Anthony kept staring at Kaiser who was acting strange, wondering what the problem could be.
"Kaiser, are you alright? Or you don't like the drugs I gave you? They're really potent, I won't give you something that's half baked or ineffective. You can discreetly test it out before you make the knowledge public. Then, once I return, I will produce more for you."
Kaiser looked at him and smiled.
"Big brother, that was not what I was thinking about. Of course, I trust in your abilities. I'm sure both the game and the drugs will be an instant hit."
"Then, what's the problem? You looked quite disturbed."
"I just had a ridiculous thought, but now that I considered it carefully, it's simply impossible. Let's cultivate for a while and sleep here. I realized that staying here to sleep or cultivate often gives double the effort, unless you use the energy gathering formation in the ancestral villa. But they won't allow you in, so let's sleep here." Kaiser said, clearing the tray to a far end of space they were in.
He produced a camping bed and set it out, alongside a mosquito net.
"Are you sure this is a good idea? Even if you have a mosquito net, bugs or ants can still crawl in." Anthony said, looking amused as he watched Kaiser.
"No, I will set down an insect repelling formation around us, even spiritual beasts won't be able to come close. So, you can go ahead and cultivate, I will protect you. You need to have lots of energy in your dantian, store lots of it because you don't know what you will encounter. Or if you will ever have a chance to cultivate peacefully once you get in there. Just cultivate as fast as possible, for maybe two hours. Then you sleep for four hours so that your body will be fully recharged. You're still at the stage where quality sleep enhances brain coordination. Maybe when you level up some more, you won't need to sleep or eat as much." Kaiser whispered with a focused look on his face while diligently preparing the formation.
Anthony almost laughed out loud as he listened to Kaiser. Does he still need Kaiser to protect him at his current stage?
'Well, it's the good intentions that count.' He thought, watching Kaiser set up the formation.
Once he was done with it, he grabbed two bottles of water and waved to Anthony. The moment he entered, Kaiser quickly zipped up the net and sat cross legged. Anthony removed his outer jacket and shoes, before joining him as they tried to cultivate.
*****
Kaiser and Anthony landed before the terrace of a mega mansion the next morning, and Kaiser shoved the tray containing the dirty dishes to one of the waiting maids and walked into the house.
"This is our family's mansion, the third biggest and most beautiful mansion in the dragon clan, with a bit of ancient history. Even though new mansions spring up every day, lots of people still want to live here because of the historical significance; a place of power and splendor. I have your room all prepared, alongside canned food and clean water for the journey." Kaiser whispered proudly and walked into the house with Anthony tagging behind him. Their hair was slightly damp because they just had a bath in one of the clan's warm springs, beside the mountain, and changed into new sets of clothes which they got from storage rings.
The moment they walked into the house, they met their mom, sister and Kaiser's two assistants pacing anxiously in the downstairs reception room.
"Why are you all standing here? Sean, aren't you supposed to be at the office?" Kaiser asked, looking from one to another.
"Where have you been all night? Your number was not reachable despite everything that happened this morning. Are you trying to see me dead or what?" Joyce screamed, stamping her foot in anger.
"Do you have to ask? Isn't it obvious that he was with this waste all night, trying to teach him some last minute martial art skills? But let me tell you, big brother, it's all useless. Even if you give him all your martial arts skills, his sorry ass will still not return unscathed from his training. Your efforts are not going to have an effect on this trash, you are wasting your time on a fool!" Rona shouted, her eyes still blazing with anger.
Before Kaiser could reach for the annoying brat, his assistant grabbed his arm.
"Boss, we don't have time for this. A bomb exploded in our new mega industrial plants. Some victims are still trapped in the debris and the conditions of those rescued are not looking too good." The assistant, who was in his early twenties, way older than Kaiser, whispered anxiously, making Anthony's heart skip a few beats. Was this still a coincidence or were they targeting him?
"What? How did that happen? Where did the security guards and surveillance cameras go? How did someone manage to plant a bomb despite the amount of money I pay to keep everywhere safe?" Kaiser roared, clutching his assistant by the neck.
"This is no time for this, if we don't resolve this by mid morning and reduce the number of casualties, that subsidiary might have to close down, curbing our power once again. We can't afford to lose another important subsidiary so soon. Hurry and do what you must, the helicopter is waiting outside." Joyce said, making Kaiser sigh and quickly turn to leave.
Anthony quickly rushed after him, and shoved a box into his hands.
"This is very helpful to injuries, and the skin. The golden pills can rescue someone at death's door within fifteen minutes and stabilize their vitals. Go ahead." Anthony whispered and patted Kaiser's back.
"Thanks man." He whispered and rushed past him. He suddenly stopped and turned to Anthony as a loud bell went off in his bed.
"Anthony, the timing of this bomb is too perfect to be coincidental. Be careful out there, and stay safe. I won't be able to accompany you anymore." Kaiser shouted, eliciting a smile from Anthony.
"Go ahead, even if the sky falls I will hold it up. Don't worry about me. Besides, it could really be a terrorist attack." Anthony replied, and Kaiser quickly ran into the helicopter.
However, the nagging feeling in his heart continued. Was this bomb just a way to lure him away so they could hurt Anthony? Who could be so cruel to sacrifice hundreds of people just to get Anthony? Or was he overthinking it? It was just a coincidence, right?