The War God's Homecoming

Chapter 229 The Mastermind

Chapter 229 The Mastermind

"We've screened Ashton Erickson's call records and identified thirty suspicious numbers." A SHADOW guard reported over the phone.

"We found one out-of-town number's owner to be highly suspicious. Plus, he emits an unusual herbal scent. He's the person we've been looking for!"

"Where is he now?" Judge asked in a deep voice.

"He's just entered a restaurant to have a meal."

"Send me the address!" Judge said before hanging up the phone immediately.

He then turned to Billy and recounted the situation.

A few minutes later, the three of them were on their way in a car.

In less than half an hour, Stout parked the car outside a restaurant.

"Commander, Judge!" As they got out of the car, ten members of SHADOW quickly approached.

"Is he still inside?" Billy inquired.

"Yes, he's sitting by the window in the main hall, dressed in a dark gray Daoist robe."

"You guys stay outside. Don't let anyone in for now." Billy instructed before heading towards the main hall.

Stout and the others spread out.

"Reveal the person behind you, and I might spare your life intact." Billy said in a calm tone as he sat across from the man.

At this moment, he was entirely certain that this person was the one they were after. People who frequently dabbled in poisons emitted a unique smell, which Billy could recognize.

The man's hand holding the wine glass paused for a moment, a hint of surprise flickering in his eyes.

"Sir, are you mistaken?" After downing the contents of his glass, the man looked at Billy and asked, feigning innocence.

"Don't entertain any foolish hopes. You don't stand a chance. That will only lead you to experience agony before your death!" Billy's eyes narrowed.

"I said you've got the wrong person. I have no idea what you're talking..." The man replied in a grave voice.

Before he completed the sentence, he suddenly flicked his wrist, sending the wine glass whistling towards Billy's face.

Almost simultaneously, two jet-black snakes shot out from his sleeves. Billy waved his hand, a gust of wind sweeping through and causing the wine glass and the two snakes to burst instantly. The snakes' blood dripped onto the table, making a sizzling sound.

The man clearly hadn't expected Billy's dexterity. His eyebrows furrowed slightly.

Immediately after, he flipped his wrist, and a mass of black mist rapidly billowed towards Billy. The mist's volume was increasing as it approached. Upon closer inspection, one would find that the mist was filled with densely packed tiny black insects, emitting a faint hissing sound.Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

"Sorcery!" Billy's expression tightened as he spoke. With a swift palm strike, the table was soon splattered with small specks of blood.

Meanwhile, at Judge's urging, the surrounding diners were rushing towards the exit.

"How could you...?" Trembling all over, the man was filled with disbelief. "This black mist is fatally poisonous. How can you remain unharmed?"

"A trivial trick," Billy calmly said. "Do you have any other moves?"

The man didn't seem to have given up yet. He made a sound similar to a whistle with his mouth. In the next moment, a snake as thick as an arm shot out from his woven bag, hurtling towards Billy.

As expected, a cloud of blood mist erupted, and the severed snake's body fell onto the table, twitching a few times before becoming still.

"Damn it!" The man's voice grew somber, and without a second thought, he darted towards the exit, his speed astonishing. He knew his expertise in poison was mere child's play in the eyes of his pursuer. Remaining was a certain death sentence. However, what chance did a Battle General of his level have against escaping from Billy's grasp?

But before he could cover more than a few paces, three silver needles shot into him from his waist, causing him to collapse instantly, the lower half of his body numb. Struggling to lift his head, he looked at Billy and managed to ask, "Who... What are you? Why aren't you afraid of poisons?"

Stout approached and remarked, "It's truly laughable to think your petty tricks could harm the King of the West."

Hearing Stout's words, the man trembled, his face reflecting boundless fear. "You're... You're Commander Gardner!"

The name alone was enough to fill him with despair. If he had known, he would never have dared to cross paths with Commander Gardner, a figure that even the elders of the Southern Edge region feared.

Realization struck-meeting him was sheer misfortune, a result of forgetting to consult his fortune before stepping out.

"That's enough. Speak. Who ordered you?" Billy moved closer. "And let me emphasize again, don't harbor illusions of escape. Otherwise, your life will become a living nightmare."

That man heaved a heavy sigh, his demeanor crumbling. He understood too well that defying Billy any further would only bring more misery upon himself.

"It was requested by Master Will. He promised that as long as I helped him with this, he would provide me with a large supply of medicinal herbs..."

"Who's this Master Will?" Billy asked in a deep voice.

"Will Toye... He's the second son of the Toye family, one of the four major families in Enssea..."

"Is he in Ozin?" Judge roared in anger.

"I... I don't know..."

"The incident involving using patients for drug testing, were you involved? Did you prepare the medicine?" Judge continued asking.

"No... I wasn't... I wasn't involved in that matter..."

"Execute him!" Billy's voice grew colder. He then turned and walked towards the exit.

"No, please..." The man's voice was filled with despair. "Spare me!"

Before he could finish speaking, a trail of blood appeared on his throat. His body convulsed a few times before falling motionless to the ground.

"Will Toye should be in Ozin. Check his phone number and locate him!" Soon, the three of them were back in the car, and Billy issued orders.

"Yes!" Judge nodded firmly and began making arrangements on his phone.

About fifteen minutes later, Judge's phone rang. After answering the call and listening for a while, he spoke up, "I got it!"

"Boss, Will Toye is indeed here. He's currently at a private estate."

"Good!" A chilling air emanated from Billy. "Go and bring him back to SHADOW!"

Judge and Stout both nodded in agreement.

Two hours later, Judge entered the meeting hall of SHADOW carrying an unconscious young man, followed by Stout.

Thud!

Approaching Billy, Judge threw the young man on the ground and said, "Boss, this is Will Toye."

"Why did you arrest me?" Will Toye woke up and, getting up from the floor, he glared at Billy, his voice filled with hatred.

"You people from SHADOW are truly audacious to dare lay a hand on me. Do you even know who I am?"