Chapter 9: Shrouded In Mystery

Words : 1888 Updated : Jul 24th, 2025

The people who showed up were from the Viper Gang. The tattoos on the leader made it obvious who he was. Levi remembered how, just last night at the night market, he'd taken care of a few creeps who tried to mess with his sister and broke the leader's arm. "Yeah, that was me. You guys want a taste too?" Levi said, staring them down without a trace of fear. The Viper Gang guys didn't like his attitude and instantly pulled out their knives. But Fisher, their leader, held them back with a wave of his hand. "You've got guts. Not many people in Floriaville have the nerve to mess with the Viper Gang. I hear you know some moves. How about coming with me?" Fisher didn't give Levi a chance to answer and added, "You can't be home all the time. Think about what might happen to your family." As he spoke, Fisher shot a look at Cyrus and the rest, all of them clearly on edge. "I really hate it when people threaten my family," Levi said, narrowing his eyes, his look ice-cold. Fisher shivered, feeling a chill go down his spine. But Levi didn't make a move. After thinking for a second, he said, "Just don't hurt them. I'll go with you." "No, Levi, don't go!" "Levi, you can't go with them!" "If it's about money, we'll pay whatever you want!" By now, Mila and her parents realized these guys were from the Viper Gang, and panic set in when they heard Levi agree to go. "Heh, don't get too comfortable-it'll be your turn soon," one of the gangsters sneered, making a throat-slitting gesture at Mila and her parents. They had only just gotten back together, and now they were overwhelmed with dread. Was their happiness really about to end already? But the very next moment, the gang member's knife suddenly disappeared, and before he knew it, it was in Levi's hand. And it wasn't just his-even the other guys who'd pulled weapons found their knives in Levi's hands too. Clang! Clang! Clang! Right in front of everyone, Levi snapped all the knives into pieces, and they clattered onto the floor. "Don't try to scare my family with these toys. Didn't I already say I'd go with you?" Levi said, totally calm. Fisher sucked in a breath. He'd heard from his injured guys that Levi could hurt people with just a leaf-that's why he hadn't started a fight earlier. Now, he was glad he'd held back. The rest of the Viper Gang were just as freaked out by Levi's skills and didn't dare move a muscle. Levi turned to his family and said, "Dad, Mom, Mila, don't worry about me. I'll go have some fun with these guys, and I'll be back by lunchtime. I promised Ms. Lidyard I'd take her out to eat." Levi didn't take the Viper Gang seriously at all-he wasn't worried about himself. All he cared about was not missing lunch with Michelle. When Cyrus heard Levi mention Michelle, he thought his son was going to ask her for help. Remembering how even Elias and Terry had to beg that mysterious woman for mercy, he felt a lot better. "Alright, Levi, just be careful. And don't keep Ms. Lidyard waiting," Cyrus said. "Got it." Levi nodded and left with the Viper Gang. Watching them leave, Mila and Mavis were worried and wanted to call the police, but Cyrus stopped them. "Didn't you hear? Levi is going to ask Ms. Lidyard for help, and his martial arts are impressive. We should trust him," Cyrus said. "So, Levi is going to get Ms. Lidyard's help. Then he should be fine," Mavis prayed silently. However, Mila was filled with guilt. "It's all my fault. Three years ago, my brother went to prison because of me, and yesterday he fought with the Viper Gang because of me. If anything happens to him, I'm to blame." Cyrus, hearing his daughter's words, was lost in thought and revealed a secret. "Ah, my dear, it's not just you who owes him. Our whole family owes him so much!" "Over twenty years ago, a mysterious person left him, a baby, at our doorstep with a large sum of money that improved our lives." "Three years ago, Levi nearly ruined his life because of prison. Now, he's worrying himself sick for this family. Even if we can't help him, we shouldn't be adding to his troubles." In the hospital, Cyrus had thought he wouldn't live much longer and had prepared to tell Levi this secret, but he had been interrupted. "He's not my real brother!?" Mila was shocked. "Yes, Levi likely comes from a wealthy family. Your father and I have been discussing when to tell him, but we don't know how. Now that he's become so capable, if he learns the truth, who knows if he'll see us as a burden," Mavis expressed her concerns. "I don't know, but constantly burdening him isn't a solution either. We should find a chance to tell him. What will be, will be." Cyrus sighed. "Dad, Mom, you're overthinking it. My brother would never abandon us!" Mila insisted confidently. Cyrus and Mavis nodded, agreeing with her reasoning. "Let's keep this secret for now. I'll find the right time to tell him." Mila's eyes sparkled with thought, contemplating something unknown. ***** Meanwhile, Levi had arrived at the Viper Gang's headquarters, a high-end club in Floriaville frequented by the elite. During the day, it was mostly empty, with only a few gang leaders lounging around. "Boss, Trevor, I've brought the man," Fisher announced to the two men on the couch as he entered the hall with Levi. The man on the left, dressed in a suit, looked every bit the successful businessman but had an air of menace about him. He was Enzo, the leader of the Viper Gang. On the right, a bald man with a bare chest covered in a snake tattoo was Trevor Lapwood, the gang's second-in-command. "Are you kidding me? You brought him back in one piece? I said to leave him with just enough breath for Davis. Do you not understand my words, or do you think my words don't carry as much weight as the boss's?" Trevor glared at Fisher. Enzo had decided to clean up his act, leaving the shady business to Trevor. "Trevor, of course, your words are law, but..." Before Fisher could finish, Trevor stood and slapped him across the face. Smack! "Don't give me excuses! Useless fool! I also told you to bring his sister so the brothers could have some fun. You failed at that too. What's the use of you?" Trevor kicked Fisher in the stomach, sending him sprawling. Known for his violent nature, Trevor was keen to assert his authority as he prepared to take over the gang's illicit operations. Suddenly, Levi spoke in a calm voice, "Trevor, right? What did you say you were going to do to my sister?" "I'm going to let my brothers have their way with her. Did you hear that clearly?" Trevor shouted. His words excited the gang members, who started cheering and whistling. But in the next instant, Levi seemed to teleport in front of Trevor, grabbing him by the throat and lifting him off the ground. "You truly deserve to die!"

Chapter 9: Shrouded In Mystery

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