Idle Money System

Hearing the arrogant tone, Ethan couldn't help but scoff. "The only thing that's going to be defeated by a finger is you," he cursed inwardly, his disdain evident.

However, Jonathan caught the sound of his scoff, his expression darkening. Viper Ronin the guest that he had hired, also noticed the disdain, turning his menacing gaze toward Ethan.

"Ethan, please show respect to our guest," Jonathan said firmly, reprimanding his subordinate.

Despite being scolded, Ethan showed no remorse, his defiance was very much evident in the way he stood. Taking a deep breath, he finally spoke up.

"Boss, I respect you, but that guy is strong, and this old man? I don't see anything special about him. Why are you lowering yourself to his level? And spending a billion? That's practically all the wealth our gang has accumulated over the years! If this goes south, won't we be the ones to suffer?" His tone was firm, his displeasure clear as he stared at the old man.

Jonathan's jaw tightened, as anger flashed in his eyes. 'If he doesn't understand the real power of a martial artist, he should just keep his mouth shut,' Jonathan thought, barely holding back his frustration. Discover hidden tales at empire

Jonathan was on the verge of losing his temper, ready to reprimand Ethan and demand an apology.

However, Viper Ronin raised a hand, signaling him to stop, his expression playful as he turned his gaze toward Ethan.

"So, you're saying that just because I'm old, I'll become nothing but a fodder in a fight? Is that what you mean?" Viper Ronin asked, pursing his lips with a mocking smile.

Ethan, standing beside Jonathan, sneered at the remark and responded without hesitation.

"Of course! You're going up against a man known for dodging bullets, and he looks like he's still in his prime. You, on the other hand, look like you're on your last legs. Why wouldn't I be skeptical?"

Jonathan's face darkened hearing this, his anger was boiling over. Ethan's disrespectful words were like fuel to the fire, and he looked as if he were ready to lash out.

But since he was stopped by Viper Ronin, he knows that this old man will make him broadened his horizons also him.

Ethan had only heard rumors about Viper Ronin's skills, but rumors are just rumors after all.

"Alright then," Viper Ronin said in a calm tone, his eyes locking onto Ethan's.

"If you're so curious about my capabilities, grab a gun and shoot me."

Standing up from his seat, Viper Ronin exuded an air of confidence, his gaze playful yet powerful.

He had encountered countless ignorant fools in his lifetime, and now that he had the chance to silence one in spectacular fashion, he wasn't about to pass it up.

Ethan froze for a moment, stunned by the audacious request. But his hesitation quickly turned into a vicious grin.

"Don't back out of your words, old man," he sneered, stepping down from the platform.

He walked toward one of the nearby subordinates and held out his hand, "Hand me a gun," Ethan commanded.

The subordinate, a man with tattoos sprawled across his face, was momentarily taken aback but quickly complied.

Reaching for the firearm holstered at his hip, he passed it to Ethan without a word.

He also felt a growing dissatisfaction with the old man, who carried himself with an air of superiority in front of his bosses.

A part of him craved to see this arrogant elder humbled and put in his place. After taking the gun, Ethan's gaze shifted to Viper Ronin, who stood tall and imposing on the platform, looking down at him as though he were nothing more than an insect.

Ethan smirked coldly, his grip tightening on the weapon, "You're not going to back down from your words, right?" he asked, his tone laced with mockery.

Viper Ronin responded with a hearty laugh, his demeanor calm and unshaken, even with a loaded gun now aimed at him.

"Kid, don't make me laugh," he said, his voice resonating with authority.

"It's just a gun. Go ahead and shoot. Even if you brought a rifle, the result would be the same."

Ethan snorted just dismissively from his words, "You asked for it," he said, raising the gun and aiming the muzzle directly at the old man.

He pulled the trigger, and the gun roared to life, sparks flying as the bullet tore through the air with blinding speed, invisible to the naked eye.

The subordinates gathered below the platform could barely contain their excitement, anticipating the sight of the old man writhing in pain.

Ethan, too, smirked, waiting to see the terror in Viper Ronin's eyes—a proof to be that the old man wasn't as extraordinary as he claimed to be.

Even Jonathan, standing to the side, felt a surge of curiosity and anticipation. He wanted to witness, firsthand, the legendary skills of a real life grandmaster.

As the trigger clicked and the bullet sped toward him, Viper Ronin remained as calm as still water. With unhurried precision, he raised his hand and extended his index finger.

The crowd watched in disbelief as the bullet collided with his fingertip, seemingly stopped mid-flight.

The scene that Ethan and the others were expecting a bloody moment did not appear, their faces revealed a ghastly expression felt like they were seeing a ghost.

Jonathan stood frozen in awe, his face alight with amazement. The sight before him was almost too surreal to believe.

The old man, with nothing but an outstretched index finger, had stopped the bullet mid-air.

The projectile hovered for a split second, the tip pressed firmly against his fingertip, as though it had struck an impenetrable wall.

Without so much as flinching, Viper Ronin casually caught the bullet in his hand. With a slight squeeze, he crushed it effortlessly.

As he opened his palm, the bullet crumbled into tiny scraps, falling to the floor like discarded shreds of paper.

Ethan's face turned ghostly pale, his mouth agape as he stammered, "T-That's impossible... How—how can someone like you exist? Stopping a bullet... This isn't human!"

His voice trembled as he swallowed hard, his expression a mix of disbelief and terror.

Viper Ronin couldn't help but let out a deep, rumbling chuckle, his arrogant smirk growing wider as he surveyed the stunned faces around him.

"If you can't accept reality, feel free to shoot again," Viper Ronin said coolly, motioning for Ethan to pull the trigger once more.

Ethan just stood there, dumbfounded, his mind struggling to process what he had just witnessed. Refusing to believe what he saw, he squeezed the trigger again. The gun roared, and another bullet shot through the air.

But the old man remained unshaken, effortlessly stopping each bullet with just his index finger. Every round fell harmlessly to the ground, the metallic clinking echoing in the room.

Ethan's hands began to tremble as his disbelief turned to panic. Refusing to give in, he fired again and again, yet every single bullet met the same fate.

Viper Ronin stopped each one as if it were nothing more than a harmless pebble.

Eventually, the magazine ran dry. The gun clicked, signaling its emptiness. Ethan stared at the old man, his expression frozen in terror and awe. It was as if he were gazing upon a god.

The Black Serpent Gang, who had been watching with skeptical expressions, were now utterly transfixed.

Their disdain melted away, replaced by sheer admiration and reverence. What they had just witnessed was beyond anything they could have imagined.

Suddenly, the sound of clapping broke the tense silence. Jonathan rose from his seat, applauding with a hearty laugh.

"Hahaha, well, Ethan, are you satisfied now? Put down your gun and apologize to Master Viper," he commanded, his glare sharp and unwavering.

Ethan, now stripped of his earlier defiance, he trembled as fear gripped him. The memory of the old man's effortless display of power was etched deeply into his mind.

"I... I'm very sorry, Master Viper. Please forgive this junior for doubting your abilities," he stammered, bowing deeply. Sweat poured from his face like a waterfall.

Viper Ronin simply waved his hand dismissively, exuding the calm authority of a grandmaster, "It's fine. Just don't let your ignorance embarrass you again."

Relieved, Ethan let out a shaky breath. "Thank you, Master Viper," he said, his voice still trembling.

Jonathan turned back to Ethan with a stern expression, "Now that Master Viper has forgiven you, let this be a lesson. I trust that your understanding of the world has expanded today," he said, his tone serious.

"Remember, don't judge solely by what you see. Reality is often far beyond what your eyes can comprehend."

Ethan continued to bow deeply, his voice filled with regret, "Yes, boss, it was due to my poor eyesight that I couldn't see how mighty Master Viper truly is!" he proclaimed loudly.

Viper Ronin smiled slightly, clearly pleased with the praise. Settling back into his seat, he looked relaxed, as though he had expected no less.

Jonathan, noticing the shift in Ethan's demeanor, nodded approvingly. He then motioned for Ethan to come up and stand behind him.

With respect in his eyes, Jonathan turned toward Master Viper and spoke, his voice carrying a tone of sincerity.

"Master Viper, I want to apologize once again for my subordinate's lack of foresight. His behavior was inexcusable."

Viper Ronin waved his hand dismissively, his calm demeanor unchanged.

"A trivial matter," he said nonchalantly, as though such things were nothing out of the ordinary for him.

Jonathan, observing the old man's calm demeanor, couldn't help but feel a deeper sense of admiration.

Viper Ronin exuded an aura that made it clear he was far beyond the reach of ordinary people.

"So, about the plan, Master Viper," Jonathan began, clasping his hands together and giving them a thoughtful stroke.

"You'll handle any potential trouble, especially with Benjamin's protector. If any unforeseen crises arise during the operation, please take care of it."

Viper Ronin nodded calmly, "Don't worry. As long as I'm here, your operation will go smoothly. And as for the man you mentioned, the one at the peak of Inner Strength—he's nothing more than an ant in my eyes."

His voice was steady and composed, yet it carried an undeniable authority.

Jonathan smiled widely, his confidence soaring after witnessing the old man's incredible abilities. With Viper Ronin at his side, he was now certain his plan would succeed.

Ethan, standing beside Jonathan, remained silent. He was already feeling embarrassed for his earlier actions, and now, with the realization of the old man's overwhelming strength, he couldn't help but feel a deep sense of shame.

Still, a part of him was relieved—now that he knew Viper Ronin was on their side, victory was already in their grasps.

"Ethan," Jonathan commanded, his tone sharp and decisive.

"Initiate the plan. Tell the men at the abandoned factory to prepare. And keep an eye on that woman—capture her. Do anything and use whatever means necessary, just don't get caught."

Jonathan's smile was cold, carrying a ruthless edge. Ethan, though still humbled, nodded in acknowledgment.

He then turned and walked off the platform, as the Black Serpent Gang members following him in silent.