Eric had little time to address the issues between himself and Julius. Perhaps only when Julius closed his eyes for the last time would Eric be able to forgive him. But by then, would it be too late?He had no time for such thoughts.-On this particular day, Jack and his group returned. Having left the battlefield, Jack was still buzzing with excitement as if injected with adrenaline. He animatedly described to Eric their chaotic exploits abroad. These strategists and sages were not only intellectually sharp but also extraordinarily skilled in martial arts."Being abroad is exhilarating!" he exclaimed. "Their systems have collapsed, and laws and regulations are nonexistent. It's complete anarchy. We could kill as many as we wanted, and no one would come after us. It was... incredibly thrilling!"He summarized his experience with two words: incredibly thrilling.Eric simply watched him.Sensing something amiss, Jack hesitated. "Mr. Johnson, is there a problem?"Eric responded w
In Naturia, human life was considered the most precious, the most noble, and priceless. However, abroad, a human life was worth less than a dog's life in Naturia. Death came swiftly, without hesitation or remorse.The most terrifying part was that no one cared or intervened. There were even malevolent individuals deliberately sabotaging and destroying life-saving drugs.The sages arrived at Eric's place. They seemed transformed, no longer exuding their previous arrogance. There was a heaviness to them now, perhaps even a hint of killing intent. They felt they were closing in on the mastermind behind the chaos. But they were still far from their goal. The road ahead was long."Mr. Johnson!" One of the sages gritted his teeth. "From now on, leave the task of sending vaccines abroad to us! If the world falls into darkness, we are willing to be that glimmer of light, no matter how many lives it costs!"When they first emerged from seclusion, they aimed to conquer the world. Now, they h
Julius was visiting Salt City for the first time. Like Henry, Amelia, and Irvin, who warmly welcomed him, the rest of the family also showed enthusiasm.However, Eric and Grace were exceptions. Fortunately, Yvette often circled around Julius, ensuring he didn't feel too left out.From Grace's demeanor, it seemed clear to everyone that any romantic prospects between her and Julius were likely doomed. After all, there was still Nera to consider.The entire family basked in the harmonious and picturesque moment, marking the first time Eric's closest ones gathered so completely.Eric and Sylvia had temporarily stepped back from managing the Innova Group, leaving everything in the capable hands of Andy and Michael. Their competence was unquestionable, and they could handle the company's responsibilities with ease.Not long after, Pierce also arrived in Salt City. His last visit had been during Eric and Sylvia's wedding.People naturally desired a complete family with both sons and dau
"I think such a scene is incredibly rare abroad," Eric remarked, nodding repeatedly.The last time he visited Haevon, the city was already in ruins. He feared the situation might be even worse now.The couple followed the tourists, climbing step by step. They paused frequently to rest, primarily because Eric was concerned about Sylvia's health.After half a day, they finally reached the main gate. This was where the tourists had to stop—beyond lay the true Celestial Sage Sanctum. A guard stood watch at the gate. Seeing Eric and Sylvia approaching, he hurried forward. "Mr. Johnson, Ms. Williams, Father Preston is expecting you."Sylvia glanced at Eric, puzzled. She hadn't heard anything about Eric informing the sanctum of their visit.Eric shrugged, equally clueless.Inside the main hall, many clerics were already seated. "Ah, Mr. Johnson, we meet again," they greeted with smiles.They were very familiar with Eric and Sylvia as they had once lived in the sanctum for nearly a
Sylvia was astonished. A few years ago, when Eric faced the leader of the Crimson Order, their battle was evenly matched, ultimately leaving Eric severely injured. How had only a few years passed, and Eric could now handle it with one hand? The speed of his growth was simply astounding.But as Eric had said, no matter how high one's martial arts skills were, they were useless against a bullet.Since the Haevon virus began rampaging, not only had the virus spread uncontrollably, but armed conflicts had erupted everywhere. In places where the system had collapsed, it was the armed forces that reestablished order. Even the most formidable individuals in such places were often doomed.Eric wasn't foolish enough to seek death by going there. What was wrong with living peacefully? A warm home with a wife and kids was far more comfortable than anything else.-A few days later, Jack and his group returned from abroad. This time, they had lost several more people, though they managed to d
Fortunately, the virus was no longer as terrifying due to the vaccine's distribution.By now, the sages believed that the Innova Group should not distribute the vaccine for free. Firstly, there was no obligation, and secondly, the cost of production was high.Most importantly, in the course of doing this, people would indeed die. Without funding, who would handle the aftermath? How would they manage it? Could a simple statement solve everything? If words alone could solve issues, the world wouldn't be in its current state.After experiencing these events twice, Jack realized how naive and ridiculous the initial decisions had been. However, humans were always capable of growth, learning from experiences, and gradually changing their worldview through the process.The sages and strategists had become an unstoppable force. They had grown, showing both courage and wisdom. After spending a few days in Salt City, they set off once more.Anna no longer felt anything for Eric. She believe
Two days later, Jared's memorial service came to an end.Although Kayden had once been somewhat of a troublemaker, his loyalty to his family was beyond reproach.Kayden sighed. "Life is but a few decades long. Why fight over this and that? Eric, for all the wrongs my parents did to you, I apologize on their behalf."Eric patted Kayden's shoulder. "In the end, we are family. What's past is past. There's no need to bring it up again."He bore grudges, but he also knew that some things had to be let go. How could one live while holding on to old hatreds?Hank also spoke at length, though not about the Johnson family. He lamented the troubled times. "The Dortmund virus was already bad enough, and now we have the Haevon virus."Luckily, we live in the countryside. There's less movement of people, and the air is cleaner. Sometimes, living in the countryside isn't so bad—no need to yearn for those big cities."Eric smiled. "Every place has its advantages. Take care of yourself. Despite
Tiger was the top figure in Salt City's underground scene, and with the recent legalization of underground arenas, his prominence had only increased. Thanks to the earlier restructuring by the Combat Department, figures like Tiger had become more visible and legitimate.While Eric wasn't particularly concerned with the affairs of the underworld, he figured it wouldn't hurt to ask a few questions.Brook sighed and said, "What else can be said? We just aren't as skilled. But there's something strange about it. Those people didn't show up early or late. Could they be associated with the sages and strategists?"The Haevon virus had swept across the world, bringing out all sorts of characters. It wouldn't be surprising if a group of skilled fighters followed the sages and strategists. Maybe, as Brook suggested, those fighters were indeed part of the same faction.Eric shook his head. "I doubt it. They are all out on missions. Their tasks have been exceptionally heavy lately, so it's unl