Meanwhile, Sasha ran after Ivan as quickly as she could, finally managing to stop him in the parking lot. "What did you mean by that, Ivan? Why were you so polite to Felix?"Ivan looked at her, his face devoid of emotion. "It's none of your fucking business!"Sasha's jaw dropped. Ivan had always been gentle and tender to her. How dare he speak to her like that! "You have to give me an explanation for this!"Before today, Ivan would've just slapped Sasha and left. Who did she think she was, acting so obnoxiously before him? But now that he knew about the relationship between Felix and Warren… Sasha was annoying, but if he really were to do anything to her, would Felix come after him?Left with no choice, he said, "Felix is trained in martial arts and is good in a fight. I've lost the nerve to pick on him now. Are you happy with that?"He got into his car and left, seeing that Sasha was no longer stopping him. After a while, Sasha returned to her senses, and her expression becam
It was noon. Xena and Jordan were having lunch in a private room at one of Avesburgh's restaurants."I'm sorry, Xena. My mentor is focusing on researching new medical techniques, and it's been years since he's treated anyone. If not for that, I would've asked him to check on your grandfather," Jordan said.Xena nodded. "I appreciate the sentiment. Dr. Fielding has already verified that Grandpa's been poisoned with the Phantom Poison. I don't mean anything else by inviting you for lunch. Anyway, I doubt your mentor would be able to do anything even if he were around."Phantom Poison? As one of the best traditional medicine practitioners of the younger generation, Jordan had definitely heard of it before."Phantom Poison? Xena, you might have to prepare yourself. Only the miracle doctor has ever managed to cure it, and that was for someone who'd been poisoned for a few days. Mr. Summers Senior has already been suffering from it for a whole year."He couldn't bring himself to say any
Felix was sure the energy in the teapot wouldn't lead him astray. If that were the case, perhaps the porcelain teapot had a hidden side.A middle-aged man in a suit approached. He looked spirited. "I'm honored and pleasantly surprised by your presence, Ms. Kinsley."Wendy said helplessly, "Oh, don't tease me, Mr. Camden. We're short on time, so we'll get straight to the point."Felix pulled out the porcelain teapot and said, "I don't think this porcelain teapot is as it seems. I'd like to ask you to take a look at it and see whether you can restore it, Mr. Camden."Thomas took the porcelain teapot and started appraising it. Over ten minutes later, his eyes lit up. "You've got a good eye, young man. You've got a treasure here! "There's a layer of special material enveloping the teapot—only the teapot makers of the era knew how to create this. Ordinary people have no idea this even exists. Even I only learned about it after a recent gathering with a few old friends. "Once this la
Anyone else would have leaped at the opportunity without a second thought. After all, Thomas had already mentioned how much he had sold the other Mystic Drake Teapot for, proving how sincere his offer was.Selling a teapot bought for 10,000 dollars for over 20 million dollars was like a golden ticket to financial freedom.But Felix shook his head. What he found somewhat amusing was that Mike's supposedly false claim was, in fact, true. The teapot had indeed originated from Henry Davies, the famous teapot maker of the Clearwater era."Sorry, Mr. Camden, but I plan to give this to an elder. It's not for sale," Felix said.Thomas noticed Felix's expression didn't waver even when over 20 million dollars was mentioned. Felix obviously didn't care about money, and raising the price further would be futile."But I can tell you who will receive this porcelain teapot. It'll be entirely up to him whether he decides to sell it," Felix added.Thomas saw a glimmer of hope and nodded politely.
Warren's expression shifted. His deep love for antiques had honed his eye for detail far beyond the average person's.Sasha was confused when she noticed that the porcelain teapot seemed a bit different from what she remembered. But deep down, she knew it was the same teapot. She couldn't help but scoff inwardly.Did Felix really believe that a few cosmetic alterations could somehow make it more valuable? She thought he was such a fool and dismissed him as nothing more than a country bumpkin."Yeah, Dad! This is pretty pricey. I actually saw Felix drop a whopping 5,000 dollars on it at the antiques market. He's so considerate, isn't he?"The sarcasm in her voice was impossible to miss, and Milo laughed right on cue."5,000 dollars? Felix, that's an insult to Uncle Warren! Every guest here brings gifts worth tens, even hundreds of thousands of dollars! How could you—""Shut up!" Warren cut him off sharply. In a deep voice, he said, "It's the thought that counts. Do gifts always ha
"Dad, I'm leaving now. You know you and Ruth share the same birthday, right?"Feeling she'd stayed long enough at the birthday party, Sasha stood up and kissed Warren on the cheek. She had promised Ruth she would be there for the second round of celebrations."Okay. Take Felix with you," Warren replied.Felix felt a wave of helplessness. Warren was clearly eager to see him and Sasha together, but he probably had no idea how different Sasha could be when she was away from home.Seeing no point in arguing with Warren, Sasha smiled and said, "Alright, Felix. Let's go."Warren seemed to have something else in mind and added, "I'll call you later. Make sure Felix picks up."A flash of irritation flickered in Sasha's eyes. Warren had her exactly where he wanted her. She had intended to part ways with Felix as soon as they left, but now, it was clear she'd have to bring him along.Felix had been hoping for the same thing—to go his own way—but now, it was obvious that those plans were r
Warren shot back at Nattie, "You don't know a damn thing! This is a genuine antique. A masterpiece! Do you even know who Thomas is? Would he lie to me? If I bring this to him now, we'll get 25 million dollars on the spot!"Nattie's eyes lit up with excitement. "Then, what are we waiting for? Warren, I know you're passionate about these antiques, but 25 million dollars could change everything for our family."Even if Warren were a billionaire, his wealth was tied to the scale of his company. The reality shifted once his bank loans and other debts were factored in.That was how things worked in the business world. When a company failed, the owner's financial ruin could come immediately. It was a stark contrast to the losses faced by ordinary people who rely on personal savings.Milo's face was a mix of emotions. After all, they were discussing 25 million dollars. Who wouldn't be tempted by that?"No way! This was a gift from Felix, and I have to return it. It's worth far too much. I
Everyone's faces were drained of color. Fear etched into their features at the mere mention of Lord Kane.Kane's fearsome reputation as the lord of the underground was well known in Avesburgh, and crossing him was a sure path to a nightmarish end."W-We didn't do anything to anger Lord Kane." Ruth, Sasha, and the other women were trembling, barely holding back their tears.Kane's reputation was so fearsome that just hearing his name sent everyone into a panic. The terror in the room made it clear what would happen when he actually arrived."Yeah! Who would be foolish enough to cross Lord Kane?""I swear I didn't!"Everyone scrambled to defend themselves.Suddenly, Sasha's eyes locked onto Felix, and she stormed over to him. "It's you, isn't it? You're always lurking around and swindling people. You must be the one who crossed Lord Kane."Felix frowned. He had never even heard of this person. "No. It wasn't me."The others in the room were all close friends who knew each other
Michael raised his glass and said, "George is right. Here's to you both. I hope you enjoy your time in Aleshire, and don't hesitate to ask if you need anything." He knew exactly why these two were here—they were attending his wedding tomorrow. However, given they were at The Nightowl, an upscale nightclub, he figured it was best not to bring it up.Ryan and George raised their glasses in response, but Felix remained motionless. His indifference seriously irritated Michael."I don't believe we've met. Who might you be?" Michael's youthful pride got the better of him. He could have just finished his drink and left, but he felt the need to assert himself. He could not let this slide, and he wondered who Felix thought he was to disrespect him like this. "I'm Felix Zeller. I'm no one important, but here's a word of advice—if you're planning to get married, show some respect for each other, alright?"Michael could not believe Felix was actually lecturing him. His irritat
What? Calista, who was about to tell the three hostesses to sit down, froze mid-smile. Felix's words carried an unmistakable challenge.Ryan and George exchanged knowing looks. Of all the people to clash with in Aleshire, it had to be the Walsh family. They knew Felix's true purpose here. "Do you... still want Sadie?" Chewing watermelon, Felix crossed his legs. "Yes, only Sadie. Pass a message to Mr. Walsh. If he's smart, send her over."As Calista hesitated, George's cold voice cut in, "Are you deaf or lame?" "Right away!"The manager knew her customers well. Some big shots could be managed, but others were untouchable. George and Ryan belonged to the latter category. "Do you need backup, Mr. Zeller?" George asked after Calista left, making the other girls hold their breath. In Aleshire, few dared cross the Walsh family. The girls could not believe they met people who dared to do so today."We're civilized, aren't we? But can you guess which Walsh it is?" Ryan answer
Was Yvonne really trying to send a reminder to Felix? It was unnecessary. He had not forgotten his promise to her at Ernest's birthday party. Though Felix would not dare claim Yvonne as his, they had been intimate, and her feelings were obvious. If he could not marry her, he could at least let her choose her own happiness instead of being controlled by Nala. They reached Aleshire at sunset. George led Felix to a nightclub. "Yartford is the political center of the country, so certain things have to be done discreetly there. But Aleshire's different. Tonight, you'll see real entertainment." Felix was not particularly interested, but he had time to kill. "The Nightowl is Aleshire's finest club. No one dares claim second place." Inside, hostesses with curvy legs lined the entrance. "Mr. Zimmerman! It's been too long!" A youthful-looking older woman approached. Her light makeup showed how confident she was about her appearance rather than courage. "Ah, Calista! Still stunning
After settling Michelle in, Felix headed to the living room. He hesitated for a bit before calling Karina. Max's authority over Meadowspring villagers was beyond his current powerless state. But with Michelle's safety at stake, he had no choice. Soon, the call was connected. "Felix, what's wrong?" Felix felt guilty about failing his promise. "Karina, about Michelle..." After hearing the story, Karina said, "Pearly? I don't know her, but I'll look into it. Don't worry. I'll make sure she never troubles Michelle again." She added, "Don't blame yourself. I know your situation is complicated." It was complicated indeed.…Two peaceful weeks passed. Felix continued his daily ritual of cultivating Dragonspine at Yardley Dining, undisturbed by the Elders' Council or others. True to Karina's word, the threat vanished. If not, Max would not have waited this long given his menacing attitude earlier. His only frustration was Xena. Even Alistair confirmed she had been swamped since
From that observation, Felix could tell how incredibly powerful the Saphira family had to be as one of the ancient martial arts families. Once in the car, Felix paused before saying, "Was the chief pointing at me?" Ryland was too distracted, and Michelle was still unconscious, so Theodore nodded. "Yes. He meant you." Theodore was still stunned. The village chief was practically a Martial Emperor, and he actually owed Felix his life. What other secrets did Felix hold? Felix fell silent as he recalled the scene just now. Under the torchlight, he remembered the chief had tanned skin, average height, and a small goatee. "It's him!" Felix suddenly remembered who he was. When Felix had just started studying medicine with Gerald years ago, he had found the chief unconscious while gathering herbs. The man was close to dying, and Felix's limited skills could only slow the decline. It was impossible to save him. In the end, Gerald had stepped in. He cursed Felix's do-gooder nature
Ryland's face paled as his eyes widened. "She... She's alive?" Max grinned. "Watch your mouth, kid. How could my boss possibly have died? You disappointed her, and those who disappoint must pay." Pointing at Felix, he continued, "The original plan was to drug him and Michelle and film their affair to crush you emotionally before dealing with you physically. But he seemed to be a traditional medicine practitioner, so he noticed the drugs. We had no choice but to attack first." Ryland looked devastated. "No, I waited! She never appeared. I couldn't possibly wait forever. It's not my fault!" "Let's go," Felix cut in, knowing this wasn't the time. "Going somewhere?" Max threw a knife into the ground before Ryland. "Kill your girlfriend Michelle, and all is forgiven!"Ryland stood frozen, clearly shaken by the mention of that woman Pearly. "What if he refuses?" Felix asked. Max traced a circle in the air. "Then, you all die. This is Meadowspring's burial ground. Without the c
Outside the bar, members of the Earthen Hall were waiting. Vivian had returned to the headquarters of Dragon Alliance hours ago to handle urgent matters, so these guards had been reassigned from Yardley Dining.As they drove, Theodore suddenly spoke up, "Now I remember why Meadowspring sounded familiar." "What do you mean?" Felix asked. The address the brute left was called Meadowspring, an oddly named place. "It's a branch village of the Saphira family. We need to be extremely careful." His voice alone showed how wary he was of the Saphiras."Are they that dangerous?" Theodore gave Felix a strange look, wondering how someone important enough to mobilize Dragon Alliance could be so ignorant. "Eight ancient martial arts families have survived in modern Dragonia, with one in each province's capital. We have one in Canraville, which is the Saphira family." Seeing Felix's blank look, Theodore continued, "These eight families have maintained their power for thousands of years. H
Felix watched as the brute took Michelle away. He wanted to move but was paralyzed by the man's overwhelming presence. After a minute, his face darkened. "Damn it!" Even his encounter with Madam Spring had not left him feeling this powerless. If anything were to happen to Michelle, Felix wouldn't have the heart to face Karina. 30 minutes later, the bar was empty except for Felix. Andrei rushed in with a handsome young man. "Mr. Zeller." Andrei kicked the young man to the ground after speaking, trembling with rage. "Tell Mr. Zeller how you mistreated Michelle, you fool!"It was his son, Ryland. After Felix's last intervention, Andrei had warned him not to hurt Michelle or risk trouble for their entire family. Yet, here they were. Ryland looked at Felix in panic and confusion. "Dad! Mr. Zeller! I swear I didn't hurt Michelle!" Felix raised his hand to stop Andrei's beating. "Michelle was just kidnapped in front of me by a powerful martial artist. She was just a real estate a
Finnley laughed. "Hah! You're quite well-informed. You even know about my brother's wedding! But you're overestimating yourself. Did you think I'm all talk because I haven't struck you in our previous encounters?" He stepped forward with eyes full of contempt. "That's only because Xena warned me. She said she'd blame me if anything happened to you—proof or not—and never give me another chance. Otherwise, you think you'd still be standing?" Felix's eyes narrowed. He had wondered why Finnley—the Walsh family's heir—had been so restrained. So, Xena had intervened."Fine! One last chance. If you can make me kneel and apologize at my brother's wedding, it's over. Otherwise, you'll write a suicide note and end it. Deal?" Suicide? Felix chuckled. "Sure. What if I back out?" Turning away, Finnley left a final threat. "Then, everyone connected to you dies. You know I can do it." After learning Finnley's identity, Felix deduced that Yvonne's fiancé had to be his brother. There was onl