Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) novel Chapter 2387

At the same time, Benny's other hand moved with a hidden trick. A steel spike, hidden in his palm, shot forward in a sneaky strike aimed at Andrew's arm, following right behind his first attack.

The two martial experts from the Murphy family stood behind them, watching coldly without intervening. In their minds, Andrew was doomed.

Benny was the scion of the Murphy family, someone accustomed to throwing his weight around Chetvine. He was a ridiculously wealthy and privileged heir, frequently bullying and preying on others. So, they believed Andrew would likely follow the same pattern as all the others who had crossed him before.

Without a doubt, this would end in bloodshed. Benny's sneak attack would connect, and then Andrew would be beaten within an inch of his life. Eventually, Andrew would find himself on his knees, at Benny's mercy to do with as he pleased.

The two martial experts regarded the scene with cold indifference, even finding satisfaction in Benny's tyrannical display. Yet, in the next instant, everything changed.

Andrew caught Benny's palm strike directly in his hand, stopping it cold. Then, a violent surge of power erupted outward. Benny's face turned blood-red instantly as he let out a scream of pain.

Benny barely qualified as a martial saint, and that was only because the Murphy family's patriarch had expended enormous resources to artificially boost his incompetent son to that level.

Nonetheless, martial strength could not be purchased with money alone. In the presence of someone as powerful as Andrew, Benny's life could be ruined in a heartbeat if Andrew so desired.

"My hand, you bastard!" Benny shrieked as excruciating pain consumed him. In desperation, he redirected his steel spike toward Andrew's face.

Andrew's expression remained completely blank, though a hint of mockery flickered in his eyes. He raised his other hand and positioned it in front of his brow. The spike struck his palm with a dull metallic sound.

Then, Andrew's hand closed, gripping the spike and crushing it until it warped completely out of shape.

Benny gasped in horror, his face draining of all color as if he were staring at a ghost. The two bodyguards behind him immediately rushed forward, their energy surging violently.

"Please, show mercy!"

Fighting two opponents at once, Andrew did not move an inch from his position. The two Murphy family experts, both martial saints who represented the family's standing, were caught completely off guard. They both grunted in unison before their feet began sliding backward across the ground.

With each step they retreated, their feet left half-inch-deep impressions in the floor. Only after backing up five full steps did the two martial saint experts finally manage to stabilize themselves.

One of them raised a trembling finger toward Andrew, trying to speak. "You…"

Before he could finish, he coughed up a mouthful of blood and dropped to one knee. The other guard followed suit, spitting out blood just to ease the crushing pressure on his chest.

"I told you," Andrew said as he shook his head, stepping forward slowly, "I'm not in a good mood right now. But you just wouldn't listen."

Benny's face had gone completely white with terror. "Please forgive me! I'm so sorry! I was blind and foolish earlier. Please don't hold it against someone as insignificant as me!"