"Not… not like that, Uncle. I didn't mean to throw Jason there on purpose."
Facing Dawn's questioning, Kelida was filled with extreme panic and unease.
"That's right. Cousin really didn't do it on purpose."
Jason smiled as he spoke to Dawn.
"Yes, yes, I really wasn't doing it on purpose. It was completely an accident."
Seeing Jason speak up for him, Kelida said with delight.
"But cousin, your legs really move fast. Just after you threw me there, that C-rank rage beast locked onto me. Then that lion let out a roar that shook the clouds. You didn't even hear it. From that alone, you can imagine just how fast you were running! Were you rushing off to look for me?"
Jason said with a smile that hid a blade, staring straight at Kelida.
"This…"
Kelida instantly realized that Jason's question was a trap—no matter how he answered, it wouldn't sound right.
"How did this kid suddenly become so sharp? Is this really that idiot Jason Ryan?"
Kelida felt as if Jason had become a completely different person. His way of speaking had clearly improved, and his mind seemed much sharper. He couldn't help but think this to himself.
"What? Kelida, is what Jason said true?"
After hearing Jason's words, Dawn's expression became even heavier.
"Uncle, you… please listen to my explanation. Things aren't what you think."
Kelida said in a fluster, cold sweat already breaking out on his back.
"This matter isn't over. I'll give you time—think carefully about how you're going to explain it to me."
Dawn said seriously to Kelida. Then he turned to look at Jason, his tone slightly stern.
"You brat, are you alright?"
"Thank you for your concern, Father. Fortunately, that C-rank rage beast was already quite old. I was only able to defeat it by luck and escape back. I'm fine and didn't make Father worry."
Jason said respectfully to Dawn.
"Oh? You went missing for one trip and your temper improved? You can even say things like this now?"
Dawn said in surprise. His son had never spoken like this before—always arrogant and unruly. When had he ever been this polite?
"In the past, I was immature and angered Father many times. From now on, I won't be like that anymore. I definitely won't disgrace Father again."
Zhao Fei already knew from Jason Ryan's memories that this Jason had caused Dawn no end of trouble—useless, yet always stirring up trouble. No wonder Dawn had disliked him so much before.
"I hope you can actually do what you just said. Alright, since you're already back and safe, I'm quite tired as well. I'm going to rest. Bard, Kelida, you should both return too. After all, you're both city lords—being away too long isn't appropriate. Go back."
Dawn waved his hand at Bard and Kelida.
"Yes. Since Jason is fine, I, as his uncle, am relieved. We'll take our leave then. Big brother, have a good rest."
Bard said this with words that didn't match his heart. He had thought Jason was already inside a rage beast's belly. Who would've thought this fool was actually so lucky.
"Cousin, when I have time, I'll come find you to play again!"
As Kelida was about to leave, Jason didn't forget to provoke him one last time after his plan had failed.
"Mm. Next time, I'll definitely take good care of you. I won't let you get lost again."
Kelida deliberately emphasized the latter half of his sentence as he spoke to Jason.
"That would be wonderful."
Jason met his gaze head-on and replied.
As he watched Kelida's departing figure, a trace of killing intent flashed through Jason's eyes.
This time, I'm not the same trash as before. You want to play? Then I'll properly accompany you in this palace-intrigue game.
"Come, tell me—what exactly happened today?"
After seeing Bard and Kelida leave, Dawn questioned Jason.
"It's nothing. I was just targeted by a C-rank rage beast in the Zuo'en Mountain Range. Then I killed it and escaped back."
Jason roughly explained the situation to his father, Dawn.
"A C-rank rage beast? Defeated by you? Stop joking around with me. With your little bit of skill, even killing a cow would be difficult. You only had D-rank ability to begin with, and you still wouldn't cultivate properly. Sigh…"
Dawn shook his head and sighed. One had to know that here, people with only D-rank rage energy usually gave up on becoming rage cultivators altogether.
But Dawn was unwilling to let his son fail to become a rage cultivator, so he forcibly made Jason walk that path. Who knew Jason would be so disappointing.
"It's true! I really killed that C-rank rage beast, and my rage energy level has advanced too—I'm now C-rank!"
Jason blurted out proudly in front of Dawn without a second thought.
"What? Hm… Martin."
Dawn was shocked at first. Jason was just about to feel smug when Dawn suddenly returned to a calm expression and called out.
"My lord, what is it?"
Martin hurried over to Dawn and replied respectfully.
Jason also looked at his father with a puzzled expression, wondering what he was about to say.
"Go find a doctor and have him examine the young master. See if he's sick—his head seems muddled. Have you ever heard of someone's innate rage level advancing?"
Dawn said helplessly to Martin.
"Father, everything I said is true! Why won't you believe me?"
Hearing Dawn's words, Jason was completely speechless and hurriedly tried to explain himself.
"Enough. I still have many matters to attend to. Stop bothering me here. Let Martin take you to see a doctor."
After saying that, Dawn began handling his own affairs.
"Let's go, Young Master. Don't disturb my lord."
Martin came over and tried to persuade Jason.
Seeing Martin look at him like he was a patient, how could Jason tolerate that?
He immediately felt that he had to properly show them something.
Otherwise, they really would think he had gone crazy.