At Grunt's orders, the soldiers exchanged doubtful looks with each other. Yet Grunt's expression was deathly solemn, and the soldiers dared not question him further, speeding out of the canyon.

In the blink of an eye, Grunt and Darryl were the only ones left at the cave entrance.

"Darryl Darby!"

Gone was the coldness on Grunt's face, and in its place was a satisfied smirk as he turned to face Darryl. "And so what if you were right? So what if I had been putting up an act with Oliver just now? What would it matter if you saw through it? Who would believe you?

"I'll admit you're a powerful, skilled man. Great enough for even the Ancient Ancestors to change how they see you and make you the Nine Heaven Sage. You still lost to me in the end, though, didn't you?"

Grunt was overwhelmed with emotion toward the end of his speech, a crazed look on his face.

Darryl sighed with a pained smile on his face. "I know you detest me for what happened with Princess Dorothy, Grunt, but it was all a