Kitaharai lunged forward in a sudden burst, aiming straight for Joseph.Though the dagger in Joseph’s hand appeared short and unassuming, the force behind it was formidable. With a deft parry and a fluid sidestep, he neutralized the strike effortlessly.When the first attack failed, Kitaharai sprang into the air. In the span of mere seconds, he unleashed dozens of flying kicks in rapid succession—each one sharp and precise. Yet every single blow was dissolved with ease.Joseph was far stronger, his build more solid, his movements swifter and more controlled.Most of Kitaharai’s strikes cut through empty air; those that did not were met head-on and overpowered.Compared to his brother, Kitaharai relied more on agility and technique. But age had caught up with him. Speed without strength was hollow, and his body no longer possessed the vigor it once had.Joseph had not expected this old skeleton to rush so eagerly to Nova City to meet his end.Steel clashed against steel, sparks scatter

Just as Brian Adams was about to strike, his movement was restrained in an instant.“Young Master?”He looked up and found Joseph standing behind him.“How is it? Monad is ranked eleventh on the leaderboard. Is he really that troublesome?”Joseph’s gaze rested calmly on the two figures locked in combat inside the steel factory.“It’s not that he’s difficult,” Adams replied, shaking his head. “It’s just that neither I nor the others have intervened.”“Who’s the kid?” Joseph asked.“He enrolled in the Military Command Academy last year. Tony Rogers. Nineteen this year. Comes from a martial family—both his grandfather and father served in the armed forces.”“The boy’s foundation is solid. After I brought him in, his progress was astonishing. He’s already ranked within the top thirty on the leaderboard.”“Of course, compared to you at his age, he’s still far behind. But he’s a prodigy, without question—his future is limitless.”“This time, he wants to kill Monad with his own hands and tak

After Joseph offered the first incense, the others stepped forward one by one to pay their respects.“Young Master, the first wave of assassins has been dealt with.”“But more will inevitably enter Nova City.”“Once we’ve begun this operation, there’s no turning back.”“For quite some time to come, we’ll be in a constant state of elimination.”“They’ve suffered heavy losses tonight. The next wave will be far more cautious.”Neil Foster approached Joseph, brows knitted in concern.“Old Foster is right,” Brian Adams added with a nod. “If Miss Morgan remains at the center of this storm indefinitely, it’s not a sustainable solution.”“You mentioned earlier that you had a way to change the situation. May we ask what you have in mind?”“My plan requires no involvement from you,” Joseph replied evenly. “Continue with what we’ve already arranged.”“Leave the rest to me.”His tone carried quiet certainty.“Very well. We won’t press further,” Neil said. “But the assassins who follow will be str

“But even so, there will still be people who refuse to believe it.”“So the best solution is to release the research publicly while shifting the focus from you to someone else.”Joseph continued evenly.“Shift it to someone else? How?”Mason Alvarez asked at once.“It’s simple.”“I join the project. Then the findings are published under my name in a reputable scientific journal.”“That way, every pair of eyes will turn to me.”Joseph’s tone was calm, almost casual.“No, absolutely not.”“Joseph, that would put you in danger.”“I won’t allow it. Under no circumstances.”Alice waved her hands immediately, her refusal firm.“If someone must stand in danger, it’s better me than you. I have more than enough ability to protect myself—you don’t.”“If they decide to move against me, they won’t dare act recklessly.”Joseph spoke without hesitation.“I think Professor Wilson is right,” Mason said thoughtfully.“If this works, it would drastically reduce the cost and complexity of protecting you

After a brief tidying up, Joseph left with Alice.They chose to meet at the Morgan family’s own teahouse. In Nova City, the Morgan family’s primary enterprise was medicine, followed by the hospitality industry.The decision to develop restaurants in Nova City had much to do with the old patriarch’s fondness for fine cuisine.When Joseph and Alice arrived, he did not go in immediately.He stood beside the car for a moment, surveying the surroundings.“What is it? Something wrong?”Alice asked when she noticed him scanning the area.“No. They’re all our people. It seems your grandfather and Uncle Mason are already here.”Joseph spoke with certainty.“How can you tell who’s with us and who isn’t?”Alice asked curiously.“By the way they carry themselves. A person’s intentions inevitably reveal themselves through behavior.”“No one can truly conceal every emotion. In speech and gesture, something always slips through.”“Of course, that comes from long experience.”Joseph answered lightly.