Chapter 603 Is It An Invitation To Goodwill

"Speak, Edward. Don't try my patience! I'm telling you, any falsehood you utter will mean your death. This is my final warning," Ricky said with a snarl. His face contorted with distaste as he pushed Edward aside. Gingerly, he patted his hands together as if to shake off the other man's filth. The sight of his displeasure filled Edward with alarm and fear.

His mouth opened and then promptly closed, his mind cast about for the words that would save him from further admonishment. Edward cleared his throat to start over, a play for time as he struggled to catch his breath.

"Hey, what are you waiting for? Just tell us straight. How did you know our exact location?" Soar barked the question at Edward through gritted teeth.

"We knew your location through Samson and Carley!" Edward confessed, his mouth tripped over his words in his haste. His words ended in a high-pitched squeak as fear got the better of him.

"What? What are you talking about? You mean we signaled our location to you?" Samson's and Carley's eyes widened at the accusation, heads snapped towards Edward's location as they ran his words over and over in their heads. Incredulous, they instinctively launched their enlightening power to detect any suspicious energy or activity inside their bodies, but they found none.

"Express yourself clearly!" Ricky bellowed at Edward.

"We produced a special tracking powder using the blood of the Golden Leopard Valley members to form the guiding constituent. When it was finished, we stealthily planted the tracking powder on their bodies. With the aid of this tracking powder, all the disciples from the Golden Leopard Valley can sense Samson and Carley from far away." Even as he cowered under Ricky's gaze, Edward managed to murmur a minute explanation.

"How dare you guys!" Samson bellowed. He stood rigid as he stared down hard at Edward. Seething, he clenched his trembling fist at his side. He willed himself to stand still lest he made another mistake.

All warriors hated to be watched and tracked, and Samson was no exception.

Samson wasn't the only one feeling sick at that hour though. Edward cursed himself for having taken the initiation to come here. He shouldn't have come to see Ricky and his companions.

His foolishness led him here, short of a secret trump card and with his life at risk. He swallowed thickly, pushing down words that might make the whole situation even worse.

"I'm going to kill you!" Samson roared with anger as he lunged toward Edward. Instantly, he held a knife against the other's neck. A drop of blood trickled from the sharp point to the smooth, shining edge of the blade.

Just as quickly, Madeline stood beside him, close enough to grab him by the collar and pull him back. She chopped at his wrist, loosening his hold on the handle. The knife dropped to her waiting hand.

Samson let her. He stood limp at her side, calming himself with quick, quivering breaths

that Ricky would believe his elaborate lie and accept Martin's invitation. Seconds passed, but time didn't make it easier for him to accept or even understand Ricky's decision. Edward fumbled, grasped for straws, as he came to grips with the fact that he revealed their highly guarded secret for this plan too.

"It seems that telling them the truth is the only option I have left," Edward muttered to himself. With his mind made up, he heaved a heavy sigh.

"Edward, I told you. I have no interest in that golden opportunity. In other words, I have no more time to waste on this." Ricky flashed him a toothy smile, resembling a predator's flash of fangs. "You better leave immediately before I initiate my killing desire.

By the way, tell Martin I will look for him even if he's unwilling to see me."

Edward nodded solemnly. His eyes trained on the ground as he listened to Ricky.

"I'll let you off this time. Next time, you'll be belly-up as soon we see you," Ricky warned, his lips curling in condescension.

"Before I leave, may I have a word?" Edward asked in a small voice. He clenched his fist as he gathered enough courage to look up.

"Enough talk! Do you want me to cut off your tongue?" Soar bellowed. The pathetic sight made him angrier. He rolled up his sleeves and started kicking at Edward's shins.

Ricky grabbed him by his shirt before he could cause more damage. A single glance between them was enough to persuade Soar to keep his cool.

"Speak! I'll give you another ten seconds," Ricky said, directing a withering glare at the man.

"The Land of Opportunity discovered by our young master is called the Birthplace of Ghosts by the Golden Leopard Valley and the Nanchao Clan." Edward bulldozed through his story. "You might want to think twice about accepting Martin's invitation."

With that, Edward gathered himself to his full height and fled.

Ricky and the others were all too stunned to even notice his escape.