Chapter 21: Lambo 1

Lanska actually lived on the eighteenth floor—the very top level. The entire floor was his residence, luxurious yet elegant, adorned everywhere with exotic calligraphy and various cultured treasures. A faint fragrance lingered in the air, as if one had stepped into a garden.

This floor was unguarded; all the guards remained stationed at the stairwell and elevator between the seventeenth and eighteenth floors.

“Professor, you won’t be heading out again this time, will you? It’s rare for you to have some leisure—why not stay here for a few days and let me finally play the host?” After they entered the living room and Lanska invited the professor and Lekai to sit, a maid in a classic uniform, pretty and refined, quickly served them drinks. Lanska looked at the professor with genuine enthusiasm as he spoke.

The professor did not touch the seemingly fragrant juice. Instead, he casually ruffled Lekai’s hair and said calmly, “I don’t mind either way. It depends on Xiaokai—if he wants to stay a few more days, he can.”

Lanska glanced at Lekai in astonishment, his heart all the more shaken. He hadn’t expected Lekai to hold such weight in the professor’s esteem.

With a quick shift of thought, Lanska turned to Lekai with gentle warmth. “Xiaokai, how about staying here with your uncle for a while? I have a child too, who’s always lacked a playmate. You two could have some fun together—there’s plenty of delicious food and amusements here. I’m sure you’ll be happy.”

Lekai’s eyes brightened, clearly tempted.

Having grown up surviving in the wild, his only pleasure had been reading his father’s books. Some comic books described in detail the amusement parks that urban children loved: roller coasters, bumper cars, and the like. But there were no amusement parks in the wilderness; he’d never played any of those games. His most frequent pastime was fighting mutated beasts.

“Lambo, come out and meet your new friend!”

Lanska strode to the corridor and called loudly for his son.

After a moment, a door opened and a golden, fluffy head poked out, grumbling, “Dad, I’m sleeping—why are you yelling?”

“You little brat, talking to your father like that! Want me to come over and smack you?” Lanska growled, reaching out as if to cuff his son.

“You dare? If you lay a hand on me, I’ll tell Mom about that thing you did with the lady on the terrace last time…”

“I—you little scoundrel, stop spouting nonsense! That time with Aunt Michelle, her… her bandage snapped and I was just helping her fix it! Don’t go around talking about it, or it’ll ruin my reputation and Aunt Michelle’s too!”

Lanska’s face was nearly twisted into a monster’s grimace—there was no trace of the gentleman left. He swore to himself, he had truly only helped Michelle re-tie her bra strap that time. Admittedly, he’d had thoughts—but his wife was not only formidable but also terrifying. Even if he had the urge, he wouldn’t dare act on it! Worst of all, that little devil had witnessed it, secretly filmed a video, and now used it as blackmail.

Remembering all this, Lanska longed to give his son a thorough beating. But knowing the boy was his wife’s precious darling, and fearing the video’s exposure, he had no choice but to swallow his anger.

Sullenly withdrawing his hand, Lanska took a few deep breaths, calmed himself, and lowered his voice. “Didn’t you always complain about being lonely without a playmate? Well, I found you one. But you’d better be polite to our guest—no bullying, understand?”

Lambo raised his head, a look of triumph on his face. In his fifteen-year struggle against his father, he’d won yet again—what a thrill!

Lambo did resemble Lanska somewhat, but his golden hair gave him a more aristocratic air, and his deep blue eyes were enchanting. One glance was enough: he was clearly a mischievous rascal. The prospect of a playmate instantly perked him up. Still in his pajamas, he dashed out to the living room.

At that moment, Lekai was chatting idly with the professor about city life when he suddenly saw a golden-haired youth charging toward him. The flying hair and wild look reminded him of a mutated wolf from the wilderness spotting prey. Instinctively, Lekai grew alert.

Could it be that city kids were just as prone to attacking people as mutant beasts?

“Yoo-hoo, dear friend, here I come!”

Lambo intended to make a grand impression with his boisterous enthusiasm. He sprinted straight for Lekai, aiming to tackle him in a wild leap.

“Heh, kid, to be my friend, you’ll have to prove yourself!”

With all his youthful strength, the rascal lunged. Even Lanska was shocked, too late to intervene—he could only cover his face in shame, unable to watch.

Thud!

The professor smiled in silence. Lekai, calm as ever, didn’t react, but a wail split the air. A figure went flying backward, landing like a ragdoll on the sofa.

“A tenth of my strength—he’ll be fine, right?”

Lekai took a sip of juice and asked.

“Depends where you hit him. If it was a vital spot, that’d be trouble.” The professor seemed unconcerned about Lambo’s well-being.

Lekai grinned. “Don’t worry, I felt a strong backlash this time and couldn’t use much force. Besides, I avoided the vitals—just hit him in the stomach. He’ll be out for three minutes at most.”

From across the room, Lanska hurried over, eyes wide with surprise, as if he couldn’t believe his son had been knocked out with a single kick from Lekai. After all, Lambo, though only fifteen, had trained from an early age and reached the third stage of the Tendon and Bone Refinement!

In this world, martial arts were highly esteemed. Ordinary people could become beginner fighters with training, and the Tendon and Bone Refinement marked the first stage. Only after reaching the ninth level and breaking through to the second stage—Spirit Cleansing and Marrow Purification—could one be considered a true martial artist. The standard for special forces recruitment was the third level of Tendon and Bone Refinement.

Yet Lekai had knocked out a boy with special-forces strength with a single kick? What kind of power was that?

“Don’t worry, he’ll be fine. Xiaokai was very measured,” the professor said, seeing Lanska’s doubts. “Actually, one reason I’m here is to use your equipment to give Xiaokai a comprehensive assessment.” He paused for a moment. “Lambo may be mischievous, but if Xiaokai likes him, they could train together.”

“Professor, are you serious? You’d really let Lambo join Xiaokai’s training? That’s wonderful!” Joy instantly swept away any lingering resentment in Lanska’s heart. He turned around, barely able to contain his excitement.

“I only said that if Xiaokai liked, they could train together—not that I’d take Lambo as a student,” the professor replied, his tone and bearing making Lekai want to laugh.

Though a little disappointed, Lanska was already satisfied.

Now, when he looked at Lekai, his gaze was more than just fond—it was as if he’d found a priceless treasure. If it weren’t for the obvious wariness on Lekai’s face, he might have lunged over to plant a few kisses on him.