Ultimate Tycoon: Building the Richest Empire with System and Heroines-Chapter 53: King of the North’s Disciple

"Well, let me first introduce myself," the old man said, his tone calm yet commanding. "I’m Walter Marclaire. Rhea’s grandfather."

Ethan’s eyes didn’t show it, but his thoughts immediately stirred.

"I know. In the original story, you and your wife were the only family Rhea had after her parents died."

He stood up and bowed politely. "Hello, sir. What did you want to talk about?"

Walter waved his hand. "Before that... let me thank you. For saving my family."

The old man made a small gesture, half-bowing.

"Sir, please don’t. You’re an elder," Ethan said quickly. "I just did what anyone else would’ve done."

Walter let out a hearty laugh. "Kid, you’re too humble."

He took a seat across from Ethan and leaned forward slightly.

"Let me ask you something. What do you want to do in life?"

Ethan blinked. "Sorry?"

"What do you want to do, Ethan?"

The question caught him off guard. He stayed silent for a moment, then replied honestly.

"I don’t have any big dreams, sir. I just... want a peaceful life. Live happily with my family. Nothing more."

"Well... that’s only half true," Ethan thought. "What I really want is to make money. A lot of it. Build my own empire. Gather all my favorite waifus. And give my parents the happy life they never had."

Walter nodded slowly, his eyes unreadable. "And do you think that peaceful life is possible?"

Ethan frowned. "Huh?"

"This world, Ethan," Walter said quietly, "is a cursed place. I know that better than most."

Ethan didn’t respond. He just listened.

"Every day, someone’s trying to crush someone else. Whether it’s in business, politics, or the streets. Even a peaceful life needs to be protected with strength."

He leaned back slightly. "So I’ll ask again,do you think you can achieve it alone?"

Ethan went silent.

"The bus incident," Walter continued. "Was it really as you explained to Natalie?"

Ethan’s heart skipped a beat.

"What?"

"I’ve lived long enough to read people. And that attack... it wasn’t random, was it? It was aimed at you."

"...How do you know?"

"I talked with Alistair. And Carter. Do you really think Alistair didn’t know too?" Walter said calmly. "He didn’t ask why you lied. Just like him... I’m not asking either. You must have your reasons."

Ethan’s mind raced.

So old man Alistair knew from the start.

Walter’s voice dropped to a more serious tone.

"You barely survived. What if next time... they don’t target you? What if they go after your parents?"

Ethan’s stomach twisted.

"What if they attack the two women living in your villa? Lily. Mei. What would you do?"

Images flashed in his mind,his mom screaming, his dad helpless, Lily bleeding, Mei unconscious on the floor—

No. No, no, no—

He clenched his fists without realizing it.

Walter noticed.

"I’ve already assigned people to keep an eye on them," the old man said gently. "You can calm down."

Ethan exhaled slowly, trying to steady his breathing.

"...Why are you telling me all this?" he asked. "What do you want from me?"

Walter didn’t beat around the bush.

"Become my disciple."

Ethan blinked. "...What?"

"I may not look it, but I’m quite capable," Walter said with a smile. "I want to teach you. Help you reach your goals. But you can’t do it alone."

Ethan stared at him.

"This old man... is offering to train me?Why? Is it because I saved his family? Or... is there another reason?"

He didn’t get a straight answer. But something about Walter’s gaze told him,it wasn’t just out of gratitude.

Ethan leaned back, deep in thought.

"It’s not like becoming his disciple is a bad thing. If anything... this could be one of the best opportunities I’ve ever had."

He looked up, eyes steady.

"...Alright, sir. I’ll become your disciple."

Walter grinned. "Good. We will start training after Hayes’ family banquet ends."

After parting ways with Walter, Ethan let out a breath and opened his system interface.

[Daily Mission – Incomplete]

"...Well, I’m feeling pretty good right now," he muttered. "Might as well get it done."

With that, he headed to the backyard.

The late afternoon breeze was cool as Ethan stretched briefly. His muscles still carried the faint soreness from the recent chaos, but nothing unbearable.

"I’ll start with five miles," he muttered.

At first, every step felt uncomfortable.But after the first half-mile, it started to loosen. His breath found rhythm. His legs found a pace. fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓

He ran. One mile. Two. Then three.

By the time he hit the fifth, his body was drenched in sweat, and he was gasping for breath.

"Fifty minutes...? Ugh... that’s so slow," he huffed, bending over with hands on his knees. "But I’ve gotta keep doing this daily."

His expression turned serious.

"Back in the bus attack. I realized something. Even though this Bond-Wick skill is passive,if I don’t hone my body, I can never use it at its full potential, I’ll never reach perfection with it. So from now on I need to train hard."

He wiped the sweat off his brow and rested for a while, then dropped down to the grass for sit-ups.

"Let’s go..."

He powered through them. Two minutes later, done.

Then he got into push-up position.

Only to notice... he was being watched.

Natalie stood near the backyard entrance, arms crossed. Jasmine leaned on a wooden railing nearby, curious. Rhea stood quietly beside her, watching with calm interest.

"Why is he suddenly exercising like a maniac after talking with your grandpa?" Jasmine asked, glancing at Rhea.

"I... don’t know," Rhea replied truthfully.

At that moment, Mina appeared cheerfully from behind them, grabbing Natalie’s hand.

"Come on, harem members! What are you doing here? Let’s go! Big brother is over there training!"

Natalie’s face twitched. "Mina, shut up!"

Rhea covered her mouth to hide a giggle. Jasmine burst out laughing. "Harem members, really?"

Mina puffed her cheeks proudly. "Well, it’s true!"

Ethan, meanwhile, was too focused to reply. Push-ups, squats, planks—he pushed himself harder than before. Sweat dripped from his chin as the sun began to lower.

Finally, an hour later, a soft ding echoed in his head.

[Daily Mission Completed]

[Reward: $2,000]

"Nice..." Ethan muttered with a grin, wiping himself down with a towel.

Just then, Alistair stepped out of the hallway door, calling toward him.

"Ethan!"

Ethan turned, still catching his breath.

"Virgil just called," Alistair said, walking over with a slight smile. "The auction you prepared for? It’s no longer happening next week."

"Huh?" Ethan blinked.

"It’s happening tomorrow."

A/n- Thanks for reading.

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