Michael had interacted with Eric frequently, but he never anticipated that Eric could harm Shadow."Do you realize your mistake?" Shadow sneered. "You're aiding the enemy against me!"Michael remained unfazed.He sighed. "Brother, stop this. It won't end well. Do you really think you can control the world? In reality, you're just a pawn!""What about you? Aren't you just a pawn for the Innova Group as well?" Shadow retorted angrily.Before Michael could respond, Shadow attacked again. "As your elder brother, I'll teach you a lesson for Mom and Dad!""How dare you bring them up?!" Michael retorted with fury.The two brothers engaged in a fierce battle."You only care about the Crimson Order and martial arts! Mom and Dad were calling your name before they died! And what did you do?" Michael was indignant.After a punch that sent Shadow reeling, Michael didn't relent, shouting, "You self-centered fool! Mom and Dad never got to see you! You don't have the right to teach me a lesso
Sylvia had just made a joke. Growing up in wealth, she didn't place much value on money. During her time at Williams Corp., her salary and benefits surpassed what she received at the Innova Group.Eric remarked, "By the way, I noticed that Michael suffered internal injuries just now. I didn't expect him to know martial arts."Eric was puzzled because Michael wasn't a local in Salt City. So, who had he clashed with last night?Sylvia smiled. "Well, Michael came from an international company. Knowing martial arts is quite normal. Besides, it's not a bad thing. Many people want to harm us, so having some martial arts skills for self-defense is good."Eric agreed with Sylvia's perspective. However, he still had many doubts. When Shadow came to Salt City, Ruth suspected that Michael was Shadow.Considering their strikingly similar silhouettes, Eric wondered if Michael had some connection with Shadow. After all, until now, the three giants hadn't come looking for trouble with Michael.
Eric boldly speculated that the three major international giants and the Crimson Order were affiliated.In response, Michael nodded and sighed, stating, "You're right. He is my brother."With this confirmation, Eric sighed with mixed feelings. Ruth's suspicion wasn't baseless—Michael's silhouette resembled Shadow's.Michael clarified, "He didn't send me to infiltrate the Innova Group. Although we are related by blood, we have different perspectives."He has been obsessed with martial arts since a young age. I never thought he would join the Crimson Order and become an important figure in it."What surprised me even more was that the Crimson Order is also behind the three giants."While Eric had long known that Michael was not an ordinary person, he never expected him to be so well-informed. From Shadow to the Crimson Order and then to the three giants, Michael seemed to know everything inside out.A sense of danger enveloped Eric. The consequences would have been unimaginable if
"Michael Ortega and Shadow... they're biological brothers!""I knew it! Their silhouettes are too similar!" Ruth exclaimed. "But I checked his background. His parents passed away several years ago, and his brother, Lucius, supposedly died five years ago in a car accident."It finally dawned on her that Lucius didn't truly die. He had faked his death to deceive them."Lucius faked his death. I wonder how many others are faking their deaths like him…" Ruth voiced her concern.Reflecting on it, Ruth felt fear. Some of the people they investigated and confirmed as dead were exceptional martial artists. Were those individuals really deceased?Ruth felt it necessary to follow this lead, investigate further, and verify certain things. She quickly ended the call with Eric.-Meanwhile, Michael continued to work diligently for the Innova Group.After Sylvia's safe return, he planned to expand to overseas markets and lead the effort personally. The threat of detention by their opponents
Matteo could not dispute the analysis' accuracy, leaving him no choice but to accept it. Immediately after concluding the call with Matteo, Tiger called Eric."Mr. Johnson, the underground scene in King City is under siege! It appears someone is attempting to seize control of the streets and bring unity. Several influential figures have already fallen victim!""Tiger, I'm already aware. Remember Matteo from King City? I've asked him to seek refuge in Salt City. Unfortunately, I need to trouble you," Eric explained."Mr. Johnson, it's no trouble at all," Tiger reassured.King City's multitude of gangs was the reason Salt City hadn't succumbed to their influence. Tiger understood that if King City's streets were consolidated, Salt City would undoubtedly become a target. Although it was not as affluent as King City, it still held its allure."Is it because of that book?" Sylvia asked.Eric had briefed her on the matter in Phoenix City. Last night, she had witnessed Eric diligently w
Upon reaching Salt City, Matteo and his men remained in a state of fear, still haunted by the harrowing encounter with over a dozen grandmasters.Tiger attempted to alleviate Matteo's panic. "Matteo, I've instructed my men to stay vigilant at checkpoints. Even if the grandmasters show up, we'll detect them first."Tiger's confidence in Salt City stemmed from his prior interactions with Matteo in King City, as well as Matteo's connection with Eric, making him more than willing to assist. Additionally, Tiger foresaw the convenience of helping Matteo upon his return to King City.Simultaneously, the Combat Department in King City took decisive action. Accustomed to large-scale conflicts, their intervention aimed to uncover the orchestrator behind the turmoil. The department quickly captured several grandmasters, some losing their lives in the process.-In the afternoon, Eric received information from the Combat Department revealing the group's quest for the book Scar had unearthed.
With matters settled, Eric and Sylvia departed from Tiger's residence.Sylvia cast a quick glance at Eric, offering a smile. "I didn't expect you to be so capable now. By the way, what level have you reached?"Sylvia was genuinely curious. Eric's prowess in medicine was unmatched. Aside from a handful of seasoned holistic physicians in King City, no one could rival him in the field. However, when it came to martial arts, Eric had relatively little experience."Legend?" Eric responded uncertainly. "Perhaps even more formidable than a legend?"Given his brief exposure to martial arts, Eric couldn't entirely grasp it himself. Yet, he had a sense that it might surpass the legendary status, especially considering his ability to seriously injure Shadow in Falcon City.Sylvia beamed with pride. She had witnessed Eric's growth firsthand, from the time he borrowed money from her as an ordinary employee to their collaboration at the Innova Group.-With Michael leading a team to Phoenix C
"It took you quite a while to wake up," Ruth remarked. "Well, if I were you, I wouldn't be eager to wake up either with such beauty in my arms."From Eric's voice, she gathered that he hadn't gotten up yet.Eric sighed. "Do you know how the antagonists in novels usually meet their end?"Ruth paused momentarily and asked, "How do they meet their end?""They meet their demise from talking too much. Anyway, what's up? Have you reached Salt City?" Eric asked.The previous night, Eric had learned from Pierce that Ruth had arrived in Salt City with a group of grandmasters from the Combat Department."Yes, we're in Salt City now," Ruth replied. "We're gearing up for our operation after a short break. If you're not busy, lend us a hand."It was clear that the Combat Department had acquired some information, as Ruth wouldn't have made such a request otherwise. Given the circumstances, Eric couldn't decline.Dealing with this group of people could bring peace to Salt City.-After brea