Chapter 29: Chapter 29 : Are you short of money? No shortage of money for special effects!
Although the Ancient One is called a magician and uses magic, like all the sorcerers of the Kamar-Taj order, she has a natural talent for melee combat. She's similar to Loki, who, despite calling himself a magician, wields two daggers like an assassin. He's shifted roles, but not completely.
While a novice Loki is still figuring out how to fight in close quarters, the experienced Ancient One has already mastered it. She hardly relies on magic, treating it almost like a game.
After all, the tricky part is that the Ancient One is truly a master at hand-to-hand combat, especially her famed "lightning five whips"—so fast that even someone with super speed can't see her strikes, only the glowing golden energy.
*Lightning five whips?* Ancient One: *Are you being polite?*
*Boom!*
The Ancient One kicked out, performing a backflip to create some distance between herself and Jonny Blaze.
"The Lord of the Void is truly powerful," she complimented.
But Jonny Blaze shook his head with disappointment. "Are you short of cash?"
The Ancient One blinked, caught off guard. "Not really. Why do you ask?"
Jonny sighed. "You're not short on cash? Then why are your effects so lackluster? Where's the Wind of Watoomb, the Shield of Seraphim, the Sword of Vishanti, the Thunder of Bos'at, the Body of Hoggoth, or the Shape of Aikon? You should have them all arranged! Especially the Crimson Bands of Cyttorak—you use it, so I don't have to pretend to be flashy!"
The dignified Sorcerer Supreme seemed to have no more energy to compete with this "dimensional traveler." What about the responsibility of protecting Earth? Are you just giving up?
"Fine, I'll let it go. I'll treat you to the first cup of autumn milk tea next time," Jonny Blaze said, waving dismissively as he left the mirror dimension.
"..."
The Ancient One also left the mirror dimension, a little confused by Jonny's reaction. She felt as though she had let him down somehow. But the real question was: *What exactly had she done?*
Mordo, her student, approached with concern. "Master, are you alright?"
"I... I'm not sure," the Ancient One replied, still perplexed. After a moment of thought, she asked, "Do you know what the 'first cup of milk tea in autumn' means?"
"The first cup of milk tea in autumn? No, I don't. Isn't it just milk tea?" Mordo, too, was puzzled. Why was his master suddenly asking about milk tea? Didn't she prefer traditional tea?
The Ancient One nodded and then asked another question, "Are we short on money?"
"Money? No, we're not short on money. Master, this person—this Lord of the Void—what exactly is the Void, and what was his purpose for coming here?"
Mordo was trying to piece together the meaning behind her words, shifting the topic to ask about the mysterious visitor who had shattered the Shield of Seraphim with a single punch.
"The Void is the end of the multiversal timeline," the Ancient One explained. "As for why the Void Lord, Jonny Blaze, was here…"
She shook her head. At first, she thought he wanted the *Book of Cagliostro*, but he had simply come to test his strength and left without any clear motive.
"I don't think he has any malicious intent, but you should still show him respect if you encounter him again. He's far stronger than I initially thought—and unpredictable."
"Yes, Master."
Mordo could already sense the immense power Jonny Blaze possessed from the punch that had shattered the Seraphim's Shield. So far, he had never heard of anyone capable of doing that—not even his master.
---
**The New York Branch of Nadutong Express Logistics Co., Ltd.**
Jonny Blaze had been practicing dimensional mirroring and soul astral projection for a while. After packing some valuables from the safe into a backpack, he headed downstairs.
"Martin," Jonny called out, waving at Martin Li, who had apparently changed his clothes at some point.
Martin shivered, then rushed over with a nervous smile. "Boss, what can I do for you?"
Jonny handed him the backpack. Martin opened it, took a glance at the contents, and asked quietly, "Do you want me to dispose of this?"
Jonny nodded.
"Leave it to me."
Martin was familiar with this type of task—disposing of valuables. Back when smugglers used to bring people over illegally, many would use precious items to offset their debts when they ran out of cash.
Jonny moved to pat Martin on the shoulder, but Martin dodged, offering his other shoulder instead, as the one Jonny had aimed for was still injured.
"Smart guy," Jonny said with a satisfied grin, patting the uninjured shoulder. "Go ahead. And remember, be at work first thing tomorrow morning."
"Understood."
Martin said goodbye to Jessica Jones before leaving with the backpack.
Jessica hooked her arm around Jonny's and led him to the side, speaking in a low voice. "Did you hit him before sending him off?"
"What did he say?" Jonny asked.
Jessica shook her head. "I'm not blind—I can tell when someone's injured. Even though he changed his clothes, I could still smell a faint trace of blood."
Jonny raised an eyebrow. "And you think he's miserable?"
Jessica nodded. "You don't know. He used to own a zipper factory back in your hometown. He and his wife lived a modest life, but then he got caught up in some trouble with local officials and had to flee here. After saving up enough money, his wife came first, but she found a new love."
"When he finally smuggled his way here, he saw many others die in cramped, dark spaces. Some from dehydration, others from suffocation. And just when hope seemed close, the boat capsized. Over 200 people drowned. He was the only survivor."
Jonny looked at Jessica, sensing her sympathy, but inwardly, he knew that Martin had been spinning a lie. Whether it was the story about his wife or being the sole survivor, it was a tale to win pity. It was the kind of story Martin would tell to anyone, including Jonny, if they asked.
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