This scene left everyone in the John family uneasy. One of Memphis John’s wives asked hesitantly, “Is Lucy really that strong? I always thought she was just a pretty face, which is why the master brought her in as the housekeeper.”
Hearing this, Memphis John coughed twice and snapped sternly, “What nonsense are you spouting!”
The woman, startled by his reprimand, quickly lowered her head.
She pouted in dissatisfaction but dared not utter another word.
The John family was an extremely traditional household, where women held a very low status. As long as Memphis John spoke, no woman dared to argue further. While the Scott family seemed similarly traditional, women there didn’t face such levels of suppression.
“Father, do you think Lucy can defeat them?” Memphis John’s eldest son, Kelvin, asked nervously, a cold sweat forming on his brow.
Memphis John’s forehead creased into a deep frown.
He shook his head without saying a word. That shake of his head revealed his worry. His silence betrayed a faint glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, Lucy could beat them.
Though Lucy was a woman, her resilience surpassed what most men could imagine.
He didn’t know exactly how strong Lucy was, but ever since she joined the John family, no one dared to stir up trouble. Where Lucy came from had some parallels to Kayden’s story.
Lucy had been rescued by Memphis John during one of his business trips overseas. After saving her, she stayed with the John family and took up the role of a guard, protecting the household.
In the past, troublemakers would occasionally show up at their doorstep. But ever since Lucy arrived, no one dared to come back.
“Don’t worry. What will come, will come. There’s a destiny to all things. Everything is preordained,” Memphis John said, attempting to reassure his son.
Still doubtful, Kelvin asked, “Father, who are these people anyway? Why are they doing this?”
He couldn’t understand how the people who had just been offering gifts and acting courteous moments ago had now turned to violence. This sudden shift left Kelvin feeling caught off guard and confused.
Memphis John gazed intently at the two strangers outside and replied, “You don’t need to know who they are. All you need to know is that every penny the John family earns is righteous and honorable. No one in this family will ever stoop to being someone else’s lackey.”
Kelvin still couldn’t understand. If there were benefits to be had, why had his father rejected them, leading to this massive conflict?
—
In the room upstairs, Daphne and Mary were startled by the flickering lights.
“What’s going on?” Daphne asked in confusion.
“What’s going on?” Mary echoed.
Mary, with her sharp hearing, caught the sounds of fighting coming from downstairs. She quickly said, “Someone’s fighting downstairs!”
“What?” Daphne didn’t hesitate. She bolted out of the room, with Mary close on her heels.
In no time, the two arrived at the courtyard. Seeing the people fighting and those lying injured on the ground, their hearts clenched in shock.
Seeing the bloodied bodies scattered across the floor left them horrified.
“Grandfather, are you okay?” Daphne asked anxiously, spotting Memphis John amidst the chaos.
Memphis John turned his head toward her and sighed. “What are you two doing here?” he asked in frustration.
Mary replied, “Grandfather, we heard noises in the courtyard and came to check. What happened?”
“Ugh!” Memphis John groaned, his frustration mounting. Now, along with his existing worries, two more reckless individuals had entered the fray, adding to his stress.
“Stop asking questions! Stay here and don’t move!” Memphis John barked at the two, before turning his uneasy gaze back to Lucy, who was locked in combat with four men dressed in military green uniforms.
At this moment, the five of them were tangled in a fierce melee!
In the John family’s courtyard, the fight raged on with intensity. The ground, which seemed sturdy moments ago, now bore several large craters from their relentless movements. Cracks spread out from the holes, resembling spiderwebs. Even the trees in the courtyard swayed violently in the wind, their leaves nearly stripped bare.
Their speed was astonishing. Only faint blurs could be seen darting about.
Lucy, dressed in white, appeared like a streak of light under the flickering lamps.
Despite being a lone woman facing four men, she held her ground with remarkable courage.
Eventually, the battle came to a temporary halt. The four men stood in formation, a tornado of energy swirling behind them. They had surrounded Lucy in a perfect square.
Lucy, drenched in sweat, held her twin blades firmly and maintained an imposing stance. However, it was evident that she was nearing her limit. It wouldn’t take many more exchanges before Lucy would fall to the four of them.
Breathing heavily, Lucy glanced at the men encircling her. Her gaze was resolute, yet tinged with helplessness.
“Impressive! The John family actually has someone of Grand-level skill. Truly remarkable!” the leader of the group said, giving Lucy a thumbs up in admiration.
Lucy snorted and replied, “The Gale Riders live up to their reputation. Your Wind Blade technique is seamless and nearly impossible to break.”
“In a few more moves, I’ll be defeated and become your trophy of victory.”
Hearing this, the hearts of everyone in the John family leapt into their throats. Was Lucy admitting defeat? Although it seemed unfair to place the family’s survival solely in her hands, there was no other choice. Without Lucy, they had no hope.
“Hahaha!” The man laughed triumphantly and said, “Since you know you’ll lose, why not submit to us? Serve us well, and we’ll grant you endless wealth and rare resources to aid your cultivation.”
“Ha!” Lucy let out a cold laugh before replying, “You cowards who gang up on others-do you really think you’re worthy of my loyalty? Even if you defeat me today, it will only bring you shame when word gets out!”
“What do you mean by that?” one of the men bellowed, his voice sharp and aggressive, like a gust of wind slicing through the air.
Lucy’s expression remained cold as she said, “Four against one, bullying a lone woman-do you truly believe this makes you powerful? I see nothing but a group of dishonorable weaklings without any dignity.”
“Damn you!” the burly man roared in rage, his booming voice shaking the air. He glanced around uncertainly, realizing that she had a point. Such a victory would indeed lack honor.
In his arrogance, he declared, “Fine! I’ll take you on one-on-one! That way, no one can say we won unfairly.”
Without hesitation, the man charged at Lucy, eager to prove himself.
Lucy’s lips curled into a slight smirk. This was exactly what she wanted-to provoke them into fighting her individually.
Against all four, Lucy had no chance. Their Wind Formation was too overwhelming for her to break. But in one-on-one combat, she wouldn’t lose.
“Wait!”