It was love at first sight.
It was as if it were tailor-made for Fujimura and Tony.
This was their first meeting in the underground cave, but for some reason, they felt like old friends who had known each other for years, chatting happily.
"Grand Mage Fujimura, it seems we are truly destined to meet. Why don't you come and visit my clan? If our people knew you were coming as a guest, they would surely entertain you well."
Tony extended an invitation.
The truth was, his leaving the clan for training abroad was largely due to his elders' dissatisfaction with his lack of achievements so far.
If he returned without any accomplishments, he feared he would once again be greatly disappointed in the eyes of his elders.
Furthermore—
Although he had been humiliated by Chen Yu, making a big fuss to have his clan seek revenge for him would likely be met with much opposition or grumbling from those within the clan, given his already low standing.
However, with Fujimura present, things would be different.
A Golden Peak realm Grand Mage, only one step away from the Obsidian realm. Such a Grand Mage would be treated with great respect by the Ska family, perhaps even sought after.
The reason was simple.
Mages were special.
Swordsmen.
As long as they practiced diligently, they could achieve good results, and with some resources, their cultivation would become smoother.
Mages were different!
Even for a magic apprentice, a mage's perception was of elemental laws, and their control was over the elemental power within space, not the pure strength of a swordsman.
Below the Colored realm.
Mages generally held a much higher status than swordsmen.
Only upon entering the Colored realm, when swordsmen also touched upon the power of origin, could they compare with mages.
If Tony could invite Fujimura to his clan, then his trip would not be without gain. Seeing him associate with a Grand Mage, even if his clan didn't treat him with special consideration, it would at least alleviate his current situation within the clan.
"Certainly."
Upon hearing this, Fujimura, with a smile on his face, readily agreed.
An invitation?
It was exactly what he had in mind.
Although he was a Golden realm mage, he came from a humble background. He was also happy to associate with a prestigious family like the Ska family, perhaps he could use it as a stepping stone to go even higher.
The two, with their mutual needs, hit it off immediately.
Meanwhile, the painter, who had drawn the portrait and suffered undeserved misfortune, was ignored.
"How is it? Are you injured?" Just as Fujimura was about to happily lead him to the clan, a low voice came from behind them.
This familiar voice made Tony subconsciously glance sideways.
Immediately, he saw Clark bending down to help the painter up, gently dusting him off, and then frowning as he looked at his injuries.
Perhaps it was Clark's previous ferocity that made Tony somewhat wary.
He did not dare to cause more trouble and turned to leave.
"Stop right there. You hit someone and now you want to leave?"
A sharp reprimand came. Tony, who was already preparing to leave, suddenly showed a venomous expression. He clenched his fists, remained silent for a long time, and then slowly turned back. When he met Clark's gaze, he feigned surprise and showed an astonished expression.
"Oh, City Guard, what are you doing here?"
"Committing assault in the street, beating up the city's citizens. Young master of the Ska family, do you still have any regard for the law?" Clark's expression was stern as he stared intently at Tony. "You are truly too much of a dandy."
"You know each other?"
Fujimura, not understanding, raised his eyebrows slightly.
"Yes, we met at the City Management Office not long ago." Tony shrugged dismissively. Fujimura's expression changed slightly upon hearing this, and he dared not respond.
He was not familiar with the forces within this town.
Although Tony came from the Ska family, it would not be worth it to provoke the town's management. Moreover, judging by this person's attitude, there was no sign of fawning or fear towards Tony.
Perhaps this person also had a significant background.
After a long period of contemplation,
Fujimura took a deep breath.
"He is stationed in this city?"
"Yes, just a small city guard, a doorkeeper of the town." After Tony finished speaking, Fujimura, who had been somewhat wary, no longer had any reservations.
A mere city guard was not worth mentioning.
He couldn't help but look at Clark with much more contempt.
"What does it have to do with you whether I'm a dandy or not? I didn't expect you to be so nosy. Have you even considered your own capabilities?" Tony looked at Clark with disdain. "Looking at you, you're wearing plain clothes, so you're probably not a city guard anymore, are you?"
"So what?"
Clark gently spread his hands, then he directly shouted to the surroundings.
"Everyone, come and see! The direct descendant of the Ska family is beating up our town's citizens in the street. I can't believe that out of the vast Ska family, they have produced such degenerates. And you call yourselves a prestigious family? With such disgraceful members, is this how prestigious families educate their kin?"
Upon hearing this shout, more and more townspeople gathered.
Before, they were relatively far away and did not know that Tony was from the Ska family. They only saw someone beating up a painter in the street, and that was all.
Now—
With Clark's shouting, everyone heard it, and the subsequent uproar and discussion became even more fervent.
"The Ska family?"
"Heavens, it's actually someone from the Ska family, and they're beating people in the street. Why haven't the city guards come to uphold justice yet? Can people from the Ska family ignore the town's laws?"
"Big families have privileges?!"
"That can't be right. The head of the Ska family has always been humble and kind. Every month, he organizes food distribution activities. How could his kin beat people, and a direct descendant at that?"
The discussions did not cease.
Hearing the townspeople's discussions around them, Giles and Tony's expressions changed dramatically.
"What nonsense are you talking about?!" Tony yelled, his expression clearly showing panic.
Clark couldn't help but purse his lips and smile slightly.
Great noble families.
They all have a fatal weakness: they need to care about their public image.
Now that the townspeople were discussing heatedly,
Even if Tony was a dandy, if his clan found out about this matter, he would not fare well.
"I'm talking nonsense? Young master, you were seen by everyone beating people in the street, so how can I be talking nonsense?" Clark smiled and turned to look at the surrounding townspeople. "Everyone saw it, right? He was the one beating people in the street?"
"Yes! I saw him, it was him!"
"I saw it too."
"Me too!"
More and more people chimed in, and Tony's face turned ashen. Giles also knew that things were not looking good and that if this continued, it might lead to very serious consequences, so he reached out to pull Tony.
"Young Master Tony, let's return to the clan."
"You really want to die!" Tony, who was being pulled, broke free from Giles and reached out to grab Clark's collar.
Clark, being grabbed, smiled and, without resisting, spread his hands and shouted.
"The Ska family is beating people!!!"