A Priceless Reward
"Damn... this is good stuff."
Holding the Mystic Life Fruit in his hand, Julian D’Aurelius couldn’t help feeling a trace of regret.
If he had known Steffan had been carrying something this valuable, he might have gone a little easier on him during the fight.
I didn’t need to slice off his entire manhood...
Taking only half would have been enough.
The thought flashed through his mind before he let out a helpless chuckle.
Now that he possessed both the Mystic Life Fruit and the Nine Way Cleansing Elixir, Julian was finally confident that he could break through into the Gold Realm.
Meanwhile, White Ghost’s desperate stand lasted only a few minutes.
Even after swallowing the enhancement capsule and burning through every ounce of strength he possessed, he simply wasn’t a match for Lina Ashford and Liza Voss fighting together.
The clash echoed across the ruined courtyard.
Steel flashed.
Palm strikes collided.
Dust rose into the night air.
In the end, White Ghost was overwhelmed.
The two women forced him to the ground and subdued him completely.
Even after both of his arms were crippled and he lay motionless on the stone floor, not a trace of regret appeared on his face.
His elder brother had already shown him what true loyalty meant.
As the younger brother...
He had to display the same resolve.
Even so...
A bitter sadness lingered in his heart.
Why...?
Why couldn’t I win glory for Commander Steffan?
Why couldn’t I help him achieve victory?
The memory of the motorcycle disappearing into the distance replayed endlessly in his mind.
Commander Steffan...
Hadn’t even looked back once as he escaped.
"Young Master Julian, what should we do now?"
After restraining White Ghost, Liza and Lina walked over.
The admiration in their eyes was impossible to hide.
The image of Julian forcing Steffan—a Gold Realm Peak expert—to the ground and completely dominating the battle had left a deep impression on both women.
Julian casually shrugged.
"Leave the pursuit to the Ashbourne family."
"I’m not planning to chase him."
Lina blinked in surprise.
"We’re just letting him escape?"
Julian smiled calmly.
"He’s already at the peak of the Gold Realm."
"If we corner him too hard, who knows what desperate trick he’ll pull next?"
He paused before continuing.
"I also have a feeling."
"Killing Steffan today might only invite an even greater monster tomorrow."
"As long as he’s alive..."
"There will always be another chance to settle the score."
His tone remained relaxed, though his thoughts were practical.
Besides...
Living protagonists tended to carry treasures.
Dead ones usually didn’t.
Watching from the upper floor, Felberta Ashbourne quietly exhaled before giving a series of orders.
"Have the family medical team treat every injured person immediately."
The physicians hurried into action.
The wounded bodyguards were carried away one after another.
As for the Ashbourne family’s enforcer who had lost his life during the battle...
Felberta’s beautiful face became solemn.
"There will be a proper funeral."
"And his family will receive generous compensation."
No amount of money could replace a life.
But it was the least the Ashbourne family could do for someone who had remained loyal until the end.
While everyone else cleaned up the battlefield, Julian personally walked into the kitchen.
He carefully prepared the medicinal soup that Dario Ashbourne still needed.
Every herb was measured precisely.
Every step followed the instructions recorded within the Miracle Medicine Record.
Once the medicine was ready, it was brought to Dario.
He slowly drank the entire bowl.
Only a few moments later, the pallor on his face noticeably faded.
The pain that had tormented his body—and especially his injured manhood—continued to ease.
Leaning comfortably against the headboard, Dario let out a long breath.
"Dear Julian..."
"You’ve worked incredibly hard today."
He had already learned everything that had happened downstairs.
Steffan’s desperate breakthrough...
His terrifying counterattack...
And Julian’s decisive response.
None of it had been expected.
If Julian hadn’t stepped forward today...
The Ashbourne family would have suffered catastrophic losses.
Dario slowly shook his head.
"I’ve already mobilized every connection the Ashbourne family has."
"I’ve also placed a bounty of five billion Euros."
"Whoever brings me Steffan’s head will receive the reward immediately."
As he spoke, his expression gradually darkened.
Thinking about the loyal enforcer who had served him faithfully for so many years only to die protecting the family, sorrow filled his heart.
Experts at the Gold Realm were exceedingly rare.
Most devoted themselves entirely to martial cultivation.
Had Dario not helped them during their most difficult years...
Had he not invested enormous wealth into nurturing them...
They never would have chosen to remain with the Ashbourne family as guardians.
Julian smiled modestly.
"Uncle Dario... please just call me Dear Julian."
Every time Dario called him "dear nephew," it felt strangely formal.
Dario laughed warmly.
"Very well."
"I’ll call you Dear Julian from now on."
His gaze became serious.
"I’ll never forget today’s favor."
"And I will honor every promise I’ve made."
"If the Obsidian Wing organization ever causes trouble for you..."
"The Ashbourne family will stand beside you without hesitation."
Julian nodded with a grateful smile.
An alliance with the Ashbourne family was an enormous advantage.
After all...
Their financial resources were astonishing.
With the Ashbourne family supporting him, the Obsidian Wing organization would find it far more difficult to expand its influence throughout Silverhaven City.
After a moment of silence, Dario sighed once more.
"I’ve learned something after everything that’s happened."
"I spent so long lying sick in bed..."
"That even my own son allowed greed to consume him."
"He actually chose to conspire with outsiders against his own father."
A bitter smile crossed his face.
"And yet..."
"Felberta has always kept her distance from me."
"She blames me for her mother’s death."
"She suffers from androphobia."
"Despite all of that..."
"She has worked tirelessly for my recovery without asking for anything in return."
His eyes turned toward Julian.
"Dear Julian..."
"I’m planning to hand the Ashbourne family over to Felberta in a few years."
"But her androphobia remains a difficult problem."
"Do you have any ideas?"