Hot and cold currents tumbled and flowed within his body, leaving Galon seated motionless in a chair. It wasn't that he didn't wish to move; he simply couldn't. With each cycle of the circulating currents, they intensified. In just over ten minutes, the currents had grown to fill his entire body, to the point where distinguishing their flow became impossible.
Seated, Galon's muscles flashed between red and white – red as though scalded, like peeled cooked shrimp, and white as if he were a patient recovering from a severe illness.
After an unknown period, with a thunderous sound, Galon's eyes snapped open, revealing a clarity as if the finest rubies were embedded with black pearls.
He gasped sharply, and the room seemed to stir with a breeze, gently rustling clothes hanging on a rack four meters away, despite not being directly in his path – an utterly bewildering phenomenon.
Raising his arm with robotic stiffness and slowness from the armrest, his joints crackled audibly.
Then, as Galon slowly stood, his entire body resonated with crackling sounds.
"This is due to the sudden increase in ability, leading to an excessive enhancement in physical condition. Those who have trained diligently over years wouldn't experience such exaggerated effects."
Unsure of his own strength, Galon had pushed the Baiyun Secret Technique to the fourth level using attribute points, a realm no one else had reached.
"Now, although stronger, my body hasn't adapted to this new power. This leap in strength is too great, requiring a long time to fully master to avoid accidents like before," Galon realized, understanding his current state.
"And my combat skills are still far from adequate. If only I could significantly increase attribute points, I could save much time mastering combat techniques."
Shaking his head, Galon reached for his clothes on the rack, tearing them in two without intending.
Surprised, he noticed a protruding nail on the rack that had snagged the fabric – a minor resistance he would have normally stopped at, but his newfound strength rendered it negligible.
"Indeed."
Shirtless, he walked out of the room, only to see a group of youngsters in yellow dojo outfits, led by a young female coach, whispering among themselves while two officials greeted them.
A woman in a white blouse and tight black skirt, with an aura of cool beauty, stood up from a chair by the wall, taking his clothes. It was Grace, who had suffered severe internal injuries during sparring with Galon a month ago and had only recently recovered. Her dispute with Baiyun Martial Arts School was known to the company, and she now remained by Galon's side, assisting him with daily life and other matters.
"Tore it accidentally. How are you feeling?" Galon asked casually, concerned about the sparring incident.
"I'm much better now, thanks to the secret medicine from the dojo. You don't need to worry."
They walked past the new students, heading to the second-floor martial hall.
"Are you still handling company matters?"
"No, my only task now is to take care of everything for you. I'm essentially abandoned by the company as compensation for that incident."
Grace chuckled wryly, "The master of the hall, Fei, is out. Now, the grand hall is managed by your senior sister, Rosita, who is currently training in the secret chamber. I'm not sure when she'll be available."
Galon nodded, "Anyway, as long as it's not a major issue, the outer instructors usually handle the general affairs, and the newly hired management staff can take care of everything. We don't need to worry. You have more connections than I do. Any progress on the case from the Mercury Detective Agency?"
"I'm not sure about that. However, I heard that Mercury Detective visited the Dolphin Antique Shop you mentioned again a few days ago. I tried to find out more but couldn't get any information. My sources are just the ones from my previous company, and without much funding now, some channels are hard to access," Grace frowned slightly.
"If you want more reliable information, maybe you could ask your senior brothers and sisters. They each have their own networks, which is much better than us groping in the dark."
"We'll see," Galon said, taking a white towel offered by a girl and wiping off his sweat.
After resting in the martial hall and having lunch, since it was the weekend, Galon had Grace drive him straight to Bernington Road and headed directly to the Dolphin Antique Shop.
The shop had replaced its previously red decor with all-black tablecloths and chairs.
The old man was still sitting in front of the bookshelf, carefully adjusting a brass pocket watch with his reading glasses on. He only glanced at Galon when he entered, without lifting his head.
"Got a new batch of goods in. Want to take a look?"
Galon glanced around the shop and noticed another customer besides him, an elderly woman with white hair dressed elegantly, clearly not from an ordinary family.
The woman was holding a black necklace, seemingly captivated by it.
"Old man, where did you find another pocket watch? Looks like a genuine Buvixy?" he approached the old man and sat down.
"What do you mean 'looks genuine'? It is genuine!" the old man glared at him, "This is a pawned antique brought in by that lady. I'm checking if its inner mechanism is original."
"You're dealing in pawns now?" Galon said incredulously, "By the way, the Mercury Detective came by again, right? Any leads on the case?"
He had already obtained the medal but didn't dare tell the old man. He was there to inquire about the situation with the Mercury Detective.
After all, the medal was intricately connected to Gareth's company behind the scenes, and the investigation by Mercury Detective might trace back to him eventually.
Moreover, exchanging information with the old man recently made Galon feel that Mercury Detective's actions were somewhat odd.
"They're still on the trail of the Golden Ring. I've come to terms with it; the loss wasn't too big. Golden Ring is not just any thief but a formidable assassin! Mr. Mercury has been after him for a year or two. Not so easy to catch," the old man put down the watch, took off his glasses, and wiped them.
Galon's eyes flickered, "Last time you said that the detective and I were interested in the same troubled antiques. What's that about?"
"Not sure, but the few pieces like that I just got were all picked out by him in advance. Sold them for double the profit, what a business!" The old man showed a proud expression.
"Did he pick out this batch too?" Galon frowned. This wasn't the first time.
"Interested?" The old man glanced at him, "Bring the money then. I'm telling you, not just my shop, but since Mercury came to Huai Shan City, all such antiques available for sale have been collected by him. That guy is a fanatic collector. Heard his grandfather was a count in the territory, doesn't lack money."
"So he's collected a lot, huh?" Galon's interest piqued, "Honestly, I'm interested in these weird, dangerous antiques. That's where the thrill is."
Whack! The old man slapped Galon hard on the head.
"Thrill your head, how can you think of collecting without a stable income, spoiling brat!"
Galon wasn't offended, just chuckled, "Right, what about that book? You got it back from your friend, right? Can I have another look?"
"I've told you many times, no talent means no talent, looking more won't change anything," the old man waved impatiently, "Alright, get on with your own business."
"Just one more look won't make it disappear, you're still so stingy, old man," Galon shook his head.
After more light-hearted chat, Galon stood up to leave.
Not long after, the old man, Gego, stood up, walked to the door, and gently closed it.
The old woman turned around, setting down the necklace, and looked at Gego with a complex gaze.
"After so many years, you've completely become a commoner."
The old man chuckled, unusually not retorting.
"That's fate. It was my choice back then. The seeds I sowed, I must bear the consequences."
"How long do you plan to stay here?"
"How long? Until they find me again," the old man sighed softly, "This cat and mouse game has gone on for many years..."
"Are you really content with living day by day in a daze?" the old woman asked calmly, "Once we've entered this circle, it's impossible to escape. They've already come looking."
"Are you trying to scare me?" The old man's expression darkened.
"I'm just here to warn you specifically. They won't let go of anyone you've been in contact with, including that young man just now."
"He's just a commoner, don't drag him into this!" The old man's expression became solemn, his eyes losing their usual playfulness, replaced with a sharp seriousness.
"That won't work on me," the woman approached and sat where Galon had been, "He's seen that book, hasn't he? No need to explain, I've heard everything. That boy really resembles you when you were young. Really does..."
She quietly observed the old man, her gaze calm and penetrating.