“Zahal, why does this Young Wang have a more prominent status than us, being seated in such a distinguished row?” Zahal asked, bristling with anger. Vera responded with a calm smile: "I'm not at liberty to disclose Young Wang's identity. However, his seating was determined by the diplomatic department of Wind & Fire Corporation and the CEO of M&N, so it's completely fair.” Dismissing Zahal, Vera turned to Jonathan with a smile: "Young Wang, the event is about to start. Shall you return to your seat?” “Certainly!” Jonathan cast a sidelong glance at Zahal before casually strolling away. Zahal's complexion was ashen. Everyone seemed to mock him for his narrow perspective, like a frog in a well. Once Jonathan had settled into his seat, Vera didn't immediately leave but sat beside him. Jonathan frowned: "What's the matter?” He was questioning the seating arrangement. “Selena told me you would be coming, so last night, I called the corporation's chairman to arrange a seat for you,”
"Do you have anything else you want to ask me?" Before Zahal could regain his composure, Jonathan had glanced his way and calmly inquired. Zahal wanted to refute but found himself at a loss for words. Jonathan had proven his competence, showing that he could secure Adela's booth in the six southwestern cities. With Oron speaking up, even the Nevaeh stores owned by his family would be able to continue. The treasure was one of the reputable enterprises in the southwestern city business block. "Young Wang, I, I was wrong. I genuinely did not know you… you were such a prominent figure!" Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Zahal instinctively begged for mercy. Jonathan was a character who could make the impossible possible; if he bore grudges and sought revenge, would the Nevaeh stores stand a chance? To win Adela, Zahal had offended someone untouchable! "Young Wang!" At this moment, Oron had respectfully spoken up, awaiting Jonathan's response. Jonathan responded indiff
Jonathan spent one more day in San Francisco before returning to Los Angeles. His return to Slab was about his identity. His visit to San Francisco was for Adela and Curtis. Yet, something was still awaiting him in Los Angeles, something he couldn't avoid. Augustus! Jonathan, who had managed to withstand the southward assault from the underworld king, Augustus, until today, had no reason to feel ashamed before Top-Sky House and Wolfgang any longer. No matter the outcome, he had to finish this task. Afterward, he would withdraw. In truth, ever since his time in prison, he had no desire to assume the mantle of Top-Sky House. Few might believe it, but both he and Wolfgang knew the truth. Now, he was nearly at the end of his journey. Suddenly, Jonathan felt the burden he carried somewhat lightened. Jonathan went to the hospital. Upon knocking and entering the room, he was taken aback. A woman shouldn't have been there in Saint's hospital room. "You should step outside." Sain
The preparations for the fight were in order. Augustus, flanked by Lancelot and Bernie. Jonathan, accompanied by Drake and Harvey. Both sides stepped onto the battlefield like a secret pact had been formed between them. They advanced until they stood amidst their camps before halting. "This time, I can exact my revenge." Augustus uttered with a smile. Jonathan, showing no signs of inferiority, retorted promptly: "The one who should be saying that is me, considering the havoc you've wreaked on the South during your time here." Augustus replied: "Ha, Jonathan, you’re not as simple as you appear! You're the first to have dealt me such a painful blow for a decade." Jonathan riposted: "Well, then it’s an honor! Do you think I could be the one to expel you from the South, Mr. Alexander?" "That’s something only time will tell!" "Fine, let's wait and see." Following this verbal joust, Jonathan and Augustus withdrew, returning to their corners. No sooner had Jonathan sat down than G
On the battlefield, Harvey staggered dizzily due to excessive blood loss, teetering on the brink of collapse. His sluggish response had given Amaya an opportunity. She lunged forward, her twin blades simultaneously thrusting toward Harvey's throat. It was a lethal move, and Harvey was sure to die. Moreover, given his performance in the battle, Harvey could in no way dodge it. Three inches! One inch! Half an inch! Just as the blade was about to cut into Harvey's throat, a hand swiftly reached out, seizing both knives in its palm. Amaya's face immediately altered! She realized that her opponent had deceived her. But once a step was misplaced, all was lost, and it was too late. Crash! Harvey punched Amaya hard in the chest, sending her flying backward into the steel railing some seven or eight meters away. When she fell to the ground, Amaya's petite body convulsed, then lay still. Everyone fell silent. No one dared believe that a fool like Harvey could feign weakness to dec
The air bristled with palpable tension as every gaze gravitated toward the two figures atop the platform. This combat seemed predestined, a culmination of a long-awaited clash. And tonight, it finally arrived. "I wish to challenge you at your strongest!" Augustus was taken aback by Jonathan's decision, considering it the furthest from prudent. Given the circumstances, Jonathan's best bet would be to sacrifice Drake, his remaining trump card, heedless of life or death to deplete his opponent's vitality. Drake, the so-called underworld king of the Northeast, held a formidable stature. Though unable to match Augustus, he could considerably drain his strength if he put forth all his might. By then, Jonathan could seize the opportunity with a higher probability of triumph. However, in this combat, victory was a dangerous three-to-one gamble. Foolhardiness has no place in such crucial decisions, yet Jonathan had taken this reckless leap. "I can't fathom what you're thinking, but for yo
A week later! Jonathan lay in the hospital bed, his right leg and left arm swathed in bandages, his neck braced, and his body studded with medical wires. According to the doctor, it was nothing short of a miracle that he had survived such severe injuries. But he was likely to be left with many handicaps, and martial arts would henceforth remain a distant dream. The person sitting next to the hospital bed was none other than Augustus! No longer were they swords drawn, but instead, they resembled friends. If it weren’t for the disputes over interests, people with similar ideologies like them could very well have been friends. “This time, I’ve come to bid you farewell. I will keep my promise. Once I leave the Southwest, I will never return." Augustus calmly declared an air of relief about him. Sitting in bed, Jonathan blinked his eyes and said: "I’ll arrange for your Heavenly Emperor Corporation to have three years to move your assets from the Southwest to minimize your losses.”
Half a month later, Jonathan managed to move about again, albeit with difficulty. With his current health condition, a slight breeze could knock him over. Even if he fully recovers, Jonathan could only live as an ordinary man, his health perhaps inferior. His organs still functioned adequately, but he probably couldn't shoulder heavy weights or hold anything with his hands. The prospect of martial arts was utterly out of the question. It wasn't that there was no solution, but this was not a typical medical issue. In other words, he could only hope for the right doctor with the right medicine. However, Jonathan wasn't overly concerned about this. He had learned these martial arts skills in prison, and whether he could use them in the future wasn't necessary. Let it be! After completing the discharge procedures, Jonathan bought a high-speed train ticket to New York. With no other affairs, he sat quietly on the train. Watching the landscapes of the Southwest gradually recede, Jona