The Supreme Soldier in the City
Chapter 425 - 432: 3 Contributors

Chapter 425: Chapter 432: 3 Contributors

"Manager Johnson, are you lying to me? You two... you’re not in that kind of relationship?" David Clark stared at John Brown in surprise, but when he saw Lucy Campbell still clinging to John Brown’s arm and the disdainful look in John’s eyes, he frowned.

John Brown chuckled, "Lucy is my cousin. What kind of relationship do you think we have?"

"Cousin?" David Clark’s face lit up with delight upon hearing this. That explained why John Brown and Lucy Campbell seemed so close. Even their working in the same office now made perfect sense.

Lucy Campbell pinched John Brown lightly and, with a smile, said to David Clark, "That’s right, James is my cousin. Otherwise, how else would I be able to commute with him every day? I live at his place, of course."

"Ah-ha... Manager Johnson, I don’t have much to do today. How about I visit your place as a guest?" David Clark immediately put on a flattering expression and winked at John Brown.

There was no way John Brown would let David Clark go to his place. If Gina Lopez, his wife, were exposed, it would be all over. He gave David a sharp glare and said, "No way."

"Manager Johnson, don’t be so stingy. We’ve all been wanting to visit your place for ages. Come on, as someone who works under you, how could I not visit my boss’s home?"

"Why didn’t you think of visiting me before?"

"I didn’t realize earlier that improving my relationship with my boss could be so beneficial to my career. Now I’ve finally figured it out. Manager Johnson, you can’t deny me this opportunity."

"Get lost! Lucy and I have other plans. Go do what you need to do. If you keep this up, I won’t let Lucy come to work tomorrow."

"You... Fine, you’re ruthless. I’ll leave! Happy?" David Clark finally backed off unwillingly.

As David Clark walked away, Lucy Campbell frowned and turned to John Brown. "Why do I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere before?"

"Where have you seen him?" John Brown immediately grew cautious and asked.

"I can’t quite remember, but I’m certain it wasn’t in the company, and definitely not in YODC City. It was probably somewhere else, maybe two or three years ago."

John Brown furrowed his brows. "Are you sure?"

"I can’t be certain. I meet so many people that most don’t leave an impression. But if he did, then it must’ve been an important occasion."

Slightly narrowing his eyes, John Brown remarked, "Seems like this chubby guy isn’t as simple as he appears."

"Heh, it’s possible."

John Brown had always felt a certain camaraderie with David Clark. The guy had a carefree personality, showed a zest for life even while working, and often dropped by to chat and kill time. John didn’t mind his company.

But now, it seemed he needed to keep a closer eye on David. If he turned out to be from a wealthy or politically connected family just playing around, that was another matter. But if he had ulterior motives, John couldn’t afford to ignore it.

Still, from his interactions with David so far, John didn’t really believe the guy had any bad intentions. John’s sharp instincts had rarely failed him. If David harbored any malice, John figured he would have picked up on it—unless David was hiding it incredibly well, even from himself.

After strolling through the streets and having lunch with Lucy Campbell, John Brown walked out of a fast-food place only to find an elderly man in a traditional Tang suit with a goatee blocking their path.

"Are you John Brown?" The old man stared at John, speaking slowly yet firmly.

John Brown smiled faintly and replied, "That’s me."

"Then let’s find a place," the old man said succinctly, leaving no room for refusal.

John glanced over at Lucy Campbell. She tightened her grip on his arm and said, "I’m coming too."

"Alright, looks like the Brownie Family doesn’t waste time," John said reluctantly.

The goateed elder, none other than the Brownie Family’s Senior Advisor, looked at John with interest. "You’re a sharp one."

John smirked, "No need for your praise; I’ve never been dumb. Let’s go. I need to put these shopping bags in the car first."

The Senior Advisor nodded and followed behind John, his hands clasped behind him, exuding a sage-like elegance.

At the parking lot, John loaded their purchases into the trunk. He winked at Lucy, waited until she got in the car, then leisurely climbed in himself. Just as the elder moved to get in, John suddenly hit the gas, speeding off.

Caught off guard, the Senior Advisor almost went flying but managed to hook onto the car door. His body floated onto the roof like a leaf.

But John’s car was moving at breakneck speed. With the car swerving, the advisor couldn’t flip into the cabin. The sudden momentum even caused the car door to swing shut, leaving him with no choice but to consider breaking a window.

Frustrated, he raised a knee and slammed it against the rear windshield. A normal glass pane would’ve shattered instantly from such force.

However, Lucy’s car had top-grade bulletproof glass, the kind requiring a concentrated seven or eight shots to break. No way his knee could rival that, and instead, he found his kneecap aching fiercely.

"Damn it!" the Senior Advisor cursed, halting his pointless effort. Breaking the window would sap too much energy. Realizing it was more efficient to remain on the roof, he sensibly adjusted his tactics.

As John’s car sped down the road, the sight of an elder in a Tang suit clinging to the roof attracted plenty of bewildered stares. Yet, John’s driving was so fast that onlookers had no time to process what they’d seen before the car disappeared.

Fifteen minutes later, John pulled up on a small hillside, a usual spot for leisure activities. At night, many people came here to exercise. But in the sweltering midday heat of June, with the ground burning like a furnace, the area was deserted and peaceful.

Opening the car door, John exaggeratedly marveled, "Old man, you’re seriously impressive. Your legs kept up with my car’s speed."

Lucy almost burst out laughing. Having always admired John’s commanding demeanor, this playful, mischievous side was a refreshing change. Even when facing a formidable opponent, his cheeky nonchalance didn’t detract from his charm—if anything, it added a layer of intrigue.

"Boy, you’re sly, but fortunately, these old bones are still solid," the Senior Advisor remarked calmly, hiding his anger.

John grinned cheekily and quipped, "Even solid bones wear out with age. Take it easy on the intense action, old man, or you’ll end up breaking something. And wouldn’t that be inconvenient?"

The advisor snorted. "Let’s see if your fists are as sharp as your tongue. I’m here to break your arms and legs. Show me what you’ve got—don’t expect any mercy."

John sneered, "Oh, please. You think you’re some martial arts master just because you’ve got a Tang suit and a goatee?"

"Words won’t make me go easy on you," the elder replied, unimpressed. "I hear your martial arts skills are decent. I’ll give you a chance: if you last a minute against me, I’ll spare you. After all, true masters are rare these days. But if you make me angry..." He left the threat hanging.

John burst out laughing. "Alright, since you hold me in such high regard—here I come!" Without warning, he lunged, aiming a punch at the old man’s chest.

"Not bad. Enough strength and speed," the Senior Advisor nodded, deflecting the blow with a twist and flick of his right hand, keeping his left hand behind his back.

"How about my legs!" John pivoted, retracting his arm before spinning into a whip kick targeted at the elder’s waist.

"Hm, that’s something. Come again!" The elder neutralized the move just as effortlessly with his left hand.

John was mildly surprised. This Senior Advisor had real skill, at least on par with a new recruit in the Hawk Squad. The Brownie Family clearly had some depth.

Still, John wasn’t using his full strength. While he occasionally used martial arts against regular folk, he avoided relying on high-level techniques. Since leaving the Hawk Squad, he didn’t want to stand out too much—it would disconnect him from ordinary life.

"If this is all you’ve got, you’re a disappointment," the advisor remarked, shaking his head. He’d expected much more from someone who had bested several of the Brownie Family’s fighters.

"Well then, off you go. I don’t have time to play," John said, stepping back with a grin.

The Senior Advisor hesitated. He had intended to cripple John during this bout, but if John backed off, any further action would come off as bullying.

"You’re giving up?" he asked, frowning.

John nodded. "Yup. Seems like you’re stronger. Why should I fight when I can’t win?"

The advisor’s frown deepened. This turn of events was... frustrating and unprecedented. "Don’t you have any pride?"

John squinted. "Pride’s second to staying alive. Life’s full of wonders I’ve yet to enjoy. Why waste it on you? Bye now." With that, he turned his back on the elder and walked away.

The Senior Advisor was stunned. This kid was a complete rogue! Where was the honor of a martial artist? Scowling, he barked, "Don’t you dare leave!" and leapt to block John’s path.

Despite his disdain for attacking from behind, the Senior Advisor couldn’t let John walk away. If he was going to act, it had to be face-to-face, upholding his principles as a true master.

But as he moved past John, John suddenly struck, driving an elbow hard towards the elder’s chest with incredible speed and force.