Chapter 393
The banquet hall fell into eerie silence as Dorian’s deep, resonant voice echoed across the room.
“What p>
Every head turned toward Leander, faces stiff with disbelief.
The news that the Riverstone family’s two heirs had been thrown off Westvale Peak and left gravely injured had already spread like wildfire through Highcliffe’s elite circles.
Among the crowd were countless high-ranking figures and even representatives from the four most powerful families. Yet not one of them could claim they had the audacity to harm the Riverstone heirs. Even men like Gareth and Teion-heads of their own distinguished families—wouldn’t have dared take things that far.
So, when the news first broke, it shook the entire city, and everyone was curious about who he was. Now, seeing the person behind it appear at the Riverstones’ own banquet—young, calm, and completely unfamiliar—was beyond comprehension.
Arden sat frozen in her chair, her expression stiff and vacant.
She had thought Leander was already out of his mind for striking Owen and his father, but she had never imagined he was the one who had crippled the Riverstone brothers.
What stunned her even more was that an ordinary man who hurt the Riverstones would’ve been wiped off the map long ago—yet Leander had injured both heirs and still showed up to their family banquet as if nothing had happened. That kind of composure, that power, left her in silent awe.
Turning to Ginny, she suddenly recalled how Ginny had once said Leander could do anything. Now, she finally understood. The man standing before them wasn’t just fearless he stood at a height so far above the rest that even the Riverstones treated him like a threat.
“Jeff? Why does that name sound so familiar p>
A few of the guests-wealthy figures closely tied to the four great families-frowned in confusion.
“Jeff?” one of the younger men suddenly exclaimed. “Wait—Jeff Ashcroft? The same Jeff Ashcroft who saved all four families during the martial assembly at the Southern Shore p>
That event-where the four major elite families had gathered to test their martial champions—had drawn countless onlookers from Highcliffe. Those who had been there still remembered the lone figure who swept through eleven opponents on the open sea. And now, seeing Leander’s calm posture and striking features, realization dawned on them all-it was him.
Arden’s heart pounded. She could hardly believe that Leander had such a legendary past. Even Ginny, who had always admired him, looked dazed.
Leander’s strength was unquestionable. Beyond his rising fame in Astria’s martial world, his only known title had been Mornwick’s Legend. Yet in just over a month, his name had swept through Highcliffe, striking fear and awe even among its most powerful elites.
Leander stood tall, a faint, disdainful smile curving his lips.
“You want me, Jeff Ashcroft, to apologize? And you think your Riverstone family deserves that p>
Even the Transcendent Realm masters-those who could soar through the skies and walk through flames—had bowed to him. How could a single family expect him to kneel?
“Jeff, your arrogance knows no bounds!
“I warned you before-don’t think that just because you’re powerful, you can do whatever you please! The Riverstone family still has ways to bring you down!
“No matter how strong you are, can you defy the authorities? Can you defy the law of the nation p>
Dorian stepped forward, eyes blazing.
“Jeff, I want an answer. My two sons had no quarrel with you. Why did you throw them off Westvale Peak and leave them for dead?
“You’re a citizen of Astria. You assaulted honorable men in public. Tell me who gave you that right p>
Dorian’s voice carried the full weight of his rank as a major general-steady, sharp, and commanding. His words struck with the force of authority as he demanded an answer from Leander.
Sensing the tension, the guests quietly backed away, leaving a wide, empty space in the center of the banquet hall. Only Leander and the two members of the Riverstone family remained under the glaring lights.
“You want a reason? Fine. I’ll make it simple p>
Leander lifted his gaze, his tone calm but edged with ice. “Your younger son led men into my mother’s sanctuary to abduct her. I warned him before—but he chose the wrong path.
“As for your eldest, he came with your family’s enforcers, swearing he’d break my limbs and throw me off Westvale Peak. I simply returned the courtesy p>
He shot Dorian a sidelong glance, a smirk playing at his lips.
“Dorian, as a major general, you should understand this—throwing them off Westvale Peak and leaving their lives to fate was already mercy p>
Dorian’s expression faltered for a moment.
Leander wasn’t wrong. With his level of power, killing the two brothers outright would’ve been effortless. The fact that they still lived was, in truth, a restraint.
But Dorian’s pride flared. He took a step forward, his voice cold and stern. “Jeff, don’t push it too far!
“I know you’re strong, and I know you’ve got powerful allies and plenty of connections. We’ve done our homework!
“Otherwise, the Riverstone family wouldn’t have confronted you here—before all of Highcliffe’s elite p>
As he spoke, he pulled a long sheet of paper from his coat. It unfurled and dropped, covered with dense lines of text-clearly a dossier.
“Besides being a martial master,” Dorian continued, “you’re also Mornwick’s Legend, aren’t you p>
A stir rippled through the crowd.
Those who frequented business councils and elite gatherings looked at one another, realization dawning.
“Mornwick’s Legend… that’s the man they call the ruler of a province, the one who united all of Mornwick’s warlords-Mr. Ashcroft p>
Others who didn’t know the name well still recognized its weight. Faces blanched.
“That’s right!” another man
exclaimed suddenly. “I knew he looked familiar! I saw him-two
months ago at the Walsh wedd
in
Grove istinte stormed the ceremony alone, took the bride right out from under them, and left the Walsh heir half-dead!
“Even when the Walsh family and all of Listin’s elites joined forces, they couldn’t
stop him. In the end, the Walshes had to apologize! He’s definitely the Mornwick’s Legend p>
Gasps rippled through the room.
Though Listin ranked low among the
provinces in terms of wealth, its city of Grove was known across the
nation The Walsh family Gro
foremost clan, was a name many had heard before.
In terms of power and influence, the Walshes in Listin stood on the same level as
the four major elite families and the Riverstones in Highcliffe untouchable and
supreme.
For such a powerful family to be humiliated, their heir badly injured, and yet still forced to bow their heads without retaliation-Leander’s fearlessness was now undeniable.
“Mornwick’s Legend,” Leander said with an easy grin, swirling the cocktail in his hand. “That’s me. So what p>
At that moment, the silent figure standing nearby finally spoke.
“Mr. Ashcroft p>
It was Logan. His voice was low-but it cut through the hall like a blade.
He fixed Leander with a hard look, a thin edge of cold at the corner of his mouth.
“You’ve shaken all of Listin with your reputation-your martial skill is peerless. You truly stand out as the strongest of the younger generation,” he said.
“You did intimidate the Walsh family in Grove on your own—that much is true. But don’t go thinking the Riverstones are the Walshes.
“There are rules in the martial world, and there are laws in the nation. You openly harmed two of my grandsons and sentenced them to lives of canes and wheelchairs. If you don’t give the Riverstone family an explanation today, we will settle this with blood p>
He finished, and the rear doors opened again. Five rigid officers in uniform stepped
into the hall, their posture immaculate.