Ronald was the only one who stayed behind. “Why are you still here, Ronald? Go back,” Paul said. Ronald did not answer him.
He gave him a quick once over and looked at Dustin instead. “Dustin, where did you hire this person?” “What? What nonsense is that?” Paul frowned.
“Well? Are you going to keep up the act?” Ronald’s expression darkened.“Watch it! Is this how you talk to your mentor? How rude!” Paul scolded angrily.
“Hmph! I’ll see for myself if you’re a man or a ghost!” Ronald huffed.
Suddenly, he reached out to claw at Paul’s face.
Paul frowned and quickly stepped back. But he wasn’t fast enough.
Just as Ronald was about to grab him, Dustin rushed up and stood
between the two.
“Sir Reeds, please have mercy. Hear me out,” he said.
“You horrid student! How dare you attack your mentor?
“That is unacceptable behavior!” Paul looked furious.
“Alright, alright. Enough with that. Sir Reeds has already seen through
your disguise.”
Dustin shot the person behind him a warning look.
Paul’s expression immediately changed when he heard that. He was livid
just moments ago but now broke out into a mischievous smile.
Then, a woman’s voice could be heard coming from him.
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“As expected from a grandmaster! I’ve put so much effort into making this prosthetic mask.
“But you were still able to see through it.”
Then, reaching up to grab the mask, Paul’s face disappeared instantly. Instead, a beautiful and alluring face appeared before them.
It was Azalea!
“Who is this, Dustin?” Ronald frowned.
“She’s a friend of mine, Sir Reeds. She’s skilled in the art of face–changing.
11
Dustin bowed and explained, “This was my last resort. I had to expose Spring. Please overlook this.”
“Oh, so she’s skilled in the arts of disguise.” Ronald nodded.
Then he said, “Though your actions do not seem right, you only did this to prove your innocence. It’s understandable.”
“Thank you for understanding, Sir Reeds.” Dustin nodded at him.
He knew getting Azalea to pretend to be Paul was offensive to Paul.
“Let’s skip the formalities. I’m happy that you were able to clear yourself
of the accusations.
“The Balerno martial arts alliance needs young talents like you. Your generation will rule the martial world in the future,” Ronald said.
“You’re flattering me, Sir Reeds.” Dustin smiled.
“Right, before I forget about it.”
Ronald seemed to recall something. He pulled out a bottle containing a
pill and handed it to Dustin.
“Here’s the antidote for Septemortis. Go on and take it.
“We don’t want the poison to seep into your bone marrows. It might cause
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“Thank you, Sir Reeds.”
Dustin took the bottle, poured the antidote pill, and swallowed it.
“Alright, I’ve done what I came to do. The alliance will punish Spring publicly tomorrow.
“Come over to witness it if you haven’t got anything better to do. I’ll be leaving now.”
Then, Ronald turned to leave.
Suddenly, Dustin’s face paled. Then, he began coughing up blood, which was black.
He slumped to the ground weakly.
“Dustin?” Azalea’s eyes widened as she hurried to steady him.
“Dustin! What’s wrong?” Ronald was startled.
“The antidote… It’s poisonous!”
Dustin gritted his teeth as sweat poured down his face.
There was poison coated within the antidote. As nobody had checked, he had been tricked into taking it.
“There’s poison? How could that be?”
Ronald’s brows locked tightly together. “I’ve been keeping the antidote with me wherever I go all these days. Nobody has touched it …”
As he spoke, he suddenly paused. “Hold on! The antidote was given to me
by Conrad Melling! Could he have done something with it?”
That bastard! How could he be so cunning!
“Quick! Gather everyone from the alliance! I want Conrad captured!
‘And send someone to Stoneray Valley! Request for Dr. Watkins to come
and help Dustin!
