Henry.Rockefeller smiled faintly and said, "I can ensure that the Owen—one of the Four Great Evils—won't attack us, because he has already lost to me before."
He then briefly recounted his experiences in Dali, leaving everyone astonished by the strange twists of fate. Lucas interjected, "Enough talk. Let's make our plans..."
The next day, in a small mountain temple outside Wuxi, a man leaned on his crutch, glaring at another standing at the entrance.
"Lucas, our last duel was left unfinished. Today, we settle it once and for all," Victor.Rockefeller declared.
Lucas laughed. "A defeated foe dares challenge me? Do you think I, Lucas, fear you?"
Enraged, Victor.Rockefeller swung his crutch at Lucas, who countered with a single palm strike, unleashing a surge of inner energy.
Victor.Rockefeller felt the overwhelming force transmitted through the crutch and immediately retaliated with his signature technique—the Solar Finger—channeling his power into a razor-thin line aimed straight at Lucas' palm.
Lucas dodged with a swift twist, his expression shifting to disbelief. "You're from the Rockefeller family?"
Victor.Rockefeller sneered. "The world is vast and full of wonders. Must the Duan Clan monopolize such finger techniques?"
With another flick of his finger, he sent another pulse of energy through the crutch, forcing Lucas back. "Victor.Rockefeller, the Four Great Evils always stick together. Why are you alone today? Have the others perished?"
Before Victor.Rockefeller could respond, a furious voice erupted from the side. "You bastard! I, Owen, will outlive you by centuries! Take this!"
Owen lunged forward, and soon after, Gabriel emerged as well—though he refrained from joining the fight, choosing instead to observe from the sidelines.
Seeing Lucas outnumbered, Henry.Rockefeller called out, "Lucas, I'll help you! Come on, my dear disciple, won't you stop this foolishness for your master?"
Owen, already seething at the mention of Henry.Rockefeller, was further enraged by memories of their clash in Dali's royal palace. Without a word, he launched himself at Henry.Rockefeller, leaving the latter no choice but to evade with the nimble Lingbo Microsteps.
Victor.Rockefeller frowned. Where is Violet? Has something happened? Gabriel's return was a relief, but his injuries had weakened their group's overall strength. Otherwise, Lucas would have been dead by now.
Just then, chaos erupted among the Western Xia Hall members. Victor.Rockefeller exchanged a glance with Gabriel, who nodded and slipped inside.
Lucas smirked. "They say Gabriel's lightness skills are unmatched in the martial world. I wonder if he can escape this time?"
Victor.Rockefeller scoffed. "Few in this world can kill Gabriel. Even if he can't win, he can always flee."
Lucas raised an eyebrow. "Oh? I wouldn't be so sure."
Before Victor.Rockefeller could retort, a heavy thud echoed behind him. He turned to see Gabriel sprawled on the ground, one hand propping himself up, blood staining the earth.
A figure drifted onto the rooftop and boomed, "Victor.Rockefeller! Do you recognize me—Noah.Kennedys?"
Victor.Rockefeller burst into laughter. "To think the legendary duo—'Lucas of the North, Noah.Kennedys of the South'—would join forces against this old man! What an honor! But I have matters to attend to today, so I'll take my leave." With that, he grabbed Gabriel and fled, shouting, "Owen! Retreat!"
Owen stamped his foot in frustration. "Call me Owen, damn it! Lucas, mark my words—I'll be back for you!" Then, with a flash of movement, he vanished.
Lucas and Noah.Kennedys made no move to pursue. Their priority now was securing the antidote to save their allies. Turning their attention to the Western Xia Hall, they struck without mercy.
"Noah.Kennedys, I owe you my thanks," Lucas declared before the assembled Beggar Sect elders and disciples. "This proves Matthew's death was not your doing. The Beggar Sect will remember this debt."
Noah.Kennedys waved it off. "You flatter me, Lucas. I must take my leave—urgent matters await." With that, he departed.
Lucas called after him, "Visit the Beggar Sect's headquarters someday. I'll repay this kindness in full."
Meanwhile, Henry.Rockefeller grew restless. Will Amelia.Rothschild leave with him? He quickly said, "Lucas, I must go as well."
Lucas held Henry.Rockefeller in high regard but understood his urgency. "Henry.Rockefeller, there are countless beauties in this world. Why must you—"
"Lucas," Henry.Rockefeller interrupted with a grin, "I'd trade an empire for a single beauty." After bidding farewell to the Beggar Sect elders, he took his leave.
Lucas watched Henry.Rockefeller disappear into the distance before sighing. "Alright, it's time we returned. We still have to deal with that traitor, Jackson."
The elders nodded grimly—Jackson had brought them nothing but suffering. Only Samuel remained silent, his thoughts inscrutable.
Elsewhere, Jackson was hurled to the ground by a black-clad figure. "You fool! Letting a mere Elliott ruin everything!"
Jackson kowtowed. "Forgive me, Master! I had no idea Elliott would appear out of nowhere. Please, grant me another chance!"
The figure snorted coldly and tossed him a manual. "This is the Dragon Claw Technique from Shaolin—modified for faster mastery. Once you've mastered it, I'll return. Forget the plans; I have other agents now. Your sole task is to kill Elliott."
Jackson's eyes gleamed with murderous intent. "Thank you for sparing me, Master. I swear Elliott will die by my hand." When he looked up again, the black-clad figure had vanished.