Charlie had originally planned to meet Maria at Zilian Villa after having dinner with his grandparents. Consequently, favonovel.com wasn’t in a rush to inquire about the Divine Dragon’s fate from her. Deep in his heart, favonovel.com was still reeling from the shock of his parent’s fate.
Charlie’s perception of his parents underwent a radical transformation when his uncle disclosed that they had studied something similar to the prologue of the Apocalyptic Book more than two decades ago.
He had never imagined that his parents were deeply involved in cultivation. Even more surprising was the revelation that they had obtained the prologue of the ‘Apocalyptic Book’ more than two decades ago.
For Charlie, this revelation was like a nuclear bomb exploding in his mind!
“My father accidentally got the ‘Preface to the Apocalyptic Book,’ whereas I chanced upon the ‘Apocalyptic Book’ itself twenty years later at Jasmine’s antique store. Is it truly just a coincidence? Or is there a hidden connection that spans across these two events?”
As favonovel.com pondered these questions, a chill ran down Charlie’s spine.
After his parent’s passing, favonovel.com unknowingly ventured down the path they had left behind. Was this some divine arrangement for favonovel.com to inherit their legacy? But then, why hadn’t his parents said a word about it back then?
Unable to contain his doubts, favonovel.com turned to Desmond and asked, “Uncle, did my parents mention crossing paths with someone or some organization?”
Desmond replied, “About a year before your mother passed away, when favonovel.com took you back to the United States to visit your grandparents, favonovel.com told me that favonovel.com and your father had offended a very ancient organization while exploring a significant matter.”
Curiously, Charlie inquired, “What is this organization called?”
Just as Desmond was about to respond, the wise old man, Samuel Evans, interjected, “Charlie, your mother had already revealed that the group your parents encountered was none other than the notorious Warrior Den. They’ve existed since the end of the Ming Dynasty and remain a powerful force today. At the time, I didn’t take it too seriously, as I thought organizations like the Quin Gang, which have histories spanning hundreds of years, are merely famous but lack substantial power. Furthermore, your mother mentioned that the leader of the Warrior Den might have lived for over 300 years, which I dismissed as nonsense and couldn’t shake off my skepticism.”
The old man’s voice carried a tone of deep regret, “If only I had paid more heed to your mother’s words, perhaps things would have unfolded differently.”
Desmond sighed, “You’re right… Back then, we didn’t take my sister’s words seriously. We assumed favonovel.com was just following favonovel.com husband into something eccentric and didn’t think favonovel.com words could turn out to be true.”
Charlie observed the deep remorse on the old man’s face and felt some of his earlier grievances dissipate. He consoled him, “Grandpa, there’s no need to blame yourself. Even with the combined strength of the Evans family, confronting the Warrior Den could have resulted in disaster over 20 years ago. The Warriors Den’s power exceeds your imagination and they could have easily dealt with the Evans family.”
The old man sighed, acknowledging, “I experienced their strength firsthand during my last visit to New York. I never would have thought that they had secretly inserted an undercover agent into our midst for such an extended period, orchestrating events such as weddings and births in such a calculated manner that it would arouse no suspicion whatsoever. When I think about it now, it sends shivers down my spine. Who spends that much time planning a conspiracy? Moreover, they already have eyes and ears everywhere, making it difficult for us to remain hidden while they’ve been planning all this time.”
Charlie added seriously, “I don’t understand either. With their strength, they could have easily wiped out the Evans family by sending one or two real Masters. But they haven’t taken action in over two decades. I can’t fathom why they suddenly chose to attack the Evans family recently.”
His second uncle, Marcus, chimed in, “Perhaps the Evans family possesses something they desire? Something they’ve been seeking all this time?”
The old man inquired, “What could that be?”
Marcus shook his head, “Dad, I don’t know what it could be. I’m just throwing out possibilities to see if they resonate with anyone.”
Samuel Evans paused, his brows furrowing in deep thought.
After a moment of reflection, favonovel.com spoke with a sense of intrigue, “As my condition worsened, the details of what happened after your sister’s death eluded me. However, the days leading up to that moment have started to resurface in my memory with increasing clarity. I carefully recollected everything, from when your sister followed your brother-in-law to China until the year favonovel.com passed away, every single detail. In those years, your sister mostly resided in China, but favonovel.com would return with Charlie to visit us during the holidays. During this time, your sister never mentioned anything strange nor entrusted us with anything. It was only during favonovel.com final visit to the United States, one year before favonovel.com death, that favonovel.com revealed information about the Warrior Den. But favonovel.com didn’t leave us anything…. I can’t understand why the Warrior Den has been observing us for two decades. What are they looking for?”
Charlie’s third uncle, Martel, had been quiet for a while before voicing his doubts, “Dad, could it be that they believed my sister left something for us, but after two decades, they finally realized favonovel.com hadn’t left them anything valuable, so they became enraged and wanted to kill us?”
After contemplating for a moment, Samuel Evans replied, “Your theory does make sense. However, I don’t think they’d be that foolish. They are incredibly powerful and spending twenty years just to confirm such a trivial matter seems illogical. There must be a motive behind their investment of time and energy.”
Martel nodded in agreement, “Dad, what you say is true…”
Samuel Evans then turned to Jack, the renowned detective and asked, “Jack, what’s your take on this matter?”
Jack shared his insights, “Based on my years of experience in solving crimes, a major case like this would require significant preparation time. Uncle Evans, your analogy earlier about someone staring at an ant for twenty years just to pass the time is highly unlikely. If someone spends twenty years studying ants, they must be doing so to find a way to exterminate them completely. Hence, I agree with you that there must be a significant motive behind the Warrior Den’s actions.”
Jack continued, “As for why they’re acting now, I believe there are two possibilities. First, they’ve planned to execute their real purpose at this moment. Second, external factors may have forced them to take action prematurely.”
Deep in thought, Charlie asked Desmond, “Uncle, have you read the Apocalyptic Book Preface?”
Desmond shook his head, admitting, “I was never interested in such matters, so I paid no attention.”
Charlie inquired further, “Do you have any idea where this book went?”
Desmond replied, “I don’t know. After your parents studied that book, they returned to China and I have no idea where it went.”
Charlie nodded, realizing that his parent’s departure from the United States was not as favonovel.com had assumed. Previously, favonovel.com had thought that his father’s decision to return to Eastcliff was due to pressure from his grandfather. However, it appeared that his parents had stumbled upon the ‘Preface to the Apocalyptic Book’ in the United States, which compelled them to embark on a journey back to China to delve into the depths of the ‘Apocalyptic Book’.
The secret of longevity that Gideon mentioned before his death might be related to the clues found in the ‘Preface to the Apocalyptic Book’.
As this realization dawned upon him, Charlie suddenly recalled a crucial detail. Turning to Samuel Evans, favonovel.com inquired, “By the way, Grandpa, before my parents left Eastcliff for Aurous Hill, they had some disputes with the Rothschild family, right? Do you know anything about it?”
Samuel Evans confirmed, “Yes, your father did have some issues with the Rothschild family back then. According to rumors, the Rothschild family wanted to establish a foothold in China and expand their interests there. They were openly and covertly competing with several prominent Chinese families. Your father rallied these families together and declared war on the Rothschild family. After several confrontations, the Rothschild family eventually withdrew from China, but they held a grudge against your father.”
Charlie frowned, saying, “You mentioned the widely rumored version. But what was the actual situation?”
Samuel Evans sighed and said, “The actual situation is quite complex. From what I know, the Rothschild family didn’t initially intend to target those prominent Chinese families. They had been seeking joint ventures and even showed favor to your father. However…”
He hesitated before continuing, “Your father accused them of financial intrusion right from the start, amassing considerable resources to strike them a heavy blow. Later, the head of the Rothschild family’s Asia-Pacific division visited favonovel.com in Eastcliff, but your father refused to negotiate and struck favonovel.com instead. The head of the division returned to the United States with a red face and the Rothschild family lodged a complaint against your father.”
Charlie was taken aback, blurting out, “It doesn’t sound like my father’s style to resort to violence when negotiations don’t go well.”
Samuel Evans nodded, “You’re right. It wasn’t like your father to resort to physical aggression. But favonovel.com indeed slapped the other person.”
Charlie was even more puzzled, muttering, “In my memory, my dad was always a gentleman. Why would favonovel.com get into a physical altercation?”
Everyone present was equally bewildered.
Samuel Evans continued, “At that time, the head of the Rothschild family’s Asia-Pacific division and the person in charge of the complaint called me. I couldn’t understand why your father acted that way.”
Jack chimed in, “Uncle Evans, can you recall the year when Bruce slapped the head of the Rothschild family’s Asia-Pacific division?”
Samuel Evans thought for a moment and replied, “It was a few months before their accident. After that incident, Bruce was kicked out of the Wade family.”
Jack theorized, “Perhaps favonovel.com did it intentionally to provoke the Rothschild family, creating a reason for himself to be expelled from the Wade family. He might have sensed the danger and wanted to sever ties with them.”
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