He took John to his room and listened carefully as John recounted everything. Michelle waved his hand, signaling John to leave. Stroking his goatee thoughtfully, Michelle's expression grew serious. "I didn't expect to encounter someone with such abilities in this backwater place."
"No, that's not quite right," Michelle frowned, sensing something was off. Based on John's earlier report, the Pengellet family shouldn't have been able to reach this remote area. And judging by what had happened so far, Vega shouldn't have mastered the mind powers—otherwise, the Shelby family wouldn't be in this situation. After all, under Vega's leadership, the entire city of Nacro should already be under control.
That left two possibilities.
Michelle's eyes grew contemplative.
First, perhaps the shock of the Pengellet family's destruction had triggered a sudden awakening of Vega's mind powers—but that seemed unlikely, unless Vega was a genius beyond imagination.
The second possibility was more intriguing.
Michelle's eyes gleamed greedily: Vega must have obtained a special mental artifact.
With Michelle's understanding of 'Nian' (thought power), an ordinary person who had just started awakening Nian wouldn't have this kind of strength, let alone summon so many Shadow Warriors. Even someone like Michelle, who had trained his mind for years, would find it impossible to manifest that many black shadow warriors.
So Michelle was certain: Vega must possess a powerful mental artifact. Judging by the combat ability these Shadow Warriors displayed, if Vega was just a regular person wielding this artifact clumsily, it must be extremely powerful—likely an ancient relic. Ordinary mental tools wouldn't have such strength.
A brilliant light flashed in Michelle's eyes. His interest in Vega suddenly surged—if he could seize that artifact, his power would skyrocket. That might even secure him a position as a Yin Beast, where power, treasures, and beauty would all be within reach.
"I didn't expect this," Michelle muttered with a smile. "I was sent here with Daniel to keep these country families in check... but it seems the Shelby family has brought me an unexpected opportunity."
With a sinister grin, Michelle whispered, "Then let the Shelby family be completely destroyed. I will use their downfall to claim that artifact for myself."
Michelle had no intention of letting the Shelby family survive—he was determined to possess that artifact, and to cover his tracks, he would silence any news until he had fully mastered the mental tool. Only then would the information be revealed to avoid others seizing it.
If Daniel hadn't been Lord Murphy's cousin, Michelle would have disposed of him quietly to prevent any trouble.
Just as Michelle prepared to seize Vega's ghost mask, more than a dozen black shadow warriors appeared nearby, lurking in the darkness around the Shelby family villa.
They silently drew weapons and used the cover of shadows and obstacles to stealthily approach.
Suddenly, one Black Shadow Warrior rushed across an open lawn into the villa grounds.
Dogs immediately began barking fiercely.
Within moments, the villa was on high alert—countless lights flicked on as armed guards rushed out, dogs barking and straining against their leashes.
Gunfire shattered the night as bullets tore through the charging Doberman Pinschers.
After neutralizing the dogs, the Black Shadow Warrior charged toward the villa.
Inside, the Shelby family's men quickly took up arms. The villa had been under constant attack recently, so they were ready.
Submachine guns, machine guns, bazookas, and other weapons opened fire, turning the lawn into a blazing war zone. Many Black Shadow Warriors fell or were wounded as they pushed forward.
On the villa balcony, Tom puffed on a cigar, scowling. "I've prepared well—come on, show me how you lousy pests fight!"
Several gangsters immediately went to check the lawn's situation under their leader's orders.
Meanwhile, Michelle stood on a distant balcony, watching the scene coldly through condensation on the glass.
"Just as John said, these Shadow Warriors are all manifestations of mental Qi," Michelle mused.
"My guess wasn't wrong. And luckily, Vega attacked the Shelby villa directly—I was worried about finding him, but now he's practically handed himself over."
Michelle's eyes scanned carefully, trying to locate Vega's hiding place where he was commanding the Shadow Warriors.
In another room, Daniel, who had been partying, heard the gunfire and rushed outside in pajamas, heart pounding with fear.
He shouted to Michelle for protection, knowing firsthand how dangerous those with 'Nian' powers could be.
For Daniel, safety lay only with Michelle.
Michelle heard the shout, his face tightening in annoyance—he was trying to focus on finding Vega's exact location to seize the artifact first, and Daniel's loud call might spook him.
Just as Michelle was getting irritated, a sudden roaring noise filled the air.
Several trucks accelerated wildly from different directions, rushing toward the villa.