Chapter 539 Injury
Chapter 539 Injury
That very night, Jonathan and Jeff had already brought Torrence back to Jeff's home at Yaleview. Jeff lived in a mansion on the outskirts, which, although a bit remote, was exceptionally peaceful and spacious.
Inside the mansion, two housekeepers were in charge of cleaning and tidying up. If Jeff was home, they would cook for him, but since he was rarely home, they practically had the large mansion to themselves. As soon as Jonathan arrived, he teased, "Chief Yount, you're essentially paying people to live in your mansion! Explain yourself!"
Jeff laughed and joked, "Your snarkiness hasn't changed at all!"
Previously, Jonathan felt oppressed by Jeff, accompanied by a hint of awe. However, after reaching Level Three of Immortal Stage, surpassing Jeff's cultivation, the oppression and awe were gone. They had become equal. It wasn't something Jonathan did intentionally, but rather an issue of aura. By that point, Jonathan's aura naturally gave off that feeling.
Jeff could sense the changes within Jonathan, but he couldn't determine just how formidable Jonathan had become. However, he was aware Jonathan was no longer inferior to him. Amazement filled him at Jonathan's rapid improvement. It was truly terrifying.
When one had reached the cultivation level of Jeff and Jonathan, their inhales and exhales had become one. Even top fighters would have a hard time gauging Jeff's and Jonathan's levels. They could probably get a sense if they observed someone with a lower cultivation level. However, it would be a problem upon encountering someone superior.
Inside the mansion, the housekeepers had already prepared a lavish dinner. It was something Jeff had
instructed over the phone in advance.
In the dining room, Jeff, Torrence, and Jonathan took their seats.
Torrence felt like a country bumpkin entering the city. Everything seemed so fresh and new to him. However, he tried his best to suppress his burning curiosity, striving to act as normal as possible.
The lights in the room were dazzling. That intrigued Torrence the most. He quietly asked Jonathan in private, "What kind of magic is this?"
Jonathan nearly burst out laughing but held it in and explained it to Torrence. Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.
During the meal, Jeff asked about Jonathan's experiences. Jonathan roughly described his time as the vampire king in Eastsummer and when he got lost in the different dimensions of Moranta. His account was brief, so it ended about half an hour later.
Jeff was somewhat surprised to learn that Jonathan was the vampire king, but he could accept that notion. His interest was piqued at the mention of Moranta. Hence, he bombarded Jonathan with numerous questions about it.
Jonathan patiently answered each one.
Jeff couldn't help but exclaim excitedly, "Indeed, my judgment wasn't wrong. The mysteries of this world are not as simple as we comprehend. The enigma of space and many other undiscovered domains are truly amazing."
Jonathan strongly agreed with him.
After dinner, despite feeling tired, Jonathan was excited to see Torrence. Thus, he borrowed Jeff's car and took Torrence for a ride, trying his best to explain everything about the boundless universe to Torrence.
Previously, when Jeff spoke Chanaean with Jonathan, it sounded like some cryptic speech to Torrence. Jonathan also offered to arrange Chanaean lessons for Torrence if he was interested.
Torrence nodded.
That night, Jonathan and Torrence went to bed at three in the morning.
The next morning, Jonathan planned to visit Yareth at the Harrington residence. His feelings toward that place were incredibly complex. Sometimes, he wouldn't even dare to face it head-on.
On such a night, Ignatius would drive Catherine to the verge of madness. She was his wife.
And yet, he could do nothing for her.
That was the biggest humiliation in Jonathan's life.
The disgrace he felt cut deeper than what Miguel had inflicted upon him. Frequently, Jonathan would express his gratitude to his enemies for helping him preserve such resilience and unyielding spirit. It was them who had given him strength.
It was already the beginning of August, and the weather in Yaleview was quite hot.
Jonathan told Torrence to stay in the mansion while he borrowed Jeff's car to drive to the Harrington residence.
Two hours later, Jonathan arrived at the Harrington residence.
Jonathan was stunned upon arrival because the place was already in ruins. The entire Harrington residence was desolate and deserted. Not a trace of human activity was seen.
He didn't expect the Harrington residence to be destroyed. A sense of indescribable panic welled up within him. Immediately after, he hurriedly dialed Jeff's number.
Jeff said in a deep voice, "I thought you knew."
Jonathan urgently asked, "What on earth happened?"
Jeff explained, "When Ignatius forced Catherine into a corner. The Divine Emperor managed to rescue her, but the Harrington residence was destroyed in the process."
Jonathan was taken aback. Was it really that brutal? But why didn't Yareth and Catherine tell him anything?
At that moment, Jonathan was eager to meet with Catherine.
That woman was his wife! She had suffered such injustice, yet he couldn't do anything about it.
Ignatius!
Rage blazed in Jonathan's eyes. "One day, I will kill you with my own hands!"
After a good while, Jonathan finally calmed down. "Do you happen to know where Old Mr. Harrington and the others are staying now?" he asked.
Jeff replied, "Old Mr. Harrington's phone number hasn't changed, so you can just call and ask him directly."
Jonathan nodded.
Afterward, he hung up Jeff's call. Then, he dialed Old Mr. Harrington's landline.
The call connected quickly, and the voice of Bruce came through from the other end.
"Bruce, it's me!" Jonathan said in a deep voice.
Bruce was taken aback for a moment before excitement filled him. "Mr. Lawson, is that you?"
Feeling shame, Jonathan asked, "Bruce, how is Grandpa doing?"
Bruce's tone turned solemn as he answered, "Mr. Lawson, we haven't been able to reach you recently. Please come back and see Old Mr. Harrington soon. He's on his last legs."
"What?" Jonathan was shocked. He immediately said, "I went to the Harrington residence today, only to find it had been burnt down. Bruce, where are you now?"
Bruce replied, "We're at..."
After obtaining the address, Jonathan immediately drove to the location.
Jonathan drove at breakneck speed the entire way. Only a single sentence constantly echoed in his mind. Old Mr. Harrington is on his last legs!
Yareth resided in another old mansion. The place was very peaceful.
Jonathan quickly arrived at the address Bruce had given him.
As soon as he got out of the car, he saw Bruce looking around outside the door.
When the radiant sunray shone on Bruce, his hair looked white as snow, making him appear quite elderly.
The moment Jonathan got out of the car, Bruce quickly stepped forward to greet him.
"Mr. Lawson, please come in!" Bruce led Jonathan into the house.
What Jonathan didn't expect was that many relatives from the Harrington family were already there.
It was quite the gathering.
Yareth was seated at the head of the table, his complexion extremely poor, looking as though he was hanging by a thread, barely holding onto his last breath.
When Jonathan entered, Yareth's eyes immediately lit up upon seeing him.
Jonathan lunged forward, then knelt down in front of him.
The rims of Jonathan's eyes turned red as he said in a choked voice, "Grandpa, I have failed in my filial duties!"
Yareth looked at Jonathan, a faint smile on his face as he began to speak, his voice strained. "Jonathan, it's good that you're back. Honestly, I've been on my last legs for a while now. Ignatius' last strike had shattered my heart meridian. I've been able to hold on until today because I wanted to see you. I wouldn't be able to close my eyes in peace if I passed without seeing you for the last time!"
"It's him again!" Jonathan gritted his teeth, declaring, "I will surely kill him."
"He's your brother!" Yareth advised, "Jonathan, don't be consumed by hatred. This is all my fate."
With teary eyes, Jonathan declared, "If he truly considered me his brother, he wouldn't have treated you and Catherine in such a despicable manner. Since he didn't show any mercy, I won't grant him even the slightest bit of leniency!"
Seeing Jonathan like that, Yareth didn't say much more. He took a deep breath and said, "Jonathan, I don't have much time left. Please listen to what I have to say."
Jonathan looked at Yareth, his eyes brimming with tears.
Jonathan would forever remember the kindred feelings that Yareth showed him. Now that Yareth was about to meet his end, the grief in Jonathan's heart was unbearable.
"I've always told you and Catherine that her parents went on a long trip, but in reality, I lied to both of you. After Catherine's mother gave birth to her, she ran off with someone else. Her father couldn't handle the shock and left as well. For over twenty years, there had been no news of them. Even though Catherine has parents, she has never seen them." Yareth said, breaking into a violent cough. Jonathan quickly got up to soothe Yareth.
Once the coughing calmed, Yareth's face was flushed with emotion. He grabbed Jonathan's hand and said, "Catherine is a child who has had a hard life. You must treat her well, understand?"
Jonathan nodded emphatically, promising, "I will, Grandpa."
With a smile, Yareth said, "I can no longer discern your level of cultivation. You've improved very quickly. I feel at ease with you here. Initially, I was worried that some families in Yaleview might make their move once I'm gone, having suppressed their ambitious intentions toward my family for far too long. But now that you're here, I have nothing to worry about anymore."
He paused for a moment, then continued, "From today onward, you are the new head of the Harrington family, Jonathan."
Jonathan didn't refuse. Naturally, he would comply with the man's dying wish.
"Yes, Grandpa!" Jonathan obliged.
At that moment, some older male relatives already had quite unsightly expressions on their faces.
It was no wonder. Jonathan was just the grandson-in-law of the Harrington family, yet Yareth appointed
him as the head of the family. Naturally, those older male relatives couldn't and wouldn't accept that decision.
Yet, Yareth had announced his will on his own with the entire family present. They couldn't really say much.
Yareth continued to scan the crowd, his gaze landing on his eldest son, Jeremiah. "Jeremy, did you hear what I said?" he asked.
Jeremiah was a man in his fifties, dressed in a suit, exuding an air of elegance. He glanced at Yareth, took a deep breath, and questioned, "Father, do you really think I'm inferior to him? I shouldn't be asking this today, for I don't covet anything. I'm just wondering, what have I done wrong?"
"You—" Yareth looked at Jeremiah, his anger flaring up instantly. Then, he gasped for breath, his head tilted to the side, and just like that, he breathed his last.