Chapter 857

The Four Great Protectors of the God-King Palace clashed head-on against the Johnstons’ disciples.

The Four Great Protectors were sent flying by the shockwave of the collision. After landing on the
ground, they hurriedly took a few steps back.

Meanwhile. Wind, Rain, Thunder, and Lightning stood as if they were entirely unaffected.

It was apparent that the Four Great Protectors were the weaker of the two parties. Thea narrowed her
eyes. “Shall I interpret this as the Jolinstons openly antagonizing the Cadens? If so, I'll report this to my
grandfather.”

Wearing an unpleasant expression, Hades looked right at her. “Surely you jest, Ms. Maxine. For
thousands of years, the Ancient Four have co-existed peacefully. and the Johnstons have always taken
the teachings of our ancestors to heart. The same cannot be said of the Cadens, however. Not only did
you create the God- King Palace, but you even killed a member of the Johnstons in cold blood. Do you
truly wish to pick a fight against us?”.

Thea remained silent.

She glanced at James out of the corner of her eye. The pain and the severity of his injuries caused him
to lose consciousness. She said, “Grandfather will hear of this.”

The Four Great Protectors carefully lifted James’ body up. Then, they swiftly made their exit as the
Johnstons continued gazing at them bitterly.

Wearing a grim expression, Kennedy asked, “Patriarch. are we really letting them waltz away scot-
free?”



Hades replied solemnly, “It seems like the Cadens are determined to strike first. I have a feeling that
chaos will soon descend upon the Capital. I wonder what rank of Internal Martial Arts the Cadens’
patriarch has reached?”

One of the prominent members of the Johnstons who was present quickly responded, “I believe he’s
achieved a considerable rank. By now, they should have unraveled the secrets of the Moonlit Flowers
on Cliffside’s Edge.”

“You're all free to leave now.” Hades waved his hand in dismissal.

Thea loaded the unconscious James into a black sedan. One of the black-robed men examined his
injuries.

Thea asked anxiously, “How is he?”

The man spoke in a hoarse voice, “He’s gravely injured. Before his previous injuries could fully recover,
his meridians were destroyed and the True Energy he had cultivated was forcefully dispersed
throughout his body. In the process, his own organs took the brunt of the force released by the True
Energy. He needs to be sent to the hospital immediately or his life will be in further danger.”

“What?”

When she realized that there was a very real possibility that James would die, Thea’s face paled. She
frantically turned to the

Four, Great protectors. “A-Aren’t you guys martial arts experts?! Can’t you do something to help him?!!"

“Young lady, we aren't able to do anything for him as we don’t have any medical knowledge. The best
we can do for him at this moment is to send him to the hospital posthaste and retreat quickly. All forces
inside the Capital have their eyes on the Johnstons. If we don’t leave now, we'll be in deep trouble.”



Suddenly, the driver's phone started ringing. He quickly answered the call.

“Understood.”

After hanging up the phone, he turned to Thea. “Young lady, the master has ordered us to send James
to the Cadens’ residence. He said they would save him.’

“What are we waiting for then?! Hurry up and step on it!

“Young lady, your plane ticket has been purchased. After returning to the hotel and getting changed,
you are to return to Cansington. You'll run into a lot of trouble if you continue to remain in the Capital.”

“But...”

“These are the master’s orders.”

“Alright then.” Thea sighed and nodded reluctantly.

Concurrently at the Johnstons..

At the conference room of the Johnstons...

The important figures of the Johnstons were discussing the situation.

Who they believed was Maxine Caden had appeared before them to save James. However, before he
was taken away peacefully, Hades Johnston forcefully dispersed all the True

Energy James had cultivated and crippled him as a result.

This time, the person who led the discussion was not the Johnstons’ patriarch, Hades. Instead, it was
an even older-looking elderly man. His face was gaunt, and his eyes were devoid of all emotion.



He was the Grand Patriarch of the Johnstons, the most powerful individual in the household.

He had been in closed-door meditation all this time. Due to the events that unfolded, he had no choice
but to make an appearance. The fate of the Johnstons rested on his shoulders.

In the library of the Johnstons’ courtyard...

The library located in the courtyard was the closed-door meditation sanctuary of the Johnstons’ Grand
Patriarch. Currently, he had left his meditative state in order to hold a family meeting.

A masked man in a black robe leaped from a tree a great distance away and landed in the room.

Gently pushing the door open, he swiftly entered the room and closed the door shut.


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