The sun rose, and the first rays of light fell upon the ground.
Birds chirped incessantly all around, and the air was especially fresh.
Abraham sat in a reclining chair in front of the wooden house, watching Jonathan do his morning exercises in the clearing, wearing nothing but a thin undershirt.
Suddenly, he felt reluctant to see Jonathan leave.
"I was forced to leave the organization because of my injuries, and thought I'd be able to spend more time with Jonathan. But then..."
"Life really is full of surprises."
The thoughts passed in a flash. Abraham understood perfectly well that with Jonathan's talent, as long as he wasn't taken from them too soon, he would surely become a powerful figure.
He might even reach the Saint Realm as either a warrior or a mage.
"It's good that he's got a bright future. I'm only a lowly seventh-rank warrior. Even if I can still guide him now, how much longer will I be able to?"
"The young eagle must spread its wings!"
In silence, Abraham made a decision. After breakfast, he told Jonathan, "I'm leaving for a day. Stay here and look after the house."
Jonathan frowned at that. "Do you have another mission? But didn't you already leave the organization?"
"Don't worry, it's not a mission. In my condition, if I went back to being an assassin, people would just complain that I was getting in their way!"
"Then what are you..."
"It's nothing. Don't worry."
"Come back soon!"
Jonathan couldn't stop him, but he still prayed silently for his safe return.
After spending several years together, they had naturally grown attached.
It wasn't realistic to expect someone with memories of a previous life to accept him as a father from the bottom of his heart, but Jonathan still regarded him as an elder and a teacher.
Abraham went to Black Flame City, where he sought out his former superior, Blood Hand.
"Abraham, you've already left the Saber Organization. Don't you know the rules? If my identity is exposed, the organization will hunt down both you and everyone connected to you!"
"Captain, I know I shouldn't have come. But there's something I'd like you to help me with. Please hear me out, for old times' sake."
Blood Hand fell silent for a moment. He and Abraham had indeed been close. Abraham had once saved his life on a mission.
They had been through life and death together.
"This is the one and only time. If you come looking for me again, don't blame me for showing no mercy!"
"I understand."
"Keep it brief."
Abraham said, "I'd like to recommend a genius to the organization and request that it send someone to teach him."
"Who?"
"My adopted son, Jonathan!"
That afternoon, Jonathan let out a sigh of relief when Abraham returned.
Looking at Jonathan, Abraham thought silently, "Jonathan, this is all I can do for you. Once the organization learns how talented you are, it won't pass up the chance to recruit you."
"And it'll definitely send someone capable of teaching you!"
"Black Phoenix City is rife with competing powers. With him there, you'll at least have someone to shelter you for a while."
One morning, a month later,
a middle-aged man appeared in front of the wooden house without a sound.
"Who are you?"
Jonathan got out of bed and opened the door. Seeing someone standing there with his back to him, he immediately went on guard.
The man turned around. He looked to be in his thirties or forties and wore a loose robe. His long black hair hung casually over his shoulders.
He grinned and answered with a question. "You're Jonathan Bard?"
"You're from the Saber Organization? Have you come for my father? He's already left your organization, so why are you looking for him?"
The black-robed man sized Jonathan up and smiled wickedly. "What do you think I came for?"
A faint killing intent radiated from him. The hairs on Jonathan's body instantly stood on end, and he took a step back, feeling as though a terrible danger had descended.
Jonathan quickly shook off the effects of the killing intent. Somehow, he produced a gleaming silver dagger and stared fixedly at the man.
"What, you want to attack me?"
"If you're going to make an enemy of us, then you're my enemy. I never show mercy to my enemies."
"Even if I can't beat you, I'll still bite off a piece of your flesh!"
"Heh. You're young, but you're quite sensitive to killing intent. You've got a good head on your shoulders, too, and you're decisive. I like you."
"Now tell me, what exactly did you come here for?"
Jonathan still hadn't lowered the dagger in his hand.
Hearing the commotion, Abraham came out. Seeing what was happening, he asked, "May I ask who you are?"
"Cesar!"
"Cesar!" father and son exclaimed in unison.
Jonathan put away his dagger. Abraham glanced at him, then stepped forward and bowed with cupped hands. "Greetings, Old Instructor!"
Jonathan was astonished. He looked Cesar over; sure enough, the man was dressed just as the rumors described.
Cesar looked at Jonathan and said, "The organization has approved your request. You're only missing an arm; your battle qi hasn't been crippled. It would be a pity for you to leave."
"Come back. With me putting in a word, no one will object."
Abraham hesitated. Seeing this, Jonathan immediately said, "No. My father's getting on in years. He should enjoy some peace and quiet."
"Such a little rascal, already making decisions for your father."
He patted Jonathan on the head. Abraham smiled faintly and replied, "Old Instructor, please forgive me, but I must decline. As Jonathan said, it's better to retire while I'm ahead and live out the rest of my life in peace."
Cesar didn't take it to heart. He smiled. "Then so be it."
Abraham said, "But why did you come in person, Old Instructor? Even if my boy is talented, he shouldn't have been enough to draw someone as important as you."
"It was a coincidence. I heard about this and came over. You've raised your son well. He'll go further than you. Someone will come to teach him in person and head to Black Phoenix City. They'll contact him when they get there."
Jonathan was a little confused. "Father, what are you two talking about?"
Cesar smiled. "Your father has sold you to the Saber Organization. From now on, you're one of them."
"Since you're so talented, your father asked the organization to send a powerful expert to teach you, and the organization agreed."
Jonathan was stunned. He looked at Abraham and said, "Lord Cesar, my father would never sell me. As for joining the Saber Organization, my father has trained me that way since I was little. I don't mind."
"What an interesting little fellow."
Jonathan's eyes darted around, and he seized the opportunity to press his luck. "Then, Lord Cesar, if you have nothing better to do, why not teach me for a few days?"
"Jonathan, don't be silly! Do you know who the Old Instructor is?"
Cesar raised a hand to stop Abraham from going on, then looked at Jonathan. "If you want me to teach you, first of all, I don't know magic. As for assassination techniques... You're still too young. You're not qualified."
"Come back to me when you've reached the seventh rank as a warrior."
"Then it's settled. Someone as important as you wouldn't lie to a kid, would you?" Jonathan said, looking pleased with himself. "I won't need long to reach the seventh rank."
"Jonathan, how can you talk to the Old Instructor like that?"
"It's fine. Your boy is interesting. I'll look forward to that day."
"This trip wasn't a waste after all. Hahaha!"
In the blink of an eye, Cesar vanished before their eyes, leaving not a trace of his presence behind.
They had no idea how he had left.
Abraham sighed. "The Old Instructor's assassination and Breath Concealment Technique truly is unrivaled across the Yulan Continent!"
"The peak of the Saint Realm?"
"I'll reach it within a few decades!"
Jonathan swore to himself.
About chapter views: paid readers—those who have recharged within the past three months—must click through to the latest chapter within 24 hours and stay for at least 30 seconds for it to count.
Chapter views are important. They affect recommendations, recommendations affect performance, and performance determines whether us little authors can keep going. So, I hope those who are willing to support this book will read the latest chapters during its new-book period. I'll show my gratitude by posting extra chapters after it goes premium.
Before you continue