The Ashford family's fury

Ethan went out with Rose.

When he stepped outside, his mental domain had already sensed three top-level Grandmasters hiding nearby. Ethan just smiled but didn't do anything. He wanted some spice in his life—everything had been too smooth lately. He feared it would become boring if nothing ever happened. Those three were probably David's bodyguards.

The three Grandmasters heaved a sigh of relief.

That monster had finally left. They never imagined simply letting Young Master enter the shop of this low-level base city would cost him everything. They'd been waiting outside. When Ethan attacked, they thought about intervening, but they couldn't see his movement. Everything had happened in an instant.

So they hadn't dared to interrupt, fearing they might die.

They searched for information about this man by photo. All official records were unavailable, but they found the videos where Ethan had mobilized the alliance power to help his girlfriend's little sister.

From that alone, they understood this young monster was influential. They couldn't treat it lightly. So they came to David's mutilated body and the others, who were all unconscious.

Then they made a call—directly to David's father.

Nolan Ashford, the current Patriarch of the family and a King-level powerhouse.

---

Supercity 3, Ashford Family.

Nolan was sitting in his study, reading over some family matters. Suddenly, his mobile rang. It was Tiger, one of his son's bodyguards. He picked up the phone.

"Hello," he said calmly.

A trembling voice replied, "Sir…something happened to Young Master."

Nolan's tone didn't change. "What happened?"

Tiger recounted everything.

Crack—

Nolan's hand snapped the golden armrest clean off. The polished metal fell to the marble with a deafening clang. He stood up from his seat, eyes full of murderous fire.

"Repeat that."

His voice was a rasp, more terrifying than a roar. Tiger felt like he would pee at any moment.

He stammered in a shaking voice, "Sir…the man's name is Ethan Hunt. We couldn't find anything about him officially. But he is very treasured by the Alliance. A few days ago, he moved the entire branch Martial Hall of this city to rescue his girlfriend's little sister. Even the Supervisor was moved that day."

Nolan's gaze was spitting fire. He was going mad with rage. He demanded the information they had gathered about Ethan to be sent to him immediately.

Then he called the family elders.

---

The Ashford Family was a massive business family even before the apocalypse. After the apocalypse, his father had awakened early, but his talent wasn't great. So he only reached Emperor Level 1. Though their martial power wasn't especially strong, they had money. They had the support of countless martial artists.

So the family was still enormous—like those in cultivation novels.

In the family meeting, Nolan was behaving like a mad beast. He loved his son dearly, even if he was good for nothing.

A family elder stepped forward, face pale. "Patriarch—"

"Silence!" Nolan bellowed. "A nobody from a gutter city dares to humiliate my bloodline? My heir? And you think I shouldn't do anything because he might be a genius of the Martial Alliance? From when did the Ashford Family become so pathetic?"

The elder tried again, voice trembling. "This Ethan Hunt… We must be careful. The Martial Alliance—"

"I don't care about the Martial Alliance!" Nolan slammed his palm on the table. The thousand-kilogram slab of crystal split down the center like rotten wood. "Summon the Execution Division! We'll make that city a tomb for that bastard!"

The gathered retainers knelt as one, terrified to meet his gaze.

Then, a heavy voice echoed from the darkened archway. "No."

All eyes turned. From the shadows stepped an old man clad in a robe woven from silver threads—the Supreme Elder, Erasmus Ashford. He was the Level 1 Emperor of the family. His aura was as vast as an ocean, yet perfectly restrained.

Nolan's chest heaved. "Father—!"

Erasmus gestured to an aide standing by the door. "You. Investigate this Ethan Hunt. Everything. Family, background, patronage."

The aide bowed and sprinted from the hall.

Nolan gritted his teeth until his jaw creaked. The seconds stretched like years. No one dared to speak.

The aide returned twenty minutes later, face as white as bone.

"Report," Erasmus ordered.

The aide swallowed, voice thin. "We…we traced him. Ethan Hunt is not a vagabond. He is the direct scion of the Hunt Family of Super City One."

Gasps broke out among the elders.

Super City One. The Hunt Family.

That was a name that could not be spoken lightly. Their Patriarch was a Level 8 Emperor—almost a myth. Moreover, his two sons were also Emperors. Their power eclipsed the Ashfords ten times over. Even the Paragon Group couldn't do anything to that family.

Nolan's fingers tightened around the shattered throne. The veins on his forehead bulged.

He wanted to kill the man who had crippled his son and humiliated his family. But the man was someone the Ashford Family could not afford to offend.

He looked at his father.

"Father…if you can't do anything, I'll resign from the family and go to kill that bastard myself."

Nolan was a madman. He wanted revenge at any cost.

Erasmus said calmly, "He is my grandson after all. How could I not do anything? But we need a plan to execute it. First, bring David back to the city. Let's see if we can fix him or not."

The Ashford Family was now making a venomous plan.

---

Meanwhile, Ethan and Rose went to another shop to buy jewelry, then facial products.

Ethan wasn't even the slightest bit worried. If the Ashford Family waited two days, he would be able to handle any situation under the Emperor realm. Besides, he still had the Hunt Family. If necessary, he could ask that old geezer Grandpa to help.

After shopping for four hours, they finally went to eat. After that, they decided to go to the movie theatre to watch a film.

Ethan and Rose came out. The parking boy brought the car in front of Ethan enthusiastically.

Ethan nodded at him and gave him fifteen thousand credits as a tip.

The boy was frightened by the money. His monthly salary was around 3,500 credits.

He bowed to Ethan like Ethan was his father. He was very emotional.

Rose didn't comment this time like before. She already knew Ethan was filthy rich.

After that, they went directly to the theatre.

---

The movie finished at 5 pm. Ethan and Rose went to a park. He parked the car, then they walked side by side. They didn't speak.

Suddenly, Ethan said, "Rose, come with me to the Super City. Take Aunty and Zara too. I won't feel safe leaving you here." Though one of his clones would stay here, that clone only had 5% of his attributes. It couldn't handle a critical situation.

Rose's heart warmed. But she said, "We're not married. The Super City requires a special identity to stay there, especially with family. You could live there, but before admitting to university, I won't have an identity to stay."

Ethan spoke directly, "Then let's get married."

Rose stopped. Her heart was beating wildly again. Today was a very dangerous day for her. This man was way too good to her. She couldn't control her emotions.

Ethan walked ahead, then looked back and saw Rose wasn't beside him. He stopped and looked behind. Rose was standing there with a tomato-red face.

Ethan really wanted to go there and pinch her face, but he controlled his inner demon.

He asked, "Are you tired? Shall we go home?"

Rose didn't reply. She didn't want to go home—but staying with him was too dangerous. So she nodded.

Ethan was a little disappointed. He also wanted to do something… Cough, cough. Nothing. He wanted to do nothing.

---

They came to the car and stepped in. Ethan said while driving, "Don't worry about anything. I am pretty sure I can take you to the Super City even if we are not married." He was planning something.

---

He took Rose to her house. There were many shopping bags. Ethan had bought gifts for Zara and Elizabeth too. He carried the bags to the door. Rose rang the doorbell.

Elizabeth opened the door.

"You're back already? I thought you wouldn't return home today." She teased Rose a little, but Rose's face turned red as a tomato. Elizabeth looked puzzled. Did something happen between them?

Rose went in fast. Ethan greeted from behind, "Hello, Aunty. How have you been?"

Elizabeth was surprised Ethan had also come. She smiled amiably. "Come inside, son."

Ethan said, "Thank you."

Then he went in and sat on the sofa. He asked Rose for some water.

Elizabeth brought a glass of water.

After drinking, he asked, "Where is Zara?"

Elizabeth said, "She's in her room. Probably playing on her phone. I'll call her."

Elizabeth shouted, "Zara, come here! Look who has come!"

Ethan was planning to see if he could heal Zara with his healing skill.

--