56
125 Chapter 125 The Old Grudge and the Falso Champion
125 Chapter 125 – The Old Grudge and the False
Champion
I sat across from Caesar Nolan in the restaurant’s private room, watching him fidget with his cufflinks. The ornate space, with its dark wood panels and dim lighting. seemed designed for secretive meetings like this one. Caesar had been apologizing profusely since I arrived, though he’d been vague about exactly why.
“I truly am sorry for involving you in this, Mr. Knight,” Caesar said, his usual confident demeanor cracking slightly. “But I needed someone I could trust.”
I nodded, keeping my expression neutral. “You still haven’t told me what exactly you’re expecting to happen here.”
After my transformation in the Water Dragon Cave, I felt unusually calm. The power flowing through my meridians gave me a sense of detachment, like watching events unfold from behind bulletproof glass.
“An old… business associate is in town,” Caesar replied carefully. “He requested this meeting. I’m not sure what he wants.”
I didn’t believe him for a second. Caesar’s tense shoulders and darting eyes told a different story. He knew exactly what this meeting was about and was terrified.
“And your regular security detail wasn’t enough?” I asked pointedly.
Before Caesar could answer, Ellis Mitchell strutted over from the bar, drink in hand. His expensive suit couldn’t hide the arrogant swagger in his step.
“We don’t need this nobody here,” Ellis sneered, glaring down at me. “I told you, Mr. Nolan, I’m more than capable of handling any situation that might arise.”
I studied Ellis with my enhanced senses. Despite his Ninth Rank Master status, I could see the weakness in his energy pathways. His cultivation was unbalanced, rushed, and built on shortcuts. Like a fancy house with a crumbling foundation,
“Mr. Mitchell is one of my most trusted retainers,” Caesar said, though his tone lacked conviction. “But in delicate matters, I prefer multiple perspectives.”
I sipped my water, watching the dynamic between them. Caesar was a businessman
176
125 Chapter 125 – The Old Grudge and the False Champion
first and foremost, not a fighter. He surrounded himself with hired strength like Ellis, men whose loyalty extended precisely as far as their paychecks.
“Hired muscles have a way of disappearing when real danger shows up, I commented.
Ellis’s face flushed red. “You little-”
The door swung open, cutting him off.
Two men entered the private room. The first was tall and broad–shouldered, wearing a simple black suit that strained against his muscular frame. But it was his face that commanded attention–a jagged scar ran from his right temple down to his jaw, puckering the skin around his eye.
Behind him stood a shorter man with watchful eyes who positioned himself by the door, clearly a bodyguard.
Caesar went rigid beside me, his knuckles white around his glass.
“Caesar Nolan, the scarred man said, his voice a rumbling bass. “It’s been a long time.”
“Victor,” Caesar managed to reply. “I wasn’t sure you’d show.”
“And miss this reunion?” Victor–Scarface–smiled, the expression twisting his scar. “After fifteen years, I wouldn’t dream of it.”
I remained silent, observing. The history between these two men was palpable, filling the room like toxic smoke..
Ellis stepped forward, positioning himself between Caesar and the newcomers. “State your business and be quick about it.”
Scarface ignored him completely, his gaze fixed on Caesar. “You look well. Success suits you. The restaurant chain, the investment portfolio, the mansion in the hills you’ve done very well for yourself.”
“If you’ve come to discuss business opportunities- Caesar began.
“I’ve come for what’s mine,” Scarface cut him off. “What was stolen from me.”
Caesar’s face drained of color. “That was a long time ago, Victor. Markets change, partnerships end. It’s just business.”
Scarface laughed, a hollow sound devoid of humor. “Just business? Is that what you call
125 Chapter 125- The Old Grudge and the False Champion
it when you drug your partner, steal his research, and leave him for dead in a burning warehouse?”
My eyebrows rose involuntarily. This was definitely not in the briefing.
“That’s a serious accusation,” I said, speaking for the first time.
Scarface turned to me, his scarred eye narrowing. “And who might you be?”
“Someone curious about both sides of this story, I replied evenly.
“There’s only one side that matters,” Scarface growled. “My research, my life’s work- stolen. My face-” he traced the scar with one finger, “-a permanent reminder of Caesar’s treachery.”
“These are absurd allegations, Caesar blustered, but his eyes betrayed him. “Victor disappeared after a lab accident. I mourned him, then rebuilt the company-”
“After you cashed in the insurance policy on me,” Scarface finished. “Fifteen years I’ve waited, building myself back up from nothing while you grew fat on my ideas.”
Ellis stepped forward aggressively. “That’s enough. Mr. Nolan doesn’t have to listen to these baseless accusations.”
“And who are you supposed to be?” Scarface asked, clearly unimpressed.
“Ellis Mitchell, Ninth Rank Master and head of Mr. Nolan’s security, Ellis announced proudly, puffing out his chest. “I suggest you leave before this turns unpleasant.”
I nearly rolled my eyes at the display. Even without my recent advancement, I could have told Ellis that Scarface was no ordinary businessman seeking compensation. The energy radiating from him spoke of deep cultivation and controlled fury.
Scarface smiled again, the expression chilling. “I’ve not come for money, Caesar. I’ve come for justice. An eye for an eye, as they say. Or in this case-” he gestured to his scarred face, “-a face for a face.”
Caesar went pale. “Victor, please. I can make this right. Name your price.”
“My price?” Scarface’s voice dropped dangerously low. “Kneel before me as I once knelt before you, begging for help. Feel the cut of a blade across your face as I drag it slowly, inch by inch. Experience the fire consuming your skin as I did when you left me to die.”
36
126 Chapter 125–The Old Grurgo and the False Champion
The temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees. Caesar turned to Ellis in panic. “Do something!”
Ellis stepped forward, cultivation energy swirling around him in a flashy display.
“You’ve made a serious mistake coming here. I don’t care who you were or what grudge you hold. No one threatens my employer.”
I watched with detached interest as Ellis gathered his energy for attack. His stance was textbook perfect, but his energy flow was inefficient–all show, no substance. Meanwhile, Scarface hadn’t moved a musele, hadn’t even shifted his stance.
“Last chance to walk away,” Ellis warned, his hands glowing with
power.
Scarface sighed. “You cultivators are all the same. So much confidence, so little
wisdom.”
What happened next was so fast that even with my enhanced perception, I barely tracked it. Scarface made a simple gesture–almost casual–sending a thin ribbon of energy slicing through the air.
Ellis’s attack shattered like glass. He stumbled back, gasping, as blood trickled from a shallow cut across his cheek–a mirror of Scarface’s own scar, but much less severe.
“That,” Scarface said quietly, “was me being merciful.”
Ellis collapsed dramatically, clutching his face and moaning as though mortally wounded. “He’s… he’s too powerful! He’s at least Above Grandmaster level!”
I suppressed a snort. The cut was superficial–Ellis was putting on a show to justify his
failure.
Caesar looked around frantically at his other retainers who had been silently watching from the corners of the room. “What are you all waiting for? Stop him!”
Nobody moved. One of the older guards cleared his throat. “Sir, with respect, we’re not equipped to handle someone of this caliber. Mr. Mitchell is our strongest fighter,
and…
“And he’s cowering on the floor from a scratch, I finished dryly.
Caesar turned to his men in disbelief. “I pay you all fortunes! What am I paying you if not this exact situation?”
for
125–The
125 Chapter 125 The Old Grudge and the False Champion
The guard shifted uncomfortably. “Sir, perhaps… perhaps it would be best to give Mr. Victor what he wants.
“What?” Caesar gasped.
Another guard nodded. “A scar isn’t worth dying over, sir. Just kneel, apologize, let him mark you, and this can end without bloodshed.”
“You’re telling me to just let him cut my face?” Caesar’s voice rose in pitch.
“It seems the reasonable option, sir,” the guard replied, not meeting Caesar’s eyes. “We all have families to think about.”
I watched Caesar’s world collapse around him as he realized the truth–these men had
clear never been loyal to him, only to his money. And their loyalty had a very upper limit that had just been reached.
The look of utter betrayal on Caesar’s face might have been comical if it wasn’t so pathetic. He had built his empire on the backs of men exactly like himself- opportunists who would abandon anyone when the situation turned unfavorable.
Ellis continued his theatrical moaning from the floor, his performance growing more ridiculous by the second.
Scarface stepped closer to Caesar, who now stood abandoned by his protectors. “It seems your money can’t buy real loyalty, Caesar. How fitting that you should learn that lesson today.
Caesar turned to me, desperation in his eyes. “Liam, please. You’re connected to the Ashworths. You have resources. You must help me!”
I sat back in my chair, meeting his gaze steadily. Caesar Nolan had never been my ally- just a useful connection. And now, watching him reap what he had sown, I found myself curious to see how this would play out.
“Tell me, Caesar,” I said calmly, if our positions were reversed, would you help me?”
506
126 Chapt
