Chapter 175

Lawrence's words enraged Claire, the Carters, the Fosters, and Christine. He accused Denton of murder without evidence—pure bullying. Gilmore, however, wasn't as surprised; he expected such behavior from Lawrence and other martial arts experts, who valued strength over evidence, believing the strong ruled the weak.

Denton laughed angrily. "Haha! Accused of killing Emerson and his men? What a joke! Lawrence Ray, don't think your Black Hawks expertise gives you free rein to bully me. I'm not afraid. Let's fight!"

Lawrence laughed maniacally. "Good! I've been waiting. I'll kill you to avenge the junior apprentices and Mr. Palmer," his eyes sharpening. He believed Denton had also stolen their property from the insurance company safe and left a mocking note. His anger could only be quenched by Denton's death. Lawrence mistakenly believed Denton was the man who committed the murders and theft.

Denton told Claire, Gilmore, the Carters, and the Fosters, "Step back." He feared they'd be injured during the fight. Knowing they were no match for the martial arts experts, the Carters and Fosters, along with Claire, Gilmore, and Christine, retreated to the back of the crowd. Norman, Thomas, and Benjamin also quietly withdrew, leaving a large empty space in the villa hall.

Denton and Lawrence faced each other, their eyes meeting in a tense standoff. The atmosphere crackled with anticipation. Denton raised his cane defensively. A slight air fluctuation, emanating from his internal mana, stirred his silver hair and clothes. The onlookers were stunned by the display of power from Oakhaven's greatest hero. The air thrummed with the intensity of several fierce tigers.

Lawrence sneered, then stepped forward, adopting a fighting stance, causing a stronger airflow than Denton's to ripple around him. His white beard and robe billowed. The Carters and Fosters, and even the onlookers, began to doubt Denton's chances. They feared Oakhaven's hero might die.

A wild wind swept the hall as Lawrence, resembling a fierce dragon, launched an incredibly fast attack. In a blink, he lunged at Denton, aiming for his throat. Denton reacted instantly, jumping back and slashing at Lawrence's hand with his cane. Lawrence caught the cane, allowing Denton to strike his chest with his other hand, the force of his internal mana blowing back Lawrence's robe. Lawrence shouted, "Good job!" and countered with a palm strike.

Their palms collided with a resounding bang, shaking the entire hall. A surge of internal mana filled the air with a terrifying aura, shocking the onlookers. Both men exerted their internal mana, their beards, hair, and robes fluttering wildly. Neither yielded. Their faces flushed, then paled, then turned black – Denton's more so than Lawrence's, indicating Lawrence's superior strength. Sweat beaded on their foreheads, Denton's profusely.

Claire, anxious, whispered to Gilmore, "Oh no, Grandfather's face is black! He'll be seriously injured if this continues." Christine, equally nervous, echoed her concern. Gilmore reassured them, claiming Denton would fight back. Claire and Christine were doubtful.

But then, Gilmore subtly released a thin beam of mana, striking Lawrence in the chest. Lawrence gasped in shock, feeling as though he'd been hit by a thousand-pound hammer. His mana was disrupted, his face turning even blacker than Denton's before he finally spat out blood.