Chapter 554 When Enemies Meet
Chapter 554 When Enemies Meet
After spending two hours with Catherine, Jonathan realized with a start that it was already six in the evening.
Mount Frallein was beautiful at that hour, and so was the sky. The setting sun and the evening glow, melded together, filled the air with an indescribable fragrance.
With the lull of the evening breeze, it brought him even more joy and peace.
Though Jonathan was reluctant to leave Catherine, he knew that he was obligated to visit his master, Richard, upon his return.
Thus, he took her by the hand and told her, “Let's pay our respects to Master, Catherine.” As soon as he finished speaking, he paused, realizing that something about his statement seemed a bit strange.
In the past, Richard obeyed the great Emperor of Chanaea, Lance, and took them under his wing as his disciples. However, since Catherine had become a disciple of the Divine Emperor, she was now considered an equal to Richard.
So, it's impossible for Richard to be Catherine's master again!
What Jonathan found peculiar was that since Richard was his master, Catherine could be considered Richard's junior, yet she was his wife.
D*mn, this relationship is messed up.
Catherine nodded. “All right!”
Though she never truly regarded Richard as her master, but since Jonathan wanted to pay his respects, she was obligated to heed Jonathan's wishes no matter how reluctant she was.
Since Jonathan had mentioned it, he could not very well take it back.
He was not sure if it was appropriate to bring Catherine along to meet Richard at this juncture. After careful consideration, however, he thought there was not anything disrespectful about taking Catherine to pay Richard a visit.
Thus, Jonathan and Catherine left Sunny Condo.
Before long, the couple arrived at Chard Hall where Richard was.
Naturally, the guards protecting Chard Hall did not stop Jonathan; instead, they ushered Jonathan and Catherine inside.
Chard Hall looked as it always had: its surfaces were smooth as mirrors, radiating an aura of solemn dignity and grandeur.
Subsequently, another staff member inside went to notify Richard.
The sound of footsteps approached after a short while before Richard and Beatrix came into view. Accompanying Richard was an unfamiliar man, who appeared to be in his thirties, somewhat short in stature, with an honest and solid appearance.
Jonathan quickly stood up, ready to speak, but Richard stepped forward and addressed Catherine,
“What a pleasant surprise to see you here, Catherine. I apologize for not receiving you earlier. I hope you won't take it amiss!” This material belongs to NôvelDrama.Org.
Jonathan was taken aback.
Catherine, too, rose to her feet. She met Richard's gaze and said, “You are too kind, Richard.”
Her words were somewhat cold, but that was just the way she was.
Jonathan suddenly felt how strange it was to hear the salutations they were addressing each other with just when he was about to address him as Master.
Not having the time to mull that over, Jonathan sank into a bow before Richard and said, “Master!”
Richard smiled. “I just heard from Beatrix about your situation, Jonathan. Bravo,” he said.
Jonathan hurriedly put on a look of modesty. “You flatter me, Master.”
Richard continued, “Let me introduce you to your senior, Gregory Casey.”
“Greetings, Gregory,” Jonathan said with respectful formality.
Master Richard has three existing disciples, two of whom had gone out to travel. It seems that the second eldest has now returned.
Gregory did not display the slightest sign of arrogance toward Jonathan. Instead, he offered a friendly
smile. “Your reputation precedes you, Jonathan. I now see that you live up to it, indeed.”
“You flatter me, Gregory,” Jonathan hastily replied.
After exchanging pleasantries, they promptly took their respective seats as hosts and guests.
Then, a server brought a pot of strong coffee.
Richard began, “You came back at the right time, Jonathan. I see your cultivation has reached a level that even I find hard to comprehend. Fortunately, I can make an appeal to Master Gideon on your behalf, then arrange a seat for you within the Divine Realm. A seat worthy of a master!”
Jonathan inclined his head. “Thank you, Master!”
Becoming a master in the Divine Realm was an offer he would never refuse. With the many entanglements within the Divine Realm, it was impossible for him to remain detached. If he were to become a master, however, his status would be elevated, making his actions much more convenient.
Richard gave a faint smile.
Then, they continued to exchange pleasantries, uttering words that were neither here nor there. The entire situation was now completely different with Jonathan and Catherine's return.
Jonathan's cultivation level and Catherine's status were factors that made it impossible for Richard to maintain his supremacy before those two. Though Jonathan was highly respectful toward him, even Richard felt the change in their interaction.
That was Richard's psychological transformation.
Jonathan had initially wanted Richard to observe Sovereign Mirror, but Gregory was present. As he had only just met Gregory, Jonathan was not sure if he could fully trust the latter, so he decided to delve into a discussion with Richard in private.
When it was over, Richard announced, “It must have been tough for you and Catherine to have finally met, Jonathan. You should go get some rest. I won't keep you any longer.”
Jonathan and Catherine then stood up to take their leave.
The sky was already completely dark when they emerged from Chard Hall.
A bright moon hung high in the sky.
The entirety of the Divine Realm was bathed in a hue of silvery gray.
It was around half past seven in the evening. For city dwellers, the nightlife had not even begun at this hour. Therefore, it was unlikely that Jonathan and Catherine would just retire for the night.
Aware that Catherine enjoyed drinking at bars, he offered, “Let's look for a bar and have a drink!”
At this point, whenever Catherine was with Jonathan, she was always willing and content, finding joy in every moment, no matter where they go or what they do.
Thus, Catherine said enthusiastically, “Yes, please!”
“Let's go then,” said Jonathan, starting up Catherine's Ferrari. Without further ado, he sped off, leaving the Divine Realm in his dust.
With soft music playing from the Ferrari's radio, it made for an enchanting night.
Half an hour later, Jonathan and Catherine arrived at a street filled with bars. After casually picking one of them, they went inside.
This particular bar was serene; its whole ambiance was the epitome of tranquility and softness. The lighting emanated an aura of ambiguity.
This place evoked the image of a glass of aged wine and the gathering of a few friends chatting away. Also, it could have been a place where lovers whisper sweet nothings to one another or where young boys and girls experience the first stirrings of love.
It was a lovely place.
Jonathan and Catherine took a seat in the corner, then ordered whiskey and vodka respectively.
“Where were you and the Divine Emperor, Catherine?” Jonathan could no longer contain his curiosity.
Slightly taken aback, Catherine said apologetically, “Master doesn't like me talking about his affairs.”
Jonathan immediately expressed his understanding, saying, “Hmm, I get it.” He hugged Catherine, allowing her to lie quietly in his arms.
That's all it takes. Why the need for so many words?
“By the way.” Jonathan suddenly recalled something. “Grandpa passed away a while ago.”
Catherine nodded. “I know. I saw it the moment he departed.”
Jonathan was surprised. “You did?”
“I can see you,” Catherine told him, “but you can't see me. Master and I were in a faraway place. Feeling sorry for my misfortunate, he cast a spell for me which allowed me to see everything.”
Jonathan understood at once.
Suddenly, Catherine gripped Jonathan's arm. A single teardrop glistened in her eye. “My world only consisted of you and Grandpa back then, Jonathan. Now, it's only you. Please, promise me you'll never abandon me?”
Jonathan felt a pang of heartache. It was then that he understood, despite Catherine's usual indifference towards Yareth, that she actually held a deep affection for the old man in her heart. Otherwise, she would not have agreed without hesitation to marry him, a stranger, just because Yareth had asked her to.
“Even if somebody comes for my life and asks me to abandon you, I will never give you up,” Jonathan declared, “No one can make me leave you in this life!”
Catherine settled comfortably into Jonathan's arms.
Just as the couple were quietly enjoying a rare moment of tranquility, two unexpected guests entered
suddenly.
Jonathan felt a sudden chill in that instant. His hair stood on end, and his pupils dilated.
The newcomers were both old acquaintances of Jonathan's.
One of them was dressed in pure white. He looked handsome and elegant, like a noble prince stepping into the mortal world. This man exuded an air of luxury. It was none other than Ignatius.
Standing next to Ignatius, in the meantime, was Gabriel.
Gabriel was able to walk normally again. His legs, which Jonathan had shattered, had no chance of recovery. Now, however, he appeared completely unharmed.
Gabriel was walking beside Ignatius with a look of reverent awe.
These two were clearly there for Jonathan; they headed straight toward him and Catherine.
With a glint of hostility in their eyes, it was plain that they were enemies meeting face-to-face.
Catherine knew Ignatius, and to her, it was an acquaintance etched in her bones. Never before in her life was she pushed to the point where she wished she could kill herself. It was a time when she was unable to live as she wished, nor could she die as she desired.
Jonathan stood up suddenly. He could handle any other adversary he had crossed paths with ease, strategize calmly, and maintain control of himself.
Yet, Ignatius' appearance effortlessly shattered his composure into oblivion.
Jonathan's eyes turned blood red.
Catherine also leaped to her feet.
Ignatius gave them a slight smile. “It doesn't seem like you're happy to see me, Jonathan.”
Jonathan took Catherine's hand. “Let's go, Catherine.”
Catherine nodded.
The couple began walking toward the door.
Flashing a cool smile, Ignatius immediately stepped in front of Jonathan and his companion. “Why the rush to leave, Jonathan?” he asked with a leer. “It's not often that we get to meet. Surely we could at least sit down for a drink?” He paused, then turned to Catherine. “Isn't that right, Catherine?”
With a sudden movement, Jonathan grabbed Ignatius by the collar. “You're asking for trouble, Ignatius!” he roared.
Ignatius burst into hearty laughter. “Yes, I am courting death, so please, Jonathan, do me the favor of sending me on my way. I'm standing right here, the one who nearly took your woman, the one who fatally wounded your grandfather which led to his tragic death. Why won't you kill me?”