543: Chapter 546 Always eager for a good show

The oppressive aura enveloping Rogers vanished instantly.

"Hmph, he dared to defy my orders. What's wrong with me teaching him a few harsh words?" Aicklin sneered.

Rogers quickly stood up and bowed respectfully, "Thank you for saving me, Grandfather."

"Did I hear that correctly? Lord Rogers actually called him Grandfather?"

"Could he be the former Patriarch of the Jones Family... Lord Doflair Jones?!"

The crowd immediately erupted into an uproar.

Whispers rose and fell, yet they were deliberately kept at a low volume,

for fear of being noticed by the two powerhouses.

"Rogers was acting under my orders," Doflair looked sharply at Aicklin.

"Moreover, this youth was first discovered by our Jones Family. According to the Empire's Law, he should be taken in by our Family."

However, Aicklin was not someone who would easily back down.

"Hmph, who says your Family discovered him first? Wasn't I also present?" He spoke mockingly, clearly resorting to shameless tactics.

Doflair cursed him as an "Old Fox" in his heart.

He was certain that this Old thing hadn't been here at all before. Someone must have secretly sent him a message, causing him to rush over to poach the prize.

If he had been present from the beginning,

there would have been no chance for Rogers to send a message to the Family.

Doflair snorted coldly and declared loudly, "Everyone present witnessed firsthand who found this youth first!"

The mocking smile on Aicklin's face deepened.

In this small city, who dared to speak the truth in front of him?

"Is that so? Then why don't you ask the people present and see who dares to speak your so-called 'truth'." His tone was icy, openly threatening the crowd.

Doflair gritted his teeth in anger, yet felt helpless.

He could only turn his gaze to the populace in the square and said sternly, "I am Doflair Jones! Anyone who dares to speak the truth, our Jones Family promises to shelter you and your Family for life, and grant you inexhaustible wealth!"

"Is there anyone brave enough to step forward?"

Aicklin smiled faintly and spoke slowly, "You will certainly shelter their descendants, keeping your entire Family within your Family estate, never letting them leave for their entire lives, right?"

"Aicklin! You bastard! How dare you threaten civilians! The Empire's Law explicitly forbids this! Do you want me to report you to the Imperial Council?!"

Doflair was now in a predicament.

He absolutely could not let this SSS-Rank Genius slip through his fingers.

If necessary,

he wouldn't hesitate to start a war with Aicklin.

Aicklin snorted coldly but said no more.

Meanwhile,

Rosen, the Child of Destiny, was watching this farce with great interest.

He didn't care which Family he would ultimately join.

Whether it was the Jones Family or Aicklin's side, it was all the same to him.

He wasn't like those pedantic protagonists who would say foolish things like, "My destiny is my own to decide; I must forge my own path and absolutely refuse to join any faction."

He certainly wouldn't make enemies everywhere just to say such things.

At the same time,

there was another person watching everything unfolding with the same... perhaps even greater... excitement.

"Cough, cough, esteemed sir.", a clear voice rang out.

"I personally witnessed the entire sequence of events. As long as you honor your promise, I am willing to come forward and testify."

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire square instantly fell silent, and everyone was stunned.

"Where did this fool come from? How dare he interfere in the affairs of such powerful figures?"

"Doesn't he want to live anymore? Doesn't he have Family and friends?!"

A huge wave of shock surged through the crowd as they all looked toward the source of the voice.

They saw a youth who looked about sixteen years old.

His appearance was ordinary, but his expression was incredibly calm.

He was standing there looking completely innocent.

It was Lu Chen.

Upon seeing this, Doflair acted as if he had grasped a life-saving straw. He instantly vanished from the spot and reappeared beside Lu Chen.

He feared that if he were a moment slower, Aicklin would strike down this youth.

"Kid, are you telling the truth? You are willing to come forward and testify?" Doflair's eyes were filled with hope.

"Absolutely true," Lu Chen nodded.

"I am alone, unattached, and have no background, so I have nothing to fear."

"The talent I Awakened is only F-Rank. I probably have no future on the path of Cultivate.", he said calmly.

"As long as you honor your promise to provide me with Cultivation resources and ensure my safety, I am willing to come forward and testify."

How could Lu Chen miss such a good show?

He came to this world precisely to find fun.

"I swear in the name of the Jones Family that I will definitely keep my promise!" Doflair said excitedly.

"I can even take you in as a member of the Family and guarantee you a life of comfort and ease!"

Aicklin clenched his fists in anger.

He never expected that such an ignorant kid would jump out and ruin his plans.

"Kid, I have an Awakening Pill here that can raise your Rank by two levels, bringing you directly to D-Rank."

"Think it over carefully before deciding whether or not to speak up." Aicklin presented the trump card that was always effective against commoners.