“Leo, I’m leaving Langstel and returning to my home country tomorrow. Thank you for showing me the wonders of traditional Chinese medicine. It has given me a new perspective on it,” Monica’s tone suddenly softened, and she extended her hand towards Leo with a smile. She added, “But I still believe Western medicine has the upper hand.”
Leo smiled helplessly, shook her delicate and boneless hand without backing down, and said, “Time will tell. We’ll see each other again.”
“Don’t worry; I’ll come back,” Monica said, putting on sunglasses. “I believe it won’t be long before we meet again.”
Due to work reasons, Monica often traveled to Langstel. However, for some reason, as she was about to part ways with Leo, she felt a hint of reluctance. This kind of emotion was strange for her. Before this, the independent and self-reliant Monica had never felt such a connection to anyone, not even her own parents.
But today, for some reason, she had the impulse to stay a few more days because the man in front of her was too extraordinary, and the impact on her was too significant. However, there was still a lot of work waiting for her back, and she couldn’t linger any longer.
After Monica got into the car, she suddenly leaned out, looked at Leo with interest, and said, “Leo, if one day I quit my job, opening a Western medical clinic next to your clinic might be a good choice.”
After saying that, Monica burst into a series of silver bell-like laughter, started the car, and swiftly disappeared.
Leo watched her disappear in the distance, a warm smile playing on his lips.
…
This was a rarely visited mountain forest. Black ironleaf trees stood tall and straight, resembling proud warriors gazing up at the sky.
Deep within the forest of black ironleaf trees, a giant black palace lay like a beast sprawled across the woods.
Inside the black palace, various key locations were guarded or patrolled by men dressed in black martial attire.
However, within a hundred yards of the central altar on the black iron altar, no man in black martial attire approached.
At this moment, on the iron-cast altar, there were three figures and a black iron coffin.
All three figures were dressed in black robes adorned with delicate golden flame patterns, appearing extremely luxurious.
These three individuals were the top figures of the Fiery Blaze Sect: Sect Master Darcy Bush, Deputy Sect Master Brian, and Grand Elder Jill Barnard.
“Congratulations, Father. You have broken through to the next level,” Brian said with a hint of surprise in his voice, looking at the figure in front of him.
“Hmm,” Darcy Bush stood with hands behind his back, nodding faintly. His aura had now become several times stronger than before.
Beside Darcy Bush, a bit further back, stood a wizened and ugly-looking old man with a dark and gloomy expression.
“Elder Dickens, have you figured out who killed your son?” Darcy Bush looked at the central black iron coffin, then turned to Jill Barnard and asked.
Inside the black iron coffin lay a man well-known to Leo, the leader of the Red Flame Nine Guards, Jason, whom he had dealt with in the underground arena.
“I’ve figured it out,” Jill Barnard’s voice was hoarse and ominous.
“Who is it?” Darcy Bush frowned.
“Quite coincidentally, it’s the same guy who attacked you and your son, that little brat,” Jill Barnard’s eyes flickered with a sinister light. In his mind, he relished the thought that his son died at the hands of that little brat.
“Brian, have you investigated everything about that little brat?” Darcy Bush turned to Brian and inquired.
“Everything is clear, Dad. That guy is the son-in-law of the Henley family, a second-rate family in Langstel. He doesn’t have anything special about him. Originally, he was a mute, but somehow he gained strange techniques and strength…” Brian detailed Leo’s situation to Darcy Bush.
Upon hearing this, Darcy Bush fell silent for a moment. The commanding light flickered in his stern eyes. After a while, he slowly spoke, “This son-in-law must have encountered something extraordinary; otherwise, it’s impossible to possess the strength to kill martial practitioners.”
“Regardless of his encounters, I will tear him apart!” Jill Barnard’s pale old hand slowly clenched as he spoke coldly.
“That little brat is destined to die,” Darcy Bush nodded, a cold gleam passing through his eyes.
Suddenly, Jill Barnard said, “Master, that guy managed to kill the Black and White Elders. His strength should not be underestimated. Moreover, he is currently the honorary head of the Seven Stars Sword Sect, making him even more challenging to deal with. I suggest we contact the Lynd family and join forces to deal with him.”
“The Lynd family?” Darcy Bush raised an eyebrow.
“Yes, the Lynd family has long coveted the territory of the Seven Stars Sword Sect. Given the opportunity to kill the honorary head of the Seven Stars Sword Sect, I believe they won’t stand idly by.”
Darcy Bush’s eyes flashed, finding Jill Barnard’s suggestion reasonable.
“Then send someone to contact the Lynd family, eliminate that bastard Leo, and wipe out the Seven Stars Sword Sect!” Darcy Bush decisively ordered.
“Understood!”
…
In the underground parking lot of the Golden Leaf Shopping Plaza, while waiting for Sophia, Leo made a call to Katayama, informing him that they could visit the Heaven Martial Arts Training Club tomorrow morning together.
Just as he hung up the phone, Sophia opened the car door and got in.
Leo started the car and left the underground parking lot.
“Leo, I don’t feel like going home for dinner today. I’ve already called Nora. Let’s eat out,” Sophia suggested.
“Sure, what do you feel like eating? My treat!”
“How about barbecue?” Sophia proposed. “But I don’t know where the good barbecue places are.”
“No problem, I’ll take you there!” Leo stepped on the gas.
After twenty minutes, Leo brought Sophia to a barbecue stall by the side of the Long River.
Although the barbecue stall was somewhat remote, business was booming. After waiting for a while, they finally got an empty table.
After sitting down, Sophia couldn’t help but ask, “How did you find out about this barbecue stall?”
Leo took out his phone and shook it in front of Sophia. “Of course, it was recommended by enthusiastic netizens.”
The owner approached them with a smile, asking Leo and Sophia what they wanted to eat.
Leo sought Sophia’s opinion, but she said Leo could order, and she would eat whatever he ordered.
After taking the order, the owner smiled and went off to prepare the skewers.
While the two were waiting, an unpleasant voice sounded nearby, “If I had such a beautiful lady, I’d definitely order some pig kidneys to nourish myself.”
Leo looked in the direction of the voice and saw a man at a nearby table. He was short and stout, wearing a large gold chain that looked questionable. The man was staring at Sophia, making lewd comments.
Accompanying the lewd man were three others, all hefty and looking rather unsavory.
The crude remarks from the man prompted laughter from his companions. Their gazes became more disrespectful as they ogled Sophia.
Sophia naturally noticed the lecherous looks from these four men, and she shifted her body, displaying an expression of disgust.
The night breeze carried a chill, and Sophia, wearing a short-sleeved professional outfit, seemed a bit underdressed. Leo took off his jacket and rose to put it on her.
Seeing Leo with only a T-shirt on after taking off his jacket, Sophia couldn’t help but say, “I’m not cold. You wear it; be careful not to catch a cold.”
“I’m a man, tough and resistant to the cold,” Leo joked.
Sophia, not one to be overly delicate, smiled tenderly at Leo.
Sophia’s smile had a charm that could captivate anyone. The people at the neighboring table couldn’t sit still. The man with the large gold chain shouted towards them, “Hey, buddies, you two look lonely. Why not join us?”
Leo turned to look at the man with the gold chain and replied calmly, “No need.”
“Hey, bro, don’t be polite with me. I’m not a fan of politeness. Look at you two, feeling so deserted. Why not come over and join us while waiting for your barbecue?” The man with the gold chain said, standing up and approaching Leo’s table, eyeing Sophia lecherously.
The other three unsavory men also stood up, uttering insincere polite words while trying to pull Leo and Sophia up from their seats.
Seeing one of them reaching for Sophia’s hand, Leo directly pushed it away, then stood in front of Sophia, coldly saying, “Hands off!”
Sophia stood up from her chair and suggested to Leo, “How about we go to another place? I don’t want these creepy guys to affect our mood.”
“Beauty, don’t be afraid. We’re good guys. We just want to get to know you. We won’t do anything to you,” the man with the gold chain said with a lascivious look. The other three men immediately chimed in, “Bro, don’t exaggerate, but it’s indeed your honor to get to know us. Ask around nearby, who dares not to give face to the Four Swords of Long River?”
“The Four Swords of Long River?” Leo raised an eyebrow. “The move is quite bright, but I have no intention of giving face to you. Now, here’s your chance to scram, or I’ll line you up and make you all jump into the nearby Long River in an orderly fashion.” Leo’s face revealed a chilling smile.
Leo’s words attracted the attention of the diners nearby.
Many diners were acquainted with these four men, so Leo’s words hinted that there would be an interesting show tonight.
The guy with the large gold chain, accustomed to bullying around here, was astonished. He raised his right hand and aimed a slap at Leo’s face.
Leo casually raised his left hand, blocking the incoming slap, and simultaneously kicked out.
The guy with the gold chain let out a miserable cry and sprawled on the ground in an awkward position.
Witnessing this, the other three men’s expressions changed, and with strange yells, they all lunged at Leo simultaneously.
However, they couldn’t even touch the hem of Leo’s clothes before being successively kicked away.