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Novel Catalog
Chapter_238
Inside the manor of the Lee family in the eastern suburbs, the tension in the air was palpable. The mansion had been temporarily lent to six of the Green Bamboo Association’s Juggernauts, and outside, more than thirty well-dressed, crew-cut members stood guard, each one a grandmaster-level fighter. They were a silent, watchful presence—like a pack of predators waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
A pair of cold, calculating eyes observed the mansion from the shadows, the sharp gleam of a jackal preparing to pounce. Inside the brightly lit villa, however, Howard was deep in conversation with three other seasoned men, all members of the infamous Ten Juggernauts.
Howard raised his glass, clinking it with the others. “You were a force to be reckoned with back then, Brother Unibrow. You cut down over 180 members of the League of Heroes with nothing but a machete, until it was dull from use!”
Unibrow Juggernaut, his age belied by his smooth face, chuckled heartily, his tone full of nostalgia. “Ah, that’s all in the past. Let’s not dwell on it,” he said, brushing off the compliment before tossing back his drink with ease.
The chubby man beside him, known as Giant Juggernaut, laughed and leaned forward, his voice laced with a touch of envy. “Howard, if we’re being honest, you’ve done the best out of all of us. A billion to your name, you handed over the family business to your son, and now the association’s in your grandson’s hands. We’re all envious of your success.”
Howard, ever the gracious host, raised his glass again and smiled. “You flatter me, Brother Giant. I’m here today only because of all of you. The Lane family owes its rise to the support of the Ten Juggernauts and the Green Bamboo Association.”
The mention of the past sent a ripple of satisfaction through the group. Howard’s family had risen to prominence after they helped the Klein family destroy the Young family—a bloody chapter in their shared history. Giant Juggernaut, grinning widely, reminisced, “We did make quite a lot of money back then. But us simple folk, we don’t have your business sense, Howard. We wasted it all!”
The other two Juggernauts nodded in agreement, their smiles tinged with regret.
Howard, keenly aware of their intentions, didn’t miss a beat. He chuckled, his expression shifting to one of benevolence. “My brothers, don’t worry. Once I’m done here, I’ll personally send thirty million to each of your households. Consider it a token of my appreciation for all you’ve done.”
The Juggernauts’ eyes gleamed at the mention of thirty million, but Nutcracker Juggernaut, who had been silent until now, suddenly scoffed, his disdain cutting through the conversation like a blade. “Thirty million? Is that some kind of joke? Do you think we’re beggars?”
Howard’s heart sank, a cold shiver running down his spine. The atmosphere grew heavier, the warm light of the villa seemingly dimming as the tension in the room thickened.
“Brother Nutcracker, I—” Howard stammered, his voice faltering under the oppressive gaze of the Juggernaut leader. His forehead was slick with cold sweat, his mind racing for a way to diffuse the situation.
Nutcracker Juggernaut was no ordinary man. He was the head of the Green Bamboo Association’s Ten Juggernauts, and his reputation for ruthlessness was legendary. A madman in his prime, Nutcracker had terrorized anyone who dared to challenge him, leaving a trail of mutilated bodies in his wake. Now, at the height of his power, he had cultivated to the middle stage of the Profound Reality Realm—an almost insurmountable level of strength that made him a force to be reckoned with.
“Brother Nutcracker,” Giant Juggernaut interjected quickly, attempting to smooth over the tense moment. “Howard is just trying to be generous. He doesn’t owe us anything. He’s already doing us a favor by offering what he is.”
Unibrow Juggernaut also chimed in, sighing as if weary of the situation. “Brother Nutcracker has a lot of debts from his younger days, you know? More than ten sons, as many grandsons… They all live off him.” His words carried a hint of sympathy, but it was clear that they were only adding fuel to the fire.
Howard, ever the astute businessman, wasn’t fooled by the act. He recognized the game being played—this wasn’t just about money; this was about control. They were trying to push him for more, to see how far they could extract from him without him noticing.
“Alright, alright,” Howard said, forcing a smile and trying to regain his composure. “How about this—I’ll make sure the money is sent, but let’s not let this ruin the mood. We have bigger things to discuss.”
The atmosphere lightened slightly as Howard changed the subject, but the underlying tension was still palpable. The Juggernauts were not people to be underestimated, and Howard knew that.
As the night wore on, the conversation drifted, but Howard’s mind remained sharp. He had to tread carefully. These men were dangerous, unpredictable, and constantly testing his limits. But he had no choice—he needed their support, especially now that everything was on the line.
Meanwhile, outside, the silent figures of the Green Bamboo Association members continued to watch the manor, their movements like shadows in the dark, waiting for their moment to strike.
The game was far from over, and in the world they played in, loyalty was as fickle as a fleeting shadow.