Nameless gave his best look of outrage. “Who’s looking for an apprentice? I’m just saying that Missy is still young. This is the only way she can atone for her actions against me!”

Zeke snorted disdainfully. “Noted, you old hypocrite. Come, we can talk about it inside.”

That was an unexpected twist.

A look of glee spread across Nameless’s face. He hurried after Zeke, ducking into the interior of the imperial mausoleum.

Mr. Collins shouted furiously after them, “That old coot is as sly as any fox, Great Marshal! He’s ruthless and cunning in the worst way! Do you really want Missy taking after him? Don’t agree to let him train Missy, you hear me?”

Even inside the imperial mausoleum, Nameless made sure to yell his insults right back at Mr. Collins. “You’re slandering an innocent old man, old dog! Where’s your sense of shame?”

Zeke was this close to just slamming his head against the wall repeatedly. He settled for curtly saying, “Shut up. I don’t want to hear another word from you unless you want to kiss being Missy’s teacher goodbye.”

Nameless’s mouth clicked shut.


Satisfied, Zeke continued, “Let’s make a deal. Answer my questions, and I’ll allow you to be Missy’s teacher.”

Nameless was about to stroke his beard before he abruptly remembered he did not have one any longer. “What questions?”

“Who are you?” Zeke asked without any preamble. “How did you know my master, Pietro? Why did you infiltrate the Carter sect? Did you learn anything from your time there?”

Nameless remained silent.

After a long pause, he finally looked up and said, “There are some questions I can’t answer because of important reasons. Even if my life is being threatened, I won’t answer them.”

“But,” Nameless said, “I can tell you some important things you might not know.”

“Go ahead.” Zeke nodded.

Nameless smiled slyly. “Not so fast. I want you to promise me that if I tell you this information, you’ll let Missy be my apprentice.”

Zeke felt a familiar spark of ire. “That would depend on the actual importance of the information you give me.”

Nameless looked disappointed but nevertheless, he agreed. “So be it. I’ll tell you this—the Four Hidden Sects haven’t actually withdrawn from the world. In fact, they have insiders all over the world to carry out their various schemes.”

Zeke frowned questioningly. “I assume you’re referring to the Four Great Martial Houses?”

For a single heartbeat, Nameless looked surprised. “How did you know that?”

Zeke waved a hand. “I deduced that. But I don’t have all the details, so please continue.”

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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