Mundo ficciónIniciar sesión
Capítulos relacionados
Chapter 864
Tobias gave James a once over before letting out a pleased huff. “Not bad, your complexion’s improved.” James’ eyes bored into the elderly man before him. Technically, Tobias was James’ grand-uncle. However, he was the farthest thing from family to James whose anger at the events from ten years still burned furiously in his chest. Ignoring the hateful gaze directed at him, Tobias addressed James, “I’m sure you’ve already heard from Maxinne that they’ll seek to destabilize the situation by killing you. Unfortunately, the Cadens can no longer afford to protect you.” Never taking his eyes off Tobias, James said coldly, “I don’t need the Cadens’ protection.” “Oho…?” Tobias exclaimed in amusement. His lips twitched into something resembling a smile. “You’re courageous, I’ll give you that. However, in your current condition, you don’t have a snowball’s chance in hell against them. Even if you had no injuries and were in peak condition, you’ll still get crushed with extreme ease
Chapter 865
James had heard of the painting’s origins before. However, he scarcely knew anything about it. He sat motionlessly in the wheelchair and looked at the painting in awe. Tobias, whose gaze was also fixed on the painting, continued, “This painting was passed down by the Prince of Orchid himself. He was a prince who failed to seize power for himself in the midst of a power struggle. In order to make a comeback, he went to great lengths searching for treasures all over the world. Sadly, he went to his grave unable to seize the imperial throne for himself. On his deathbed, he gave each of his four major officials a painting and told them that the paintings held a great secret within.” James asked in response to the revelation, “What kind of secret?” Bobby Caden once told him that the Moonlit Flowers on Cliffside’s Edge possessed the secret to immortality. However, James found it hard to believe his words. Tobias shook his head morosely. “The Prince of Orchid never revealed what i
Chapter 866
Perhaps someone else was backing the Emperor apart from Mr. Gabriel. In order to get a clearer understanding of the situation, James would have to return to Cansington and ask the owner of Sovereign Boutique Shop. Although his previous attempt yielded no useful information, James had a feeling that the owner chose not to disclose anything to him. Putting his thoughts aside, he turned to Tobias and asked, “So, why did you bring me here? I’m sure it wasn’t just to regale me with the story of the Ancient Four’s origins along with the Moonlit Flowers on Cliffside’s Edge.” Tobias merely shook his head and pointed at the painting on the wall. “The secret to the ultimate martial arts techniques are concealed within this painting. The key to solving the puzzle is through the 18-meridian diagram. Though I have been researching it for quite some time now, despite my best efforts, I’m still unable to break the painting’s cipher. I believe you are familiar with the 18-meridian diagram?”
Chapter 867
James was pumped up about solving the mystery of the painting. He opened the box while he sat on his wheelchair and gingerly lifted out the ancient scroll. As he unfurled the scroll, he could see carvings of human figures on it. The human figures had many different forms and sizes. Some were standing while others were crouching. Each of them was marked with a white dot and a red line. James knew that the white dots represented the location of the acupoints, while the red lines represented the meridians. This was a meridian acupoint diagram. Though James knew the human body inside-out and was very familiar with the anatomy as a result, the places where the meridians and the acupoints intersected with one another on the carvings were peculiar. They were utterly incomprehensible when viewed through the lens of contemporary medical science Back then, James would not have a clue about what the diagram meant. Things were different now. Now, he had the knowledge that came from V
Chapter 868
“Before I forget…” Just as she was leaving, Tobias called out to Maxine, “Wait.” “Is something the matter, grandpa?” Tobias turned to her. “You are also someone who is highly proficient in martial arts. Feel free to head to the basement if you have nothing better to do.It’ll be a great learning opportunity for you as well.” Maxine kneeled on the ground reverently and said, “I’m not worthy.” Tobias beckoned her to stand. “I’m giving you express permission to do as you see fit..” “But grandpa… I’m not a real Caden. I don’t have Caden blood coursing through my veins. The ancestral teachings were specific about —” Maxine fiddled with the hem of her dress. Tobias raised his hand to interrupt her. “What’s the point of following rigid and obsolete ancestral teachings? Even if you aren’t a Caden by heritage, you were practically raised as a Caden since childgood. I consider you my own granddaughter. All these years, you’ve stayed by my side devising plans and strategies for me. B
Chapter 869
He was so wrapped up in trying to decipher the painting that he’d only just realized he was indeed hungry. Before he could stand and get a bowl for himself, Maxine hurriedly took it away from him. “Your injuries are still healing. Just let me feed you.” “It’s fine. Give it to me. I’ll eat with my own hands.” James tried to refuse her offer. He felt uncomfortable being fed by a woman whom he had only met a few times. Maxine did not insist and handed the bowl over to James. Albeit his severe injuries, James was still able to perform simple hand movements. As James dug into his meal, Maxine turned to look at the Moonlit Flowers by Cliffside’s Edge. She was raised as a Caden for as long as she remembered and received Tobias’ personal instruction in martial arts. Even so, despite cultivating True Energy and becoming a grandmaster of the second rank, she had never seen the household’s treasure scroll. After staring at the painting for quite a while, she too could not find an
Chapter 870
“Wh-Why are you looking at me like that?” Seeing that James was staring intensely at her, Maxine frowned in displeasure. “I’d like to ask you for a favor.” “Huh?” Maxine narrowed her eyes at James, unsure of what he was thinking. James continued, “Though the Johnstons crippled my martial arts skills, I think I have a way of regaining my True Energy. I just need your help.” “Me?” Maxine was taken aback by the sudden request. She shook her head and refused, “I’m afraid you’ve misjudged me. I’m only a second rank martial artist. Hades Johnston, the one who crippled you, is at least at the fifth rank. If even my grandpa couldn’t help you regain your martial art skills, there’s no way I possibly could.” “I have a plan. I just need your help executing it.” James managed to cultivate True Energy by reading the texts in Medical Book Volume Two. It mainly explained the other uses of the Crucifier and how to use it to its truest potential. It stood to reason that James could use
Chapter 871
James felt a jolt of electricity. However, instead of feeling excruciating pain, he felt rather comfortable. “Next, the temple.” Maxine took a deep breath. The True Energy inside her body had been greatly depleted after the first needle. She grabbed a second needle and inserted it into James’ temple, which depleted more of her True Energy. The needle seemed to be capable of automatically absorbing one’s True Energy. “The third needle to the right temple.” Maxine did as she was instructed. After eleven needles, her True Energy was completely drained. Wearing a pale face, she said, “I can’t continue… I’ve depleted too much of my True Energy. I can’t summon any more.” “Mhm.” James nodded. He knew that using the Crucifier would severely deplete one’s True Energy. Besides, the more needles one inserted, the more depleted one’s True Energy would be. “You can pull them out now.” After pulling the needles out, Maxine sat in a lotus position to restore her True Energy.
Último capítulo