The Beggar in the Lobby Was the Supreme King

Chapter 028

Catherine Jones was absolutely right—the Green-Scaled Python was a biological treasure trove. Ethan Smith spent the next hour meticulously harvesting the titan. Using the ancient bronze shard, which sliced through the near-impenetrable scales with eerie ease, he divided the massive serpent into a dozen manageable sections, each weighing nearly a hundred pounds, and stowed them in the reinforced cargo hold of their vehicle. He took special care with the gallbladder and the heart, placing them in a specialized bio-sealed bag; these organs were concentrated reservoirs of essence, capable of boosting internal energy to a staggering degree.

With the c*****e of Williams Mountain left in the rearview mirror, Ethan, Jana Smiths, and Catherine sped away from the site of the m******e.

"Ethan, now that you're back... do Iris and Bree know?" Jana asked, her voice soft as she leaned against the leather seat. As a high-level asset within the Defense Research Department, she lived under a blanket of classified, closed-loop management. She had been completely cut off from the outside world and had no idea that Bree Smith was currently lying in a hospital bed.

Ethan gripped the steering wheel, his eyes fixed on the unfolding road toward the Capital of Valeridge. "I've already reunited with Iris. As for Bree... she was injured while tracking a high-level human trafficking ring. She’s in the hospital, but she's recovering well and should be discharged soon."

The news hit Jana like a physical blow. The bond between the eight sisters was forged in the fire of their shared childhood. Hearing that her fourth sister had been so gravely wounded brought tears to her eyes. "I had no idea the family was going through such turmoil. Poor Bree... I need to get home as soon as she's out."

"Sister, I have a request," Ethan said, glancing at her through the mirror.

Jana looked at him, surprised. To her, Ethan was now a Supreme Master, a figure of near-mythic power. "Ethan, you're my only brother. I’d do anything for you. Honestly, if you asked for my hand in marriage, I’d say yes—after all, none of us eight are related by blood."

Jana was a woman of transcendent beauty, possessing a sharp, intellectual elegance that could make any man lose his composure. Ethan, despite his status as the Supreme King, felt a flush of embarrassment.

"Jana, that’s... not what I was going to ask," Ethan stammered, coughing to hide his awkwardness. "I need you to keep a secret. If Bree finds out about the body count I left back on Williams Mountain, she won't let it slide—she’s a cop, after all. I need you to return to the Capital of Valeridge as if nothing happened. I’ll slip back into Ambershire quietly. When you go to the hospital to visit her, we’ll play our parts and 'reunite' there for the first time."

Jana felt a slight twinge of disappointment. I’m one of the most beautiful women in the country, and he’s worried about police reports? she thought playfully. But she understood the stakes. If the authorities linked Ethan to the disappearance of multiple elite hit squads, the legal fallout would be a nightmare.

"Fine," Jana said, leaning over to playfully nudge his shoulder. "I'll keep your secret. It’ll be our little private bond—the mystery of the Supreme King."

As the vehicle crossed the city limits, they were intercepted at the South Gate by a military blockade. Four soldiers, armed with high-caliber rifles, signaled them to stop.

"Step out of the vehicle!" a sergeant barked, his hand on his sidearm. "We have a positive ID on Jana Smiths. The two of you are under suspicion of k********g. Hands where we can see them!"

Ethan and Catherine exchanged a look but complied, not wanting to trigger a fire-fight with the local garrison.

"Wait! You've got it all wrong!" Jana shouted, stepping between the soldiers and her brother. "These people aren't kidnappers. I was abducted by a professional cell, and these two intervened during a vehicular collision. They risked their lives to save me and bring me back safely."

She chose her words carefully. She didn't mention they were siblings; if the military realized Ethan had tracked her down when the entire Eagleeye Department had failed, he would be subjected to endless interrogations.

"A misunderstanding, then?" the sergeant softened his tone but remained professional. "Stay put. I need to notify Mr. Burns. Commander Tim Burns is on his way."

Ten minutes later, a heavy armored transport roared to a halt. A phalanx of ten elite soldiers dismounted, clearing a path for a burly man with a single gold star on his shoulder. This was Tim Burns, the high-ranking officer charged with the security of the region's top scientific assets.

"Comrade Jana Smiths," Tim Burns said, saluting with rigid discipline. "The high command was deeply concerned about your disappearance. I have direct orders from the General to ensure your absolute safety from this moment forward."

Ethan watched the display of military might and realized his sister’s status was even higher than he’d imagined. She was essentially a national treasure.

"I understand, Commander," Jana said. "But these two saved me. Can they be released?"

Tim Burns turned his gaze toward Ethan, his eyes narrowing with professional suspicion. "Young man, come with me. We need to have a word."

He led Ethan into a temporary command office and sat across from him after ordering tea. "Do you have any idea who Jana Smiths really is?"

"I know she’s a lead developer for an internet tech firm," Ethan lied smoothly, maintaining a facade of civilian ignorance.

Tim Burns relaxed slightly. If the boy didn't know about the satellite navigation systems, the security breach was minimal. "Good. Now, you said you saved her. Who were the kidnappers?"

Ethan decided to be partially honest to ensure the military stayed alert. "It was a coordinated effort between the Blood Mafia, Darkshadow, and the Hall of Darknight. They tried to silence me after a traffic accident on the mountain road. I managed to fight them off and found the lady in the process. I’d appreciate it if you kept my name out of the reports—I don't want three international assassin guilds hunting me for sport."

Tim Burns chuckled. "You fought off three of the world's most dangerous syndicates? That’s a tall tale, son. What’s your actual combat proficiency?"

"I’ve studied some martial arts," Ethan said modestly. "I’m a Supreme Master, so I had a bit of an edge over them."

Tim Burns nearly choked on his tea. He looked at the slender, refined young man in front of him. Ethan didn't have the scarred knuckles or the hulking physique typical of a front-line bruiser.

"A Supreme Master? At your age?" Tim Burns’s skepticism turned into a challenge. "That’s a bold claim. In the Capital of Valeridge, we have fewer than five men who can claim that title."

The Commander stood up and offered his hand. "Thank you for your service to the state, Mr. Smith. It’s an honor to meet such a... capable citizen."

Ethan smiled and took the hand. The moment their palms met, Tim Burns unleashed a sudden, violent surge of internal energy—a "hidden strike" designed to test a man's foundations.

Ethan didn't flinch. He let out a microscopic pulse of his own energy, a localized vibration that acted like a spring. Tim Burns felt a jolt of electricity-like pain shoot up his arm; his carpal bones groaned under the pressure, nearly shifting out of alignment. His face turned a bright shade of crimson as he stumbled back, his eyes wide with shock.

"My apologies, Commander," Ethan said coolly. "I sometimes forget my own strength. I hope you don't take it personally—one has to be careful in these times."

Tim Burns massaged his throbbing hand, looking at Ethan with newfound dread and respect. He had just tried to test a lion with a toothpick. "I... I see. My mistake. It seems we truly did produce a prodigy here in Valeridge. Go on, get out of here before my men start asking questions I can't answer."