Chapter 33
The eight Stage Nine experts, each with a different hair color, surged forward, their eyes turning bloodshot as they took in the sight of Kai, covered in blood. A surge of murderous intent emanated from them, their collective energy crackling in the air like an impending storm.
Fortunately, Kai’s injuries were mostly superficial. With the help of the others, he staggered to his feet, spitting out a mouthful of blood before roaring, “Kill him! Kill him now!”
In an instant, the eight experts drew their switchblades, their faces set in grim determination, and charged toward Nash with the speed of predators closing in on their prey.
Brian, still reeling from the shock of the earlier events, used his acupoint stimulation to snap himself back into focus. As his senses cleared, he saw the eight figures charging toward the grandmaster like a pack of hungry wolves, their murderous aura so thick it felt suffocating.
The sight froze him in place.
“Oh my god… Grandmaster, run!” Brian shouted, panic edging his voice.
Nash’s expression hardened, and his fists clenched. A cold killing intent seeped from him, fully revealing his true power. He wasn’t one to back down, especially not from threats like these.
But Brian wasn’t about to let it escalate further. He crawled and knelt beside Nash, desperate to get his words out. “Stop! Please!”
But his plea came too late.
One of the experts, a blonde-haired man named Canary, had already closed in on them, his switchblade raised high, aimed directly at Brian’s heart. There was no hesitation in his movements, his eyes filled with malice.
Without warning, Nash grabbed Brian by the shoulder and yanked him backward. In a single fluid motion, he kicked out, striking Canary’s wrist with brutal precision. The switchblade flew from Canary’s grip, and as he scrambled to catch it, Nash was already upon him. A palm strike to the chest sent Canary flying backward with staggering force, the impact rattling his body.
Canary hit the ground hard, his breath knocked out of him, and as he tried to rise, Nash was there again, his elbow crashing into the side of Canary’s head, sending him tumbling another ten meters away.
The remaining experts halted in their tracks, eyes wide with disbelief. Canary, the strongest among them, had been effortlessly defeated in a matter of seconds. If Nash could handle him so easily, what chance did they have?
Nash didn’t waste another moment. He dropped the switchblade in his hand and turned to Brian, his voice steady but cold. “I won’t be taking this business deal anymore. You should have the Watsons hire someone else.”
Brian’s face drained of color. He didn’t need to ask why. He could already guess the reason. Nash had only agreed to treat Mrs. Watson out of respect for Brian’s martial lineage. But after everything that had happened—nearly being killed by the Watsons’ own blood—Nash had every right to walk away.
Nash had been tempted to help, but this was no longer about business. It was personal. If not for his years in seclusion, learning to temper his anger, Canary would have already paid the price. And as for Kai, who had tried to run him down with a sports car—well, his fate would have been sealed too.
Brian swallowed hard, finally regaining his senses when Nash spoke again. His voice was hollow, resigned. “I understand, Grandmaster…”
He didn’t press Nash for a reason, nor did he try to convince him to stay. He knew better than to argue with someone of Nash’s caliber. But that didn’t mean he wasn’t caught between a rock and a hard place. The Watson family couldn’t just be brushed aside, not with their power and influence.
“I’ll… I’ll pass your message along,” Brian said quietly, glancing at Kai, who was still recovering from the brutal crash. His voice dropped to a whisper, almost to himself, “But this will have consequences.”
Nash didn’t respond. He simply turned and walked away, his footsteps firm, resolute. He wasn’t looking back.
As he disappeared from view, Walter Watson hurried out of the house, flanked by several of his men. His eyes immediately locked onto the wreckage of the sports car and his grandson, still covered in blood, but his expression remained almost disinterested. He only furrowed his brow slightly, as though this wasn’t entirely out of the ordinary.
He made his way over to Brian with practiced grace, his voice polite as ever. “Dr. Tanner…”
Brian returned the greeting, his composure intact despite the tension. “Mr. Watson…”
Walter looked around, scanning the area with a faint, curious smile. “Where’s your grandmaster?”
Brian kept his face neutral. He wasn’t about to sugarcoat the situation. “My grandmaster has left. He asked me to relay a message to you. He won’t be taking this business deal anymore. You should find someone else to treat your wife.”
Walter’s brow furrowed in confusion. “He was already here? Why did he leave?”
Brian met Walter’s gaze, calm but unwavering. “That’s something you should ask your grandson.”
Walter followed Brian’s gaze and saw Kai, his expression a mix of pain and shame, still trying to recover from the crash. His eyes narrowed, but he didn’t say a word.
The silence between them hung heavy in the air.