The Hidden Hand Behind the Board

([If it’s not him, then it can only be Evan.])

([This guy probably wants to deal with Lucas and take down the Tyson Family in the process.])

([Is the stronger devore another stronger to become more stronger plot was about to start?])

Julian instantly figured it out.

The moment the thought connected inside his mind, the entire chaotic situation suddenly became much clearer.

The Lockheart Family’s sudden confidence.

The strange challenge.

The mention of Lucas.

The parasite hidden inside Charvi Lockheart’s body.

Everything pointed toward one person.

Evan.

Julian narrowed his golden eyes slightly as he stood quietly inside the Tyson Family reception hall.

Outside, the morning wind brushed through the bamboo trees in the courtyard, producing a soft rustling sound. Sunlight filtered through the carved wooden windows, casting shifting patterns across the polished floor.

Yet the atmosphere inside remained heavy.

Like the calm before bloodshed.

With Evan’s petty nature, how could he tolerate Lucas competing with him for status?

He’s probably planning a counterattack, taking the opportunity to eliminate Lucas as an obstacle.

So he chose to use the Lockheart family as pawns to deal with Lucas.

Julian almost wanted to laugh.

The original protagonists of this world truly were ruthless toward each other once benefits became involved.

The so-called brotherhood inside the Obsidian Wing was probably no different from a pack of wolves waiting to devour one another.

Still...

From Julian’s perspective, this development was actually beneficial.

Julian was naturally pleased with this plot development.

If Evan and Lucas started fighting openly, the pressure on him would lessen considerably.

Two monsters tearing into each other was always better than both monsters focusing on him alone.

But the problem was—

But damn it, Lucas had already fallen out with the Tyson Family.

Whether he’s recovered from his injuries is another question, so how could he possibly help the Tyson Family participate in the Ancient Martial Arts Conference?

That part made no sense at all.

Julian’s fingers lightly tapped against his arm as he silently analyzed the situation.

The original plot had already become twisted beyond recognition.

Lucas should have been one of the Tyson Family’s hidden trump cards.

Instead, after the previous incident, the relationship between both sides had practically shattered.

Unless...

Julian’s gaze darkened slightly.

Unless Evan already knew Lucas would appear regardless.

Or perhaps...

He was forcing Lucas into the arena.

The more Julian thought about it, the more dangerous the situation felt.

Meanwhile, nearby, Yana Tyson quietly observed Julian from the corner of her eye.

She couldn’t hear the system’s voice.

But his inner thoughts alone already revealed enough to make her uneasy.

Evan.

Lucas.

The Obsidian Wing.

The Tyson Family being dragged into a struggle between monsters.

A faint chill ran down her spine.

For years, the Tyson Family had stood proudly at the peak of Valemont’s Old Martial Arts world.

Yet now, for the first time in a long while, Yana felt something she deeply disliked.

Uncertainty.

Charvi Lockheart slowly stood from the sofa.

His heavy footsteps echoed softly against the wooden floor.

Behind him, the Lockheart Family martial artists also rose one after another, their expressions arrogant and provocative.

Before leaving, Charvi sneered at Yana.

"Prepare yourselves well."

"At the Ancient Martial Arts Conference..."

"Our Lockheart Family will personally drag the Tyson Family down from its throne."

His voice carried naked hostility.

Yana’s expression remained icy.

"You should worry about surviving first."

Charvi’s eyes twitched slightly with anger.

But strangely, he restrained himself again.

That abnormal restraint made Julian even more certain something was controlling the man from behind the scenes.

A person like Charvi Lockheart should have exploded already after being humiliated repeatedly.

Yet he kept enduring it.

Which meant someone had already warned him not to ruin the plan.

Soon, the Lockheart Family members finally left the Tyson estate.

The moment the doors closed behind them, the oppressive atmosphere inside the hall loosened slightly.

Xavier Tyson immediately frowned.

"This situation is getting troublesome."

His voice carried visible concern.

"They definitely came prepared this time."

Several Tyson Family martial artists nearby also looked uneasy.

The Ancient Martial Arts Conference was no ordinary gathering.

It represented status.

Authority.

Resources.

Control over Valemont’s Old Martial Arts circles.

If the Tyson Family lost...

The consequences would be devastating.

Yana slowly exhaled before turning toward Julian.

Her orange eyes carried complicated emotions.

She wanted to ask him countless questions.

Who exactly was Evan?

Why was Lucas involved?

What kind of organization was the Obsidian Wing?

And most importantly...

Why did Julian seem to know everything?

But she couldn’t ask any of it directly.

Not without exposing the fact she could hear his inner voice.

So instead, she forced herself to remain calm.

"Thank you for today, Young Master Julian."

Her voice softened slightly.

"If there’s nothing else, I’ll handle the Tyson Family matters from here."

Julian waved his hand casually. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"Miss Tyson is too polite."

His tone remained relaxed, but internally he was still thinking rapidly.

The more he analyzed the situation, the more he felt that Evan’s confidence couldn’t possibly come only from the Lockheart Family.

There had to be another hidden move.

Another hidden trump card.

Otherwise, challenging both Lucas and the Tyson Family at the same time would be suicidal.

Julian disliked uncertainty.

Especially when it involved original protagonists.

Those monsters always had absurd luck.

After greeting Yana Tyson, Julian drove back.

The black luxury car moved steadily across Valemont’s streets.

Morning sunlight illuminated the city little by little.

Vendors were opening shops.

Office workers filled the sidewalks.

The scent of breakfast drifted through the air.

Everything looked peaceful on the surface.

Yet Julian knew beneath that calm exterior, Valemont was slowly turning into a battlefield.

On the way, Julian continued to ponder Evan’s plan.

What gives him the confidence to take this opportunity to eliminate Lucas?

Relying solely on the Lockheart family doesn’t seem nearly enough, does it?

Julian leaned against the car seat slightly, his brows furrowed.

Evan was arrogant.

Cruel.

Petty.

But he wasn’t stupid.

If he truly planned to attack Lucas openly, then he definitely possessed another hidden card.

Perhaps another Obsidian Wing member?

Or some external expert?

Or maybe—

Julian suddenly remembered the parasite attached near Charvi Lockheart’s heart.

His golden eyes narrowed slightly.

Could Evan already be experimenting with some forbidden method?

The thought alone made Julian’s instincts uneasy.

By the time he returned to the D’Aurelius residence, the sun had already climbed higher into the sky.

The servants respectfully greeted him as he entered the mansion.

Julian casually responded before walking upstairs toward his room.

His mind was still occupied by the Ancient Martial Arts Conference.

If the plot kept mutating like this, then future events would become increasingly difficult to predict.

That was dangerous.

Very dangerous.

When he got home and returned to his room, Julian saw Lina Ashford and Liza Voss and their position is...

"???"