"According to our agreement… wherever the young master is, I'll take the initiative to stay away."
"That's not necessary."
Roy waved his hand lazily. All he wanted was peace and quiet—not to exile someone from the world.
Besides, from start to finish, this entire mess had nothing to do with Wutong. He had simply been dragged into the storm and ended up a scapegoat.
"Young master is truly magnanimous."
Wutong took a deep breath, then bowed with a deep sense of gratitude. He straightened his back with some effort and limped down the mountain path.
When he first came here, he hadn't imagined he'd be leaving so soon.
And even more unexpectedly—he lost. Completely.
He couldn't even withstand a single technique from Roy.
Now, he needed time to reflect.
"Master… I've failed you. I'll report to the General Affairs Department and accept punishment."
As he passed Jeno, Wutong paused and nodded respectfully.
Without looking back, he disappeared into the swaying shadows of the forest, his limping figure soon swallowed by the trees.
The mountain wind whispered through the branches, sending fallen leaves dancing around Jeno's shoes.
The old steward stood frozen for a moment, watching Wutong's retreating back. His lips parted, but no words came out.
Eventually, he sighed.
With hands behind his back, he turned to leave.
After all this, he could no longer stay here—his good intentions had ended in disaster.
"Was it my fault?" Jeno wondered, beginning to doubt his judgment. He decided it was time to consult the old man, Maha.
Besides… the realization struck him hard—
Roy wasn't just gifted. He was that legendary type…
A natural-born Nen-Nemesis.
This had to be reported to Maha Zoldyck right away. Surely, the old man would be stunned.
But just as Jeno lifted his foot to leave, a lazy, amused voice drifted over his shoulder:
"You can come and go whenever you like. What is this place to you, a hotel?"
Jeno froze in place. Turning around, he met Roy's pale, but unmistakably sharp eyes.
"Why?" he asked, narrowing his eyes. "You want me to stay for dinner?"
The sky had dimmed into the soft hues of dusk, golden light pouring across the courtyard.
Against this peaceful backdrop, Jeno tried to keep a straight face.
"If that's your wish, I'll… reluctantly agree," he joked with a mock sigh.
Heh. Want to eat? This old man can cook if you really insist.
Roy scoffed. His tone chilled.
"Cut the nonsense, old man."
"Don't dig your eyeballs out and throw them away.
Take a good look at the mess you made at my door—it looks like a wild dog had a tantrum."
His voice was cool and casual, but behind the smile, there was clear menace.
"Ten million. Transfer it now. I'm doing you a favor by not dragging this to the Family Council."
Jeno's face twitched. He glanced at the large crater gouged out by Roy's attack and flushed with irritation.
"You made that crater yourself!"
You think I'm blind just like you?!
"You brought him here," Roy replied, expression flat.
Jeno exploded:
"Sure, I brought him—but did I tell you to beat him half-dead?!"
Roy's tone was razor-sharp. "Weren't you the one manipulating things from the sidelines?"
"I manipulated—?!" Jeno pointed at himself, his voice cracking in disbelief.
"I did it for you, you brat!"
"Then pay up," Roy replied smoothly. "Since it was all for me, you shouldn't mind footing the bill."
He gave a smug nod.
"Out of consideration for your old bones, I'll even waive the repair cost."
"YOU—!" Jeno was trembling now, one finger still pointed at Roy.
His rage surged up to his white eyebrows. He gritted his teeth and snarled:
"I'm not paying! Take it if you think you can!"
This brat's getting out of control!
Does he think that just because he's awakened Nen and drawn some freakish card, he can ignore his elders?
Fine!
Jeno rolled up his sleeves, veins bulging on his forehead. Time to teach the boy a lesson he wouldn't forget.
But before he could take a step forward—
Roy tilted his head slightly, sensing the movements through Ken and En, and shouted toward the old rocking chair nearby:
"Hey, Maha! Your grandson's about to throw hands!"
"If I lose a single hair today… don't even think about watching One Piece again!"
—Silence.
No one had even noticed when the ancient head of the family, Maha Zoldyck, had shown up.
The old man had been rocking quietly in the shade, watching everything unfold like a soap opera.
The chair creaked to a stop.
With a long sigh, Maha stood up, hands behind his back, and walked slowly toward them.
He cast a sideways glance at Roy, then fixed Jeno with a scowl.
"Forget it… forget it." Maha waved his hand.
"Why are you getting worked up over a child?"
"Be good. Transfer the money."
"Grandpa!" Jeno's voice cracked like thunder.
WHAT?!
Maha was siding with him?
The old steward's face flushed purple, as if he had just swallowed a fly. He stared at Maha, eyes wide with disbelief.
"You'll spoil him rotten!" he barked.
But Maha's expression turned cold, his voice suddenly stern:
"Is it your face that matters, or my happiness?"
That shut Jeno up instantly.
He didn't dare argue further. Maha was no ordinary elder. He was the spine of the entire Zoldyck clan.
Without him, the Zoldycks might have faded into history.
With him… they stood at the peak of the assassin world.
There was no contest.
"…Understood." Jeno bit his lip, swallowing his pride and fury.
With a trembling hand, he pulled out his phone and made a call to the bank.
A minute later—
Ding~!
Roy's phone lit up.
[Your account ending in 7086 has received a transfer of 10 million Qatah. Please check your balance.]
Roy looked at the message, then gave Jeno a satisfied nod.
"Much appreciated, old man. I'll treat myself to something nice."
Jeno almost coughed up blood.