The appearance of the middle-aged man surprised Ethan. He'd been surprised when the man found him on the mountain last night, and now he'd even tracked him here.
Seeing the man, Serena visibly relaxed.
As Mr. Kun's daughter, Serena had seen many skilled fighters growing up, including martial arts masters and renowned enforcers from various families. But none had given her the same feeling as this middle-aged man.
Although she'd only seen him strike a few times last night, the impression he gave was one of immense, unshakeable competence.
The man walked to Ethan's side.
Summer, meanwhile, whispered a few words to Michael Langford, who observed the newcomer with keen interest.
Gwendolyn, however, was unfazed. She waved a hand dismissively. "It doesn't matter how many of you there are. Let's not waste time. Begin!"
At her command, thirteen bodyguards stepped forward.
"These are experts Gwendolyn brought from her family," Serena whispered the intelligence to Ethan. "Her family runs a martial arts school. They practice Xingyiquan."
The middle-aged man looked utterly unconcerned as the men approached.
Gwendolyn shot him a contemptuous glance. She didn't care about his background or why he was helping Ethan. To her, it was irrelevant, because she had absolute confidence in her men.
"Who's first?" Gwendolyn asked her side.
All thirteen bodyguards indicated they wanted to start.
"Don't bother with that hassle," the middle-aged man said, casually rolling his neck. He took a single, fluid step forward.
"Arrogant!" one bodyguard roared, lashing out with a powerful whip kick.
The man simply reached out, seemingly effortlessly, and caught the leg mid-air, locking it in place. He then drove an elbow downward. It didn't look like he used much force, but a distinct crack echoed through the room as the guard's leg bent at a grotesque angle.
The guard screamed, clearly out of the fight.
The middle-aged man pushed him aside, sending him sprawling to the floor, and walked toward the remaining twelve.
"Get him!"
The bodyguards moved in unison. All were trained martial artists, their movements precise, every punch carrying substantial force.
Yet, when their powerful strikes neared the middle-aged man, they seemed to lose all their momentum, as if hitting cotton. He intercepted every blow, and with each punch, kick, or palm strike he delivered, he forced one man back. Anyone unfortunate enough to be struck in the face suffered a broken nose or lost teeth.
Even Mr. Kun watched intently, his eyes gleaming with appreciation as he studied the man's technique.
Within minutes, all thirteen of Gwendolyn's bodyguards lay on the ground, moaning in pain. Not a single one could stand.
The middle-aged man silently returned to stand behind Ethan.
Such overwhelming combat prowess made even Ethan swallow hard.
Yesterday at the casino, Ethan had extended a kindness, knowing he had to lose the money anyway. He hadn't considered whether the man would keep his promise or what he was capable of; he'd just seen a man not blinded by gambling fever, but desperate for money.
He never imagined that casual act would yield such a formidable ally.
Gwendolyn stared, wide-eyed and disbelieving, at the scene. These were experts sent by her family!
And they had been incapacitated so easily!
"Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!" Mr. Kun applauded. "The Thirteen Blades have been passed. The price must now be paid."
Michael picked up the dagger from the floor, walked over to the thirteen incapacitated guards, and swiftly stabbed each one. He then waved a hand. "Take them to the hospital."
After cleaning the blade on his shirt, he respectfully handed it back. "Mr. Kun, this is indeed a fine blade."
"It is," Mr. Kun agreed, taking it and twirling it skillfully before re-sheathing it in his cane. "Serena, spend some time with Ethan these next few days. You two will be partners. You need to develop some tacit understanding."
"Understood," Serena nodded.
"Good. That's all for today. A fine show, well worth the trip. I'm off." Mr. Kun stood, and Serena quickly moved to support him.
"Mr. Kun!" Gwendolyn spoke up, her voice tight with reluctant. "Ethan hasn't even met The Boss."
Mr. Kun turned. "If everyone who rose needed to meet The Boss first, your faction would have died out long ago. Michael himself hadn't met The Boss before he rose to power. Your Boss judges people by their capability, not by how familiar their face is. Are you trying to use The Boss to pressure me?"
"That's not what I meant," Gwendolyn hurriedly explained. "I just mean Ethan is too green. He has no foundation. Handing him such an operation directly... I fear many won't accept it!"
"I, Lydia Chen, would like to hear exactly who in this city would dare call my son 'too green'?"
A voice, calm yet brimming with innate confidence, came from the entrance of The Dynasty.
A figure walked in slowly, wearing a beige trench coat and a felt hat.
The moment he heard the voice, Michael Langford, who had been seated, shot to his feet, his gaze fixed on the newcomer, unable to hide the agitation in his eyes.
Gwendolyn's face underwent a series of rapid changes. She clenched her fists tightly, her breathing becoming ragged.
Ethan was shocked. He rushed forward. "Mom! What are you doing here? You should be—"
"If I didn't come, some people would use so-called 'seniority' to bully my son!" The demeanor Lydia Chen projected now was utterly different from the one Ethan was familiar with.
"Little Sister!" Mr. Kun hurried forward several steps, excitedly grasping Lydia's hands. "Ethan... he's your son?"
Lydia nodded. "Uncle Kun, you're an elder statesman. You tell me. Does my son, Lydia Chen's son, have enough seniority?"
"Enough! Of course, enough!" Mr. Kun nodded repeatedly. "Little Sister, if your son doesn't have enough seniority, then no one in this city dares claim they do!"
"With your word, Uncle Kun, I am reassured." Lydia nodded slightly, then let her gaze sweep over the others, landing on Gwendolyn. "And Gwendolyn, you needn't use The Boss as an excuse. I will personally call The Boss and make everything clear to him!"
Lydia's slightly imperious attitude made Gwendolyn grit her teeth. "Lydia Chen! Times have changed! The Western Alliance Society is a thing of the past!"
The middle-aged man, who had shown no expression until now, couldn't help but glance at Lydia upon hearing the words "Western Alliance Society."
Mr. Kun laughed heartily and gave Michael a thumbs-up gesture.
Lydia looked puzzled. "Gwendolyn, is that your Confidence?"
Michael moved subtly, positioning himself slightly in front of Gwendolyn as he looked at Lydia.
Lydia didn't even glance at Michael. She offered Mr. Kun a small smile. "Uncle Kun, I need to return to the hospital for check-ups. We must catch up properly another day."
"Your health comes first, of course, Little Sister. Let me see you out." Mr. Kun made a gracious gesture.
Lydia nodded. The group exited The Dynasty together.
"I'll find you later," the middle-aged man whispered to Ethan before quickly melting away into the surroundings.
Lydia's eyes followed the man's retreating back for a moment before she declined Mr. Kun's offer of a chauffeur. She and Ethan hailed a taxi back to the hospital.
Only after the taxi disappeared around the street corner did Mr. Kun finally look away. He glanced back at the entrance of The Dynasty, let out another loud laugh, and got into his Maybach.