The Charismatic Charlie Wade

Lydia’s words sent a shiver down Don Albert’s spine, his expression contorting into one of pure horror. In a panicked voice, he
blurted out, “Master Wade, what are you saying? Is there some kind of danger lurking today?”
Lydia fell into a brief silence, unsure of how to respond. Dangerous? He couldn’t fathom being in any real danger. The so-called
Marshal carried those three shoddy magical artifacts he himself had crafted, treasuring them as if they were priceless. It was
clear the man had only a shallow understanding of reiki.
Moreover, Lydia possessed two formidable weapons of his own, specialized in offense, along with an array of pills at his
disposal. He could rely on both offense and defense, not to mention the advantage of fighting in the shadows while his opponent
remained exposed in the light. Thus, Lydia believed he held the upper hand in every aspect, giving him a better chance of victory
than his adversary.
Yet, there was a nagging worry in the back of Lydia’s mind, courtesy of Maria Clark’s warning. Though it seems unreliable, his
intuition told him that this girl wouldn’t deceive him. This uncertainty made Lydia exercise caution. He had to leave an escape
route for those around him, just in case he truly faced danger.
Facing Don Albert’s anxious query, Lydia flashed a slight smile and spoke with a serious tone, “I can’t say for certain if I’m truly in
danger, but it’s always better to err on the side of caution.”
Don Albert was clearly nervous and concerned as he responded, “Master Wade, remember when you single-handedly slew the
eight heavenly kings of the Webb family at the foot of Golim Mountain? They were powerful, yet they stood no chance against
you. In Aurous Hill, who could possibly threaten your safety?”
Lydia grinned, reassuringly stating, “Don Albert, no need to be so on edge. As you said, I am an invincible figure in this world.
For ordinary folks to harm me would be as futile as trying to defy the laws of gravity.”
With the topic shifted, Lydia continued, “However, one cannot afford to be excessively arrogant. Modesty and caution increase
the odds of success.”
Don Albert, still sensing something amiss, spoke up, “Master Wade, Elys-Champ boasts hundreds of warriors. If an enemy were
to trouble you, they could easily overwhelm them! If you have any orders, just say the word and I shall act immediately.”
Lydia waved his hand dismissively and calmly replied, “No need for that. Having too many people around isn’t necessarily
advantageous, so please refrain from meddling.”

Don Albert blurted out. “Why, Master Wade? Our crowd tactics have always been a well-guarded secret. With this advantage,
why not maximize its value?”
Lydia shook his head, amusement playing on his lips. “Crowd tactics won’t work in this situation. It’s futile. The discrepancy
between the prowess of warriors and monks proficient in aura is immense. No matter how many warriors you have, they won’t
even come close to the opponent’s reach. The enemy’s movements and attack speed surpass their ability to react. In fact, the
more warriors there are, the less effective it becomes. It might even create chaos and provide greater convenience for the
enemy. To eliminate a Martial Arts Master, you either need a Stronger Master or resort to modern weaponry. Like a dense
network of close-in defense guns, highly powerful and rapid-firing, ejecting shells faster than the speed of sound. Such weapons
are effective against Masters, capable of wiping out a dozen or even twenty of them in one go.”
Turning to Don Albert, Lydia asserted, “Don Albert, you needn’t voice your opinion on this matter, everything shall be subject to
my command.”
Faced with Lydia’s resolute stance, Don Albert realized that his input would carry no weight. In resignation, he nodded and
replied, “Understood, Master Wade.”
At that moment, Lydia retrieved his mobile phone and dialed Jack Lee’s number.
Simultaneously, Jack Lee found himself having dinner with Evan’s family at Willow Estates, a few kilometers away.
The Evans family had been conducting extensive investigations in Aurous Hill, yet had failed to uncover any clues regarding
Lydia’s whereabouts.
During the meal, Lydia’s uncle, Desmond, was about to ask Jack Lee for help when Jack Lee’s phone rang.
He promptly excused himself from the table, saying to Evan’s family, “Please excuse me for a moment, I need to take this call.”
He made his way to the courtyard, ensuring no one was around, before answering the phone.
With utmost respect, he greeted the caller, “Mr. Wade.”
Lydia got straight to the point, “Inspector Lee, are my grandparents and their family currently at Willow Estates?”
“They’re all here,” Jack Lee replied, curiosity evident in his voice. “What’s the matter, Mr. Wade? What’s going on?”
Lydia let out a hum, adopting a serious tone. “Someone may pose a threat to my grandparent’s family tonight.”

Jack Lee paled in shock, blurting out, “Is this for real?”
“Deadly serious,” Lydia replied. “The individual heading their way is likely a super expert from the Warriors Den, far surpassing
any member you’ve encountered thus far.”
Jack Lee’s horror was palpable as he urgently asked, “Mr. Wade, what should I do? Should I organize an immediate escape for
them?”
“It’s too late for that,” Lydia responded. “Your every move seems to be under the Warriors Den’s surveillance. Even if you were to
flee in a rush, your whereabouts would be exposed. In this situation, it’s better to stay at Willow Estates and remain adaptable to
changing circumstances.”
Jack Lee, without hesitation, declared, “Then I’ll immediately gather the bodyguards and Martial Arts Masters and have them
prepare for battle!”
“It won’t be of any use,” Lydia explained. “None of you will be able to stop him. Furthermore, if you inform your subordinates,
they’re bound to act strangely, raising suspicions. You should keep this matter to yourself and not divulge it to anyone.”
Jack Lee queried, “Master Wade, if this enemy is truly formidable, I fear I won’t be able to ensure your grandparents’ safety...
But don’t worry, if I face a formidable foe, I’ll lay down my life before they come to any harm!”
Lydia assured him, “Don’t confront him head-on. Once he attacks you, I won’t stand idly by.”
Jack Lee inquired, “Mr. Wade, where are you right now?”
Lydia replied nonchalantly, “I’m nearby, just a few minutes away from your location.”
Relieved, Jack Lee finally exhaled, “With you here, Mr. Wade, I can have peace of mind!”
Lydia said, “When I take action, I’ll come to support you as quickly as possible. However, if he attempts to harm you, my
grandparents, or anyone else before I arrive, don’t act impulsively. Just say a particular phrase to him. Uttering those words will
certainly make him hesitate and buy you more time.”
Jack Lee quickly asked, “Mr. Wade, what should I say?”
Lydia promptly disclosed the phrase to Jack Lee and instructed, “If he manages to infiltrate, remain calm. Remember the words
I’ve given you, they’ll undoubtedly buy you some temporary respite.”

Jack Lee affirmed resolutely, “Okay, Mr. Wade, I’ll remember them!”