Chapter 344: 344: A Familiar Name_1

“`

“If you think you can make me betray Skyfire, you might as well drop dead!” Hamza sneered coldly, his eyes filled with disdain: “In my life, I, Hamza, have been loyal to the Sect Hierarch without ever harboring a second thought! I’d rather die than live to see my late years dishonored!”

Within Skyfire, Hamza’s reputation was exceedingly noble. Had it not been for his outspoken and straightforward nature that offended many, Saint Heir would not have had a chance to succeed today.

In fact, even Saint Heir believed that the Sect Hierarch would bypass Hamza, He had Hamza locked up by the Law Enforcement Hall just to give him a warning.

After all, Hamza was the only one in Skyfire who treated Saint Heir with indifference.

Through today’s events, even if the followers within Skyfire were discontent, they would harbor second thoughts and dare not openly express themselves like this.

And Hamza himself valued his reputation above all else, preferring death to becoming a traitor.

“If you want to die, that’s very easy.” Julius Reed walked around Hamza once, saying lazily: “In fact, there are many who wish you dead, but I am the one who least wants you gone.”

“Why?” Hamza couldn’t help but ask.

Since he had been captured and was being tempted to turn traitor, Hamza could be certain that this young man was an enemy, an enemy of Skyfire.

Definitely not their friend!

“The assassination at the villa’s gate…”

“I had it arranged.” Julius Reed interrupted before Hamza could finish, candidly admitting to it.

“Then the arrow in my shoulder…”

“The arrow in your shoulder was shot by me as well. I know what you want to ask. In fact, I deliberately aimed off target. Otherwise, even if you were a deity, you would be dead,” Julius Reed said, patting Hamza’s shoulder, making no effort to hide his identity: “I am your nemesis, and I am here to kill the Saint Heir in Five-river Province.”

“Why do this! Why didn’t you just kill me!” Hamza roared, eyes blazing with anger.

If it weren’t for this arrow wound, even if someone was suspicious, they wouldn’t dare to speak out in the meeting.

Although Hamza’s status within Skyfire was not the highest, he was synonymous with loyalty, having followed the Sect Hierarch through life and death for decades and achieving countless feats of valor.

But today, because of the arrow wound on his arm, people stood up in the meeting to accuse him, leaving Hamza with no way to explain himself.

The power of that arrow was immense; had it been meant to kill him, he would have had no chance to dodge!

Saint Heir had seized upon this to smear Hamza’s reputation. Now that he had been proven innocent, the Sect Hierarch’s trust in him was bound to decrease by a notch.

“What use would killing you serve?” Julius Reed squatted in front of Hamza, smiling: “Killing you would mean nothing more than the death of a minor Skyfire leader. But what if I were to cast suspicion upon you? That alone would be enough to cause a rift within Skyfire, and make you live a fate worse than death. People who are fond of their reputation, I particularly enjoy dragging it through the mud.”

Julius Reed walked over and picked up a computer, playing a video in front of Hamza.

In the video, Hamza breaks free from the guards, seizes a knife, and kills someone!

“This is impossible! You…” On seeing the footage, Hamza felt a chill run from his tailbone to the top of his skull!

Even he himself believed that the person in the video was him!

He couldn’t detect the slightest trace of a body double, so what about others? It would be even harder for them!

“You’re really trying to frame me to death!” Hamza sighed deeply, his breathing becoming more and more rapid.

There were already those within Skyfire who supported Saint Heir, and now with this video getting out, Hamza’s image as a traitor would undoubtedly be confirmed, and even the Sect Hierarch would be unable to absolve him.

Death, Hamza was not afraid of it at all.

He had followed the Sect Hierarch for decades, always taking the lead on the most difficult assignments.

For decades, he had lived on the edge, licking blood from the blade, escaping death on countless occasions.

“`

But being labeled a traitor was a thousand times worse than death itself.

If a minute ago Hamza had been completely consumed by the desire to die, now his urge to live was overwhelmingly strong.

Only by surviving could he have the chance to prove his innocence; death would most certainly cast an irremovable stain of injustice upon him.

Hamza didn’t wish to die with such infamy.

“How about it? I’m not giving you much time to think,” Julius Reed drew a dagger from his waist and slowly pressed it against Hamza’s neck, “If you’re so intent on dying, I’ll oblige you and preserve your reputation for loyalty. Not only will I send your body back, but I’ll also make it known in front of the Saint Heir that you remained defiant after being captured by me and ultimately died a hero.”

“You…” Hamza was so angry he felt like his lungs might explode. Such actions would not prove his innocence at all, and worse, his body could end up being burned by the sect’s extremists – or even worse, tossed aside as refuse!

“Since you wish for death, I won’t force you. After all, a melon forced off its vine is not sweet,” Julius Reed said, his dagger slowly piercing Hamza’s skin to the point that a few beads of blood emerged.

“I agree… I agree to surrender.” A sense of powerlessness swept over Hamza instantly, causing all his pride and resolve to die with it in a flash.

Death leaves one with nothing.

Reputation, prestige, or wealth and riches.

But alive, just being alive, everything is within reach.

“Oh? You don’t want to die now?” Julius Reed gently retracted the dagger, smiling, “You better think carefully. If I dare to let you go, I will surely take precautions, so don’t fantasize about living to clear your name or anything of the sort.”

He pointed at the computer, “Can you cleanse yourself of this affair? You simply can’t! And if I could orchestrate it once, who’s to say I can’t do it a second time?”

Clang!

Julius Reed tossed the dagger onto the ground and said indifferently, “Decide. If you truly wish to live, then serve me faithfully. After Skyfire is extinguished, I will grant you endless wealth and honors. But if you still want to prove your innocence, you might as well die now. I assure you, the more you try to clear your name, the dirtier it will become, and I will make sure you never get back on your feet!”

After hearing these words, Hamza was struck as if by lightning.

His thoughts had been completely seen through, leaving him with no privacy at all.

To die or not to die?

Gradually, desperation turned into anger, and then into hatred!

“Why should they insult me at will? Slander my innocence?”

“In my life, I have given so much to Skyfire, they reap the benefits while I, what’s my fate? Thrown away after being used up like a spent hunting dog?”

“I will show you how terrifying human nature can truly be!”

Hamza deeply kowtowed to Julius Reed, “From today on, I will assist you in overthrowing Skyfire!”

“Very well! I am Julius Reed, you must have heard my name,” Julius Reed picked up the dagger from the ground and swiftly cut through the ropes.

“Julius Reed?”

Hamza felt the name was familiar, yet he couldn’t quite remember.

Suddenly, his eyes widened, and he stammered, “The one who… exterminated the sect years ago…”

“Come, I’m taking you to meet someone else,”

Julius Reed patted his shoulder and turned towards an inner room.