Chapter 53 Carrot And Stick
His form was not overly heavy but swift. The eight trigrams were steadfast, and the Shadow Punch unerring. It carried an explosive force, penetrating deep into the bones, thereby inflicting excruciating pain.
As for the Octagram Palm Strike, it carried a strong and indestructible spiraling force. Fenix’s Octagram Palm Strike was extremely fierce. One could say this Stele-smashing Fist carried the true essence of the eight trigrams.
Jonathan had just felt the wind on his face, but before he realized it, the Stele-smashing Fist was already at his chest.
If that blow had landed, Jonathan’s organs would have ruptured, and he would have died from violently vomiting blood.
However, he had managed to back away in the nick of time and retaliated with Heavenly Hook.
The Heavenly Hook shot out like a blade and pierced Fenix’s hand. Jonathan had pinpointed the weakness of the latter’s technique and deflected the attack beautifully. Stunned, Fenix immediately switched to grappling and grabbed at Jonathan’s wrist, his arm unfurling like a mystical snake.
Jonathan saw it coming and immediately switch to his specialty, Rolling Thunder Punch. He sprang forward and ran at Fenix. His ability to smoothly switch between skills was astounding. Jonathan was cunning and his moves were extremely unpredictable. Fenix was horrified by the turn of events, for Jonathan’s Rolling Thunder Punch carried an explosive force, and the latter was approaching in a swift manner. Fenix felt as if he were standing on the tracks, facing a rapidly incoming train. There was no way Fenix could avert the attack. If he insisted on following through with his grapple, he would be instantly destroyed by Jonathan’s Rolling Thunder Punch.
Hence, Fenix made the snap decision to retreat. He pulled back and backed away at lightning speed.
At this moment, Jonathan sprinted forward with Antelope Rhythm. He sprinted forward like a bolt of lightning and landed a devastating palm strike on Fenix’s chest.
With a loud thud, Fenix flew into the air before falling onto the ground heavily.
If Jonathan had not held back, there was no doubt Fenix would have died.
Jimmy, Grayden, and Douglas were stunned at that sight. They knew Jonathan was strong, but they had no idea he was this powerful.
Fenix was a strong opponent, ferocious, and unmatched in his power. However, the crowd had seen him rush toward Jonathan, only to be sent flying. To be defeated just moments after the encounter, Jimmy and the others were deeply shocked by the scene before their eyes.
“That was a great fight!” Grayden stood up and immediately moved to approach Jonathan.
Grayden had been surprised by Jonathan’s display of power, but he was not easily fooled. After all, he was also an expert. The battle had only lasted for a moment, and Jonathan had sent Fenix flying. However, this did not mean Jonathan was stronger than Fenix. In fact, Grayden was far more skilled than Fenix. Thus, he was confident in his ability.
Grayden was an expert in Spirit Fist. He was like a ferocious tiger prowling down the mountain, lunging and swiping, and that was his fierce Tiger Fist technique.
In a split second, Grayden appeared to be a large tiger, emanating a ferocious aura and unleashing powerful blows onto Jonathan.
Faced with Grayden’s fists, Jonathan felt as if he were being sliced by a massive pair of blades. If he wasn’t careful, he would be cut in half instantly. Grayden’s claws were adamantine diamonds that could break bones and crush tendons.
The latter immediately went for Jonathan’s head.
Jonathan cast aside all thoughts and fell into Antelope Rhythm to dodge the attacks. He was like a mountain goat traversing the rocky mountain, twisting and dodging. Soon, he had escaped the confinement of Grayden’s claws.
Jonathan had used Antelope Rhythm countless times, but no one had ever managed to figure out how it worked. He quickly ran behind Grayden and lashed out a swift kick without waiting for the latter to turn around.
With a loud thud, Jonathan’s kick landed squarely on Grayden’s backside, forcing the latter’s entire body to lurch forward, and he fell face-first to the ground. It was a humiliating sight.
Fenix and Grayden were both capable fighters, but both of them were unable to defeat Jonathan.
Fenix’s defeat could be written off as a fluke. However, Grayden had also fallen. It was no wonder Douglas had lost to Jonathan. Jimmy could not help but feel afraid of Jonathan.
After defeating the two experts, Jonathan clasped his fists. “Jimmy, I know one million isn’t a small sum. So, what do you think of my skills?”
Jimmy was a shrewd person who had quickly grasped the situation. He stood up and laughed. “Your skills are certainly admirable! My comrades were hasty and attacked you of their own volition. For that, I apologize on their behalf.”
Jonathan also chuckled. “Don’t worry, it wasn’t a problem at all.”
Fenix and Grayden stood up and shuffled behind Jimmy ashamedly.
Right then, Jimmy took out a gold card and placed it on the table before pushing it toward Jonathan. “Please take this, Jonathan. This card contains one million. The password is six eights,” he said.
Jonathan grinned. “Sure. Thank you, Jimmy.”
Jimmy smiled faintly in return.
Suddenly, Jonathan hastened to add, “However, it seems like I had been too harsh in my attacks. I’ve caused great injury to your comrades. This money should be given to them to help them recuperate from their injuries.” He slid the gold card back to Jimmy.
Jimmy and the others were taken aback. Even Jennifer, who had been nearby, was shocked. They were perplexed by Jonathan’s behavior, not knowing what his real intention was.
Jonathan merely put on a smile. “Friends are valuable comrades to have. We wouldn’t have been acquainted if not for the fight. Wouldn’t you accept the token of my goodwill?”
Fenix and Grayden were also baffled by Jonathan’s action. They had no idea how to react to the current situation.
Sensing their confusion, Jimmy calmly interjected, “Fenix, Grayden, you should accept Jonathan’s offer.”
After all, one million was not a small sum. It was natural for Fenix and Grayden to get enticed. Deep inside, the two knew they were not heavily injured. Since Jimmy had given the order, they accepted the gold card without further fuss.
“Shouldn’t you thank Jonathan?” Jimmy reprimanded.
Fenix and Grayden immediately clasped their fists and said, “Thank you!”
Jonathan chuckled. “The two of you are most welcome. We wouldn’t have been acquainted if not for the fight.”
“Since the misunderstanding has been resolved, let’s have a drink and chat together. Jonathan, what do you think?” Jimmy suggested.
Jonathan broke into a grin as he replied, “I’m more than happy to oblige.”
He had been arrogant when he first appeared, but he had mellowed out and became courteous after the fights. That was Jonathan’s tactic.
If he had come in and politely gone about his way, they would have disregarded him, and no one would have paid him any heed.
Acting humble after winning the fight was the way to grab their attention and respect.
Following that, Jimmy turned to Douglas and the others. He said, “Why are you still here?”
Douglas and his men immediately retreated after being dismissed.
The dishes were served soon after the three of them left.
Jonathan, Jennifer, and Jimmy all sat down in their seats.
Jimmy raised his glass. “Jonathan, here’s a toast to you! I’ve been living in Horington for many years, yet this is the first time I’ve met such an outstanding young man like you.”
Jonathan chuckled and replied, “You’re far too kind. Now that we’re all friends now, just let me know if you need my aid.”
“Very well!” Jimmy cackled. He was quick to agree, as it would do him no harm to be on good terms with a powerful man like Jonathan. However, Jimmy was not completely taken in. He wondered what kind of favor Jonathan would ask from him. Jimmy was a shrewd person, after all. He had long seen through Jonathan’s ploy to get acquainted with them.
On the surface, they appeared to be chummy, long-lost friends. However, both parties were cautiously testing the waters at that very moment.
Meanwhile, Jennifer had been unable to get a word in the entire time.
Just then, Jimmy turned to Jonathan and said, “This person must be your lover.”
Jonathan had not dared to formally introduce Jennifer as his woman. Coughing awkwardly, he said, “This is Jen.”
Jimmy was a little startled, but he did not probe any further. He politely held his hand toward Jennifer and introduced himself. “Hello, my name is Jimmy Lancaster.”
Jennifer shook the offered hand and replied simply, “Jennifer Hoffman.”
Both of them withdrew their hands almost immediately after the greeting.
Soon, more dishes arrived. They all tucked in as they conversed.
Jonathan decided to address the matter directly. “Jimmy, you must be wondering why I’ve approached your group.”
“Yes, I can’t say it didn’t weigh on my mind,” Jimmy replied. Seeing that Jonathan was being frank with him, he also decided to be straightforward.
“From my understanding, Bar Street is under your jurisdiction. I wish to open my own bar here, and I hope you’ll help me out when the time comes.”
Upon hearing Jonathan’s words, Jimmy heaved a sigh of relief. It was not a difficult request, and he was more than willing to do the latter a favor. “Don’t worry, Jonathan. I will help you if you encounter any difficulties when opening your bar. If you need contacts, staff, or even a storefront, I can handle it for you. Not to toot my own horn, but you’ve definitely come to the right person. If it had been something else, I wouldn’t be able to guarantee my help. However, as long as it’s related to Bar Street, I’m definitely the right person to ask,” assured Jimmy.
“Then, Jen and I will thank you in advance,” Jonathan quickly said. “I had intended to divide the shares of my bar into six, but I will increase it to seven and offer you one.”
Jimmy waved his hand dismissively. “There’s no need for you to do that. It’s merely a small matter for me. I have no issues helping out a buddy. You’re going to make me look bad if you were to say another word.”
Jonathan could see that Jimmy was being sincere. Thus, he dropped the subject of the shares. It was not unusual for someone of Jimmy’s status to be indifferent to the share of a small bar.
At that point, Jennifer had finally understood Jonathan’s ploy. She was overjoyed after vaguely figuring out Jimmy’s identity. She knew that if they had Jimmy backing them, their plan to open a bar would likely be a success. Hence, Jennifer’s respect for Jonathan went up another notch.
Following that, Jonathan and Jimmy chatted away happily. They no longer discussed the matters of the bar, and they sat back and enjoyed their wine leisurely.
The two of them soon became very drunk.
Eventually, Jennifer had to step in and help Jonathan because the other two were drunkenly shouting to continue drinking. Fenix and the others propped Jimmy up and helped the two drunkards into the cars.
Grayden was extremely courteous toward Jonathan, as he had received five hundred thousand because of the latter. How could he not be grateful to Jonathan? He sidled in front of Jennifer before he offered, “Ms. Hoffman, do you need help with sending Mr. Lawson home?”
Jennifer grinned. “It’s fine. I can handle it.”
Grayden replied, “All right. Stay safe.”
