Chapter 7: Daxton Mabbett Has Arrived

Donald Warth recognized Tanner Lapwood at once and shouted, "Manager Tanner, he's trying to kill me! Save me, quick!" Like a drowning man, he clutched at the only straw within reach. Kieran Mallin cupped his fists toward Tanner Lapwood, then pointed at Daxton Mabbett. "Manager Tanner, your timing couldn't be better. I hosted a banquet here today to invite the city's promising talents to discuss martial arts. I meant for it to be a friendly exchange, for all of us to learn from one another. Who would've thought he'd be this savage? One wrong word and he started swinging. I ask that you uphold justice!" Tanner Lapwood's background was murky. Even Kieran's father wouldn't dare offend him lightly. In front of Tanner, Kieran kept his arrogance leashed and his manners impeccable. "Lies!" Aliyah Mabbett snapped, eyes blazing. "Donald Warth started it! This has nothing to do with my brother!" "It was only a verbal dispute, yet he attacked and injured someone," Kieran said coldly. "Everyone here saw it. Even with you standing here, he's still pinning Donald Warth down!" "Yeah!" "He's way too overbearing, like he thinks he's the emperor!" "Absolutely outrageous!" In Xerton Pavilion, the others chimed in one after another, echoing Kieran's accusations. Tanner Lapwood swept his gaze across the room before it settled on Daxton Mabbett. "Let him go. Cripple one of your arms yourself, and I'll let you leave." With his experience, a single glance told him Aliyah had been telling the truth. But he also knew who these people were. Daxton was only an adopted son of the Mabbett family, unwanted and insignificant compared to Kieran and the rest. Weighing the pros and cons, Tanner chose the easiest knife to cut with. A thin, cruel smile tugged at Kieran's lips. So what if an adopted son could fight? In front of status, he was nothing. Donald Warth seethed with venom. "Let go of me, you hear me?! You still dare make trouble in front of Manager Tanner, you-" Crack! Daxton twisted his wrist and snapped Donald Warth's hand bone cleanly. Donald's threat died mid-sentence, replaced by a shriek that ripped through the pavilion. Kieran and the others' faces changed. They hadn't expected Daxton to still dare do this with Manager Tanner present. Tanner Lapwood narrowed his eyes. "So you truly want to die." He turned and ordered the martial guards behind him, "Drag him out. Chop him up and feed him to the dogs." The martial guards were thick with muscle, their presence crushing as they advanced on Daxton. "You wouldn't dare!" Aliyah threw herself in front of her brother. "Miss Mabbett," Tanner Lapwood said evenly, "fists and feet don't have eyes. You'd better step aside." At the same time, Daxton spoke. "Aliyah. Behind me." "Brother, they…" "It's fine." Aliyah's heart clenched with worry, but she still obeyed, moving back behind Daxton with reluctant, careful steps. "Young man, you've got some nerve," Tanner Lapwood said, hands clasped behind his back. "Pity you chose the wrong place." He signaled the martial guards to move. They pressed in, oppressive as a closing wall. Daxton didn't seem to care. He looked at Tanner Lapwood with calm indifference. "If I were you, I wouldn't rush to strike. I'd go to Tenji Pavilion first and ask the guest inside. Tell them: Daxton Mabbett has arrived." Kieran and the others couldn't help but snicker. Had Daxton lost his mind? He wanted Manager Tanner to go ask permission from someone in Tenji Pavilion, just to deliver a message like "Daxton Mabbett has arrived"? Who did he think he was? Unlike them, Tanner Lapwood's pupils contracted sharply. He barked at the martial guards who had already closed in, "Stop!" A truly extraordinary figure had arrived at Tenji Pavilion today. Ordinary people would never know. Yet Daxton spoke as if he did. And Daxton had injured someone at Ferrell Tower, facing Tanner without the slightest fear. Could he be connected to that great person in Tenji Pavilion? The thought made Tanner's scalp tighten. Even the power backing him couldn't afford to offend the guest in Tenji Pavilion. If Daxton truly had ties to that person and Tanner harmed him… the consequences would be catastrophic. "Stay here and keep watch!" he ordered the martial guards, then hurried out. … Tenji Pavilion… A young woman in a snow-white gown sipped tea lightly. Beside her sat an old man in a gray robe. Across from them sat a silver-robed middle-aged man, posture straight and respectful. "Your Ladyship, Andre," the middle-aged man said, doubt creasing his brow, "that Daxton Mabbett is only an adopted son of the Mabbett family. His medical arts are astonishing, I'll grant that. But why do you call his Martial Path attainment one in ten thousand? From what my people found, Daxton's meridian were completely shattered. His cultivation is gone. How could someone like that still have Martial Path attainment?" The man was Josiah Mallin, the city lord of Pelton. Andre chuckled. "City Lord Mallin, you can't judge the world by hearsay." Josiah grew even more perplexed. "But I truly investigated thoroughly. Daxton Mabbett's meridian were indeed shattered and his cultivation was indeed lost. There's no mistake!" Even the girl in white looked puzzled. She couldn't help asking, "Uncle Andre, I saw his medical arts with my own eyes. He really is incredible. But his Martial Path attainment… how did you tell?" Andre smiled. "Your Ladyship, that day after the boy performed the needlework on this old servant, he patted my abdomen with the back of his hand. Do you remember?" She nodded. "Of course." "To others, it looked casual," Andre said, voice softening with awe, "but the mystery within was not something ordinary eyes could see. The force in that palm passed through my body in an instant. It harmed me not at all, yet it stirred my blood and qi into a brief boil, perfectly timed to match the effects of Lysimachia and Crimson Blood Stamen, as well as the guidance of the silver needles. It forced the poisoned blood out of me quickly. That level of control over force… even I am far inferior." Andre sighed as he finished. The girl stared, stunned. "Even you are far inferior? How could that be?!" Andre was her father's right-hand man. His cultivation had reached the Clarity Realm. He was a true martial grandmaster, renowned for exquisite control of force. Yet he was saying he couldn't match a boy in his teens. "Andre… you mean that?" Josiah asked, his face full of disbelief. "Naturally." Andre nodded, then looked to the girl, his expression turning solemn. "Your Ladyship, this young man named Daxton Mabbett is no ordinary person. His future achievements will be immeasurable, far beyond this old servant's. You must do everything you can to befriend him. It will benefit both you and your father. Even if you cannot befriend him, you must never make an enemy of him. Remember that. Do you understand?" "I understand, Uncle Andre," the girl said earnestly. Andre had lived through countless bloody battles, his eye honed sharp. He had seen more geniuses than he could count, yet he had never given anyone such praise. With him speaking so seriously, how could she not listen? "Good." Andre smiled. Seeing this, Josiah also made a decision on the spot. No matter what it took, he would build a good relationship with Daxton Mabbett. Just then, a light knock sounded from outside. The girl glanced toward the door. "Come in." Tanner Lapwood pushed the door open carefully. He first bowed to the girl, then spoke with utmost respect. "Your Ladyship, there's a young man in Xerton Pavilion who asked this servant to pass along a message. He said… he said Daxton Mabbett has arrived."