Chapter 12: A Fury
1175 Words
Alexander Reed met Emily Snow's piercing gaze with characteristic calm.
"Is this really so important?"
Emily Snow bit her lip gently.
"I'm... very curious."
Alexander Reed remained silent for a moment, then guiding Lyra Reed, turned to get in the car.
"Five years ago, it was my family that was destroyed!"
With those words, he started the car and drove away, leaving Emily Snow standing there, petrified with shock!
So this was the same Alexander Reed from five years ago - the man who had his limbs broken and was thrown into the river!
No wonder he'd moved into the haunted mansion next to hers!
No wonder that right after she'd mentioned that child, the very next day he appeared with a daughter!
But... it had only been five brief years!
In those five years, how had he transformed from a helpless victim with broken limbs to someone powerful enough to make the mighty Reed family tremble? What depths of hell had Alexander Reed traversed?
In this moment, Emily Snow's heart was inexplicably drawn to Alexander Reed's mysterious nature!
...
When Alexander Reed arrived home with Lyra, Victor Knight silently appeared.
"Master, in ten days it will be Old Master Reed's birthday. Both Marcus and Thomas Reed will be present."
Alexander Reed took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and replied calmly:
"I understand. You may go."
"Yes, sir!"
As Victor Knight withdrew, Lyra gripped her father's hand.
Alexander Reed felt warmth flood his heart. He held Lyra close, resting his chin on her small head, gently stroking her back.
"Lyra, if only back then, the person who brought Gabriel Mitchell to North River City hadn't been them, how much better things would have been?"
The bond between father and daughter ran deep. Lyra could sense the infinite sorrow in Alexander Reed's heart. She reached out her tiny hand, gently caressing his face, his reddened eyes making her heart ache in ways she didn't quite understand.
She didn't know what this feeling was, but she knew that if she could, she would rather endure being stoned and beaten with sticks by the orphanage children than see her father suffer like this!
The pain of betrayal by one's own family - how deep that wound must run!
Alexander Reed's memories lingered on his childhood, when his eldest uncle and third uncle would embrace him just as he now held his daughter.
But that night, all that tenderness was shattered!
All family bonds turned to ashes!
To this day, Alexander Reed harbored nothing but killing intent toward them!
Lost in these thoughts, he was suddenly startled by his daughter's distress!
Lyra's face had turned deathly pale, cold sweat beading on her forehead, her small delicate body trembling uncontrollably!
Terrified, Alexander Reed immediately focused his consciousness inward, checking for any abnormalities in his daughter's condition.
As his power circulated through her bloodstream, his face darkened like storm clouds!
"Who would dare plant a poison worm in my daughter's body?"
"Ah..."
Lyra's tiny body curled up in pain. Alexander Reed's heart clenched in anguish as he quickly drew a drop of blood from his fingertip, letting it flow through her bloodstream until he located and extracted the malevolent parasite.
The creature was enormous, nearly the size of a child's pinky finger. Who knew how long it had been growing inside Lyra!
Given more time, it would likely have tortured her to death!
After removing the parasite, Lyra finally settled into peaceful sleep, though her small face remained tearstained, stirring deep affection in his heart.
As Alexander Reed's heart ached, he heard Emily Snow's Ferrari roar outside. After a moment's thought, he stood and opened the door.
Emily Snow had just stepped out of her car. Seeing Alexander Reed, she immediately apologized.
"Alexander, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have pressed you with questions in the parking lot."
"It's fine."
Alexander Reed shook his head and approached her, saying:
"I need to go out for a while. Could you please watch my daughter?"
"Oh, of course! Leave it to me, don't worry!"
"Thank you."
"No need for thanks."
Before Emily Snow could say more, Alexander Reed had already turned and left.
His pace was swift - though it looked like a casual stroll, each step covered two or three meters.
Soon, he vanished into the darkness.
When Alexander Reed left the residential area, Victor Knight appeared at his side.
"Master!"
"I want information on all sects and practitioners who use poison worms in the North River area."
"Master, in the western mountains of North River City, there are several Miao practitioners who have relocated there. Among them, the Thousand Poisons Sect is the most notorious."
"Let's pay them a visit."
"As you command."
Both men vanished instantly, leaving only a cool breeze in their wake.
...
The wild mountains west of North River City stretched far and wide, thick with vegetation.
Due to its pristine ecology, the area had been designated as a natural reserve by the state. Human footprints were rare, but various plants, animals, and venomous creatures thrived in abundance.
The long absence of human activity had allowed fallen leaves and dead creatures to decompose together, releasing toxic gases that made it an ideal place for cultivating poison arts.
The Thousand Poisons Sect was the largest and most deadly faction in these western mountains!
Situated on a moonlit plateau, they had built a massive compound through years of bullying and plundering other practitioners and sects, amassing considerable resources.
At dusk, the setting sun cast blood-red rays across the forest, bathing the Thousand Poisons Sect compound in crimson light.
As twilight fell, two disciples guarding the gate suddenly spotted two tall figures approaching.
"Halt! Who are you? Who gave you permission to come here?"
The guards shouted in unison, but the two figures continued advancing without hesitation!
"Alexander Reed from North River City. I seek audience with your Venerable Master of Poisons about certain matters."
"Alexander Reed? What joke is this? Never heard of you! Get lost before you get hurt! Don't test my fists!"
Alexander Reed's cold gaze swept over them briefly.
"I see we won't be able to have a civil conversation."
As he finished speaking, Victor Knight stepped forward, his body beginning to accelerate.
The two Thousand Poisons disciples laughed coldly, their eyes full of contempt!
"Fool, daring to come make trouble at our Thousand Poisons Sect, you're really asking for—"
"BOOM...!"
Unfortunately, before they could finish speaking, Victor Knight had already struck them down with one punch each, piercing straight through them!
His power was overwhelming, showing no hesitation as his fists penetrated their chests and continued toward the gate!
The massive stone gate, thick and heavy, didn't last even a second before shattering into pieces!
"Master, please enter!"
Victor Knight tossed the two corpses aside like garbage!
Alexander Reed clasped his hands behind his back and strode through the gate without another word!
The commotion had drawn quite a crowd!
As Alexander Reed entered, waves of Thousand Poisons disciples rushed forward, quickly surrounding him.
- Writer
