John, who was practicing at the Shooting Range, stopped for a break and noticed over a dozen missed calls on his phone.
He tapped to open it and saw they were all from Veronica.
He called her back, and after a moment, the call was answered.
"At a time like this, you still have time to practice Shooting?"
Veronica's voice came from the other end of the line, but her tone didn't sound very friendly.
John was a bit puzzled, "What happened?"
"Your good apprentice is being used as a whetstone by the KH Alliance! Now, all the prospective assassins of the KH Alliance in the entire Norwalk area are targeting Zhang Jie!"
Veronica's voice came from the other end of the line. It had to be said that Veronica's reputation as the Queen of Intelligence was truly not undeserved. She could even dig up such news and inform John immediately.
John was silent for a moment, then said, "My issues with the KH Alliance have been resolved. This is Zhang Jie's problem with the KH Alliance, and I can't get involved."
John's words made the person on the other end of the line exasperated, "John! He's your apprentice! Do you really think, with his half-baked skills, he can survive being hunted by so many assassins? Just ask yourself if you could!"
John was a little surprised, not expecting Veronica to care so much about Zhang Jie. Well, although he and Veronica were from the same school, this kind of concern wasn't too excessive; it was more about caring for a junior.
"Don't worry, he's stronger than you think."
With that, John hung up the phone without waiting for Veronica to say anything, infuriating Veronica on the other end, who threw her phone.
"Damn it! John! Go to hell!"
John, after hanging up, looked at his phone, silent for a long time. Although he said Zhang Jie was strong and didn't need his help, he was still worried about Zhang Jie.
After all, Zhang Jie was just one person, while the other side was an entire group of assassins from Norwalk. Even if they were just prospective assassins, it was not something an ordinary person could handle.
And there were always some high-level experts who liked to hide among them.
But John didn't have a good solution for this. After all, his issues with the KH Alliance had been resolved, and it wasn't convenient for him to show up at this time. Otherwise, it would reignite the feud between the KH Alliance and him.
After all, the other side only sent out prospective members; if he intervened, he would be breaking the rules.
Just as John was getting a headache, his phone vibrated again.
This time, there was only a bracket on the screen, with no other notes.
Looking at the call, John hesitated for a moment but still answered it.
"Long time no see, John, I need your help with something." The moment the phone was answered, this sentence came from the other end.
"I never thought the famous boss, Barney Ross, would also have times when he needs to ask for help, huh?" John Wick said with a half-smile.
"Alright, stop teasing me. I really do need your help with something. No one can do it better than you."
Clearly, Barney Ross's situation was a bit special, but he was indeed in a hurry.
John's eyes darted around, then he said to Barney Ross, "Before I help you, you have to help me with something first."
"What? What kind of help?"
Ross on the other end was a bit surprised.
He had known John Wick for so many years, and this was the first time he had heard him make a request.
Since John Wick had asked him, he naturally couldn't refuse.
So he laughed heartily and asked John, "What do you want me to do for you? If it's just helping an old lady cross the road, you probably wouldn't need me, would you?"
"My apprentice is about to be hunted down in the Norwalk area. I hope you guys can go save him." John briefly told Ross about what Zhang Jie was encountering.
"Apprentice? Where did you get an apprentice?"
Ross was a bit surprised, "Isn't Ling Feng gone?"
"Another apprentice." John said with a very firm tone.
Ross instantly understood. He hadn't expected John to take another apprentice; this was huge news. But it was also good, it could help him move on quickly.
Speaking of Ling Feng, that kid used to be in his Sacrifice Squad. It was a pity for such a promising talent, who died in Blackthorn Castle.
However, with John's discerning eye, this second apprentice's skills were probably not bad either. It was just that this time, encountering so many assassins, he had no choice but to ask for help.
"Don't worry, it's in my hands." Ross laughed heartily, "So, my favor?"
"I'll take on your favor. My apprentice will complete it for me." Hearing Ross agree, John also breathed a slight sigh of relief.
Ross was stunned for a moment, then smiled, "It seems you're very satisfied with this apprentice. I hope he's another legend like Ling Feng."
"Of course!"
John said this with absolute certainty.
Ross didn't speak, just smiled, then hung up the phone.
Listening to the dial tone from the receiver, John's expression relaxed a little, "Damn it, you little brat, you're always causing trouble for me!"
Although he said that, John's expression wasn't angry; instead, there was a hint of pride.
He then sent Zhang Jie's phone number and his photo. John himself had other things to do.
Because of Santino being sniped, he was still somewhat entangled in it. Giana had, after all, vented her anger on him.
So he had to step in and deal with this matter.
After all, Santino came to him because of the blood oath. Although he didn't know who killed him, he was ultimately one of the key people.
Barney Ross, far away in Concord, looked at the message on his phone and grinned.
"Hehehe! Big boys! It's time for us to stretch our muscles."
Ross's loud voice echoed throughout the base.
Soon, a few members slowly walked over.
Christmas, Yin Yang, Caesar, and Rod.
"Damn it! Where did Jensen run off to again!" Ross was instantly annoyed when he didn't see Jensen.
This guy was always so erratic; no wonder he was once locked up in a mental hospital!
"Probably went to find those young girls again." Caesar whistled, then burst out laughing.
"Never mind him for now, boys, we've got a job." Ross clapped his hands, and everyone gathered around.
They were curious what mission Ross had taken on this time.
"Before I introduce the mission, we have to do something for John first."
Ross said directly, without any concealment.
"John? What's wrong with that guy?" Caesar had the loudest voice and immediately perked up when he heard it was about John.
They had fought side by side before, and their relationship was quite good, especially John's disciple, Ling Feng, who had held an important position in their team.
"John's apprentice is in trouble. We need to go save him, or more accurately, help him." Ross said, taking a puff from his cigarette.
"Ling Feng? Damn it, hasn't he been dead for many years?" Rod interjected, with a shocked expression.
Yin Yang and Christmas also looked puzzled, had he come back from the dead?
"It's John's new apprentice, and John has high hopes for him, so he wants us to give him a hand."
As soon as Ross said this, everyone present understood what was going on: a master's concern for his apprentice, but for some reason, he couldn't show up himself.
Asking outsiders for help was the best solution, and Ross and his team happened to have a good relationship with John.
"Where?"
Ross pointed directly at Norwalk on the map, "Here."
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!"
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 40 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
[patreon.com/TripleCrown07]
Thank you so much for your support!!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"