“What is it?” Brian Carter opened the window. Since these were official people, she had nothing to fear.

“We’re from the security system.” A man produced his credentials. “We’re looking for Mr. Ethan Thompson. Please come with us and cooperate with the investigation. Don’t worry, this is a formal inquiry, we just have a few questions to ask.”

“I know what you want to ask. Let’s talk right here.” Ethan Thompson unfastened his seatbelt but didn’t get out of the car. “I don’t have time right now.”

“We hope you’ll cooperate with the investigation.” The man’s face remained expressionless, a poker face. “This is every citizen’s duty.”

Whoosh!

As soon as the man finished speaking, he collapsed to the ground.

Ethan Thompson had already gotten out of the car at some point. His hand moved like a crane’s beak, and in a blur, all the other men except for that one also fell, not knowing what had happened.

Swish, swish, swish!

The doors of several cars in front all swung open, and seven or eight men rushed out, having realized something was wrong.

But as soon as Ethan Thompson moved, he darted over, his hands striking like a fencer, and each man dropped in response.

Within seconds, all of them were lying on the ground.

Then he walked up to a car, placed his palm on it, and pushed!

Boom!

The car slid away on flat ground, crashing into the roadside barrier, but it wasn’t damaged—not even the paint was scratched. The force was perfectly controlled.

“Let’s go.” He got back in the car, looking at the astonished faces of Grace Fisher and Brian Carter. “They were just pressed on the sleep acupoint. They’ll wake up in half an hour, completely unharmed. In fact, they’ll feel well-rested.”

Chapter 13: Nobles and Upstarts

“You just assaulted government officials. That’s at least a ten-year sentence.” Brian Carter looked at Ethan Thompson, who seemed completely unbothered, as if he’d just come back from a stroll.

“Drive. Just do what you’re supposed to do.” Ethan Thompson gave a shake, and the dust on his clothes flew off, leaving them spotless as new.

“So... cool!” Grace Fisher’s mouth formed an O shape, and after holding it in for a while, those were the only two words she managed to say.

Even though her father was the richest man, when faced with this kind of investigation, all she could do was obediently submit and let the other side do as they pleased. She’d grown up immersed in this—Beiming Group’s development had only come about through endless bowing and scraping to various departments.

Brian Carter shook his head, started the car, and sped away.

Half an hour later, the people lying on the road really did get up one by one. They checked themselves and found not a single scratch.

“What just happened?” A man, six foot three and powerfully built, rubbed his head. “I just saw a blur and then blacked out. I’m a former special forces soldier, two-time fighting champion, and I’ve never experienced anything like this.”

“Brazen and reckless.” The captain of the group had also come to. His temples bulged slightly, his fingers were thick and strong, his shoulders broad and back solid, his skin tough as old leather—he could take down any strong opponent at any time. But even he hadn’t lasted a round against Ethan Thompson. “Now you know what a real master is. Before we came out, you all said you wanted to bring him in and test his skills. How about now?”

“Captain, what do we do? Report him immediately for assaulting officials?” Several men were indignant.

“Idiots!” The captain’s eyes widened. “To catch someone like that, you’d need hundreds of people, pick the perfect moment, and use guns and explosives together. And even then, if word got out, the consequences would be endless. Think about it—just now, even if we’d had guns, what difference would it have made? If he’d used a bit more force, we’d all be dead. Not to mention his background.”

“So we just swallow this loss?”

“We’ll figure something out when we get back. He’s been part of that organization—we have to get information from him. If we dig up something useful, the credit could get each of us promoted three ranks. That organization is the number one enemy of Interpol, and even more so for the FBI. Who knows how many of their top agents have died at the hands of that group. If we uncover their secrets and let our country trade with the US for benefits, how much could we gain? This concerns national interests now. I’ll write a detailed report for the higher-ups. Once it’s approved, even the Li family will have to make concessions. Of course, it would be best if Ethan Thompson cooperates with us. That would be all benefit and no harm for him. We need to persuade him.”

A sports car drove into a grand estate, where many retired soldiers served as security, stationed all around the grounds, patrolling 24 hours a day.

“It’s good to be rich.” Brian Carter stopped the car. “Look at this security system—they spend over two million a month. Their food, lodging, salaries, bonuses, and training—this is no different from the nobles of old.”

“This security system wouldn’t stand a chance against a real master. It can only keep out petty thieves.” Ethan Thompson shook his head. “Those true European nobles, for generations—ten or more—have had loyal bodyguards, retainers willing to die for their masters. Maybe they’re not as rich as Beiming Group, but cultivating that kind of loyalty takes many generations.”

“These bodyguards are treated extremely well. I’m sure they’d risk their lives if something happened.” Grace Fisher retorted.