The Unbroken Warlord

Chapter 3

Jade's bodyguard froze at the sight. He was a former soldier who had faced life and death situations, yet he couldn't even see the dagger that flew straight at Jade's hand. Everything happened too fast.

"Why were you daydreaming? Hurry up and protect me!" Jade shouted.

The bodyguard, named Stevel, immediately stood in front of Jade, ready in a defensive stance to shield him.

"I paid a fortune for you, and you can't even block one damn dagger! Useless!" Jade cursed while clutching his trembling hand in pain.

Jade then turned his glare to Troy. "And you! Why didn't you block that dagger for me?" he asked, frustrated.

Troy picked his ear casually. "My job is to kidnap the girl, not babysit a spoiled rich brat," he replied flatly.

In truth, Troy was swearing inside. He also couldn't track the dagger's movement. So he gave an excuse to cover up the embarrassment of failing to intercept it.

"I'll pay you! Just protect me!" Jade offered.

"Five hundred thousand dollars, and I'll consider it," Troy said with a sly grin.

Jade clenched his jaw. "Are you trying to extort me?"

Troy shrugged. "Take it or leave it. You can deal with the soldiers yourself, with just your one little bodyguard," he replied carelessly. He had already sensed the soldiers closing in.

Soon after, the sound of boots echoed heavily. Dozens of fully armed soldiers began entering one by one. With a loud click, rifles were aimed right where Jade stood.

Fear struck Jade. He spoke in panic, "O-okay! I agree! I'll pay you five hundred. No, six hundred thousand dollars. Just get me out of here alive!"

The amount made Troy more interested. Except for the person who threw the dagger, he was confident he could handle the soldiers. He quickly moved to Jade's side.

Jade's confidence rose after Troy stood by him. He stepped forward and pointed at Callen. "I don't know who you are, but if you value your life, you'd better not mess with Troy Bennet!"

He glanced at Troy and added, "You've heard of him, haven't you?"

Callen didn't respond. His gaze never left the little girl trembling in fear. For the first time, he saw his daughter in person. But what he found wasn't a bright and smiling child. It was a small body covered in bruises on her arm and cheek. The sight tightened his chest.

Slowly, his eyes turned cold. The air around him changed. A suffocating pressure filled the room, making it hard to breathe. The soldiers behind him held their breath. They knew what it meant when Callen wore that expression. Blood would be spilled.

Then a small voice broke the tension.

"Daddy!"

Callen's expression softened.

"Is that you, Daddy?" Lily called again, this time more certain. Her eyes lit up with hope. She recognized that face from the wedding photo her mother kept.

Callen gave a slow nod. His voice was gentle. "Yes, I'm here. Don't be scared. Daddy will get you out of here."

Lily's smile widened. Her father had really come!

But the moment was shattered by loud laughter from Jade. "Haha! So it's you? Just a low-ranking soldier?"

The fear on Jade's face vanished. He stood straighter, his eyes filled with mockery.

"You know him?" Troy asked.

"You don't?" Jade scoffed. "In short, he's nothing. Just a bottom-feeder soldier. Hit him once and he'll cry like a baby."

"If he's a low-ranking soldier, then who are those fully armed men behind him?" Troy questioned.

Jade shrugged like it didn't matter. "Hired actors. Definitely not imperial troops. Their uniforms are off. Look closely, Troy. You know the real military uniforms of the Valdera Empire don't look like that."

Troy squinted. Something did seem off. The color and design deviated slightly from the official standards. It looked similar at first glance, but the patterns were not the same.

"Maybe… that makes sense," Troy muttered, half convinced. "But that dagger… the speed…"

"It was a fluke!" Jade quickly cut in. "Maybe that actor has some circus talent. Don't overthink it," he said smugly, feeling his explanation was on point.

"Their guns are probably fake too!"

Troy nodded slowly. Jade's reasoning made sense.

Callen, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly raised a finger. In the blink of an eye, one of the soldiers behind him lifted his rifle and fired—BANG!

The bullet struck the ground just inches from Troy's foot.

Callen looked at him coldly. His voice was calm, but it carried a weight that pressed down on everyone.

"Still think these guns are toys?"

Silence fell across the room. Stevel unconsciously took half a step back. Even Troy couldn't hide his surprise. That wasn't a fake gun.

But he was a cultivator, not an ordinary fighter. A mere bullet wouldn't injure him, so he remained composed.

He had observed Callen and saw nothing special. Just an ordinary man. He assumed the dagger throw earlier was just a trick.

"Don't get arrogant, kid," Troy said, taking a fighting stance. "Ordinary bullets can't hurt me. Before I change my mind, tell your clown squad to back off."

His words brought Jade back to his senses. Feeling bold again, he laughed. "Did you hear that? You're finished, you low-rank grunt!"

Troy moved first, striking at Callen. His arm swung out in a heavy punch.

But Callen's figure vanished.

His fist hit nothing but air. Troy's eyes widened. A voice came from behind him. Calm, yet chilling.

"Too slow. With that level, you can't even scratch me."

In one smooth motion, Callen struck. Troy flew past Jade and crashed hard into the wall behind him.