Instigator and Protector of Violence-Chapter 339: [Net]

The rain had lessened a bit by evening, but it was still a moderate downpour.

However, no matter how the rain changed, it was irrelevant to some people.

Or rather, the heavier the rain, the better, adding a certain charm to the rainy ambiance.

These people were those who didn’t need to work outside on rainy days.

At the manor of the Eriman Clan.

A party was underway.

Jesse Eriman, the second son of the Eriman Clan, was the initiator of this party.

He not only invited his usual friends but also many unfamiliar faces, even extending an invitation to Count Jiakade, notorious in the Royal Capital’s noble circles.

It was to show his attitude: I am not afraid of you.

Afraid of whom?

Johnny Blackbird.

Johnny Blackbird’s assassination warnings were posted all over the city, everyone knew by now, targeting the Eriman and Evans families.

So Jesse went ahead and invited Jonas too.

It was less about showing attitude and more about mockery.

Mocking Johnny Blackbird.

Come, we’re right here, let’s see who you can kill?

"This rain is still a bit too light, the mood’s not quite there, otherwise having a glass of Kasmo wine on a rainy day like this would be perfect."

Jesse said standing on the balcony to Jonas by his side.

Jonas merely smiled and nodded, then took a sip of the wine in his hand.

The prohibition still existed, but it didn’t affect the true aristocrats.

"It is indeed good wine."

"It’s not just the wine that’s good, the women of Kasmo are..."

The more Jesse talked, the more excited he became, pulling Jonas along to reminisce about his experiences in Kasmo.

Kasmo was a disputed area on the Old Continent, not belonging to any regime, hence both free and chaotic.

Being near the sea, it rained almost all year round.

As the second son of the Eriman family, Jesse was naturally a subject of key cultivation and had been sent to study at a renowned noble academy on the Old Continent years ago.

But he was inherently unruly and could not endure the constraints of the academy, secretly sneaking off to Kasmo to mingle for several years, making quite a name for himself before being dragged back last year to assume family duties.

Thus, there was a wild aura about him quite unlike anything in the Royal Capital. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

It’s one of the reasons he wasn’t afraid of Johnny Blackbird.

"To be honest, Jonas, you should really see the outside world, the Old Continent, it’s a paradise."

"Maybe, but I can’t leave right now."

Jonas replied nonchalantly, turning to look towards the banquet hall.

The banquet hall was abuzz with voices and the music played continuously.

A lot of people showed up today, almost a third of the Royal Capital’s noble circle was there.

Mostly young people.

Young people are the least fearful of great heights or deep waters, especially these young nobles, most of whom haven’t faced many setbacks, bold and curious.

They’re curious to see if Johnny Blackbird would really dare to come and kill someone.

After all, it wasn’t them he was targeting.

If Johnny could kill Jonas or Jesse in front of them, it would be even more thrilling.

"Don’t worry too much, since I dared to invite you, it’s not like I’m unprepared."

Jesse, apparently noticing Jonas’s concern, quickly reassured him.

"In the manor, I’ve already arranged for three level-five true-namers, all skilled in our family, plus I’m no pushover, I’ve killed many in Kasmo, if Johnny Blackbird is just a level three or four, I alone am enough."

Despite Jesse’s words, Jonas shook his head.

"No, that’s not what I’m worried about."

"Then what are you worried about?"

"I’m afraid he won’t come."

"Oh? So that’s your plan."

Suddenly, Jesse understood, they wanted to seize this opportunity to capture Johnny Blackbird.

Rumor had it that the Evans family had completely thrown in with the Eldest Prince, and Jonas had become a central figure for him.

He was probably secretly delighted when Johnny Blackbird chose him, wasn’t he?

"I hope he really dares to come."

"If he’s too afraid to come, even better, there are more surprises waiting with my father and elder brother."

Excitement glimmered in Jesse’s eyes.

For a young nobleman who didn’t need to toil in the rain, life was already too dull, the appearance of Johnny Blackbird had barely broken the tedium a bit.

Jonas, however, said nothing more, slowly gazing out at the garden beyond the balcony, where the rain spattered, and in its depths lay more people hidden.

These people and the rain wove a vast net, a bird-capturing net.

————————

Time.

Seven o’clock in the evening.

Night had thoroughly enveloped the Royal Capital.

Yet with the lights gradually illuminating and the steam continuously rising from the North District, the city turned into a place of enchantment.

In the rain, it felt like a long, dreamlike fantasy.

In such rain.

A film crew in the South District continued their shooting, having switched to a new location, tonight they were filming a rain-soaked battle scene.

It depicted a skirmish between two factions, more of a backdrop actually, but with several artists present, they demanded that the scene be beautifully captured.

Princess Aine Beize also stayed at the set, for she promised Ethan that nothing should go wrong with the crew.

As the lights illuminated the set, the rain heralded the start of a good show.

The artists cheered for each scene they had designed and choreographed.

Meanwhile, in unseen corners, men clad in pitch-black raincoats had already charged into the rain with Winchester typewriters in hand.

Also entering the rainstorm were former allies, now new immigrants who had eaten and drunk their fill.

They were well-armed tonight.

After all, this operation was backed by real big names.

They had never gotten their hands on something this good before.

Moreover, Old Xi Wen had spoken, if tonight they won the battle, they could take whatever they wanted.

Everything in the South District would be theirs, no one would stop them.

Thus, they became like a pack of beasts, unleashed from their cages.

"You guys should also join in by now."

Old Xi Wen looked over at his godsons after surveying the pack.

The godsons hesitated to meet his gaze, until Hard-headed Mo Lun led them into the rainy night as well.

The old alliance, which had always kept itself closed off, now opened its walls for the first time on this night.

"It’s time for these old bones of mine to move."

Saying this, Old Xi Wen leapt into the sea-like rain.