“If your father did something wrong, a few people could just come and take him away, and these bodyguards wouldn’t dare to stop them.” Brian Carter wholeheartedly agreed with Ethan Thompson’s words. “But a noble’s retainers would protect their master’s safety at all costs, even if it meant a gunfight with the authorities. The real difference between nobles and upstarts is whether you have generations of retainers willing to give their lives for you. Nobility lies in people’s hearts, not in money.”

“In fact, my dad isn’t really the richest man. If you count the hidden tycoons, he doesn’t even make the list.” Grace Fisher walked along the path in her family’s courtyard into the garden, where elegant huanghuali wood chairs sat in a refined setting. Immediately, a tea master came over to brew tea.

“Your dad is someone who enjoys life. Many tycoons are actually very stingy—they dress like ordinary people, eat working meals, and struggle alongside their teams.” Ethan Thompson glanced around.

“My dad is a very generous person. He spends money freely and always gets it back. At least half of what he earns every year is given away, for his own enjoyment and to enjoy with friends. Connections are the most important thing, and that’s how he’s gotten to where he is today.” Grace Fisher sat down to drink tea. “My dad will be here soon. Let’s all have lunch together.”

As soon as she finished speaking, several cars drove into the manor. A row of bodyguards got out first, then, surrounded like stars around the moon, they escorted a middle-aged man.

The middle-aged man was in great shape, without the usual boss’s big belly. Instead, he had a scholarly air, and his kind face gave off a sense of warmth and approachability.

“Dad!” Grace Fisher called out from afar.

This man was the chairman of Beiming Group, William Fisher.

“Mr. Thompson is here—why didn’t you let me know sooner?” William Fisher waved the bodyguards away, leaving only a young man to follow behind him.

Ethan Thompson’s status was extraordinary—descended from a military family, and not just any, but one with real power. Naturally, William Fisher wanted to win him over. He had pulled many strings just to arrange a matchmaking between Ethan Thompson and his daughter Grace Fisher.

“I’m here as Grace Fisher’s bodyguard, not for a matchmaking.” Ethan Thompson greeted him coolly.

“No, no, I wouldn’t dare.” William Fisher quickly shook his head. “If Mr. Thompson needs money, just say the word. How could I let you be a bodyguard?”

“I don’t need money, and I don’t accept gifts from others. Actually, being Grace Fisher’s bodyguard has another meaning for me—to settle old scores. The people you’ve offended will come looking for you. A $2 billion investment is no small matter.” Ethan Thompson’s gaze wasn’t on William Fisher, but on the young bodyguard behind him.

His bodyguard was very young, about seventeen, probably hadn’t even finished high school.

But this youth was like a meditating monk, eyelids lowered, breathing long and slow, heart beating gently, almost imperceptibly, like a hibernating turtle.

Everything in the outside world had nothing to do with him.

He always followed exactly five steps behind William Fisher. When William Fisher stopped, he stopped—never more, never less, precise as a ruler.

Chapter 14: Ten Steps of Impermanence

Five steps is the standard distance for an assassin to strike.

As the saying goes, “blood splatters within five steps, even emperors can’t escape; so close, one man equals a nation.” That’s what this means.

No matter how powerful you are, if a commoner gets within five steps, life and death are equal. Within five steps, there’s no difference between an emperor and a peasant.

This youth, following at five steps, could absolutely guarantee William Fisher’s safety.

“Uh, Mr. Thompson, let me introduce you. This is the disciple of an old friend of mine, named Jack Green. He came down from Zhongnan Mountain and has been cultivating since childhood, never had a formal education, but he’s already saved me several times. Don’t underestimate him because of his age—he’s an exceptional master.” William Fisher didn’t ask Jack Green to greet Ethan Thompson, because Jack Green never paid attention to people, always keeping his eyes lowered.

Just like a bodhisattva in a temple, unwilling to meet the eyes of the world, bearing karma, so he keeps his gaze down.

“Jack Green?” Ethan Thompson seemed to recognize the name. “You’re the disciple of the Zhongnan Sword Immortal, Ten Steps of Impermanence Jack Thompson?”

Whoosh!

The youth suddenly looked up, eyes wide open, his whole aura surging. From a bodhisattva’s gentle gaze, he became a wrathful vajra. He even seemed taller. What had looked like a quiet, inarticulate boy was now a peerless martial artist hiding his edge.

“You know my master?”

His tone was icy, like a blade at the throat, suffocating. If he were interrogating a prisoner, just one sentence would shatter their nerves and make them spill everything they knew.

“Ten Steps of Impermanence—who doesn’t know him?” Ethan Thompson chuckled, his laughter inscrutable, making it impossible to tell friend from foe. “Anyone who lets him get within ten steps is as good as dead. I still have scars from him—last time, I was in a coma for half a month, barely survived.”

“You’re my master’s enemy?” The youth’s killing intent faintly enveloped Ethan Thompson.

“Not exactly enemies, just serving different masters.” Ethan Thompson waved his hand. “What happened back then is over. Ten Steps of Impermanence is a grandmaster—who knows if he’s broken through the life-and-death barrier by now. But sooner or later, I’ll fight him again—not for revenge, but for the martial path.”

“If you want to challenge my master, you’ll have to get past me first.” The youth Jack Green’s aura grew even stronger, and a faint murderous intent burst forth with his words.