Henry found no information about the underworld forces involved in the operation, despite the names listed on the document. They hadn't entered the Caden residence; instead, they'd concealed themselves outside as a pickup team, to prevent complications. Among them was Black Wind Xander. James was stunned to discover Xander, whom he'd previously killed, was a primary culprit in the Cadens' destruction ten years earlier.
Deep in thought, James considered the information, which revealed the existence of other, unknown players. "Where is the Moonlit Flowers on Cliffside's Edge? Who is the mastermind?" he murmured, remaining silent. The stone building was eerily quiet.
After a while, James burned the information with a lighter. Glancing at Jake and his men, still kneeling, he hissed indifferently, "Get up and speak to me."
Jake trembled. "I-I'm scared."
"Get up!" James roared. The roar terrified Jake, who collapsed. He tried to stand, but his legs were unsteady. James dragged him up by the collar.
"Where is the Moonlit Flowers on Cliffside's Edge? Who are the influential men mentioned in the information? Who was the mastermind?" James asked coldly.
"I-I don't know," Jake stammered, his wrinkled face beaded with sweat. His teeth chattered. "G-General, I-I really don't know."
James angrily shoved him to the ground. "Trash. Why should I keep you alive?" He glared murderously.
Jake, shaking violently, whispered, "D-Don't"
"G-General, the Moonlit Flowers on Cliffside's Edge is in the Capital. Whose hands it's in, I truly don't know. I'm only in charge of the underground intelligence network. My organization hasn't dared infiltrate the Capital yet. Oh, yes, I remember"
Jake recalled something. "T-The Moonlit Flowers on Cliffside's Edge s-should be related to an artifact."
James composed himself, sat, took a deep breath, and lit a cigarette. "Get up and speak to me."
"Yes, yes," Jake replied, crawling toward the sofa and, with considerable effort, seating himself. "What artifact?"
"I-I'm not sure. It was recently unearthed—excavated from the ancient tomb of the Prince of Orchid Mountain, on the border of the Southern Plains. Grave robbers squabbled over it, and it was snatched. It's now in the Cansington antique market."
"Do you know its whereabouts?"
"N-Not at the moment. I-I will immediately use the entire network to search for it. Please give me some time, General. I will inform you immediately."
James looked at Scarlett. She hadn't lied, but his gaze still frightened her. He stood up.
"Henry, do you have ten dollars?" Henry emptied his pockets, handing James a crumpled ten-dollar bill. James tossed it; it landed flawlessly on the sofa beside Jake. Jake heard a whistling sound, then felt numbness in his ears. He didn't dare move.
"I'm a man of my word. Inform Henry at Common Clinic immediately if you find anything." James turned to leave, followed by Henry and Scarlett.
After they left, Jake sighed in relief, wiping his brow. "H-Holy sh*t. Why did the Black Dragon of the Southern Plains, the legendary Ares, come to Cansington? C-Could it be that he was the man rescued by Thea Callahan from the Cadens' residence ten years ago? Yes, it has to be!"
Jake later investigated James, discovering he was the Callahans' son-in-law. Why would the Black Dragon marry into the Callahans? To repay Thea's kindness—specifically, for saving his life. Jake also learned the Black Dragon was Asclepius, explaining Thea's twice-restored appearance. He knew the ghost-masked man who'd caused a stir in Cansington was James Caden, the Callahans' son-in-law and the Black Dragon of the Southern Plains.
"S-Something bad is about to happen in Cansington."
The final promotional sentence was removed as it's irrelevant to the story itself.