A mahogany coffin shot through the air from outside the courtyard and slammed into Jim's chest with horrifying force.
The impact sent his body hurtling backward like a paper kite, smashing into the wall with a sickening thud before collapsing to the ground in a heap.
His internal organs felt scrambled.
"Ugh!"
Blood poured from his mouth, his face twisted in agony and disbelief.
He hadn't seen it coming. Despite his training, the overwhelming power behind that coffin strike shattered his confidence in an instant.
BOOM!
The coffin crashed onto the ground, shaking the entire Russell Family estate.
Then came a cold, distant voice—sharp as ice, full of menace.
"Russell Family, I've waited a long time for this day."
The voice echoed even before the figure appeared. It silenced everyone in the Russell Family.
From the sheer impact, the coffin had to weigh at least five or six hundred kilos. Who could possibly throw something like that—into their courtyard—and with such precision that it struck Jim, a seasoned martial artist?
This wasn't just strength. It was domination.
"No way…"
Amy's voice was barely a whisper. She recognized that voice… but couldn't believe who it belonged to.
Her neck turned slowly toward the entrance, dread crawling through her bones.
And then he appeared.
John.
Gasps filled the courtyard.
Amy stared, every fiber of her being trembling uncontrollably.
It was him. It really was him.
The mahogany coffin had been thrown by John.
But wasn't he just Queenie's little plaything? A pretty boy kept in luxury? Since when did he have such terrifying strength?
Amy's teeth chattered.
The Russell Family stood frozen, their faces pale, trembling.
Because—
If someone could hurl that monstrous coffin bare-handed, they weren't just strong.
They were deadly.
A martial artist.
And all this time, they'd been slandering him… mocking him…
They had no idea they were provoking a predator.
John stepped into the courtyard, eyes cold, body radiating a chilling aura. Every footstep felt like a noose tightening around the Russell Family's necks.
"Did you enjoy the coffin with the paper talisman?" he bellowed, his voice echoing like a war drum.
The entire estate shook under the weight of his wrath.
Ned stumbled forward, pale and panicked. "Mr. John, this... this must be a misunderstanding!"
"Misunderstanding?" John's glare could freeze lava.
"Why didn't you call it a misunderstanding when you were smearing me and Miss Qingcheng?"
Ned faltered.
His eyes darted to Amy, a storm of fury swirling inside him.
This bitch caused all of this!
John didn't waste time. He strode toward Jim, who was barely upright, blood on his lips.
"I heard you were the god of New York," John sneered. "That your Russell Family planned to dominate the city. I also heard I'm just a piece of trash in your eyes."
Each "I heard" hit Jim like a hammer to the soul.
Cold sweat poured from his scalp.
He had once believed he was unmatched, the only martial artist in New York. He thought Leo's backers were just hired killers from Shadow Pavilion.
He was dead wrong.
This man in front of him—this beast—was on another level entirely.
Now he knew why Paul had screamed like a madman earlier, cursing the Russell Family. This was what gave Paul such confidence.
They had poked a sleeping monster.
It was already over.
"Mr. John... It really is a misunderstanding," Jim choked, blood mixing with his spit.
"Another misunderstanding?" John growled.
His hand shot out and grabbed Jim's head.
BANG!
He slammed it into the coffin.
"Say it again. Misunderstanding?"
"It is! It is!"
BANG!
"Still a misunderstanding?"
BANG!
"Is it a misunderstanding?"
BANG!
"Answer me!"
Jim reeled, his vision a kaleidoscope of stars.
He couldn't understand. Why him? Why not Amy?
She's the one who spread the rumors! Why are you hammering me instead!?
John's eyes darkened further.
"You're wondering why it's you?" he hissed. "Your colorful centipede bit a woman I love."
Jim's body jerked.
BANG!
Another blow to the coffin. His head bounced off the mahogany like a drumstick.
John had smelled it the moment he entered—the trace scent of a venomous centipede. It clung to Jim like death.
This man had dared to harm her.
Forget the slander. Forget the insults.
This was unforgivable.
Jim's pupils shrank as truth sank in.
That killer from Shadow Pavilion… was John's woman.
His heart plummeted.
This wasn't just a mistake. It was a goddamn catastrophe.
"Mr. John! I swear, I didn't know she was yours! Please, let me make it right. I can detoxify her right away!"
John's eyes narrowed.
"Are you trying to bargain with me?"
BANG!
Another hit.
Jim cried out, bloodied and broken.
"I said I'll help! What more do you want?!"
BANG!
Another strike.
His face turned purple.
BANG!
One more.
Jim gave up. His internal energy surged uncontrollably as his temper snapped.
His bloodshot eyes locked on John.
"John! Don't push me too far! Without my antidote, she dies!"
He was still a martial artist. He had been humiliated enough. If John wasn't going to let up, then he'd go down swinging.
But John didn't even flinch.
His answer?
BANG—