Back in Goldenridge City, the scene at the city gates was lively. Cole had gathered a large group of the Thrumpwood family’s elite disciples, drawing the attention of the townsfolk. The crowd buzzed with speculation.

“What’s going on? Why has the Thrumpwood family assembled so many people here?”

“You don’t know? The Blood Fiend Gang forcibly took over the Thrumpwood family’s medicine garden in Azurecrest Mountain!”

“No way! Does this mean the Thrumpwood family is going to war with the Blood Fiend Gang?”

Asmon’s arrival interrupted the chatter. “Uncle Cole, what’s all this about?” he asked, stepping forward with a raised eyebrow.

“Master Asmon, you’re back!” Cole exclaimed, clearly startled. “You went to Azurecrest Mountain alone, and I was worried you’d be outnumbered. So I summoned the disciples to go back you up.”

Asmon chuckled and waved his hand dismissively. “No need for all that. Just send someone to reclaim the medicine garden.”

Cole blinked, confused. “Master Asmon, what do you mean?”

“I mean the Blood Fiend Gang’s been dealt with,” Asmon said with a faint smile. “Go ahead and take back the medicine garden. It’s ours again.”

His words were like a thunderclap in the crowd. Cole stared, dumbfounded. Around them, onlookers erupted into whispers.

“Did I hear that right? He took care of the Blood Fiend Gang on his own?”

“Impossible! The Blood Fiend Gang is no joke. Their leader is at the eighth level of Imperial Qi! No one in Goldenridge City could take him on except for the patriach back in the day.”

“Sure, Asmon’s talented, but taking down the entire Blood Fiend Gang by himself? Come on, that’s ridiculous.”

As disbelief rippled through the crowd, the sound of rumbling hooves drew everyone’s attention. A group of riders galloped toward the city gates, kicking up a cloud of dust. At the head of the pack was none other than Dante himself.

The crowd’s anxiety spiked. “Look! It’s the Blood Fiend Gang! And their leader is with them!”

“Oh no, did Asmon provoke them? Are they here for revenge?”

“Prepare for battle!” Cole barked, rallying the Thrumpwood family disciples, his expression grim.

But Asmon only laughed. “Relax, Uncle Cole. They’re not here to fight.”

Before anyone could make sense of his words, Dante arrived at the gates. Dismounting his horse, the once-feared gang leader strode straight up to Asmon and, to everyone’s shock, dropped to one knee.

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“Dante greets the Patriarch!” he declared loudly.

A stunned silence fell over the crowd. You could’ve heard a pin drop. The leader of the infamous Blood Fiend Gang—a man feared throughout the region—was kneeling before Asmon, pledging allegiance.

“He actually did it…” someone muttered in disbelief.

Cole’s jaw hung slack, and the onlookers’ eyes practically popped out of their heads. Asmon had not only defeated Dante but also made him submit willingly. The Blood Fiend Gang had been notorious for their power and ruthlessness, yet here their leader was, swearing loyalty to the Thrumpwood family.

Breaking the silence, Dante gestured toward the men behind him. “These are my brothers. They’ve stood by me for years, and all of them have at least reached the ninth level of Body Tempering. With your permission, Patriarch, we’d like to join the Thrumpwood family.”

Asmon didn’t hesitate. “Fine by me,” he said, nodding. “The Thrumpwood family could use more capable hands.”

Hearing his approval, the entire group followed Dante’s lead, kneeling as one. “We pledge allegiance to the Patriarch!” they declared.

The crowd went wild.

“Unbelievable! The Thrumpwood family just absorbed the Blood Fiend Gang!”

“With Asmon leading them, the Thrumpwood family is even stronger than when Victor was in charge!”

As the murmurs of awe continued, Dante stepped forward, holding out a storage Ring. “Patriarch, this is all the wealth the Blood Fiend Gang has accumulated over the years. Please accept it.”

Asmon accepted the ring without a word, casually slipping it onto his finger. Around him, the onlookers stared in awe, envy, and disbelief.

The Blood Fiend Gang had ruled Goldenridge City for what felt like an eternity, amassing a fortune so vast that even the three major families of the city probably couldn't guess its true size. Now, all that treasure sat comfortably in Asmon's hands. Naturally, this made people jealous—ridiculously so—but jealousy was one thing. Acting on it? That was another. Nobody dared to entertain the idea of snatching what belonged to Asmon.

The Thrumpwood family had risen like a phoenix, their newfound strength making waves across the city. With the Yates and Ashbourne families already powerhouses, the Thrumpwood family’s sudden surge threatened to tip the balance of power. If there had been a betting pool on Goldenridge City’s next overlord, the Thrumpwood family was now the odds-on favorite.

Standing at the forefront of his gathered forces, Asmon wore a smile that practically sparkled in the sunlight. "Alright, get up, all of you! Since you've thrown your lot in with the Thrumpwood family, you’re family now. Work hard, and you’ll be rewarded handsomely."

The gathered disciples and subdued remnants of the Blood Fiend Gang couldn't believe their ears. Some pinched themselves to check if they were dreaming, but no—Asmon had just said it. With a commanding wave, he led his group into Goldenridge City, his grin growing wider as whispers of his latest victory spread through the streets like wildfire.

News of Asmon taming the Blood Fiend Gang hit the city with the force of a thunderstorm, rattling the Yates and Ashbourne families to their very cores. The Thrumpwood family’s meteoric rise had put them under tremendous pressure. The three major families had long existed in an uneasy stalemate, but the Thrumpwood family had previously been the weakest link—especially after Victor’s mysterious disappearance. No one, not even in their wildest dreams, had imagined Victor’s so-called "useless" son, Asmon, would turn into a powerhouse practically overnight.

But here they were. Asmon had single-handedly elevated the Thrumpwood family to new heights, and with the Blood Fiend Gang under their control, the Thrumpwood family seemed poised to become the undisputed rulers of Goldenridge City. The Yates and Ashbourne families couldn’t ignore the writing on the wall. If the Thrumpwood family truly took over, where would that leave them?