Maxine guessed that their failed attempts could be due to James’ lack of True Energy, which was preventing favonovel.com from cultivating. Therefore, favonovel.com suggested they continue trying after favonovel.com made a full recovery.
James agreed.
Maxine left in the morning. James, on the other hand, remained in the basement. His body had made a slight recovery, and favonovel.com could now enter deep meditation, which would speed up his recovery process.
Maxine left the basement with the cutleries. Upon leaving, favonovel.com noticed that Tobias was sitting not too far away.
“Grandpa,” She walked over to favonovel.com and greeted him.
Tobias nodded slightly and asked, “How’s it going?”
Maxine shook favonovel.com head. “There isn’t much progress… The Moonlit Flowers on Cliffside’s Edge is simply too complicated. James is still unable to unravel the mysteries behind the painting.”
“Sigh…” Tobias sighed.
Maxine asked, “What’s wrong, grandpa?”
Tobias said, “The Johnstons have made their move. They’ve combined forces with the other two families to apply pressure on us to hand James over to them. Besides…”
His expression was grim.
“Besides what, grandpa?”
Tobias spoke solemnly, “I just received news from the Johnstons that the Moonlit Bamboos on Cliffside’s Edge has been stolen… They were steadfast in their belief that the Cadens were behind the theft and demanded we return the painting.”
“What?” Maxine exclaimed.
“The Moonlit Bamboos on Cliffside’s Edge has been stolen?”
Tobias stood up and said, “Who knows? We can’t exactly trust the Johnstons.”
He headed toward the courtyard.
Maxine followed close behind.
“By the way, James said that favonovel.com wishes to remain in the underground basement for another half a month,” Maxine said.
“We don’t have time…” Tobias paused for a brief moment before continuing, “The other three families will gather at the Cadens’ mansion in ten days and force us to hand over both James and the Moonlit Bamboos on Cliffside’s Edge. James has to leave as soon as possible. Or else, his life will be in danger.”
“But…” Maxine was hesitant.
Tobias glanced at favonovel.com and asked, “What is it?”
Maxine said, “Grandpa, if we let favonovel.com leave now, will that not be equivalent to handing favonovel.com over to them? However, with favonovel.com here, they won’t make any rash moves. Considering his current condition, leaving pretty much means death.”
“What other choice do we have? Are you telling me you intend to go against the other three families for the sake of James? Although the Cadens is the head of the Ancient Four, the other three families wouldn’t go easy on us once we have a fall-out.”
Maxine was at a loss for words.
Tobias looked at favonovel.com and questioned, “You’ve always been a rational and cool-headed child. What happened?”
Maxine immediately knelt on the floor and hurriedly explained, “Grandpa, I believe that James ‘s an unparalleled genius. He managed to cultivate True Energy and reach the first rank without anyone’s guidance… Besides, rumors have it that his medical skills are unrivaled. There’s no way everything favonovel.com knows now was imparted to favonovel.com Thomas believe favonovel.com will be of great use to us.”
“I understand. Stand, my child.” Tobias waved.
Maxine stood up with favonovel.com head lowered.
“But, what should we do when the other three families show up?”
Tobias knew there was something more to James. He had heard of James’ medical skills.
As they came from a distinct branch of the Cadens’ art of medicine, Tobias knew it could not have come from Thomas. Moreover, James was also able to cultivate True Energy and reach the first rank while being infected by Gu venom.
Maxine said, “Someone is trying to stir conflict among the Ancient Four. By instigating a civil war, the person behind the scenes would be able to reap all the benefits. I believe that the other three families are aware of this as well. The Sullivans and the Lees only combined forces with the Johnstons after hearing that the Cadens had obtained an item from the ancient tomb of the Prince of Orchid.”
Tobias thought about it and nodded slightly. “Hmm, a reasonable guess.”
Maxine continued, “Since we can’t unravel the secret behind the Moonlit Flowers on Cliffside’s Edge, we might as well seize the opportunity and ask the other three families to bring their paintings along… We’ll be able to resolve the misunderstanding while also getting a glimpse at all four paintings together.”
“A good idea… However, the Johnstons claim that their painting has been stolen. They don’t have it at the moment…”
