"Who is this person? Which family do they belong to?" Almost everyone had this question pop into their minds at the sa ti. The Second Patron was indeed a skilled fighter, but now there was soone even more adept than him, and they didn’t know which family they belonged to.
Standing there was John Brown, though not in his true appearance. Through disguise, he looked to be over forty years old, with a darker complexion. He said in a deep voice, "Ladies and gentlen! Today is the birthday of our Old Master Smith of the Yawk Family, yet everyone is fighting here. Isn’t this disrespectful to our Old Master?"
"Are you a Smith Family mber?" the Second Patron exclaid.
John Brown nodded and said, "That’s right. Please, everyone, calm down. If it was our Smith Family’s lack of hospitality, I apologize first. If it’s a matter of rivalry, then please choose another ti and place for it, and I will not interfere further."
The Second Patron sized up John Brown from head to toe and slowly said, "We are all martial artists, testing each other’s skills is our pleasure, and we an no disrespect to Old Master Smith."
Hearing the previously arrogant Second Patron of the Brownie Family speak so courteously, it was clear that the confrontation had already revealed the strength of this Smith Family mber, though none could determine his exact prowess, as the scene had passed in the blink of an eye, and no one had clearly seen what had happened.
John Brown smiled faintly and said, "Testing each other is certainly no problem, but I suggest everyone just discuss casually today and refrain from fighting. After all, with your level of skill, any slight movent can cause incredible destruction. Our Smith Family doesn’t have the resources to handle the damage."
The Second Patron laughed heartily and said, "You’re right. I’m Jas Clark, Patron of the Brownie Family!" He extended his hand towards John Brown as he spoke.
"Louis Smith!" John Brown also extended his hand.
However, their hands didn’t imdiately clasp. Instead, they made a few slight movents, lastly holding montarily before releasing. The Second Patron’s expression turned peculiar, and he chuckled awkwardly, "I never expected there would be soone as formidable as Mr. Smith in the Smith Family."
"I dare not claim such. I’m just a minor figure. Compared to my brothers, I still have much to learn. Everyone, please rest well, while I go attend to other guests." John Brown finished, clasped his fists towards everyone, and turned, striding out.
"What exactly is his strength?" mbers of the Brownie Family gathered together with so from the Johnson Family, and the Four Attendants quickly asked.
The Second Patron furrowed his brow and said, "This person is indeed a master, definitely more so than , and by quite a margin."
The group on the other side surrounded two mbers of the Smith Family, quietly inquiring, and both gravely replied, "Formidable, far more than the Second Patron. Earlier, when he separated us, he parried our attacks and repelled us."
At this mont, everyone was utterly astonished. This Mr. Smith of the Smith Family was impressively powerful, being ranked sixth, which implied that there might be at least five others in the Smith Family just as skilled. This strength was greater than any single family and might even surpass the combined force of the other major families; could the Smith Family be stronger than all the other families combined?
John Brown’s aim of intimidating everyone was achieved. As for what the Old Master or the Smith Family would do next, it was no longer his concern, aside from possibly aiding by continuing to assu the identity of Louis Smith.
From John Brown’s entrance to his exit, the entire affair lasted rely five or six minutes, yet the impact was vast. Most importantly, he displayed that the Smith Family had adequate strength in what had long been considered a weak area, and created a Magic Maze of uncertainty among everyone, deterring the major families from easily starting a conflict with the Smith Family in this realm.
The events here quickly reached the ears of the acting elder heads, making their expressions sowhat peculiar. They had suspected that John Smith’s grand celebration was part of an ulterior motive, which now seed even more confird.
But just then, John Smith announced that he was passing the position of Householder to his eldest son, Robert Johnson, leaving everyone completely confused. What was the Smith Family really plotting?
The birthday celebration held by the Smith Family’s Old Master was quite successful, and the Old Master was very pleased. After the guests had left, he gathered John Brown and the main figures of Robert Johnson’s generation for more joyous drinking.
John Brown’s contributions today were significant, leading John Smith to recount his accomplishnts, which made Robert Johnson’s group view John Brown in a new light. This Smith Family son-in-law turned out to be incredibly strong, and having such a son-in-law seed more beneficial than marrying lody Yoody to another powerful family for their support.
Having drunk quite a bit, John Brown stayed over an extra day, returning to YODC City with lody Yoody the following day.
When they arrived ho, it was past five in the afternoon. As John Brown opened the door, he was pleasantly surprised to find not only Gina Lopez and Emily Lopez but also Emily Berns and Lucy Campbell there. Though pleased, he didn’t show it on his face and instead greeted with a smile, "Lucy, you’re here."
Lucy Campbell smiled slightly and said, "Yes, the company here is about to start production officially, so I’ve co for a look. Besides, I’ve been craving your cooking."
John Brown chuckled and said, "So that ans you haven’t eaten yet?"
"Exactly, didn’t Gina call you to ask when you’d be back? We’ve been waiting for you to cook."
John Brown laughed heartily, "You all are sothing else, but you must have bought groceries, right? Don’t make go out to buy ingredients again!"
Emily Lopez giggled and said, "We’ve bought everything, just waiting for you to get cooking."
John Brown waved his hand, "No problem, you all just wait to enjoy the al."
Having helped lody Yoody these past two days, Gina Lopez hadn’t complained but John Brown felt uneasy about it, so he made sure to perform well upon returning ho. He bustled about frying, sautéing, and after over an hour, had prepared a full table of dishes.
Emily Berns had beco a frequent visitor by now, and she no longer ntioned her ties with John Brown, only coming to accompany her daughter, leaving Gina without anything to say.
During dinner, John Brown recounted his experience at the Smith Family to Lucy Campbell and the others. Emily found it interesting, regretting she hadn’t witnessed John’s display. Gina wasn’t well-versed in these affairs, but Lucy Campbell and Emily Berns, both from prominent families, imdiately realized significant shifts were about to occur in the province.
John Brown then asked, "Lucy, do you think this benefits the Smith Family?" In this area, John Brown wasn’t an expert, so he sought Lucy Campbell’s advice.
Lucy pondered, chewing her food, and replied after swallowing, "The Brownie Family has been too arrogant, and the higher-ups aren’t pleased, preferring not to let them monopolize. However, the H Region’s checks aren’t effective, so the higher-ups should support the Smith Family stepping up."
She paused and added, "But if the Smith Family’s strength isn’t sufficient, re martial dominance can only contain one aspect, preventing other big families from rashly offending the Smith Family. Whether they can truly topple the Brownie Family or elevate to power involves far more complex factors."
John Brown chuckled, "If the Old Master of the Smith Family dares to make such a move, he likely has so strategies. We’ll see how things turn out."
Lucy laughed softly, "I can offer so help, but the Smith Family would have to rely on our Sanker Family afterward. However, we won’t interfere excessively; we just need their support if anything shifts in the Capital of SSUP."
John Brown laughed, "If you can help them, they’d be more than willing to cling to a powerful ally."
Lucy chuckled softly, "We’ll let them take the lead for now. We’d monitor them, and if they prove assistive, we’ll support them. For now, you don’t need to disclose it to them."
John Brown nodded in agreent, thinking how emboldened John Smith, the Old Master, would feel if he heard this.
Emily Berns interjected, "I can’t represent the N Family, and with Lucy’s involvent, who wouldn’t find it valuable?"
Lucy chuckled, "Emily, you’re too modest. Your N Family in the Capital is quite a powerful entity and commands respect from families like ours."
Emily smiled mockingly, "Forget it. I’m an outcast—an escaped daughter without a position at ho." She glanced at John Brown.
John pretended not to notice; after all, it had been peaceful with Emily Berns lately, and he dared not provoke her.
After the al, Emily Berns left first, Lucy Campbell went to her room, and Gina Lopez returned to work. Although she and John Brown missed each other, she had no ti to spend with him. She knew that, ideally, a couple should engage more, yet ti evaded her.
After John Brown and Emily Lopez lulled Little Violet to sleep, Lucy Campbell knocked and entered, saying, "John, could you help with sothing?"
John Brown imdiately said, "Of course."
Emily Lopez quickly said, "I’m coming too, I’m coming too."
Gina Lopez stepped out and asked, "Do you need my help?"
Emily swiftly replied, "No need. You focus on your work. If we can’t handle it, your help wouldn’t do much good either."
Gina agreed, returning to work. She had no suspicions about her sister, Emily, and Lucy Campbell being with John Brown. Little did she know, her sister and Lucy were in cahoots.
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