The Deceitful One

Bryan was taken aback and his eyebrows couldn't help but twitch. He couldn't help but think, 'What a lame fucking name!'

Seeing him speechless, Detective Watson chuckled, thinking that he was surprised by the profoundness of the Myriad Martial Technique.

"Okay now come at me." Detective Watson put his left hand behind his back and beckoned at him with his right hand.

Seeing this, Bryan didn't hesitate. Not for a moment did he think that he could defeat Detective Watson, after all he was Rank 3 Transcendent, even if he was from the Wisdom Path. Hence, Bryan attacked with all his strength.

He rushed to Detective Watson's front, launching a left hook. Detective Watson didn't even bat an eyelid. He raised his right palm towards the incoming punch and swatted it right with the back of his palm to change the punch's trajectory.

Following that, he raised his right elbow in an upward motion and let Bryan run into it. Seeing the elbow enlarge in his view, Bryan tried to stop but it was too late. The elbow hit him straight on his forehead. His head jerked backward and he fell to the ground on his back.

"Hehe, this is the essence of the Myriad Martial Technique: using your opponent's strength against them." Detective Watson chuckled.

"Ouch, that hurt!" Bryan rubbed his forehead and groaned.

"It's alright, you'll get used to the pain. Come now, again." Detective Watson replied with a smile.

'Fuck me!' Bryan mumbled inwardly but he still got up and got ready to attack again. This time he decided to try to trick Detective Watson.

He approached Detective Watson and used his left arm again to land an uppercut. But midway, his left arm stopped. It was just a faint! He used his other arm and launched a right hook instead.

Detective Watson smirked. He turned his body sideways, used his right hand to grab Bryan's right wrist, and pulled it closer. Then he calmly used his left knee, raised it, and struck Bryan's solar plexus. And all this while, Detective Watson's left hand was still behind his back.

After being kneed in the stomach, Bryan curled up like a shrimp and fell to the ground gasping for air. After about a minute, he managed to stand up and looked at Detective Watson in indignation, "Teacher you're too ruthless. How can you harm your one and only precious student?"

Detective Watson rolled his eyes at him and replied, "Do you think your enemy will go easy on you?"

Bryan cried out, "But you're not my enemy!"

"That's true but you won't be able to truly learn this combat technique if I go easier on you. The best way to learn is to physically experience it yourself." Detective Watson smirked.

Bryan subconsciously stepped back and stuttered, "N-no. Show mercy! Mercy aaahhh."

For the next two hours, all that could be heard from the garden of 22 Augustus Street was the sound of beating and the painful whines of Bryan.

…

After completing combat training, Detective Watson brought Bryan to the dining room to have lunch. Butler John and the few maids that were serving food looked pitifully at Bryan who was bruised and battered.

Bryan kept mumbling the words 'injustice' and 'the world is cruel' as he sat on the chair with a listless look in his eyes. Detective Watson found this very amusing. He said, "This is all for your own good, Bryan. You'll thank me in the future."

"How long will this continue, teacher? I'm afraid I'll be crippled sooner or later." Bryan asked with the same listless expression.

"This will go on until you can hold your own against me for a minute, at least. And don't worry I won't use my full strength." Detective Watson chuckled.

After hearing his words, the last embers of hope in Bryan's heart instantly vanished. He replied gloomily, "Yes teacher."

"Oh and by the way, I'll take you to the shooting range at the police station tomorrow. We'll alternate between combat training and shooting practice every other day." Detective Watson added.

Bryan's eyes lit up. Compared to being a punching bag, he liked the idea of practicing gun shooting more. "Alright!" He replied.

After finishing up with lunch, Detective Watson gave Bryan a book titled 'Introduction to Jotnar.' Jotnar was the ancient language of the giants. It could be used to cast spells as well as hold rituals and sacrifices. He instructed Bryan to take this book and study it.

Bryan took the book and bid him farewell. Seeing him leave, Detective Watson smiled gently. 'Bryan, it must be very painful now. But it will help you in the future. You must persevere.' He thought in his heart.

He then went to his study on the second floor, sat on the chair by his table, and took out a blank piece of paper. He dipped the quill in ink and started writing a letter.

'My Dearest Abigail,

I hope you and our unborn child are in good health. I dearly miss the two of you every day. Work here has been neither hectic nor too relaxed. I have perfectly adapted to the lifestyle in Damascus.

My work here might take a year or two to complete. But do not worry, I will go back to Nadir when it's time for you to give birth. I wouldn't want to miss it for the world. I have already instructed Jimmy to bring the priest from the Church of the Earth Mother every once in a while and give you and the baby the Mother's blessings.

By the way, I have taken in a student here. He has very high potential and I expect great things from him. Maybe one day he will grow up to be an excellent detective just like me. His name is Bryan and I've taken quite a liking to him.

He reminds me much of myself when I was young. He too is an orphan just like me. The first time I met him, he was trying to trick me into giving him a job. He's one crafty little brat, I tell you. But I can tell he has a very kind and pure heart.

I plan to bring him to Nadir after my work here is done. I'm sure you'll like him too. I hope you take good care of yourself and the baby. Make sure to eat properly and rest sufficiently.

Also, I have thought about what name to give to our child. If it's a boy, we'll name him Jake. And if it's a girl, we'll call her Amy. What do you think?

Anyways, stay safe and healthy.

Love,

James.'

Detective Watson finished writing the letter and then read it with a gentle smile on his face. He folded it and put it in an envelope. On the back of the envelope, he wrote the address to his house in Nadir.

After finishing all this up, he called out for Butler John. Moments later, he heard knocking on the door to his study, "Come in." Detective Watson said.

Butler John stepped inside the room and politely stood in front of Detective Watson and asked, "What instructions do you have, sir?"

Detective Watson handed him the letter and instructed, "Take this letter and deposit it in the post office by today."

"As you wish, sir." Butler John took the letter with both hands, bowed, and left the study.

Detective Watson tidied his table, took his coat from the hanger, and left for the Church of Wisdom to meet Bishop Walls.

…

7 Robinson Street

It was already 2 pm by the time Bryan reached home. His whole body felt sore from the beating earlier in the day. He opened his apartment door, entered, locked the door behind him, and went to the living room.

He sat on the couch and dozed off within a minute. Bryan was truly fatigued, after all, he had never exercised so much in his life. The only exercise he ever did was running away from people after getting caught stealing.

After an unknown period of time, Bryan was woken up by the knocking on the door. He opened his eyes in a daze and looked out the window. The sky was beginning to darken.

He then took out his silver pocket watch, flipped the lid open, and saw the time. It was a little past 6 in the evening.

Knock Knock Knock.

Bryan heard the knocks again. He got up from the couch in a languid manner and walked to the door to open it.

After opening the door, he heard a slightly surprised voice, "Bryan, what happened to your face!? Did you get robbed?"

Bryan saw the shock on Leah's face and smiled awkwardly, "Nothing like that. I did some combat training with my teacher."

Leah knew that Bryan was Detective Watson's student. After listening to his reason, Leah couldn't help but giggle. She came close to him and whispered in his ears, "Poor Bryan, do you want me to ease your pain?"

"Yes ma'am." Bryan took her hand into his and brought her inside. He sat on the couch in the living room and had Leah sit on his lap. They chatted about their recent day-to-day experiences.

"Since you're injured, let me do all the work. I'll be the one to lead this time." Leah bit Bryan's earlobe and whispered seductively.

"I'm afraid you'll have to do all the work for the foreseeable future." Bryan grinned. Soon the apartment was filled with the sound of loud moans.