BXBX NOVEL Chapter 123: Defying All Opposition
"Young Master Kean, we should arrive at the designated location in approximately half an hour." the driver responded.
The driver, who was chauffeuring Kean, was actually an underling of the Lannisters. However, he had been stationed in Moonlight City to handle affairs for the Lannisters.
The sudden arrival of Kean this time had taken him completely by surprise.
He hadn\'t even had the chance to ascertain Kean\'s intentions before being abruptly summoned. Consequently, he was deeply troubled and anxious within his heart.
"Young Master Kean, might I inquire about the purpose of your visit here? Farmer was just here a few days ago. Is there perhaps a matter of significant importance in Moonlight City that requires your personal attention?"
Faced with the driver\'s question, Kean maintained a facade of calm.
He merely replied indifferently, "Hasn\'t Moonlight City produced a plethora of geniuses recently? Is it not permissible for me to meet with these geniuses?"
"Of course, it is permissible. I was merely asking." the driver hastily responded.
"Now that you are aware of my purpose, cease your needless chatter."
Kean\'s tone was icy, causing the driver to feel a twinge of apprehension.
The car Kean was in continued to drive forward for a few more minutes before being halted at an intersection.
Several armored vehicles were blocking the road.
"Young Master, we can proceed no further. Several armored vehicles have suddenly appeared at the intersection ahead. I will step out to assess the situation."
The driver said as he opened the car door and looked towards the intersection. There, he saw someone he recognized all too well.
The person was none other than Howard, the Federal General stationed in Moonlight City.
Seeing Howard, the driver smiled and inquired, "General Howard, what has happened? Why have you sealed off this intersection?"
Howard\'s expression was somewhat grim.
He completely ignored the driver\'s questions and walked straight past him towards the car where Kean was seated.
"General Howard, what has happened? Why are you ignoring me?"
The driver\'s confusion was palpable as he watched Howard\'s actions.
Reluctantly, the driver could only trail behind Howard, persistently seeking answers.
Howard, however, paid him no heed. Upon reaching Kean\'s car, he rapped his knuckles on the window.
"Young Master Kean, don\'t you think it\'s appropriate for us to meet? Now that you\'re in Moonlight City, avoiding me might seem a bit discourteous, don\'t you think?"
As Howard finished speaking, the window rolled down.
"General Howard, my business in Moonlight City has nothing to do with you. I suggest you refrain from overstepping your bounds. Or do you genuinely wish to make an enemy of the Lannisters?" Kean\'s voice was as cold as ice, clearly aiming to leverage the Lannister name to deter Howard.
Kean was well aware of Howard\'s intentions. He hoped that invoking the Lannisters\' name would be enough to make Howard back off.
Howard, however, merely smiled faintly upon hearing Kean\'s words.
"I hold the Lannisters in the highest regard, but as long as you\'re in Moonlight City, you\'ll have to follow my commands. After all, both the Federal Army and the special units answer to me."
Howard\'s declaration made Kean\'s expression darken considerably.
Shooting a sidelong glance at Howard, Kean\'s voice turned even frostier. "And what if I have no intention of following your orders?"
Howard\'s demeanor shifted noticeably.
Indicating he had already resolved to obstruct Kean\'s plans.
"If you refuse to follow my directives." Howard said, his voice taking on a steely edge, "then I must preemptively apologize. I will instruct my soldiers to detain you immediately."
Howard spoke with unwavering determination.
Leaving no room for doubt in Kean\'s mind that he would indeed follow through with his threat.
"In that case, I have no intention of opposing you." Kean replied, his gaze shifting to the driver, who was standing nearby in a daze.
"Get over here and drive me to the airport. I will return to the capital."
The driver, spurred into action by Kean\'s command, quickly got back into the car.
Without further delay, the vehicle turned around and sped off in the opposite direction, with Howard watching as Kean departed.
"I don\'t believe he will give up so easily." Howard mused, his eyes narrowing in contemplation. "This is likely just a temporary retreat."
He quickly deduced Kean\'s strategy but found himself unable to take further action to impede him. The recent confrontation had already strained their relationship considerably. Persisting in his efforts to target Kean might provoke the entire Lannister family to become his adversaries.
After a moment of hesitation, Howard decisively dialed Ella\'s number. In his estimation, Ella wielded significantly more influence over Kean.
"I\'ve done everything within my power, but it\'s clear he won\'t heed my warnings. It\'s now up to you to stop him." Howard candidly relayed the recent events over the phone.
Without a moment\'s hesitation, Ella replied, "I will do everything in my power to stop him, although I cannot guarantee success."
"You just need to give it your best effort. Benjamin will be there to assist you." Howard assured her before ending the call.
After hanging up Howard\'s call, Ella went directly to the outside of the community where Ritchie, Emma, and Claire lived.
She anticipated that Kean would soon arrive there.
As expected, Kean appeared before long.
"Kean, I believe you need to act with more caution! Even if you have some disagreements with Jeremy, now is not the right time for you to be here."
Ella implored upon seeing him.
Kean\'s expression darkened slightly, he felt that Ella should be siding with him, not Jeremy.
"Do you think I\'m that petty? I\'m not here because of Jeremy. I came because my butler was assaulted by one of Jeremy\'s friends." Kean retorted, his voice tinged with frustration.
"I must seek justice for my butler. Otherwise, both my honor and the honor of the Lannisters will be tarnished." Kean declared, his voice firm and resolute.
On the surface, Kean\'s words seemed entirely reasonable.
However, a closer examination revealed flaws in his argument.
Farmer, Kean\'s butler, had originally come here with the intention of causing trouble for Jeremy\'s friend. Given these circumstances, wasn\'t it expected that there would be some form of retaliation?
"I understand that you\'re extremely angry right now, but I urge you to calm down and consider the potential consequences of your actions." Ella began, her tone both pleading and rational.
"You must realize that both General Howard and Mayor Benjamin oppose your course of action. Even though the Lannisters wield significant power, can you truly afford to disregard these two influential figures?
Being at odds with them offers no tangible benefits for you or the Lannisters. Moreover, I must inform you of a crucial detail—the federal authorities are already aware of your current actions. They do not wish for you to cause trouble for Jeremy\'s friend. Should you proceed into this residential complex and target Jeremy\'s friend, the federal authorities will undoubtedly be infuriated."
Ella laid out every persuasive argument she could muster, hoping to dissuade Kean from his intended course.
Yet, despite her comprehensive appeal, Kean remained steadfast, his resolve unshaken.
"I am fully aware of everything you\'ve mentioned, but that doesn\'t alter my final decision! I must make Jeremy pay the price and teach him that provoking others will inevitably lead to severe consequences." Kean declared, his resolve unwavering.
After saying this, Kean walked directly toward the community gate.
He completely ignored Ella, who stood in his path, knowing full well that she lacked the strength to physically stop him.
At that precise moment, a car pulled up to the entrance, and Benjamin stepped out decisively.
"Young Master Kean! I must remind you that your current actions are tantamount to declaring opposition against me. The Lannisters may be powerful, but do you think I am someone they can easily manipulate?"
Benjamin\'s voice was commanding and authoritative.
Initially, Kean was momentarily taken aback by Benjamin\'s imposing presence. However, after glancing back at him, Kean remained resolute, determined to proceed.
"The Lannisters have no intention of manipulating you, and my actions this time are not directly related to them. What I do today, I do for myself alone."
After saying this, Kean used a teleportation spell to quickly enter the community.
Seeing this, both Ella and Benjamin realized the gravity of the situation.
"Mr. Benjamin." Ella urgently addressed Benjamin, "I believe the most pressing matter now is to notify Jeremy\'s friends and ensure they find a safe hiding spot. At this point, we have no means of stopping Kean\'s actions.
He is beyond reasoning, driven solely by his desire for revenge against Jeremy. Under these circumstances, we can only hope that the federal authorities\' experts arrive in Moonlight City soon enough to restrain a genius of Kean\'s formidable prowess."
Benjamin\'s expression was grim, but he nodded in agreement with Ella\'s assessment.
"The reinforcements from the federal authorities will arrive shortly! As long as Jeremy\'s friends can remain hidden, Kean should be unable to inflict significant harm upon them."
Benjamin muttered to himself, trying to reassure both Ella and himself.