Facing eight opponents alone, Jeff remained completely calm. This wasn't blind confidence, but rather a clear understanding of the difference between professional and amateur.
These men were considered professionals compared to ordinary people.
But to someone who had been through real battlefields and spent years surrounded by blood and corpses, they were like children!
Jeff had practiced martial arts since childhood and was very strong. However, what truly made him terrifying was his year of experience on the battlefield!
That was four years ago, the year before he married into the Harper family. The family arranged for him to gain battlefield experience and sent him to Syria for a year!
These eight men in front of him often fought, but their fists lacked any real killing intent.
These petty thugs had tattoos, smoked, drank, went clubbing and chasing girls at night, and ate and drank extravagantly every day, enjoying the hustle and bustle of life.
Jeff's opponents on the battlefield did not have such entertainment; they were often hungry and cold, but their eyes were filled with killing intent!
Fighting them was dangerous; the slightest mistake could mean instant death!
Jeff had survived in such an environment for a whole year!
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Jeff delivered three swift punches, each landing on one of three attackers, instantly knocking them to the ground.
The remaining five weren't fools either. Two of them lunged at Jeff from different directions, but Jeff kicked them both away!
However, at that moment, another person, taking advantage of his momentary distraction, pounced on Jeff from the middle.
At the same time, the last two remaining attackers each grabbed one of Jeff's arms.
Brother Gage smiled with satisfaction. "Finally caught you."
Jeff smiled faintly. He might not have hands free, but he still had his mouth!
On the battlefield, Jeff had once bitten an opponent's ear while fighting others!
Many people fought only for the sake of saving face, but Jeff fought for survival!
Every move was meant to kill!
"Ah! My ear!"
The man clinging to Jeff yelled in pain.
Jeff didn't bite too hard—just enough to draw blood—then threw him aside and kicked the last two down one by one!
Eight professional thugs, all lying on the ground!
"OMG!"
Everyone at the scene was stunned!
How could one person's fighting power be so terrifying!
Old Madam Harper was also amazed and murmured, "Could it be that the old man insisted on Emily marrying Jeff because he knew about Jeff's skills?"
For the past three years, the Harper family had never understood why the patriarch had arranged for Emily to marry a good-for-nothing.
Now they realized Jeff was not a good-for-nothing, but a top-notch fighter!
"Grandpa wanted me to marry him so he could protect me? But this is a peaceful era, and the Harpers have no enemies."
Emily also began to guess what her grandfather had been thinking.
In fact, Emily's grandfather had no idea Jeff was such a good fighter. He arranged the marriage simply because the Sterling family was rich.
Michael laughed and said, "No wonder Dad valued Jeff so much. He's a top-notch fighter. His skill level must be among the best in the country, right? Robert, congratulations on having such a capable son-in-law."
Robert thought this was a compliment and said, "At least he's not entirely useless."
Michael laughed loudly. "Haha, Robert, you really thought I was praising him? What's the use of being good at fighting these days? The toughest tigers are all locked in cages. Only someone like Flower can run around freely!"
"Also, did you think Dad initially arranged for Jeff and Emily to marry? Wrong! Dad asked me first!"
Robert and Susan were both shocked. "Brother, what did you say?"
Michael snorted coldly. "Before arranging Jeff and Emily's marriage, Dad first approached me, saying there was a very rare and excellent son-in-law candidate, and asked if I was willing to let my Jessica get married a few years earlier."
"Jessica was only seventeen years old at the time! But I knew Dad always loved me and wouldn't make such an unreasonable request for no reason, so I asked, 'Who is that son-in-law?'"
"After I found out Jeff was a good-for-nothing from the countryside, I refused because Jessica was too young. That's why I arranged for Jeff to be with Emily!"
Brandon laughed and said, "So Emily picked up the man my sister didn't want."
Jessica glanced at Jeff, her face full of disdain. "Oh dear, Grandpa is really senile. He actually betrothed me to Jeff. He's just good at fighting. I don't care for such a man. Luckily, I was young at the time and escaped a disaster. Hehe."
Upon hearing this, Jeff was also surprised, never expecting such a story to exist.
Back then, the Sterling family arranged for Jeff to marry into the Harper family, which the Harpers considered a great favor.
Old Master Harper was the only one who knew Jeff's identity. Like Old Madam Harper, he doted on his eldest son, Michael, and therefore wanted to give Jeff—this coveted son-in-law—to Michael's family.
Unfortunately, Michael didn't want him.
At this moment, Jeff and Emily looked at each other again, and Jeff couldn't help but recall their first meeting three years ago.
At that time, Jeff had just returned from the battlefield. In the past year, he had seen so much blood and corpses that he desperately longed for love and family.
Furthermore, Emily was a college student at that time, innocent and gentle—unlike her unreasonable behavior now—and it was impossible for her to have cheated on him.
Therefore, Jeff had fallen in love with Emily in the first year.
Jeff didn't want to dwell on the past. He had already dealt with all ten thugs; it was time to deal with Brother Gage.
"What... what are you doing!"
Brother Gage was so frightened that he kept backing away.
However, Jeff snatched the beer bottle from his hand and immediately crippled one of his fingers.
"Ouch!" Brother Gage cried out in pain.
"Tell me, why did you falsely accuse me of stealing? Who instructed you to do it?" Jeff asked fiercely.
Brother Gage truly lived up to his reputation as the leader of Riverforge's underworld; though outmatched in strength, he was a real man.
"I've been around for a while now—I'm used to life and death! Go ahead and kill me if you dare! But let me warn you, I was trained by Master Liu. You can go and find out about Master Liu's influence in the surrounding states. You'll regret it if you go against me!"
Brandon panicked, fearing Brother Gage would expose him. "Jeff, stop! Do you want to kill someone at Grandma's house?!"
Jeff released Brother Gage and kicked him aside.
"I'll say it again—I haven't stolen anything from your Harper family. If you have evidence, you can call the police and have me arrested. Don't say things like you're not calling the police for my own good or that you don't want me to go to jail. Thank you!"
After saying that, Jeff turned and left.
"Woof woof!"
Flower, the poodle, jumped down from Jessica's arms and clung to Jeff's trouser leg, trying to stop him from leaving.
Jeff picked up Flower and put her back in Jessica's arms. He stroked her head and said, "In my eyes, there is only one thing in the Harper family that is worth stealing, and that is you." Jeff said to Flower, petting her.