"Father said he had intended for you to manage his business. He has always favored you from a young age, considering neither Rombas nor I suitable for it. If you spend too much time on martial arts, you'll lag in other areas. If it were ancient times, he wouldn't object, but times have changed. No matter how skilled in martial arts, a few guns would easily corner you," Philia relayed her father's words in his tone.
"Uncle wants me to manage the business?" Galon was startled. "How could that be?"
"Why not? Dad decided this long ago. Anyway, I don't care. I'm not good at studying or martial arts; even my teacher says I have no talent. I'll have to rely on you to support me in the future!" Philia playfully hugged Galon's arm.
"Dad said that among the younger generation, only you could take over his business without leading to its decline. If it were up to me or Rombas, we'd probably squander the family fortune in a few years."
"Uncle has such high expectations of me..." Galon was speechless. He had always felt that his uncle's care for him exceeded the norm, even more than for his own children. From Galon's childhood memories, any conflict between him and Rombas would inevitably result in Rombas being punished. The favoritism was blatantly obvious.
This led to Rombas's long-standing disdain and extreme dissatisfaction with Galon.
"Let's go back," Philia tugged at Galon's arm, leading him back to the building's entrance. However, they hadn't walked far when a cold-faced, tall youth, dressed in a white tight shirt and black pants highlighting strong muscular contours, blocked their way.
"Are you Galon?" the youth inquired, his brows furrowed as he stared at Galon.
"Who are you...?" Galon paused, examining the youth.
"I'm Rombas's cousin. I heard you've been using your martial arts to suppress Rombas. Is that true?" the youth's frown deepened as he scrutinized Galon.
"What do you mean? Me, suppressing Rombas? Where did you hear that?" Galon intended to enter the building but was deliberately blocked by the youth, causing him to frown, "Alright, stop this. Let me through."
"You're part of the family too. It wouldn't be appropriate to have outsiders discipline you. I'm here specifically to teach you a lesson on behalf of my cousin," the youth obstinately blocked the entrance.
"Are you sick?" Galon was incredulous, noting Philia had quietly moved to the side, adopting a spectator's stance.
By then, Galon had figured out the youth's background. His aunt, Philia and Rombas's mother, belonged to another ancient and prominent family. The marriage was partly a union of interests. Now, with his uncle's declaration to hand over his business to an unrelated nephew, hopes of many young men who had been currying favor with Rombas and Philia were dashed.
Thus, conflicts of interest arose. Philia's maternal family, not adept at managing businesses, had seen declining profits in recent years. Naturally, their focus shifted to his uncle's increasingly prosperous enterprise.
During its development, his uncle's business had also relied on his wife's family's influence. In essence, his uncle's achievements were intertwined with his wife's family's contributions.
Now, the sudden declaration that his business would be handed over to his sister's son indicated a significant shift.
Galon quickly understood the implications.
This meant his uncle believed none of the young members from his wife's family matched Galon's potential. His uncle's statement that only Galon could prevent the business from declining was a clear endorsement.
Having contributed significantly to the development of the business and naturally considering his uncle's enterprise as part of his own, the sudden emergence of this troublesome matter understandably upset him. Observing the young man before him, Galon felt confident in his assessment.
"You must have come looking for me at Lombas's suggestion, right? Let's stop this nonsense and not block the way. Let's go inside and have a proper talk."
The young man scoffed, swaying his body to block the way again, arms crossed and eyes coldly on Galon.
Galon frowned, "This isn't what you think it is. Let's go inside and talk it over, don't let Lombas use you as his pawn, believing whatever he tells you."
He had no desire to conflict with those from that side. Their family was not just any ordinary small family but a complex mix of gray and dark elements. Solidifying such a reputation and instigating a conflict would only bring a heap of trouble.
"This isn't something Lombas told me," the young man sneered, blocking the way once more.
"Are you going to move or not?" Galon grew impatient. He was not in the mood to engage in a brawl with a youngster.
"So what if I don't move?" the young man stood his ground.
Galon's gaze turned icy as he reached out swiftly to grab the young man's neck.
Snap!
The young man kicked fiercely at Galon's palm, producing a crisp sound as dust and fine ash scattered from where their hands and feet collided.
Following that, he quickly withdrew his foot, spinning for another side kick that aimed directly at Galon's wrist.
Snap!
The whooshing sound of his trousers as he kicked, the young man's actions looking exceptionally graceful, both kicks landing precisely on the same spot on Galon. He then retreated two steps and stood firm.
"Is that all?"
Galon looked at him, bemused.
"You!" The young man's face turned pale, sweat forming on his forehead, clearly indicating that those moves were not easy for him. Seeing Galon unmoved, he realized the vast gap between them.
With a mere glance, Galon, standing still, brushed off the dust from his hand and walked through the opened entrance, his palm and wrist not even reddening from the impact.
"You're not getting away without clearing things up today!" the young man shouted, frustrated. He lunged forward with a kick aimed at Galon's chin.
Galon's expression turned cold. With a slap of his hand, he deflected the young man's leg and then swiftly turned and kicked.
Bang!
Crack!
A grown man from behind was fiercely side-kicked, crashing against the wall next to the door with a dull thud. Struggling to stand straight after the blow, the man's look towards Galon changed significantly.
He was the young man's bodyguard, originally attacking from behind, only to be countered by Galon with a side kick. The force was so great that he couldn't even muster the strength to stand, let alone fight back. Galon's strength had far exceeded his expectations.
Watching Galon's cold gaze, the bodyguard felt a chill. He had seen such a look in his squad leader's eyes. He knew if he made another move...
"He would really kill me..." He stiffened, daring not to move again.
This sudden turn of events not only stunned the young man but also left Philia, who was watching, open-mouthed in shock. The onlookers who saw the bodyguard getting kicked could not help but gasp in fear.
The man was kicked flying like a sack, hitting the door frame with a clearly audible bone crack. Just the sight and sound were painful enough, making everyone feel a chill down their spine.
Galon sneered, knowing he had made a complete enemy now. He approached the young man, pointed a finger at his forehead, and taunted, "Even your bodyguard is so weak. No wonder my uncle decided to entrust the business to me. People like you, who are incapable, what's the use of living in this world? Might as well die."
With a flick of his finger, the young man's head slightly recoiled, leaving a red mark on his forehead.
Under Galon's murderous intent, the young man's pupils dilated in fear, genuinely believing he was about to be killed at that moment.
"Don't kill me!!" he screamed in terror, scrambling away and hiding behind a large vase, his eyes filled with fear when looking back at Galon.
Galon smiled, standing up straight. He knew the young man was thoroughly intimidated, now perceiving him as the most terrifying shadow. No one would dare to oppose him after this, which was precisely what he wanted. Intimidating someone so immature was easy.
Since a confrontation was inevitable from the moment the bodyguard attempted to ambush him, Galon wasn't about to back down. Destroying their morale completely and resolving the issue once and for all was the right approach.
"Let's go, Philia," he said, turning to the girl standing outside the door. She looked at him, her lips quivering slightly, a hint of fear in her eyes.
At that moment when Galon pointed at the young man's forehead, she genuinely thought he was going to be killed. Such cold murderous intent she had only seen in her father's bodyguards.
Hearing Galon's call, she managed a response, though her voice was dry.
"Galon brother... That person is called Delaixima, a recognized amateur combat sports champion..."
"Don't tell me his whatever is some kind of super champion cliché?" Galon said, unamused.
Philia approached quietly and whispered, "No, his brother Delaian doesn't know how to fight, but he's one of the most ruthless youths in their family, already making a name for himself in society. Be careful!"
"He's involved in the underworld?" Galon frowned.
Philia nodded.
"He's a top figure in the underworld outside the province."
"You seem quite well-informed," Galon noted.
"I learned about it during family gatherings when the elders were talking. Be careful! This isn't just a conflict among the younger generation," Philia warned.
"Don't worry," Galon reassured. With the Black Jade Disc on him, constantly growing stronger, even a close-range shot from a small handgun posed little threat unless aimed precisely.
"Family internal conflicts have rules, don't worry. Let's go up and see my uncle."
Galon shook his neck, cracking it. Internal family conflicts typically avoid underhanded or dishonorable methods, favoring direct confrontation to gain elder support.
Such highly escalated internal conflicts could tear a family apart, with infighting alone sufficient to split the family's interests. Hence, these battles are confined within strict boundaries and rules.
He wasn't particularly interested in his uncle's business. With his unique abilities, starting his own business would be easy, requiring just time and effort. But that wasn't his goal.
Only personal strength mattered in the end.
"As long as they don't cross the line, everything will be fine," Galon mused, licking his lips.