Chapter 6 Senior

• Years ago, the Dawsons, the Edens, and several smaller families rose to power through their connections with the Howes.
• Ten years ago, when the Howes were annihilated, only the Edens offered any help.
• The others, including the Hansons, the Capells, the Lanes, and the ungrateful Dawsons, kept their distance.
• Jayce was determined to make them pay.
• Jayce took out his phone and dialed a number he had saved long ago but had never called.
• Within seconds, the call connected, and the voice on the other end sounded both excited and nervous.
• "Senior? Is that you?"
• The caller was Jayce's junior.
• Jayce's mentor, Druce Boleyn, had traveled the world in his early years, taking on a few disciples and offering some guidance. These individuals have since become highly accomplished.
• They were either very wealthy or very powerful.
• Though they were of average talent, Druce had given them just enough guidance.
• Jayce, however, was Druce's direct disciple. Although he joined Druce later and was younger than the others, he had learned the true skills directly from Druce.
• Thus, they all called Jayce "Senior," even those who were twenty years older.
• In their eyes, worldly wealth and power paled in comparison to their mentor's abilities. If Druce had desired, the world would be his for the taking.
• They envied Jayce for inheriting Druce's true teachings.
• Jayce had only received brief guidance from Druce and had achieved so much. After following Druce for ten years, Jayce's skills were beyond their imagination.
• Therefore, these juniors felt a mix of envy and reverence toward Jayce, much like their feelings toward Druce.
• The caller was Jayce's third junior, Milton Wade.
• He was one of the first to receive Druce's guidance and was now the head of Eserith, a truly significant figure.
• Despite speaking to such a leader, Jayce remained calm and indifferent.
• "Yes, it's me. I've returned to Eserith."
• Milton was thrilled. He had seen Jayce only once, ten years ago. Now, after a decade, would he get to meet Jayce again?
• "Senior, where are you? I'll send a car to pick you up... No, I'll come personally!"
• In all of Bresa, fewer than five people were important enough for Milton to personally escort.
• But to Milton, it was an honor to serve as Senior's driver.
• "No need to pick me up. I'm home now. I need you to investigate something."
• "Okay, Senior. Whatever you need!"
• Jayce said, "Find out where the members of the Howes who were killed ten years ago are buried."
• A few minutes later, Milton called back.
• "Senior, I've found out. The Howes who were killed ten years ago are buried north of Durning Hill, in a wasteland."
• "Got it."
• Jayce hung up.
• Milton, however, was far from calm.
• Following Druce in training had been a great honor. Druce was not only a masterful doctor but also a powerful martial artist. Milton couldn't understand why Jayce would give up the chance to train with Druce and return to Eserith.
• Ten years ago, the Howes?
• Milton wasn't the head of Eserith back then and wasn't familiar with the situation.
• Wasn't Senior's surname... Howes?
• Howes?
• The thought made Milton shudder.
• Could Senior be a member of the Howes?
• Chills ran down Milton's spine, and goosebumps rose all over his skin. If Jayce was a Howe, Eserith was in for a major upheaval!
• Milton quickly dialed the number of their fourth junior, Eric Burrell.
• Eric was the richest man in Bresa and ranked sixth on the Chanaea Forbes list.
• He had become a disciple two years after Milton and was also Jayce's fourth junior.
• "Mr. Wade, what's prompted this call?" Eric's tone was casual.
• Milton replied, "Senior is back."
• "Senior? Which Senior?"
• "Come on, how many Seniors do you have?"
• "You mean he's back?!" Eric was shocked. Besides Milton, the only Senior he had was the one who had spent ten years with Bruce. And now, this Senior had returned to Eserith?
• "Mr. Wade, did Senior contact you?"
• "Senior asked me to look into the Howes incident from ten years ago. You remember that Senior's surname is also Howes, right? His return to Eserith is not a simple matter."
• Eric, a local, knew a bit about what happened back then. He hadn't realized that Jayce was a Howe descendant!
• The Hansons, the Capells, the Lanes... they were all in deep trouble!
• "Mr. Wade, please tell Senior that I am ready to help with whatever he needs."
• After hanging up, Milton made another call to Colin Willis.
• Colin was the head of the Southeast Military District, the youngest five-star general, and a modern military genius.
• "Second Senior! It's Milton."
• "Mr. Wade, what's the reason for this sudden call?"
• "Senior has returned to Eserith."
• "What?!" Colin was stunned. Among Bruce's disciples, he was the eldest and most authoritative, but he knew there was always one person superior to him, someone he respected immensely.
• It was Senior Jayce, who had trained with Bruce for ten years.
• "Junior, I'm not in Bresa right now, but I'll return as quickly as possible to see Senior."
• These individuals held significant power or immense wealth in the world, but meeting Jayce was the highest honor in their eyes.
• ...
• Back at the Howe Residence, despite Rosa's weak condition, she had tidied up the courtyard and house.
• "Mr. Jayce, welcome back!"
• Seeing Jayce return safely, Rosa finally breathed a sigh of relief. The Howes had changed drastically over the years.
• Operating in Eserith required constant caution.
• Families like the Dawsons were still formidable adversaries for the Howes.
• "Rosa, don't worry. In a few days, they'll be kneeling before you to apologize."
• Rosa was momentarily stunned, then smiled wryly.
• She thought Jayce was too naive. A powerful family like the Dawsons would never apologize to a housemaid like her.
• She just hoped they wouldn't trouble Jayce and that they could live peacefully.
• As Rosa was about to start cooking, a car pulled up outside.
• A tall, graceful woman stepped out of a black Audi, wearing a tight skirt and a short-sleeved blazer. She had long hair cascading down her back and a strikingly beautiful face. It was Cora Eden, the daughter of the Edens.
• "Jayce! Is that you?"
• After ten years, everyone had changed significantly. They had played together when they were twelve.
• "Jayce, it's me, Cora!"
• Jayce smiled, "Cora, I barely recognized you after all these years."
• Seeing Jayce tall and handsome, Cora felt a wave of emotion. The once-proud Howes had fallen so far.
• Following Cora were several elders from the Edens.
• A middle-aged man hurried over, frowning when he saw Jayce.
• "Hmph, you dare to come back? Your family's reputation in Eserith is ruined. Don't you know that? Your return only brings trouble to us."
• The speaker was Paul Eden, the head of the Edens and Cora's uncle.
• In recent years, John's health had declined, and Paul had taken control of the Edens.
• Cora frowned at his words.
• "Paul, how can you say that? Jayce hasn't come to our house, so how would he bring trouble to the Edens?"