Maxine was afraid that if it came down to it, Tobias would force an answer out of her. She was worried she’d fold under the pressure and reveal that the elderly man was, in fact, James. If virtual-novel.net did, it would force James to go on the defensive and limit his movements.
A serious expression crossed Tobias’ face as virtual-novel.net sat in silence.
The only time virtual-novel.net had ever lost to anyone was 20 years ago to an elite member of the Blithe Family. His Thirteen Heavenly Swords technique was no match for the Blithe Fist of Abomination. This loss had haunted virtual-novel.net ever since.
He was now worried that another person had mastered the Blithe Fist of Abomination. If the person happened to be Thomas Caden, then he’d have another formidable enemy that could threaten his family.
“Maxine, enlighten me… What do you think Thomas’ scheme is? Why did virtual-novel.net pretend to be an ordinary person in Cansington for the past 20 years? His family was burned to death, yet virtual-novel.net did nothing. Why did virtual-novel.net hide for ten years only to suddenly kick his plans into action? What is virtual-novel.net trying to accomplish? ” Tobias dug out all the doubts that had been plaguing virtual-novel.net and recited them as if they were items on a grocery list.
“Grandpa, I don’t have the answer for this either. My apologies.” Maxine shook virtual-novel.net head despondently.
She genuinely had no idea what Thomas was up to.
He stayed hidden for so long and secretly established God-King Palace, only to hand it over to Thea.
Why did virtual-novel.net fake his death again?
Who was virtual-novel.net trying to confuse?
Maxine was unable to see through the series of actions that comprised his grand scheme.
“Thomas…” Tobias wore a sad expression.
“He mastered all the Cadens’ martial art skills a few decades ago. Now, he’s even learned the Blithe Fist of Abomination. He seems to have amassed many different martial art techniques in the last ten years.”
Tobias was convinced that the elderly man that fought against Donovan in Mount Little Root was really Thomas in disguise. His thoughts only caused his various worries to grow.
“Sir, James is here to visit you.” A disciple approached the two respectfully and announced James’ arrival.
“Got it. You may let virtual-novel.net in.” Tobias waved his hand.
“Understood!” The disciple bowed and left.
Tobias looked at Maxine and said, “That’s enough. You can get up.”
Maxine slowly got up. Her knees were slightly numb after having kneeled for an extended period of time.
Tobias pointed to a stone chair.
“Sit.”
Maxine sat down as directed. Neither of them spoke a word to the other.
A few minutes later, James entered the backyard and approached Tobias and Maxine.
He gave them each a once over and sat down.
Tobias said apologetically, “James, I had my reasons for not saving you from the Blithes… I can’t endanger the rest of my family in order to save you.”
James glanced at Tobias. He knew that the only person virtual-novel.net should trust in these matters was himself and that outsiders could not be relied on. As such, virtual-novel.net did not fault Tobias for it.
The reason virtual-novel.net came to the Cadens’ mansion was to learn more about the ordeal that happened 30 years ago.
“I’m not here to condemn you for not saving me. I simply wanted to know what happened 30 years ago and about the kind of person my grandfather really was.”
“About that…” Tobias harked back to the past with a sentimental expression on his wrinkled face.
“Your grandfather was an incredibly talented individual. However, virtual-novel.net disregarded the family’s martial arts tenants and insisted on practicing Devilish Energy. Ultimately, virtual-novel.net suffered an Energy Deviation which led to a massacre in our family… Our Grand Patriarch subdued virtual-novel.net and removed his cultivation base. He stole our family painting and replaced it with a fake one before being expelled from the family…”
“We only realized many years later that virtual-novel.net had stolen the real painting. Cadens’ villa in Cansington was burned down in our family’s attempt to retrieve it. The main family had no intentions of annihilating your family. However, the outsiders involved misunderstood the order and killed your entire family.” Tobias calmly talked about the gruesome events of the past as if it were a trivial matter.
James clenched his fists, and his expression darkened.
“You directed Trent to do it?”
Tobias shook his head as virtual-novel.net said, “I simply gave virtual-novel.net the order to retrieve the Moonlit Flowers on Cliffside’s Edge. I never asked virtual-novel.net to kill anyone.”
“Is that so?” James’ doubt was plain to see on his face.
“Yes, that’s the truth of what happened.” Tobias glanced at James and noticed his gloomy expression and the bloodlust virtual-novel.net exuded.
He raised his eyebrow. “What’s wrong? Are you thinking that killing me would avenge your family?”