Robert Thompson himself actually wanted to block, but this time he only intended to threaten John Bennett; he didn’t even bring a weapon. Besides, he was used to a pampered life and had barely experienced any real combat. Even if he had a weapon, he wouldn’t have been able to block it.

Only James Thompson, who was at his side, gritted his teeth and reacted the fastest. He pulled out the dagger he carried and threw it at John Bennett, trying to deflect the strike. But the dagger was instantly shattered by a single slash from John Bennett, the blade’s trajectory unchanged in the slightest, landing precisely on Robert Thompson’s neck.

Feeling the cold blade, still stained with blood, against his neck, and recalling the abruptness and ruthlessness with which John Bennett had killed before, Robert Thompson’s legs couldn’t help but tremble.

Looking at Robert Thompson, John Bennett said in a flat tone, “With your kind of trash, you think you can cause me trouble? You really have no idea what you’re doing!

Even if I, John Bennett, am not favored in the Chu family, I’m still the second young master, and Chu Zongguang is still my father. But what are you? Just a collateral branch, your status isn’t much higher than a steward’s.

Where do you get the confidence to come looking for trouble? Do you believe that even if I killed you right here and now, the worst that would happen is I’d be punished with confinement or made to kneel in the ancestral hall?”

Robert Thompson shuddered instantly. Just now, he’d only thought of how cowardly and easy to bully John Bennett had been, but he’d overlooked the fundamental difference in their statuses.

He was just a collateral branch. If John Bennett killed him, it would indeed cause a huge mess, but so what? After all, John Bennett was the direct son of the Chu family head, Chu Zongguang. Would the Li family really demand John Bennett’s life for the sake of a collateral disciple like him?

Only now did Robert Thompson realize just how stupid a thing he had done.

John Bennett moved the short blade away from Robert Thompson’s neck and handed him the hilt, saying calmly, “Take the knife.”

Robert Thompson was stunned for a moment, not understanding what John Bennett meant.

“I said, take the knife.”

Feeling the cold look in John Bennett’s eyes, Robert Thompson finally took the short blade with trembling hands.

John Bennett pressed the blade against his own chest, staring straight at Robert Thompson: “Weren’t you just trying to cause me trouble? Now the knife is in your hand. I’m giving you a chance to kill me.”

Robert Thompson hurriedly shook his head. What a joke! If John Bennett killed him, John Bennett wouldn’t have to pay with his life, but if he killed John Bennett, not only would he have to pay with his life, but even his wife, children, and family would be executed!

John Bennett took a step forward, the blade pressed tightly against his chest, his voice chilling: “I said, kill me!”

With a clang, the short blade fell to the ground. Robert Thompson’s hands were shaking so badly he couldn’t even hold the knife.

A trace of mockery appeared on John Bennett’s face as he slapped Robert Thompson and sneered, “Useless! Even when given the chance, you can’t do it. You’re holding the knife and still don’t dare to kill—who gave you the courage to come looking for trouble with me?”

Faced with John Bennett’s humiliating actions and mocking tone, Robert Thompson’s face flushed with shame and anger, but he didn’t dare say a single word.

John Bennett pointed at the inn’s entrance and said indifferently, “Now get out, take that idiot’s corpse with you, clean up the mess, and don’t cause trouble for the innkeeper.”

After saying this, John Bennett turned and went upstairs. The Chu family servants and Emily below all looked stunned—was this really the same John Bennett as before?

But they’d all been frightened today and didn’t dare think too much, immediately following John Bennett upstairs.

Meanwhile, in the inn’s main hall, James Thompson walked over to Robert Thompson’s side and said cautiously, “Seventh Master…”

But before he could finish, Robert Thompson kicked him to the ground.

Face flushed with anger, Robert Thompson shouted, “Damn you! It’s all because of this idiot that so much trouble happened. Just wait—even if the third young master protects you, when I get back to the Li family, I’ll make you pay!”

Everyone present looked expressionlessly at the dazed James Thompson on the ground. It was because of him that Robert Thompson had lost so much face today. From now on, his days in the Li family would probably be tough.

Chapter 4: Life and Death Are Fated, Wealth and Honor Are in Heaven

Inside the inn, John Bennett rubbed his face in front of the bronze mirror. Just now, he had killed someone cleanly and decisively, showing ruthless efficiency, yet he didn’t feel the slightest discomfort.

In his previous life, John Bennett had sought excitement by watching underground boxing and murder games, but he had never killed anyone himself.

His performance just now was mostly due to the memories of this life.

Back in the Chu family, John Bennett had indeed acted cowardly, but in a place like the Nanshan mining district, facing all kinds of criminals and thugs, even John Bennett’s original personality would be shaped by the environment, turning from timid to violent and crazed. In fact, in his memories, he seemed to have beaten a few disobedient criminals to death in the Nanshan mining district.

Now, John Bennett vaguely understood why, in his original world, this body of his had transformed from a timid illegitimate son of the family into the final villain of the third version. The experiences in the Nanshan mining district had a huge impact on John Bennett.

Perhaps even the Chu family itself never imagined that, because of their internal strife, they would end up creating a great demon who would throw the world into chaos.

After nightfall, John Bennett suddenly summoned one of his subordinates, Thomas Brooks.