Jade Dragon Mountain was privately owned territory. Though not particularly tall, the mountain was blessed with a dense spiritual aura, shrouding it in mist every morning.
Today, the sky was overcast, causing the mist to linger near noon, making the mountain summit look as if it were home to immortals, evoking a yearning in the hearts of onlookers.
“Ms. Pearce, do you know who owns this mountain?” Flynn asked as he noticed a considerable number of tourists at the base of the mountain.
“Mr. Clark, this mountain belongs to Devin Donovan, the leader of the Crimson Dragon Gang. He originally planned to develop real estate and build villas here.”
“However, since it’s close to the Eight Extremities School’s Niarak branch, the school was opposed to it, fearing that major construction would disrupt the feng shui of Cloudgate Mountain.”
“Devin Donovan had no choice but to abandon the project, and the area has since become a popular spot for the citizens of Niarak to visit. But I heard they are planning to start construction again soon, aiming to build a structure rivaling the Thodell Mansion.”
“The Crimson Dragon Gang has already announced that starting tomorrow, Jade Dragon Mountain will become private property.”
“Therefore, there are quite a few visitors today.”
Callie Pearce, arm in arm with Flynn, climbed the steps.
“Devin Donovan?” Flynn, hearing the name, paused with a half-smile. “He seems to enjoy his life!”
Callie Pearce shook her head, saying, “From what I know, Devin Donovan wants to build a villa on Jade Dragon Mountain to gift it to a prominent figure.”
“Oh?” Flynn’s eyes flickered with surprise just as he was about to ask for more details when a voice of doubt came from behind.
“Hmm? Callie Pearce, what are you doing here? And who is this?” A man in his thirties appeared behind them.
He was clean-cut and slightly tall, his gaze sweeping over Flynn with an invisible pressure and hostility, quite domineering.
To any ordinary person, this man’s stare would send shivers down their spine.
But to Flynn, he was merely a peak Grandmaster, hardly worth considering seriously like an ant’s wrath.
Upon seeing the man, Callie Pearce’s expression darkened as she indifferently said, “He’s my best friend; I had some private matters to discuss with him today.”
She gave Montgomery Crane a cold look, making no secret of her annoyance.
Montgomery Crane, a peak Grandmaster, had been the head instructor of the Blade Special Forces four years ago.
That year, the Blade Special Forces had performed exceptionally well, ranking fifth among the top ten military regions.
Brandon Pearce was very pleased, hosting a banquet at home for Montgomery Crane, hoping he would continue as instructor the following year.
Montgomery Crane agreed to continue on one condition: he wanted to marry Callie Pearce.
At that time, Callie Pearce, just nineteen and strikingly beautiful, was in good health.
Given that the Reeves family was also well-respected in Pelens, and Montgomery Crane, a peak Grandmaster at thirty, was more than eligible to marry her.
However, the age difference and Montgomery Crane’s peculiar and ruthless temperament made Elis Pearce, her grandmother, fear for her granddaughter and politely decline.
Montgomery Crane wasn’t upset; instead, he spoke many flattering words, agreeing to serve another year as head instructor to win Callie Pearce’s affection with his sincerity.
Yet, a year later, Callie suddenly fell ill with a rare disease, and upon hearing this, Montgomery Crane immediately refused to continue as head instructor.
He never contacted the Pearce family again.
With only a month left before the military competition, Brandon Pearce was exhausted trying to cope, and his subordinates were caught off guard. In the end, they could only bring in a Semi-Grandmaster.
That year, The Edge came in last and never recovered.
Brandon Pearce nearly got demoted.
Now that Callie Pearce had recovered, Montgomery Crane had returned, offering to coach The Edge again on the condition of marrying Callie.
It was clear that Montgomery Crane was a man of shifting loyalties, and the Pearce family had not agreed.
Callie Pearce disliked him even more and was naturally not pleasant in her words.
“Mr. Clark, let’s take the shortcut,” Callie Pearce suggested, still linking arms with Flynn as they took a different path.
Flynn, uninterested in their relationship, waited until they had walked a distance before speaking, “Ms. Pearce, let’s talk about something important.”
Callie Pearce nodded, apologetically saying, “I’m sorry, Mr. Clark, that Montgomery Crane distracted us earlier.”
“That’s okay. I heard you’re investigating your mother’s enemies and the incident involving Matteo Kaur being attacked ten years ago.”
“So, through some means of my own, I found some information,” Callie Pearce said.
Hearing this, Flynn stopped in his tracks and couldn’t help but gaze at Callie Pearce’s stunning face, a hint of emotion stirring within him.
The heart condition of Matteo Kaur was caused by an attack ten years ago.
Flynn had once questioned the mastermind behind it and even suspected the Clark family.
Matteo Kaur, fearing Flynn might stir up more trouble, dared not reveal the truth, looking utterly frightened.
Seeing Matteo’s insistence, Flynn had no choice but to let it go.
However, he never gave up on finding the person who harmed Matteo and had asked people like Brandon Pearce for help.
Unexpectedly, Callie Pearce was so attentive to Flynn’s worries and not only got involved but also managed to dig up some information.
“Very impressive.”
“Are you touched, Mr. Clark?” Callie asked with a pursed smile as Flynn stared at her.
Flynn nodded in approval. “You really surprised me. It must have taken quite a few favors to investigate this information.”
“It was hard work.”
“Mr. Clark has been kind to the Pearce family, and despite the hardships, it’s a pleasure for me,” Callie replied with a smile that seemed to bring her great relief, before she returned to her serious demeanor to discuss the matter at hand.
“According to my investigation, the person who harmed Matteo Kaur ten years ago was from Wakasa, a master of martial arts.”
“In order to obtain an ancient medical book, he tortured Matteo Kaur mercilessly.”
“Matteo couldn’t endure it any longer and had to hand over the ancient medical book.”
“After obtaining the medical book, the man from Wakasa tried to kill Matteo to cover his tracks, but just as he was about to act, a powerful presence overwhelmed him, sensing the danger, he immediately fled.”
“Then a mysterious old man appeared, and only then did Matteo escape the ordeal.”
After listening to Callie’s report, Flynn’s brow furrowed, his expression grave. “Where did you get this information?”
“After the old man left, Matteo went to the hospital. I tracked his whereabouts during those days based on his hospital records,” Callie explained.
“I found out that the incident took place at Ravenwood Court, and then I went door to door to understand the situation.”
“I found a witness from back then and got some information from him.”
Callie made it sound easy, but everyone knew it was a difficult task.
It had been ten years since the incident, in the densely populated Ravenwood Court of over 20, 000 people.
The workload was no small feat.
“Ms. Pearce, you’ve been very thoughtful,” Flynn acknowledged with a nod and a slight smile.
Callie’s face lit up with a playful smile. “Since Mr. Clark is thankful, may I ask for a favor in return?”
“After you agree, I’ll share the rest of the information.”
“Provided it’s within my ability, I agree,” Flynn said.
“My wish is simple; I hope Mr. Clark will call me Callie Pearce from now on, not Ms. Pearce,” she said with a coy smile.
Flynn, taken aback by her request, then smiled and nodded. “Alright! I agree, Callie Pearce.”
Callie was visibly delighted, leaning affectionately against Flynn’s arm as she continued:
“The witness didn’t know which faction the man from Wakasa belonged to, but it was clear that the old man had come specifically for Matteo and not just out of goodwill.”
“He told Matteo that he was entrusted by your mother to look after his safety.”
“He also mentioned he would stay in Niarak for a year until things calmed down.”
“The old man also inquired about the ancient medical book, which Matteo said was left to him by Adrianna Noble before she left Niarak, containing dozens of cures.”
“He advised him to keep the book secret to avoid attracting those who would kill for it, although he ended up letting Paulina Johnston sell it as an antique.”
“However, Matteo got wind of it and intercepted Paulina Johnston at the antique shop.”
“I suspect that this incident might have drawn the martial arts master from Wakasa.”
“Yesterday, I checked on that antique shop and found out that there was a murder there ten years ago.”
“It must have been after the old man appeared; the Wakasa side probably killed to cover up the leak.”