A Dish Best Served Cold (The Man In Rage)
Chapter 1964

It was raining cats and dogs.

After a day of hard work, Norton, the head of the Vias family, finally had a chance to take a breather.

When his father was holding the position as the head of the family, Norton always admired how impressive he was in his role.

He was regarded as someone with absolute power and had everyone's life and death right in his palms. A very powerful man, indeed!

However, now that he had succeeded his father, Norton realized just how much he had judged a book by its cover. Apart from the glory that came with the position, there were actually a series of tedious tasks to manage and a list of unending social events to attend.

Lo and behold, there isn't one easy role to play in this world. Each title given comes with its own fair share of requirements and responsibilities. I bet it's the same for kingship in China. Heavy is the head that wears the crown.

Just when Norton was resting, the door was pushed

open abruptly.

The bitter wind swept the room with menacing intent, and the cold woke Norton up.

Enraged, he bellowed, "Who the h*ll barged in without my permission?"

However, a long silence ensued.

The puzzled Norton got up from the couch and turned around to take a peek.

Swoosh!

A bolt of lightning flashed outside the door at that moment, giving him a dim light source to catch a glimpse of what was before him.

He saw a pair of blood-stained hands holding the doorframe.

"W-Who is it?"

A shiver ran down Norton's spine as his face turned ghastly.

At that moment, a figure dragged himself into the room and tried hard to crawl forward.

"Mr... Mr. Vias, run... Quick!"

The man collapsed onto the ground lifelessly after spitting out his last words with all his might.

Norton was completely baffled by the bizarre and mind-boggling scene.

He dashed over and pushed the door open, only to be greeted by the pitch-black night.

The pitter-patter of the rain on the roof was the only thing that could be heard.

Right then, another lightning struck, and the entire backyard of the castle was awash in light.

At last, he saw it!

The stairs were scattered with dead bodies.

As the rain poured down on them, the whole place was dyed red.

He gazed down and realized that a corpse was lying at his feet.

Immediately, he was frightened out of his wits.

A buzzing sound appeared in his head due to extreme shock and panic.

He almost slumped to the ground in despair.

It was hard to believe that a massacre had happened during the mere few minutes while he was taking a rest.

Vaguely, he saw a silhouette through the thick rain curtain. The shadow was swinging a sickle mercilessly, seemingly culling the likes of men like a Grim Reaper.

In a split second, he appeared right in front of Norton, a step away from cutting the latter's throat.

Strangely, the person retreated like a bolt from the blue.

Why did he go away? Did he finally come to his senses?

Anyhow, it was not the time for Norton to ponder over these things.

With a life and death matter at hand, he quickly gave an order and called upon all the leaders of the Vias family for an urgent meeting.

"Everyone is to meet at the family conference hall in half an hour. Attendance is compulsory, or you don't have to come anymore."

Norton was resolute about having all of them attend the meeting.

Some of the leaders used the rainy day as an excuse not to be present, and it made Norton livid.

He rebuked, "Get yourselves here at once even if it's raining knives and swords! The survival of the Vias family is at stake. I shall see who dares to be absent!"

At his command, the tranquil city was transformed into a vibrant one with hustle and bustle going on in different areas.

A number of flashy cars set off from various places, braving the rain and other challenges to get to the Vias family conference hall in thirty minutes.

Within the stipulated duration, many elders who had been leading a life of luxury showed up one after another.

Normally, the gatherings involving all the leaders of the Vias family would be merry, with lots of drinking, laughter, and chatters about women and the good old days.

Ironically, not a single chuckle escaped their lips this time.

There was a suffocating silence in the huge hall. The air was as thick as butter, and the tension was so sharp that it could cut.

Everyone was holding their breath because dozens of dead bodies were put on display at the very front of the hall.

The corpses were none other than the subordinates serving the Viases, including some very capable martial artists.

All of them were dead, and their pale faces were covered with blood.

It was a terrifying sight to the prominent family that had gone from strength to strength since its establishment in India several centuries ago.

"Mr. Vias, what... what's going on?"

"Who did this?" "How dare someone invade the Vias family and go on a mass killing?" "Who is the murderer?"

"Has the culprit been caught?"

Infuriated, the crowd posted their questions to Norton, who shook his head indifferently.

"Everyone, what do you think we should do next? It's Uncle Fen Tian's wedding tomorrow. How is it possible that such a tragedy befell us at this critical juncture? The opponent has killed all of our subordinates today, and we might be the victims tomorrow," Norton said solemnly.

Everyone else paled as they panicked.

"Mr. Vias, this case must be thoroughly investigated. Meanwhile, I suggest we declare a state of emergency within the family and call upon all of the support we can get to ensure the safety of the clan. Additionally, we must initiate a search to find the culprit at all costs and punish him severely!" an elder proposed.

The rest chimed in immediately.

"That's right!"

"Whoever messes with our family must pay the price!"

"Hunt them down and kill them!"

Filled with resentment toward a common enemy, all the leaders exclaimed theirtaunts in unison.

This was the very first time the Vias family had been invaded right under their own noses.

It was a downright humiliation to the century-old prominent family.

Hatred brewed in them, and the only way to vent it would be to arrest the culprit and teach him a harsh lesson.

In the midst of everyone venting their frustration and anger, the tightly shut door was slammed open.

The icy cold wind surged through the aperture and into the hall, howling like demons ready to devour its prey. The crowd turned their heads anxiously and looked in the same direction.

Two figures came into view in an instant.

The slender man carried weapons behind his back and walked in casually with a straight face.

He was holding the hand of a curvy lady who was sashaying along in a long dress. She looked utterly stunning. Thousands of water droplets fell on them, only to be seen evaporating into thin air, creating a foggy scene. The two silhouettes lingered amidst the fog, building the suspense.

As they slowly walked toward the hall, the crowd finally saw who that lady was.

"Noa?"

"Ms. Vias?"

Everyone was stupefied.

"How dare you defile our hallowed grounds? Who let you in without my permission? You, the black sheep of the family, get out of here now!" Norton went ballistic and shouted at the top of his lungs upon snapping back to his senses.

However, her brother's rebuke fell on Noa's deaf ear as she continued walking with her hand still holding the man's arm. They marched past the crowd, heading toward the highest spot in the entire hall. At last, Ye Fan led Noa to where Norton was seated.

He waved his arm and cast a ball of energy which sent Norton flying.

Then, he gazed at Noa and gave her a nod.

Upon receiving his signal, Noa took the most revered seat in the household.

Ye Fan stood next to her, looming over the leaders of the Vias family.

"Henceforth, Noa shall be the head of the Vias family. Is anyone dissatisfied?" His cold and stern voice resonated across the hall.

Norton propped himself up from the floor and refuted, "What a joke! Who do you think you are to challenge my authority as the head of the Viases? Someone, please get him—"

Whoosh!

While Norton was still roaring furiously, Ye Fan made a slight gesture and launched a scarlet sword he carried on his back out of its sheath.

The next moment, a rumbling sound was heard as the sword flew a few feet across the hall and slashed Norton's head!

The most bizarre thing happened thereafter.

As soon as Norton's head fell off, his body was engulfed by flames.

The reflection of the blazing flame on the scarlet sword made its color even more pronounced.