My Wife is a Hidden Big Shot

Chapter 284 - 276: I Can’t Control the Urge to Bully You

Elsewhere.

Owen Lowell introduced Master Aerion to the people from the other four branches, and they once again discussed challenging the Core Lineage.

According to the Lowell Family’s rules, the conditions for a branch lineage to challenge the Core Lineage were very strict.

First, all members of the branch lineages had to agree and sign off. If even one person dissented, the challenge could not proceed.

Second, the challenge was a best-of-five contest, and the Core Lineage could choose to accept or decline any given match.

If they accepted, it counted as one match. If they declined, the branch lineage had to send a different challenger until the Core Lineage agreed.

This rule largely protected the orthodox position of the Core Lineage.

"Master Aerion, we are going to issue our challenge. Would you be willing to act as an impartial witness for us?"

Owen Lowell looked toward Master Aerion, who was quietly drinking tea in the corner, his gaze filled with a certain expectation.

But Master Aerion, holding his cup, watched him with a faint, unreadable smile, offering no response.

Owen Lowell continued, "The Core Lineage has always been cunning. I’m worried they’ll play tricks, so I’d like to ask you to oversee the proceedings. It won’t be for nothing; there’s an appearance fee..."

Master Aerion set his cup aside and coughed lightly. "My principle in this world is to avoid trouble. However, if they truly resort to trickery during the matches, I will naturally uphold justice."

"Of course, of course..." Owen Lowell nodded repeatedly.

***

「The next morning.」

A familiar pounding came from the door outside.

It was accompanied by shouts and curses, enough to make anyone frown.

"Stephen Lowell, get your ass out here—"

"Stephen Lowell, we’re here to challenge you! Do you dare to accept?"

"Stephen Lowell, your old man was a respectable figure. How did he end up with a coward like you?"

...

Aurora Sinclair’s eyes flew open, only to find an arm wrapped around her waist.

"Morning, Aurora!" Alvin Morgan looked at her with his beautiful, charming eyes, full of allure, and leaned in to give her an affectionate kiss.

"Alvin..."

A strange look appeared in Aurora Sinclair’s eyes. Her voice was a mixture of shyness and annoyance as she reached out to pry his arm away.

’I actually slept so soundly last night that I didn’t even notice him sneak into bed.’

’This isn’t a good sign.’

Alvin Morgan sat up, revealing his firm upper body. His skin was fair and smooth as silk, exuding a tantalizing allure.

He wore a different kind of smile, a bit mischievous, as he leaned close to her ear and whispered ambiguously, "You were holding me very tightly last night..."

Aurora Sinclair’s fair face instantly turned bright red. "Alvin..."

"Aurora, don’t say my name like that in the morning. I won’t be able to stop myself from wanting to bully you."

...

The consequence of his morning teasing was that Aurora Sinclair refused to let Alvin Morgan get close to her.

The two of them remained two steps apart at all times.

Alvin Morgan rubbed his nose in resignation.

’It’s not always a good thing when your girlfriend is too strong.’

’When you want to tease her, you might not even be able to touch her.’

***

In the courtyard—

Stephen Lowell seemed to have been long prepared, and he had someone open the gates.

All the members of the Lowell Family’s Core Lineage had already emerged from the house, neatly dressed, and stood beside Stephen Lowell and Ethan Lowell.

When Owen Lowell arrived with the branch lineage members, he was inwardly shaken.

Because Hugo Lowell had also been wheeled out and was now watching them from a high platform with a solemn expression.

The branch members might not give Stephen Lowell any face, but they still held Hugo Lowell in awe. One by one, they performed the Ancient Martial Ceremony in his direction.

"Old Family Head—"

Hugo Lowell grunted in acknowledgment.

That single sound was enough to silence the members of the Five Branches for a long moment.

The authority he had wielded for years still lingered, and for a moment, everyone was intimidated.

Master Aerion, who had been standing at the very back, yawned and shook his head.

Under everyone’s gaze, Owen Lowell steeled himself and said bravely, "Old Family Head, the current Family Head is incompetent and untalented. The Five Branches of the branch lineages refuse to submit to him. We have come today to challenge for the position of Family Head!"

Upon hearing this, Stephen Lowell’s face turned ashen. He clenched his fists tightly as the Power of a Ninth Rank Great Martial Master surged from his body, rising steadily.

’How long have I even been the Family Head? These people are just using this as an excuse. All they want is the inheritance.’

Hugo Lowell glanced coolly at the dozen or so people who had entered the courtyard below, then grunted again in what was taken as agreement.

"To ensure the fairness of this contest, we have specially invited a master from the Martial World to preside."

Owen Lowell and the others turned to look at Master Aerion at the very back.

Aurora Sinclair, who was peeking from a window, froze and her eyes narrowed slightly.

The person standing in the courtyard was dressed in a black cloak, their face hidden by a black mask.

"Aurora, keep a close eye on this person..." Alvin Morgan’s expression turned much more serious. "It’s possible he’s the assassin the Shadow Organization sent to kill Marshall Lowell and Hugo Lowell."

Aurora Sinclair nodded, then turned and went back into the room to change into her black stealth clothes.

The duels were to take place in a large training ground in the backyard of the Lowell Residence.

The Lowell Family’s Core Lineage and branch lineages sat on opposite sides of the training ground.

Master Aerion sat alone on the third side, where someone had served him a pot of fine tea and a platter of fruits.

However, a matching table and chair had been placed directly opposite him. When the members of the branch lineages saw this, their hearts suddenly began to pound with uncertainty.

’Did the Core Lineage invite someone too?’

Just as they were wondering, a black-clad figure vaulted over the wall as lightly as a swallow and landed in the empty seat.

Surprise flickered in Ethan Lowell’s eyes, but when he thought of her identity, it was replaced by a flash of disappointment.

Master Aerion, who was sipping his tea, nearly spat it out. He immediately uncrossed his legs and touched the mask on his face.

A moment later, an intense field of Power washed over him from across the way.

With a resigned flick of his sleeve, Master Aerion blocked the field of Power about a foot in front of him.

A hint of caution appeared in Aurora Sinclair’s eyes.

’This person is at least a Martial King.’

***

The Lowell Family’s internal challenge for the position of Family Head began.

A disciple from the Lowell branch lineages, a Fifth Rank Great Warrior, was the first to step forward. He looked at Ethan Lowell with a haughty expression, cupped his fist, and said, "Old Family Head, I, Isaac Lowell, challenge the Young Master, Ethan Lowell."

This was a clear humiliation, as everyone knew Ethan Lowell was only a First Rank Great Warrior with little talent for martial arts.

Master Aerion took a sip of tea and seemed to let out a sigh.

Ethan Lowell slowly stepped forward, ready to accept the challenge.

"Young Master, I can give you a one-hand handicap."

As if that humiliation wasn’t enough, Isaac Lowell actually put one arm behind his back, a mocking look on his face. But his smile quickly vanished, because Ethan Lowell was already in front of him, a palm strike blasting toward his face.

Without even using his Power, he sent Isaac Lowell staggering back seven or eight steps with a single palm strike.

Finn Lowell instantly sat up straight, because Isaac Lowell was his youngest son.

Ethan Lowell did not press the attack, giving Finn Lowell some face.

Aurora Sinclair announced in a flat voice, "The Lowell Core Lineage’s Ethan Lowell is victorious."

Across from her, Master Aerion sipped his tea in tacit agreement.

Seated on the branch lineages’ side, Owen Lowell’s expression darkened.

His gaze shifted to Hugo Lowell, who was slumped in his wheelchair.

’That old fox. He actually had Ethan Lowell hide his true strength.’

He immediately turned his head and whispered to the disciple behind him, "You go. Cripple him..."

The sinister ruthlessness in his voice was chilling.

The same ruthless glint flashed in the young disciple’s eyes. He walked out slowly and shouted, "I, disciple Edmund Lowell, challenge the Young Master, Ethan Lowell."

Stephen Lowell’s brows furrowed. This was a Third Rank Martial Master, one of the stronger disciples under Owen Lowell.

Ethan Lowell, still standing on the platform, calmly cupped his fist in acknowledgment, choosing not to refuse.

A look of delight appeared in Edmund Lowell’s eyes.

But behind him, Owen Lowell’s expression grew solemn.

’He didn’t refuse? Could it be that he’s reached the Martial Master Level too?’

When the fluctuations of Power began to emanate from Ethan Lowell’s body, everyone around was stunned, especially the members of the Core Lineage.

Stephen Lowell looked at Sylvia Linton in disbelief. "He..."

At that moment, Owen Lowell suddenly slammed the table and stood up, shouting sharply, "Ethan Lowell is cheating! He’s taken a forbidden drug!"

He then cupped his fist toward Master Aerion and said, "I implore you, Master, to uphold justice."

Master Aerion didn’t move. He watched Ethan Lowell for a moment, then gestured for him to come over.

"Hold on. You, come here..." Aurora Sinclair pointed at Edmund Lowell.

The faces of the branch lineage members changed slightly, and they looked nervously at Master Aerion.

But he still said nothing, merely gesturing for Edmund Lowell to ’go over there.’

"Master..."

Master Aerion gave a slight shake of his head.

Alvin Morgan, standing in the crowd, narrowed his eyes, a hint of inquiry in his gaze.

’He’s not speaking? Interesting...’