Chapter 427: Strength test

"Tell me, Nathaniel... why shouldn’t I burn you alive, aside from the fact that it’s not morally correct?"

Nathaniel gulped nervously, knowing that one wrong word could lead to his incineration. Zoren was not joking, and he knew that. After all, Nathaniel had just revealed to the man behind the Phantom Circle that he knew their true identity.

How would he get away from that? Just knowing a member of that group was dangerous enough. What more if someone knew the person behind the group?

Nathaniel took a deep breath and tried to calm his racing heart. He opened his mouth to explain but stopped when he heard the commotion outside.

"It’s there!"

"They’re there!"

"Black cat on the loose! I repeat, black cat on the loose!"

Deep lines appeared between Nathaniel’s brows as he heard loud footsteps and yells outside. He could see hurried silhouettes through the obscured window, but couldn’t understand the gravity of the situation outside.

’What’s going on outside?’ he wondered. ’Could there be an enemy here? That’s bold of them if that’s true. This is basically the Phantom Circle’s hive.’

Nathaniel wasn’t the only one distracted by the commotion. Everyone in the room furrowed their brows and glanced at their leader, Mark.

Mark turned away, pressing his earpiece to get a report from his people outside. Most of Zoren’s men were still outside the manor, while the night shift bodyguards from Prime Group were on duty. There were plenty of people outside who could provide answers.

But then...

"Sir — ackk!"

Mark raised an eyebrow when all he heard from the other end was a scream followed by static. Alarm bells went off in his head, and he glanced at Zoren.

’The black cat hadn’t been here since we arrived,’

Zoren glanced in Mark’s direction and said, "Go out and check the situation. Might as well do a strength test."

"Yes, sir." Mark didn’t question it, knowing Zoren liked to test their skills alongside Renny.

No one else could tame the black panther aside from Zoren. Renny only listened to Zoren, and in other words, Renny not attacking anyone in the house unprovoked was a privilege. If Zoren wanted to, that vicious panther would attack anyone in its line of sight.

"Bring everyone with you," Zoren added, causing Mark to frown.

"But sir, this guy is still with you," said Mark, making Zoren raise an eyebrow.

"And?"

Mark pressed his lips into a thin line and lowered his head. "Very well," he said, casting a look at his men. He tipped his head and added, "Go."

The men said nothing and simply nodded. Their exit was as disciplined as soldiers. As they left, Mark’s gaze fell on Zoren again.

"Sir, if you need help, I’ll be back here," he said, while Zoren waved dismissively.

"I can handle him if it’s just him," Zoren said, his tone lazy yet confident. "My vision may be bad, but I’m not completely helpless. I can tell he might be good at something, but it’s definitely not close combat. So, I will be fine. There’s no need to worry about me."

Nathaniel smiled awkwardly. "You got that right, boss." He flinched when Mark shot him a deadly glare. He pursed his lips and behaved, knowing Zoren might show mercy, but Mark would not.

The lackey was always the hot-headed type!

"Go now, Mark," Zoren urged calmly. "It’s been a while since Renny came out to play. Chunchun’s with me, so I’ll be fine."

"Chunchun?" Mark slowly turned his gaze to the white cat approaching Nathaniel.

Meow.

"Huh?" Nathaniel raised his brows at the cat’s purr. Looking down, he saw the white, beautiful Chunchun moving closer to him. ’Does she like me? Wait, Kitty! I have gasoline on me!’

Chunchun languidly stepped on Nathaniel’s legs and purred again. But then, she scratched his face and hissed aggressively.

"Ah!!" Nathaniel stumbled back, eyes shut. "Ahh!"

Zoren chuckled as he heard the faint thud of Chunchun’s paws against Nathaniel’s skull. He cast Mark a proud and meaningful look.

"See?" he quipped. "Chunchun’s with me, so I’ll be fine."

Mark’s face contorted as he watched the cat swat Nathaniel’s head after scratching his face. ’Unfortunately, it seems her nails were trimmed.’ Even so, Mark felt slightly reassured.

’Well, even without the cat, I’m sure he can handle someone like this guy,’ he thought, shifting his attention back to Zoren. ’Even if his health is deteriorating and he can’t fight like he used to, no one can take away the skills he had in founding the Phantom Circle.’

Zoren wouldn’t have earned his men’s respect if he was weak.

"Then I’ll be on my way," Mark said, lowering his head respectfully. "I’ll try not to disappoint Renny."

Zoren smiled subtly. "Have fun. Try not to get hurt."

"Yes, sir."

With that, Mark glanced at Chunchun again. The cat had stopped attacking Nathaniel but sat near him, as if to warn him that any foolishness would result in another beating.

With that thought in mind, Mark turned and strode off. As soon as his back was turned to Zoren, a dangerous glint flickered across his eyes, and his aura shifted into combat mode.

’It’s been a while since I had some real exercise,’ he thought. ’I wonder just how strong Renny has become.’

The corner of his lips curled into an excited smirk, unable to hide his enthusiasm for the fight. What Mark didn’t know was that tonight’s welcoming party was unlike any other strength test they had before.

Tonight, they weren’t just fighting an intelligent, huge, and vicious panther. They were also up against the mother panther, who, at that moment, was enjoying an entire bottle of wine.

Zoren watched as Mark left the living area. Once Mark was completely out of sight, Zoren turned his gaze back to Nathaniel.

"So?" Zoren tilted his head. "Would you like to tell me your answer now?"