Among all the disciples of the White Dragon King, Bill was the one whose personality mirrored that of his master the most—both were incredibly arrogant.
It was no wonder Bill had made his move on John with only 50% of his strength. In his mind, to kill an unknown monk with full force would be beneath him. It wasn't just an insult; it would be a humiliation—a blow to his pride. The very idea of failing to eliminate someone he deemed an "ant" was more than he could bear.
The sting of his initial failure weighed heavily on him.
As a Heaven Master, how could he have failed to kill a monk in a single strike? It was a disgrace.
The frustration burned within him. His eyes narrowed as he glared at John.
"Come here and let me kill you!" Bill barked, his tone full of venom.
His arrogance was palpable.
In response, Anita instinctively took a step forward, positioning herself in front of John as she tried to shield him with her slight frame.
Anita wasn't a monk, nor a martial artist, nor a cultivator. She was just an ordinary girl—fragile by comparison. But this was the bond between siblings. When danger threatened, she instinctively placed herself in harm's way for her baby brother.
This gesture, though small, wasn't lost on John.
Anita's love and protection for him were clear. He'd never forget this moment.
Before he could speak, Sophia spoke up, her voice firm with authority. "Bill, if you dare lay a hand on Mr. Lopez, the Long family will hold you accountable!"
Sophia's words were meant to intimidate, but Bill barely spared her a glance.
As he had already told her, the Long family was in decline. Their patriarch was on the brink of death, and their influence had all but crumbled. Sophia's threats had no weight in Bill's eyes.
Without further hesitation, Bill turned his gaze back to John and prepared to strike again.
The killing intent was thick in the air as Bill's internal strength surged, enveloping him in an overwhelming, domineering presence. He was ready to end things in an instant.
But just as he was about to strike, a clear, calm voice interrupted.
"Are the martial artists in New York always this arrogant?"
Everyone turned to see a striking woman approaching.
Bill blinked, momentarily stunned.
Another woman? And one as beautiful and poised as Anita and Sophia?
His jealousy flared. It seemed like John had an unending stream of beautiful women around him.
Anita's eyes brightened as she recognized the newcomer. "Sister, what are you doing here?"
It was John's older sister, Bertha.
"Anita," Bertha greeted with a warm smile. "It's been too long! I knew you were in New York for a shoot, and since I finally have some free time, I thought I'd drop by. I didn't expect to walk into this mess."
Then she turned her gaze toward John, giving him a pointed look.
John scratched his head sheepishly. "Bertha, long time no see."
Long time?
Bertha's lips curled into a thin smile. "John, it seems you've been living too comfortably lately."
Her voice dropped to a low growl, sending an immediate chill down John's spine. He instinctively shifted his stance, wary of her ire.
Ignoring her brother, Bertha turned her focus to Bill, her expression shifting to one of cool detachment. "Sis, what's going on here?"
Anita glanced at John before answering. "He came from Houston and said he wants to kill John."
Bertha's eyebrow arched in amusement. "From Houston, huh? That explains your arrogance."
She raised an eyebrow at Bill. "Has he always been so brave? To speak of killing John so casually?"
Anita and Sophia exchanged puzzled glances.
Why was Bertha so calm in the face of such a dangerous threat?
Sophia, still trying to understand the situation, spoke up. "His name is Bill, and he's a Heaven Master. His master, the White Dragon King, is a revered figure in martial arts."
"I see," Bertha said, nodding as if the explanation was perfectly normal. Then, without missing a beat, she walked toward Bill, her steps purposeful. "If you want to kill John, you'll have to pass my test first."
Sophia blinked in surprise. "Your test?"
Bertha didn't bother explaining further. In her eyes, there was no need to belabor the point. John was no ordinary person. He was the King of Horizon, and no one was allowed to harm him so easily.
"If he can't even pass my test, then there's no way he's going to kill John," Bertha thought, a flicker of determination crossing her face.
Meanwhile, Bill couldn't help but sneer as he saw Bertha approach. He thought she was simply trying to defend her brother. "Miss, who are you? Why are you meddling in matters that don't concern you?"
Bertha raised an eyebrow, her flawless features sharpening into a steely gaze. "A nobody?"
She took a step closer, her voice dripping with amusement. "It's not that I'm meddling. It's just that this 'nobody' happens to be my brother. And I don't think it's right not to help him."
With that, Bertha moved like a flash of light, graceful yet dangerous, striking at Bill.
Bill had assumed Bertha might just be a martial artist, but when he felt the aura emanating from her, he realized she was far more than that. She was a Heaven Master, just like him.
This was a surprise.
He quickly raised his hands in defense, barely managing to deflect her attack, and stumbled back. "Wait! Are you Master Bertha, the leader of the Martial Arts League?"