always heard rumors, but he never had direct contact with its members. It was a private, tightly-knit group, founded by one of the wardens of the Klein family. They trained on a secret island in the Northern Territory, hidden from the world. What was even stranger was that the wardens rarely visited the island, and their forces were mostly silent during times of crisis.
Philix took a deep drink of vodka, his face tightening as the burning liquid slid down his throat. “My family bought Paradise Island back when the Vikings were still in power. It’s one of the few islands still privately owned in the country. We’ve had it for generations. It’s a repository of ancient knowledge, especially related to cultivation. But, the members still need time to train. The Heavenly Doors Association is relatively new, and they are still finding their footing.”
Stellar nodded, his mind processing the information. He had always known there was more to the association than met the eye, but he had never suspected this kind of history.
Philix set his glass down, his expression hardening. “A member of the Young family once created something called a ‘soul contract.’ It’s simple, really. You only need two pieces of parchment—one for the principal, and one for the subsidiaries. When they drink water infused with the ashes of one parchment and I drink from the other, I gain control over them. They live or die based on my will.”
The method was chilling in its simplicity. The implications of such a contract left no room for rebellion or defiance. If someone wanted to betray him, they wouldn’t get the chance. Philix had sealed their fate before they even knew it. Stellar understood this, and a flicker of unease crossed his face, though he didn’t voice it.
He smiled faintly, though there was little warmth in it. “I never imagined the Klein family would be as powerful as they are now.”
Before Philix could respond, an unexpected sound cut through the air—the frantic barking of a dog. Both men exchanged uneasy glances before scrambling to their feet, alarmed. They rushed to the gates of Young Gardens, hearts pounding.
What they found was a nightmare.
Two security guards lay lifeless in pools of blood, their faces frozen in terror. The massive black dog, once a fierce protector, struggled in its death throes, its limbs twitching before it too succumbed to the same fate.
“Danger… let’s go,” Stellar muttered, his voice low and tense. He instinctively took a protective step toward Philix, his eyes darting around, scanning for any more threats.
Philix’s hand shot out, grabbing Stellar and pushing him aside as his phone rang. The caller ID flashed: “Granddaughter.” He answered with a curt voice. “Hello… are you the granddaughter of this phone’s owner?”
The tension was palpable as Melody slammed on the brakes of her car. Her face was grim, eyes dark with distress. She answered the phone and spoke with barely controlled emotion. “Something’s happened to my grandfather!”
Nash, sitting beside her, turned to her, his fists clenched. “Come to Jonford with me… let’s seek revenge on Ol’ Devil when we’re capable of it!” he urged, his voice filled with a burning desire for justice.
But Melody’s face went pale, her hand trembling as she stared ahead, conflicted. She wanted to seek vengeance for her family, but her grandmother’s last words still echoed in her mind, urging her to take a different path.
With gritted teeth, she called someone else. A wizened voice came from the other end. “Melody… has Ol’ Devil come looking for you?”
“Grandma’s gone. Her body’s been sent to Eternal Prosperity Funeral Parlor. My grandfather’s in trouble. Please, check on him at the Young Gardens!” Melody said urgently, her voice strained with grief.
“Come to my place. Ol’ Devil wouldn’t dare touch you while you’re with us!” the voice responded, but Melody shook her head.
“The Ol’ Devil has completed more than half of his journey to the Mystique Loyalty Realm. If I stay, I’ll bring more danger to you. I’ll leave Goldenfalls for now!” She quickly ended the call and didn’t mention Nash’s presence. Her heart was heavy with grief, but she wiped away her tears, focusing on the road. She dialed directions to Royal Bay and sped off toward her uncertain future.
Meanwhile, in the back of a taxi, Philix and Stellar were deep in conversation. Stellar pulled out his phone and dialed the Goldenfalls warden’s number, but Philix snatched the phone from his hands, his eyes darkening with urgency.
“Do not tell anyone we’ve been there!” Philix ordered, his tone sharp.
Stellar raised an eyebrow, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Does that mean there’s no one left to guard the mausoleum? What happens to the two old men’s corpses?”The question hung in the air, unanswered, as both men realized that the situation was far more complex—and dangerous—than they had anticipated.
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