Chapter 109 A Merciful Reprieve
Robert and Mike had been out handling business together.
Earlier, they were heading to report some matters to Liam when they sensed two formidable presences near the entrance of the suburb they were approaching. At their level of expertise, their sensitivity to power auras was incredibly acute.
The two seasoned figures they detected hadn't bothered to conceal their strength any longer, so Robert and Mike picked up on it almost instantly.
Without a second of hesitation, they leaped from their car and followed the trail of the potent aura.
"You two are barely scratching the surface of being Generalissimos. You don't even qualify to go up against Liam!" Mike declared.
The two elders' pupils contracted sharply as they gauged the power radiating from Robert and Mike.
'Either Robert or Mike alone is stronger than both of us put together!'
'Wasn't it rumored that only Robert had broken through to the Generalissimo level alongside Liam?'
'Now, they couldn't determine the exact level of Robert and Mike's abilities, yet it was clear that they were in the advanced stages of Generalissimo. By that logic, the BS Brigade's four commanders and the Shadow Gang's top four enforcers must all be at least in the mid or late stages of Generalissimo!'
'This is a nightmare! Without a doubt, our intel is completely off!'
Mike and Robert then turned toward Liam with respectful tones. "How did you two get here?" Liam asked with a smile.
He looked back at the two elders, "So, you want to know if I'm injured or not?"
"Here's the deal, I'll give you both a chance. Go all out, and if you can withstand just one move from me, I'll let you walk away unscathed. How's that?"
"Are you serious?" the white-haired elder's eyes sparked with hope.
'When Robert and Mike appeared, a thread of despair had woven its way into his heart. Today they'd stumbled into trouble, and escaping unscathed was highly unlikely.'
'Now, Liam was offering them a chance. All they needed to do was withstand a single move, and they could leave safely. It was an immense opportunity!'
'The rumor of Liam's injury was an open secret, and their trek to CUG city was just to confirm the extent of his damages.'
'He believed that together, they could stand against a wounded Liam. Not just for one move, but maybe even ten!'
"Let Robert and me handle this. You don't need to step in," Mike said, looking at Liam.
"They've come a long way from DC city to CUG city just to check on my injuries. We can't leave them disappointed," Liam replied, the corner of his mouth lifting in a faint smile.
He then fixed his gaze on the elders, "Take your shot!"
"Remember, you've got one shot at this, so give it everything you've got!"
Twin torrents of wild, unstoppable force surged skyward, swiftly shrouding the sky above. Instantly, their palms cut through the air, leaving behind a blur of afterimages. Overhead, faint silhouettes coalesced into patterns, emitting a destructive aura.
"Bring it on!" they bellowed in unison, their formidable energy bursting forth with earth-shattering force, whipping up gales and explosive sounds in the skies.
True to their Generalissimo status, the mere presence of their energy was enough to drive any Blaze Warrior or lesser combatant to despair.
"Interesting," Liam remarked coolly, unfazed by their combined attack. "Still far too weak!"
No sooner had his words faded than he casually strode forward two steps and swept out his palm, sending a gust howling through the air.
The clash of their forces was like that of three swiftly colliding mountains, causing a thunderous roar. The shockwave demolished a nearby dilapidated factory, sending up clouds of dust and a rain of debris.
At the same time, both elders' right arms exploded like they were made of paper, flesh, and blood scattering midair. They were flung back as if they were autumn leaves, spewing mouthfuls of blood before smashing into the ground and forming two craters dozens of meters away. They lay there in the rubble, unable to rise, their energy depleted.
This was the result of Liam's mercy. Had he not held back, they might have been left without an intact body.
"How is this possible?" the elders finally staggered out of their pits, their voices quivering as they addressed Liam. "You're wounded and yet you still possess the strength of a late-stage Generalissimo. Could it be that you've already advanced to Storm Knight?"
Above a Generalissimo lay the Storm Knight, and beyond that, the Stellar Guardian!
"Storm Knight?" Robert chortled dismissively.
"Idiots!" Mike glared at the two elders.
Only Mike and Robert knew the extent of Liam's true terror. They weren't even entirely sure of Liam's actual level of mastery.
They knew that even before Liam had been injured, he once single-handedly defeated a Stellar Guardian.
"I spared your arms to teach you a lesson," Liam said sternly, his gaze fixed on them. "Go back and tell whoever's backing you that if they want a fight, come at me openly. I'll accept any challenge!"
"If you try any more dirty tricks like this again, from today on, I will annihilate anyone you send my way!"
The two men exhaled deeply, a mix of relief and fear in their breath. "We thank you for sparing our lives!"
With that, they turned and fled in a panic.
"Liam, these guys are getting bolder. This time it was Generalissimo. Who knows if they'll send Storm Knight next!"
After casting a glance at the departing figures, Robert turned to Liam, "Maybe we should call in Maverick and his team to join us in CUG city?"
"Foolishness!" Liam responded sternly.
"West Land might be stable now, but there are always some troublemakers stirring up minor issues!"
"Plus, if all four of them leave West Land, the nations from the Hill will certainly seize the opportunity to strike again!"
"But..." Robert took a deep breath.
"There are no 'buts'!" Liam cut him off. "Without my approval, they are to hold their ground. That's an order!"
"Liam, Robert's concerns are legitimate," Mike said after contemplating for a moment.
"If Maverick and his team cannot be moved, let's bring in reinforcements!"
"After all, besides us five executives, the Shadow Gang has plenty of firepower. Taking care of some internal pests should be no problem!"
"The Shadow Gang has its protocols. You five are tasked with guarding your respective territories, and without an emergency, transfers are not to be taken lightly."
"Moreover, in the past year, several reclusive fighters seem to be getting restless."
"One of the Shadow Gang's responsibilities is to oversee the actions of those with power. So the burden on you five is great, and must not be taken lightly!"
"Liam, but you..." Mike tried to continue.
"Enough, we'll discuss this later!" Liam cut him off again.
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