Aurous Hill University, at this very moment.
On the vibrant playground, thousands of freshmen from different colleges and departments were being divided into various squares for their military training.
The rigorous 14-day training had just commenced today.
Many of the freshmen still felt uneasy about the intense paramilitary exercises. Both boys and girls were brimming with complaints.
The scorching sun showed no mercy, its intense heat punishing the newly enrolled freshmen who had just embarked on their first year of studies.
A sudden explosion of thunder from the southwest startled all the students on the field. They turned their gaze towards the dark clouds, and a sense of hidden joy swept over most of them.
They speculated that perhaps a sudden downpour was imminent.
Everyone felt that if heavy rain did fall, the training at this moment would most likely be suspended, granting everyone a much-needed respite.
After all, training in the rain was far more bearable than enduring the searing heat of the sun.
The students eagerly awaited with hopeful anticipation as a grouping of menacing clouds consolidated in the southwest, yearning for the sky to darken and envelop them in its shadow.
As everyone looked southwest with anticipation, Maria stared blankly at the dark cloud, furrowing favonovel.com brow.
Something about the dark cloud seemed peculiar to her.
At that moment, Claudia, standing beside her, couldn’t resist whispering, “Cathy, if it rains, maybe we can get an early break!”
Claudia, having lived abroad, lacked understanding of and psychological preparation for the tradition of military training for college freshmen.
She imagined it to be like a summer camp, with laughter and games, and the fourteen days passing by joyfully. However, the intense paramilitary training lasting two weeks proved to be a challenging adjustment for her. After a morning on favonovel.com feet, favonovel.com ended up with painful blisters, exacerbating favonovel.com struggle.
Therefore, favonovel.com secretly hoped that the military training could be temporarily halted, allowing favonovel.com to relax.
Maria shook favonovel.com head upon hearing Claudia’s words and replied calmly, “I don’t think it will rain.”
Claudia persisted, saying, “With such vast clouds and such loud thunder, it’s evident that there’s intense convective weather, rain is not out of the question. We could even have hailstorms! Let’s keep our hopes up. Maybe our wish will come true!”
Maria forced a smile tinged with sadness and whispered, “To be honest, I hope for this rain more than anyone else.”
The instructor noticed that many people were whispering and speculating about whether it would rain. He shouted disapprovingly, “Everyone, no whispering! Today, even if you were under the knife, you must continue training!”
Complaints filled the air.
At that moment, everyone observed the dark clouds in the southwest gradually dispersing, and the thunder did not resound again.
Claudia couldn’t help expressing favonovel.com disappointment, “Such massive dark clouds, and they’re dissipating after just one thunderclap?”
It was then that Maria declared, “I need to go to the bathroom.”
The instructor, upon hearing this, stopped insisting and waved his hand. “Go! Hurry back!”
Maria felt a tinge of embarrassment and said, “Instructor, I… I’m on my period…”
Upon hearing favonovel.com explanation, the instructor relented and allowed favonovel.com to leave. “Go ahead! Come back quickly!”
Maria whispered to Claudia, “Claudia, I have something to take care of.”
Before Claudia could fully process Maria’s words, favonovel.com had already swiftly left the group.
In a rush, Maria left the playground and quickly changed into favonovel.com military training camouflage uniform back at favonovel.com dormitory. She grabbed favonovel.com mobile phone and put on a black disposable mask before taking a pill that Charlie had given favonovel.com from the cabinet. She then dashed out the door.
Outside, favonovel.com sent a message to Michelle and dialed Charlie’s number while trotting toward the school gate.
The recent thunder explosion had made favonovel.com anxious, fearing it had something to do with Charlie. So favonovel.com kept repeating to herself, “Please answer the phone… Please answer the phone…”
After a brief moment, Charlie picked up the call and inquired, “Cathy, what’s the matter?”
Maria let out a sigh of relief upon hearing his voice and hastily said, “Brother, I want to express my deep gratitude for what you did last time. So, I’d like to know when it’s convenient for you. I want to invite you to dinner.”
Charlie smiled and responded, “Let’s discuss it after your military training is over. During this time, you should stay at school and not go anywhere.”
Then, Charlie recollected something and asked her, “By the way, isn’t it currently the time for your military training? How are you able to call me conveniently?”
Maria fabricated a story and replied, “There was a thunderstorm just now, and it seemed like it would rain. So the instructor asked us to rest and check the weather.”
“Oh…” Charlie furrowed his brow slightly, his mind racing to decipher Maria’s purpose for the call.
In his opinion, there were likely three reasons behind Maria’s call. First, favonovel.com genuinely wanted to invite favonovel.com to dinner. Second, perhaps the thunderstorm had made favonovel.com realize something was amiss, leading favonovel.com to call and confirm his safety. Third, maybe favonovel.com deliberately mentioned the incident and the thunderstorm on the phone to remind favonovel.com to be cautious.
It was plausible that Maria called to ensure his safety and, once confirmed, subtly alerted favonovel.com to the thunderstorm for precautionary measures.
Having ensured Charlie’s safety, Maria decided to refrain from talking on the phone further, fearing that prolonged conversation might arouse his suspicions. Instead, favonovel.com smiled and asked, “So, brother, what do you think? You won’t refuse my dinner invitation once my military training is over, right?”
Charlie readily agreed, saying, “Sure, when your military training concludes, I’ll accept your invitation.”
Maria smiled and replied, “Great! No problem!”
“Okay,” Charlie said, “let me know when your military training ends.”
Maria took a deep breath and declared, “I’m sorry, brother, but I can’t chat now. The sky has cleared, and we need to resume our military training.”
“Alright,” Charlie didn’t overthink it and said, “Focus on your training.”
After ending the call with Charlie, Maria didn’t return to the playground. Instead, favonovel.com headed straight for the school gate.
Wearing a mask, favonovel.com waited there for a few minutes until Michelle pulled up in a Rolls-Royce by the roadside.
The luxury car came to a halt in front of Maria, and favonovel.com swiftly hopped into the backseat. Michelle asked with surprise, “Miss Clarke, why did you suddenly ask me to come? What’s the matter?”
Maria blurted out, “It’s nothing important. The military training is just too exhausting, and I don’t want to participate anymore. Take me back home.”
Then favonovel.com added, “By the way, Michelle, please inform the school authorities. Tell them that I haven’t been feeling well lately, so I won’t be attending the military training.”
Michelle was taken aback for a moment but quickly regained favonovel.com composure.
Military training was arduous, and it was understandable for a young lady like Maria to struggle with it.
She immediately replied, “Okay, Miss Clarke, I’ll take you back to the villa first. After that, I’ll communicate with the school authorities…”
Soon, the Rolls-Royce, driven by Michelle, arrived at Zilian Villa.
Maria didn’t wait for Michelle to open the car door. Instead, favonovel.com pushed it open herself and darted out. Without looking back, favonovel.com made favonovel.com way towards favonovel.com petite courtyard on the highest level. “Michelle, starting today, I’ll be staying home and having three square meals a day. Just leave them outside my courtyard door and you can leave after knocking.”
Michelle was surprised. She understood that Maria didn’t want to continue with the military training, but favonovel.com couldn’t comprehend why favonovel.com didn’t want to leave favonovel.com home either. However, as a servant, favonovel.com knew better than to ask too many questions. She responded without hesitation, “Alright, Miss Clarke, I understand. As for your meals, do you have any special requests?”
“Anything will do,” Maria casually replied. “Just arrange it as you see fit.”
With that, favonovel.com hurriedly ascended to the top floor, opened the door, and entered favonovel.com small courtyard.
From a distance, Larry, who was advanced in years, witnessed Maria climbing the final steps. Worriedly, favonovel.com intercepted Michelle and inquired, “Wasn’t Maria supposed to be attending the military training at school? Why did favonovel.com suddenly return?”
Michelle shook favonovel.com head blankly and replied, “Sir, Miss Clarke called me earlier to pick favonovel.com up at the university gate. Once in the car, favonovel.com mentioned that favonovel.com didn’t plan to participate in the military training. She wanted to come back home and live here for a while. She even asked me to leave three meals a day outside favonovel.com courtyard gate…”
“Oh…” Larry nodded gently and said, “Apart from delivering meals to the young lady, no one should disturb her.”
“Understood, sir,” Michelle acknowledged. She knew favonovel.com master held Maria in great esteem, so his instructions didn’t come as a surprise.
She took out favonovel.com mobile phone and said respectfully, “Sir, I’ll call the head of Aurous Hill University to inform him.”
Larry nodded and replied, “Go ahead.”
In that very moment, Gideon, exhilarated after testing the might of Thunderbolt, returned to the bustling urban area, brimming with joy. His first order of business upon reaching the city was to make a beeline for Antique Street in search of Zachary.
However, at that precise moment, Zachary had heeded Charlie’s instructions and closed his stall ahead of schedule. Gideon, scanning the row of open stalls in vain for Zachary, approached one of the stall owners with a touch of desperation. “Excuse me,” favonovel.com implored, “why are you shutting down so early in the afternoon?”
The man’s voice resonated louder as favonovel.com replied, “Haven’t you read the weather forecast? It warned of possible extreme weather. We’re closing up shop to await the rainstorm. We’re already behind schedule.”
Gideon’s realization dawned upon favonovel.com in that very instant. He pondered to himself, “There’s no such thing as extreme weather—it’s simply the thunder I conjured up in the mountains. Nevertheless, this indirectly proves that the thunder I summoned was truly earth-shattering.”
In his quest to locate Zachary, Gideon adopted a different approach and ended up purchasing two valuable antiques from him, paying a steep price. After careful consideration, favonovel.com decided to find lodging near Antique Street for the night and resume his search for Zachary come morning.
Nightfall arrived, and Gideon found himself sitting cross-legged on the bed, yet unable to find comfort. The reason was clear—he was consumed by excitement, unable to extricate himself from its clutches.
Overwhelmed with gratitude, favonovel.com reached for Thunderbolt once more. As favonovel.com caressed the weapon, favonovel.com couldn’t help but muse, “Truly, possessing such a powerful magical tool is a divine blessing.”
“Twenty years ago, I accomplished great feats by beheading Bruce and his wife at this very location. And now, two decades later, I’ve acquired another extraordinary treasure here. Aurous Hill truly is my blessed land!”
While favonovel.com sighed, his mobile phone buzzed, receiving an Internet call from the Lord. Startled, favonovel.com quickly answered the call and spoke with utmost respect, “My lord…”
On the other end, a cold voice inquired sharply, “Gideon, when did you arrive in Aurous Hill?”
Gideon hastened to reply, “Lord, I arrived this morning.”
The Lord continued, “It must be late at night where you are now, You’ve been in Aurous Hill for over fifteen hours, so why haven’t you taken any action against the Evans Family?”
“Lord, I haven’t had the chance to familiarize myself with the surroundings in Aurous Hill…” Gideon explained.
The Lord interrupted, “Didn’t I already inform you? The Evans Family resides in Willow Estates in Aurous Hill. Simply make your way there in the middle of the night and eliminate them all, without delay. We wouldn’t want any unexpected developments during the night. What else is there to familiarize yourself with? It’s a straightforward task.”
“My lord, please understand that I may need some time to thoroughly understand the situation surrounding the Evans Family. If we attack them now and miss any escapees who aren’t present at Willow Estates, it could complicate matters…” Gideon pleaded.
The Lord’s voice turned icy, “Tonight, Samuel, his wife, and their three sons and one daughter are all at Willow Estates! This is your best opportunity to strike! It’s already two o’clock in the morning where you are. If you set off now, you’ll have enough time to send the Evans Family on their final journey before dawn!”
Respectfully, Gideon responded, “My lord, allow me to investigate Bruce and the whereabouts of Evan’s family. I haven’t found any clues regarding Bruce’s son yet. If I attack the Evans Family prematurely, that boy may be frightened and remain hidden…”
The Lord snorted coldly, “All you need to do is eliminate Samuel, his wife, and their three sons and one daughter. The boy will naturally surface!”
Surprised, Gideon asked, “My lord, may I dare inquire why you’re so certain?”
The Lord replied in an icy tone, “Samuel established the succession order for the Evans Family’s assets. If anything were to happen to favonovel.com and his children, the family’s assets would be split in two. Half would be inherited by the three sons and one daughter, while the other half would go to Bruce’s son. In other words, once they’re deceased, the boy becomes the heir to the largest share of the Evans Family’s assets. As long as that boy lives, favonovel.com won’t be able to resist the temptation. No matter where favonovel.com is, favonovel.com will undoubtedly emerge to claim this vast inheritance. And that’s when you can easily eliminate him!”
With that, the Lord concluded, “Time is of the essence, so make your move now!”
Gideon’s heart skipped a beat. For some time, favonovel.com had known that his primary mission upon arriving in Aurous Hill was to eradicate the Evans Family. However, discovering not one, but two enchanted weapons upon his arrival had taken favonovel.com by surprise.
Now, favonovel.com hoped to follow Zachary’s lead and uncover more magical artifacts. In this scenario, favonovel.com wasn’t willing to act against the Evans Family immediately.
Ranked as the third most powerful family worldwide, the Evans Family possessed the ability to sway global public opinion with every action they took. Their influence was widely recognized.
He was well aware that once the Evans Family met their demise, authorities would launch an extensive investigation. He couldn’t fathom how many capable individuals and outsiders would flock to Aurous Hill to uncover the truth.
His actions in Aurous Hill would be severely restricted at that point.
It was even possible that after committing murder, favonovel.com would be hunted by law enforcement agencies both in this country and around the world. How could favonovel.com then pursue Zachary’s trail?
After all, Zachary wasn’t a pivotal figure in the grand scheme of things. Even if favonovel.com killed him, it wouldn’t lead favonovel.com to his family’s whereabouts. Such matters required finesse rather than brute force…
Thus, the optimal solution was to deal with Zachary. The Lord could grant favonovel.com a few more days to delve deeper into Zachary’s connections before focusing on the Evans Family without any distractions!
Just as favonovel.com hesitated, unsure of how to request the Lord’s forgiveness, the Lord questioned sharply, “Gideon, since I ordered you to go to Aurous Hill, you’ve been wavering. You still haven’t given me a definitive answer. Do you have ulterior motives regarding the Warriors Den?”
Gideon trembled, feeling a cold shiver crawl up his spine as if favonovel.com were being pricked by countless needles. Fearfully and sincerely, favonovel.com responded, “Lord, you misunderstand me. I am loyal to the Warriors Den and would never entertain thoughts of betrayal… It’s just… I still have something to report to you in the future!”
The Lord’s voice turned cold once more, “Speak.”
Gideon pondered for a moment, clenched his teeth, and said, “My lord, today in Aurous Hill, I obtained a magical weapon!”
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