Meanwhile, in the Gunderson residence at Jadeborough, Fernando said, “Astrid, pick some expensive gifts and send them over during the opening ceremony of Deragon Sect.”
“I’ve already made the necessary arrangements, Dad. I’ve already emptied out our storehouse.” Astrid chuckled. “Huh? What for?” Puzzlement was written all over Fernando’s face
“I’m going to be Jared’s woman in the future. That means his sect will be mine, too. Of course, I’ll have to bring more things over,” Astrid stated without a hint of shyness.
Fernando’s heart sank when he heard that. After all, he knew Jared’s true identity and understood that his daughter could never be worthy of him.
Nonetheless, if Jared really ended up with Astrid, the status of Fernando’s family would rise greatly in the Gunderson family.
“Oh, well… I guess every woman has to marry sooner or later…” he muttered with a bitter smile. He decided to not restrain Astrid and let her pursue Jared in her own ways.
Just then, a servant of the Gunderson family reported, “Mr. Gunderson, a young man wants to see you. He says he’s from the Gingerich family.” “The Gingerich family?”
A subtle frown appeared on Fernando’s face, and he waved his hand. “Let him in.” Not long after, a fairly dark-skinned young man dressed in casual clothes stepped into the area.
“Hello, Mr. Gunderson. My name is Verner Gingerich,” Verner greeted politely.
“Verner Gingerich?” Fernando found the name rather familiar. After pondering for some time, he uttered, “I remember now. You’re from the Gingerich family in the northwest, the person who shocked everyone by defeating dozens of people in a row, right?”
Verner smiled embarrassedly. “Indeed, but I’m a nobody compared to you, Mr. Gunderson.”
Immediately, Fernando shook his head in disagreement. “No, no. You’re more powerful than I am. Look, you’re already a Greater Martial Arts Marquis at such a young age. You’ve got a bright future ahead of you. Then again, I’m pretty sure our families aren’t friends. May I know what’s your purpose for visiting us today?”
He did not recall his family having any form of relationship with the Gingerich family. Hence, he was clueless as to why Verner was visiting their residence.
Verner smiled. “You might not know the Gingerich family well, but surely you know about The Adamantine?”
Fernando’s eyes instantly widened. “Could your family be their representative?”
He was aware that many prestigious families had been appearing recently, and each of them was the representative of various sects in the secret realms..
However, what he did not know was which sects and prestigious families were backed by which secret realms.
Regardless, Fernando understood everything the moment Verner brought The Adamantine up. After all, only the representative would know the details of the secret realm.
Just like the Gunderson family, The Adamantine was located at the south of the secret realm-the Gate of Fire. Both parties had collaborated several times in the secret realm. Thus, they could be considered acquaintances.
With that, it was totally understandable why Verner was paying the Gunderson family a visit and even addressed Fernando so politely.
“Mr. Gunderson, my family is indeed the representative of The Adamantine in the mundane world. We’ve been hiding in the martial arts world for hundreds of years. Recently, we’ve decided to make a grand comeback,” Verner explained truthfully.
After all, everyone knew it already. There was no need for him to hide the truth.
Fernando scanned the young man and smiled bitterly. “Well, well. Here I was, thinking my family was already the best at keeping a low profile. Who would’ve known that there are other prestigious families that have done a greater job at it?”
Fernando had chosen to gain a foothold in the Jadeborough martial arts world, ignoring worldly affairs and keeping a low profile. That was because the quality of life and resources were better there.
However, he never expected so many prestigious families to have chosen to live seclusively in remote locations. After all, resources were obviously scarce in places like that. Regardless, they managed to produce a Greater Martial Arts Marquis like Verner.
Fernando impulsively glanced at Astrid, and he could not help but feel like a failure. I’ve failed in every aspect.
