Fleur clenched her teeth and said, “How is that possible?! If he had any connection with Ashley and Curtis, he wouldn't have just stood by when Mr. Chardon attacked them twenty years ago!”
Tarlon furrowed his brows and said, “Well, British Lord, you make a valid point. I feel that there are many strange aspects to this matter with countless possibilities, but each one seems to have some unexplainable elements…”
As he thought about this, Tarlon pondered for a long time, then looked at Fleur and asked, “British Lord, do you think there might be another possibility?”
Fleur replied, “Speak up!”
Tarlon hurriedly said, “British Lord, I think it's possible that the other party may not actually have any connection to your master. It's also possible that he just happened to come across that painting and learned about your identity from Miss Dijo or Vera by chance. He is deliberately using this painting to intimidate you because he knows that you’re Marcius’ disciple! Think about it. If the other party truly had immense power, why would he bother to take this painting out? It would be more practical for him to simply sit back and wait in Aurous Hill.”
Fleur frowned and asked, “Are you suggesting that the other party is just bluffing and using the strategy of presenting a bold front to conceal his weakness to deal with me?”
Tarlon replied without hesitation, “Yes, I believe that's a possibility.”
Fleur nodded and said coldly, “I have also considered what you said, but I have no way to confirm it. If we want to confirm it, we could send the three elders there, but if they are defeated in Aurous Hill, the Qing Eliminating Society will not only suffer heavy losses but we may also completely anger the other party.”
Tarlon thought for a moment and asked, “British Lord, can we send one elder to Aurous Hill to investigate the situation first?”
“One?” Fleur shook her head and said, “Although I don't know how strong that person is, since Mr. Chardon’s self-explosion failed to kill him, it proves that his strength is definitely above any of the three elders. Sending one elder there would be no different from sending him to his death. If the other party is stronger than me, sending three elders would yield the same result as well.”
She continued, “Furthermore, have you considered that the other party may not be using my master's portrait to intimidate me but to provoke me? If this is not a bluff but a provocation, his ultimate goal is probably to lure me out!”
Tarlon had a horrified expression as he said, “You're right. The strategy of presenting a bold front to conceal one’s weakness and the ploy of provocation may seem almost identical on the surface, but the potential outcomes are as different as night and day. The other party has already engaged with us several times in secret, gaining the upper hand each time. Now, he may be trying to force you to reveal yourself…”


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