Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Clarence had had drinks with Julian the previous night, so he woke up late the morning after.
It was already eight oâclock when he opened Thirteen Hallâs door.
Just like yesterday morning, two people were standing still at Thirteen Hallâs entrance. One was Gunther, while the other was River.
âMaster Howard!â
When they saw Clarence open the door, it was impossible to tell who was more excited than the other.
Clarence glanced at both of them. âYou came.
âCome in.â
.
âYes.â Gunther and River dared not waste time.
One wanted Clarence to help restore his internal energy for martial arts, and the other wanted Clarence to help cure his illness.
Clarence was about to sweep the floor. Gunther rushed forward. âMaster Howard, let me help you.â
Clarence glanced at Gunther and nodded. âOkay.â
After handing the broom and dustpan to Gunther, Clarence headed toward Thirteen Hallâs entrance.
River lunged forward and grabbed Clarence. He was a little panicked. âMaster Howard, you said you would help me with my illness. Where are you going?â
âI havenât had my breakfast. Do you expect me to give you treatment on an empty stomach?â Clarence looked at River.
River smiled a slight smile. âWhat would you like to eat?
âIâll get it for you.â
The head of the Food and Drug Administration was utterly respectful.
âAlright.â
Clarence did not hold back. âI want Campbell Soup Shopâs mushroom soup and an Old MacDonaldâs bagel.
âAlso, a sandwich and a soy latte from Aunt Leslie at the corner of the street.
âRemember, 30% sugar for my soy latte.â
âAlright, got it.â River rushed out of Thirteen Hall as fast as he could.
He was back in less than twenty minutes with what Clarence had wanted.
Clarence took his time eating breakfast.
Gunther and River waited for Clarence, not saying a word.
Clarence finished his meal, took out his handkerchief, and wiped his mouth. âWhoâs going to go first?â
âIâll go first!â River was enthusiastic. âMaster Howard, Iâll go first.â
âOkay.â
Clarence got up, walked over to River, raised his hand, and slapped River thrice. Gunther was left dumbfounded at the sight of it.
âAlright, you can go now.â Clarence waved him out.
River thanked him frantically. âMaster Howard, thank you. Iâll be back tomorrow.â
âNow, itâs your turn.â Clarence sauntered over.
Gunther smiled sadly. âMaster Howard, the way you give treatment is truly miraculous.
âIf you can help me restore my martial arts abilities, you can slap me however you want.â
Clarence knew that Gunther misunderstood him. He shook his head in amusement. âRiver has eaten too much meat and fish, which has caused the accumulation of toxins in his body. He may get hemiplegia, so Iâm trying to detoxify him.
âWhy should I slap you when Iâm only restoring your internal energy?â
âI donât need to be slapped?â Gunther was delighted.
Clarence pointed to a bamboo bed not far away from them. âLie on that.â
âOkay.â
Gunther quickly lay down on the bamboo bed.
Clarence went over, pulled off Guntherâs clothes, and inserted several silver needles into his stomach.
That time that Clarence crippled Guntherâs martial arts abilities, he had not completely crippled his pubic region. He had only blocked Guntherâs meridians.
Gunther could regain his powers whenever he unblocked his meridians.
Clarence only inserted three needles before Gunther felt heat surge through his pubic region. He was excited!
âAlright, your internal energy should be restored now.â Clarence removed the silver needles.
Gunther fell to his knees in elation. âThank you, Master Howard. Youâre my second parent.â
Clarence helped Gunther to his feet. âIâm no second parent. I was the one who blocked your pubic region.
âI blocked your pubic region because you wanted to hurt me.
âNow that we have nothing against each other, Iâve unblocked your pubic region, so weâre even.â
Gunther got up, nodded silently, and stood aside.
Clarence ignored Gunther and went behind the counter to clean up.
Trevor and Greyson were absent today, leaving Clarence to clean up after himself.
About half an hour later, Clarence found Gunther still standing there, as stiff as a log. âWhy are you still here?
âThereâs nothing else wrong with you, your martial arts abilities have already been restored.
âYou can go back now.â
Gunther quickly replied, âMaster Howard, Mr. Julian told me to protect you from now on.â
âProtect me?â Clarence was a little surprised.
Gunther might not be the best martial artist, but he could easily take on a dozen to twenty ordinary people by himself.
âJulian asked Gunther to protect me?â
âYes, Mr. Julian said nothing could happen to you, even if I had to die.â Gunther nodded solemnly. Clarence could tell he was serious.
Clarence shrugged. âIâm only running a small business which has not yet open for business. I canât afford to pay you.â
Gunther paused, shook his head, and said with a smile, âYouâre kidding me, Master Howard. Mr. Julian pays me every month, so you donât need to pay me.â
âMaster Howard, help!â Suddenly, a panic-stricken voice came from outside Thirteen Hallâs entrance. Master Williams came rushing in with a girl of about twelve or thirteen.
A middle-aged couple was behind him. They were presumably the girlâs parents.
Belle and Melody had also followed them into Thirteen Hall.
Clarence told Master Williams to lay the girl down on the bamboo bed. âWhat happened?â
Master Williamsâ face was red. âI was incompetent. I prescribed her the wrong medication.â
The girlâs mother swore. âYou quack. How dare you call yourself Master Williams?
âWe came here out of admiration, and you killed my daughter.
âPay for my daughterâs life!â
The girlâs mother rushed forward and scratched Master Williamsâ face.
Master Williams did not move nor fight back.
With red eyes, the girlâs father went forward too and pulled his wife away. âThatâs enough. Luna has heart disease, and the doctor said she wouldnât make it past twelve years old. I should have seen this coming.â
The woman turned and roared, âAre you still human?
âThis is our daughter!
âHow can you be so calm? Arenât you capable? Go and kill him. Avenge our daughter!â
The manâs face was grim as he grabbed his wife without uttering another word.
Belle quickly said, âYouâve said it yourself. Your daughter has heart disease.
âIt wasnât Humanity Hall that had a medical accident.â
Melody nodded immediately. âThatâs right. Itâs not our responsibility.â
The little girlâs heart had stopped beating in Humanity Hall, and it was already too late to go to the hospital.
It was important for Belle and Melody to disassociate themselves from her right now.
Clarence ignored them. He walked over to the bamboo bed and took off the girlâs clothes.
Like a startled tiger, the girlâs mother lunged forward and slapped Clarence in the face.
Slap...
âWhat are you doing? My daughterâs dead, yet youâre desecrating her body?!
âYou brute!â
The womanâs eyes were red as tears welled up in them. She was emotionally unstable.
âHow dare you lay a hand on Master Howard?â Guntherâs face darkened. He was about to take the woman down.
Clarence shook his head and asked Gunther to back off. He did not argue with the frantic woman. âYour daughter can still be saved. Are you sure you want to waste precious time?â