Chapter 87 War Of Words
At least, Jonathan would never come up with the theory of the place being haunted.
“How would you explain the paranormal activities in Golden Years back then?” another reporter asked Jonathan.
It seemed that Jonathan had become the center of the spotlight while Amber was just an insignificant character.
Jonathan replied, “I have to enter the place before I can give you an answer for that.”
The reporter pressed on, “Some masters entered Golden Years in the past, and they died inside. Aren’t you afraid of being rebuked?”
Jonathan responded flatly, “Certain things need to be solved somehow. We can’t give up just because somebody else has failed, right?”
Seeing everyone start to raise more questions, Amber piped up, “All right, everyone. That’s it for the interview. We are entering Golden Years now.”
The police, who were around them, stopped the reporters from approaching them after hearing Amber’s words.
All of a sudden, a loud voice rang out from the crowd. “I think you guys are putting on a show. There’s nothing inside Golden Years at all. This priest is only fishing for fame. I think you guys intend to cheat the public. Otherwise, why won’t you let us follow inside?”
As soon as the words came out, everyone started to butt in.
The yells from the crowd continued to grow louder.
Amber’s face turned pale instantly. She felt that the situation was getting out of hand. They would be exposed if they allowed the reporter to join them. At that moment, she became panicked.
It was useless to suppress the public uproar at that point as all the cameras from the media were directed at Amber and Jonathan.
Amber glanced at Jonathan unwittingly, seeking support from the man at such times of need.
Jonathan didn’t reveal a tinge of panic on his face. He looked at the cameras calmly.
A reporter asked, “Sir, do you have anything to say?”
Jonathan smiled as he replied, “I have nothing to hide in everything I do.” His voice was powerful even in an environment full of noise. He continued, “I wonder who was the one who gave those mocking remarks earlier. Would you step out, please?”
No one stepped forward.
Instead, someone tried to kick up a ruckus again. “Why don’t you bring us inside with you? How do we know if you are putting on a show?”
Jonathan smiled faintly. “Verbal abuse is also an act of violence, especially words that come from the press media. To Golden Years, I’m an outsider. I believe everyone knows what happened inside there better than I do. There was once a school organization with over hundreds of students trying to get in there, but to no avail. Could I make up an incident like that? Mr. Jones once thought of abolishing Golden Years, but it ended up a futile attempt. Did I make that up, too?”
He paused before continuing, “I’m trying to do something good here, but everyone seems to get me wrong. The decision I’ve made today to enter Golden Years is a matter of life and death. It also put my reputation at stake. Why would you guys want to see me as someone with sinister intent?”
His words made perfect sense. Everyone from every corner heard him well.
In no time, the crowd was riled up because of Jonathan’s words. Though they couldn’t hear the conversation between those reporters, they could still get a brief idea from what they heard from Jonathan.
Moreover, Jonathan’s voice was booming even without the use of a speaker. That proved that Jonathan was a man with true capability.
Just when the crowd wanted to come to Jonathan’s defense, a male reporter climbed up to the roof of a car suddenly. That man was Jacob Sorelle, a reporter from Sunrise Daily News. The purpose he was there that day was to seek attention on behalf of Sunrise Daily News. Meanwhile, the cameras had already focused on him from below. He was holding a microphone. Hence, his voice could be heard from a distance when he spoke.
Putting up a righteous front, Jacob said, “Sir, I was the one who questioned your credibility earlier. Let me ask you; if you are not making up any of these, why can’t you let us follow you in and report what’s in there? You’ve talked so much and stirred up our emotions. Is it because you’re feeling guilty?”
As soon as the words left his lips, Jonathan suddenly leaped onto the van as high as two meters.
His movement was so light as though he had superpowers. In fact, that wasn’t some kind of superpower he just performed. His power was up to five hundred kilograms. Even climbing a wall was not a challenge to him whatsoever.
The crowd, especially those younger generations, exclaimed in shock, “Oh my! That’s a superpower!”
“He jumped over to the van as though there’s a ladder.”
“This priest is really brilliant!”
Everyone started discussing out loud.
Yasmin, Jennifer, and Jessica were watching aside anxiously. They noticed that Jonathan was in trouble. Nonetheless, they couldn’t extend any help at that moment.
Jacob was shocked by Jonathan’s behavior. He thought that the latter wanted to beat him up.
“May God bless you!” Jonathan put his palms together as he spoke and waved his fly-whisk.
Jacob was stunned for a second. His reaction was swift. “Sir, do you want to explain yourself?”
Jonathan smiled as he responded, “Actually, I am curious. Why are you so certain that I’m making these up? Do you have any evidence? If you don’t, how could you make such a serious accusation against me? Is that the professionalism a reporter should have? By the way, which newspaper company are you from?”
Swoosh! Beads of cold sweat formed on Jacob’s forehead instantly. Jeez! This man is good at talking indeed! Are all the priests nowadays so sharp-witted?
He replied, “I’m a reporter from Sunrise Daily News, Sir. I am only suspecting. As professional media, we have the right to raise our doubts on anything we find suspicious. It’s our job to uncover the truth for the public!”
That answer left no room to retort.
Jonathan sneered inwardly. Then, he said, “I can’t even protect myself when I get in there. How could I bring a bunch of reporters with me? Who will be held liable if anything goes wrong? I don’t mind about death. But, can you do the same?”
Jacob replied instantly, “Of course, I can.” He couldn’t show any signs of weakness in front of the crowd.
Jonathan responded, “Good. Well, you can lead the rest inside to investigate the truth now. I’ll wait for you guys outside.”
“You…” Jacob was rendered speechless.
Jonathan continued, “Since all of you think that there’s nothing inside and that I was making it up, why don’t you find out the truth yourselves?”
Those reporters felt terrified at the idea instantly.
Even Jacob stopped talking.
Jonathan scoffed and said, “Didn’t you mock me earlier? It seems like you’re all talk but no actions!”
Many people started laughing out loud upon hearing him.
A reporter couldn’t help but rebuke, “Sir, as a priest, how could you talk so nastily? Is that how you are taught in The Destino?”
“May God bless you!” With that said, Jonathan swung the fly-whisk in his hand again. His voice was loud and clear. He continued, “In The Destino, we learn about kindness. Nonetheless, we’re mortals too. We have emotions like everyone else. In The Destino, we emphasize reaping what you sow. Do you need me to elaborate on that?”
“Haha. Well said!” a youngster exclaimed in joy.
The crowd seemed to be fond of Jonathan for his sharp wit. Each of his words was straight to the point yet contained profound meaning.
Even Yasmin, Jessica, Jennifer, and Amber looked at him with admiration. They felt that Jonathan was someone they would take a lifetime to understand.
It was as though nothing in the world would stump him.
At that moment, Jacob, who was still standing on top of the van, felt embarrassed. Gritting his teeth, he said, “I’ll go. I’ll expose your true color today!”
With that said, he jumped down from the van and headed in the direction of the entrance of Golden Years.
Amber felt anxious at how things were developing. She was in no position to stop Jacob. However, their efforts would be wasted if he entered the place.
“Hold on!” Jonathan jumped down from the van.
Upon seeing Jonathan stop him, Jacob felt his doubt had been confirmed. He sneered, “What’s the matter? Sir, are you afraid now?”
Jonathan shook his head as he replied, “You idiot, your behavior is unreasonable. I should’ve let you die in there. But, God is kind. I can’t let you die like that without doing anything. Here is an amulet to keep you alive.”
Jacob felt terrified after listening to his words. Yet, he couldn’t back off. As it was a matter of life and death, he didn’t turn Jonathan’s offer down.
He went up to Jonathan immediately.
The latter bit his finger and wrote some symbols with his blood on Jacob’s forehead. Then, he said, “You may go now!”
Thinking that he had protection now, Jacob turned around and left confidently.
Amber quickly went over to Jonathan. Anxiously, she asked in a low voice, “What should we do now?”
Jonathan replied flatly, “Don’t worry. Everything is in place.”
Upon hearing his assurance, she felt relieved instantly. No wonder! He has arranged ahead!
The police glanced at Amber for her approval when they saw Jacob entering the building. “Let him in,” Amber said.
Soon, the roller shutters opened up.
It was complete darkness inside Golden Years. When the light shone in, a pale-faced woman appeared suddenly. Her face was in a distorted state, and her eyes were bleeding.
Many police officers were shocked by that sight. The rest of the reporters weren’t allowed to step into that building.
Before entering, Jacob had already noticed that female ghost.
The latter widened her eyes suddenly as she stared at him frigidly.
Jacob was frightened out of his wits instantly. He felt his blood turning cold. Letting out a shriek, he stumbled backward and collapsed to the ground unconsciously.
“Hurry up! Send him to the hospital!” Though Amber wasn’t sure what had happened inside the building, she asked her subordinate to drag Jacob out immediately.
Everyone on the site was in a state of horror watching that scene.
Then, Jonathan turned to face the reporters. He asked, “So, does anyone still want to go in there?”
No one dared to give any response anymore.
Noticing that he had gotten the outcome he wanted, he walked into Golden Years with Amber the next second. The roller shutters were shut as soon as the duo went inside.
