Chapter 181: Chapter 181 - Money Talks
The atmosphere shifted dramatically after Mateo Ward spoke. The once-enthusiastic crowd instinctively retreated a step. This single movement revealed volumes about the Schroeder Family’s influence in Shiglance City. Despite the wealth gathered here, nobody dared challenge their dominance.
Mateo cast a smug glance my way and sneered, "Mason, what moves do you have left?"
My eyebrows furrowed as I struggled to formulate a response. I scanned the crowd, but everyone avoided meeting my eyes, leaving me isolated in this confrontation. Taking a deep breath, I asked with creased brows, "Are we really surrendering like this, or should we... eliminate the messenger?"
Never did I imagine becoming the one forced to take such drastic measures.
"Time’s almost up," Mateo checked his watch with a victorious smile. "The treasure belongs to me now!"
With those words, he strode confidently toward the stone statue.
I remained silent, unconsciously clenching my fists in frustration, unwilling to accept defeat so easily.
Suddenly, my phone chimed. Checking the message, I saw a banking notification displayed on screen:
"Dear user, the account ending in XXXX in the XX bank received 50,000,000.00 yuan, with a balance of 50,001,234.10 yuan. Counterparty account name: Mabel XX."
My pupils dilated in shock! Could Mabel Sean have transferred this money?
Before I could process this development, another message arrived from an unknown sender:
The Schroeder Family will be your second test, good luck! I’ll be waiting for you in Capital City.
Excitement instantly flooded my face, the stone statue momentarily forgotten. I hurriedly tried calling back, only to discover her phone was switched off.
This mysterious contact reignited the fire within me!
"Mabel..." I whispered, clutching my phone tightly.
Mabel Sean must be observing me from somewhere nearby! This realization filled me with renewed determination!
I quickly approached the statue seller while Mateo’s hand reached toward the artifact.
Just as his fingers nearly touched it, I grabbed his wrist firmly.
Mateo frowned, fixing me with a cold stare. "Mason, what exactly are you doing?"
Ignoring him completely, I handed my bank card to the seller.
"Two hundred fifty million. I’ll take it," I stated coldly.
Mateo scoffed loudly, "Boss, don’t listen to his nonsense. He doesn’t have a penny to his name!"
The seller appeared skeptical, having witnessed my earlier financial struggles firsthand.
"You’ll know once you swipe it," I suggested calmly.
Nodding uncertainly, the seller took my card and cautiously entered the amount.
"The money actually came through!" he exclaimed moments later, his voice tinged with genuine surprise!
I reclaimed my card, saying casually, "As agreed, this statue belongs to me now."
"Absolutely, absolutely!" The vendor nodded enthusiastically.
Without ceremony, I took the stone statue and tucked it directly into my pocket.
Beside me, Mateo’s expression turned frigid. He glared at me through clenched teeth as a terrifying murderous aura emanated from him!
My brows furrowed slightly at this development.
Judging by this aura, Mateo was at minimum a Grandmaster!
"You’ve disrupted my plans repeatedly, kid. I’m going to kill you!" Mateo’s aura intensified, suggesting imminent attack!
I met his cold gaze unflinchingly and replied, "Finally showing your true colors? Go ahead and try!"
As I spoke, my own aura surged dramatically in response!
The collision of our competing energies created an instant windstorm!
Bystanders, affected by these powerful fluctuations, involuntarily retreated several steps.
"Buzz"
Suddenly, a serene yet authoritative aura rippled through the space!
This peaceful energy carried unparalleled majesty, effortlessly dissolving both Mateo’s and my auras!
"Combat is strictly forbidden within these premises," a voice echoed from all directions!
I couldn’t help but pale at this intervention!
"Someone actually suppressed my aura completely!" My eyes darted around the venue!
What kind of being controlled this place?!
Their strength undoubtedly far exceeded anything I could imagine!
"Mason, consider yourself lucky for now," Mateo stated with cold intensity.
After delivering this parting threat, he turned and strode away.
"Master Ward!" Jack Schultz called out desperately.
Mateo didn’t acknowledge him, continuing his exit without hesitation.
"What... what just happened here?" Jack appeared utterly confused, visibly distressed.
Both parties were his friends, placing him in an uncomfortable position.
I inhaled deeply, turned to Jack, and asked seriously, "Mr. Schultz, are you absolutely certain that man is your old friend Mateo Ward?"
Jack nodded vigorously. "Yes, I’ve known him nearly twenty years. He’s typically gentle, mild-mannered—never behaving like this before!"
"Then he’s almost certainly an impostor," I concluded, having already suspected as much.
"What do you mean?" Jack asked, bewildered.
Rather than explaining further, I simply said, "Let me escort you home."
We left the venue with hurried steps.
The moment I crossed the threshold outside, the supernatural suppression affecting me vanished completely.
I glanced back at the building and whispered, "Formation Master?"
Only one possibility explained how someone could so easily neutralize a martial artist’s Inner Strength and spiritual power—a powerful formation established throughout the premises!
"Truly remarkable," I muttered in appreciation.
As my experiences accumulated, my understanding of the world was quietly transforming. Phenomena I’d never encountered before were gradually revealing themselves.
Had I never begun cultivating, I might have remained forever ignorant of these worldly wonders.
"Let’s go. I’ll take you back," I said to Jack and Blair Blake.
Though they seemed puzzled by recent events, my serious expression convinced them to agree without protest.
Just as I prepared to depart, a woman suddenly rushed out from the venue.
She wore sunglasses despite the late hour, her mouth concealed behind a tightly wrapped scarf.
"Dr. Mason, did you mean it when you offered to see patients three times sooner for payment?" she whispered urgently.
I nodded confidently. "As long as you can pay, the offer stands indefinitely."
The woman glanced around nervously, confirming no observers were present before handing me a phone number.
"Dr. Mason, please call tomorrow. We’ll discuss details then."
With that cryptic request delivered, she hurried away.
Examining the number in my hand, I couldn’t suppress a knowing smirk. "This woman takes excessive precautions. Is the Schroeder Family truly that intimidating?"
