Chapter 1184: A Little Prelude
The voice wasn't particularly loud, but it cut through the chatter in the audience like a knife. An invisible weight descended, silencing the crowd.
Following the sound comes a rugged, white-bearded old man striding towards us, head held high.
The old man was clad in a black robe, his appearance weathered and his eyes sharp. The strong wind swirled around him, causing his robe to rustle like a flag in the wind.
There wasn't any flashy display of power, yet an aura of gravitas and majesty surrounded him, akin to Thor, the Norse God of Thunder.
No need for any grand entrance; the mere presence of the old man demanded everyone's attention.
This figure was none other than the leader of the Soul-suppressing Sect, Alexander Cheng!
"Oh my, Grandmaster Alexander Cheng is really here! Something significant is about to go down!"
"This young lad's arrogance knows no bounds. Challenging Grandmaster Alexander Cheng? He's gotten himself into a real mess now!"
"Why flaunt your prowess? Why not keep a low profile? It's like he's courting disaster. Now that Grandmaster Alexander Cheng has shown up, let's see how this ends!"
"Talk about asking for trouble!"
Whispers and pointing fingers filled the air.
People glanced at Dustin with a touch of sympathy. His act had been too brazen, and it had successfully lured Grandmaster Alexander Cheng out. It was like lifting a rock only to drop it on one's own foot.
"It's finished, it's truly finished," Aria quivered, teetering on the brink of collapse.
Her lovely face wore an expression of despair.
"Damn! This lad is beyond foolish. He couldn't just keep quiet, had to provoke a martial arts master. Isn't that practically suicide? Don't drag us into this mess!" Cameron muttered, panic-stricken.
No matter how self-assured he might be, he wouldn't dare to be insolent in front of a martial arts master.
"Sigh... A true genius, and he might die here today," Serena sighed, shaking her head with a heavy heart.
If Alexander Cheng hadn't appeared, Dustin could have escaped unharmed. But now, there was no way out.
"Master! You've finally arrived!" Liam staggered forward to greet him.
"What happened? How did you get injured like this?" Alexander Cheng examined Liam up and down, a slight frown creasing his forehead.
"Master, an individual had the audacity to provoke the Soul-Suppressing Sect. Not only did he injure me, but he also spread false allegations, attempting to cause trouble for you. His insolence knows no bounds!" Liam exclaimed indignantly.
"Oh?" Alexander Cheng's face darkened. "Who dares to challenge me?"
"Master, it's him!" Liam pointed at Dustin, his voice dripping with disdain. "This kid is so arrogant; he doesn't take you seriously at all."
"Is that so?" Alexander Cheng turned his gaze towards Dustin, preparing to assert his dominance. However, upon seeing Dustin's face, he froze, beads of cold sweat forming on his forehead.
A profound sense of dread washed over him.
The memory of the Black Forest remained vivid in his mind. Dustin's final sword had been nothing short of astonishing, haunting both gods and demons. It had severed Jan Crane's hand, dazzled Master Wary's eyes, and even left him gravely injured.
He had yet to fully recover from that encounter, and that single sword had cast a long shadow over him.
Now that he was face to face with his nemesis, fear gripped him even before the battle had begun.
"Alexander Cheng, we meet again," Dustin declared coldly, his eyes piercing. "Since Ronald Reeds hasn't shown up yet, how about we have a little prelude, settling our old and new scores right here and now?"
At those words, Alexander Cheng trembled and felt an overwhelming sense of terror.
Then, to the astonishment of onlookers, he turned and fled without goodbyes...
Chapter 1185: The Astonishing Escape
"He took off..."
As Alexander Cheng hastily retreated in embarrassment, a stunned silence fell over the crowd.
Wide-eyed disbelief painted every face in the audience.
What in the world was happening?
The illustrious headmaster of the Soul-suppressing Sect, a renowned martial arts master, had just fled in fear?
What about his reputation as a headmaster?
Where was the dignity of a master?
Had he thrown it all away?
"Master, where are you going?" Liam stammered, seeking answers.
"Elder Liam, there's an urgent matter at home. I'll return as soon as I can," came Alexander Cheng's slightly trembling voice from a distance.
As he spoke, he practically greased his shoe soles and bolted faster.
After all, he hadn't fully recovered from the injuries inflicted upon him in the Black Forest during their last encounter. He hadn't expected to cross paths with this bad omen again.
If he didn't make his escape now, when would he?
Facing a direct confrontation, he might well lose his life here.
A smart person knows when it's time to quit.
Losing some face was better than losing one's life.
"...," Liam's mouth twitched, and he was momentarily at a loss.
Since he had known his master, he had never seen him in such a state of panic.
It was as though he had encountered something truly sinister.
What could possibly terrify his master to this extent?
"What's going on? Why did Grandmaster Alexander Cheng run away?"
"Wait... that can't be right. Could it be that my wife's giving birth?"
"Is it possible that... Grandmaster Alexander Cheng is scared?"
Watching Alexander Cheng flee, everyone exchanged bewildered glances, staring at each other in disbelief.
No one had anticipated this turn of events.
When he first appeared on the scene, Alexander Cheng had exuded an air of awe-inspiring dominance. Every action he took radiated the majesty of a martial arts master.
They had even thought Dustin was in for trouble.
But in the blink of an eye, Alexander Cheng had looked as if he'd seen a ghost, fleeing in terror without daring to glance back.
It was truly mind-boggling.
"This old fox sure can run fast," Dustin muttered.
Truth be told, he hadn't expected Alexander Cheng to turn tail and run.
Usually, there would be some posturing, some trash talk, and then they would engage in a fight, with the winner decided in the ring.
But what had happened instead?
The esteemed headmaster of the Soul-Suppressing Sect, a formidable martial arts master, hadn't even possessed the courage to engage. He had simply fled.
Was this an act of cowardice, or was he simply biding his time?
"How... how could this happen?" Serena's beautiful eyes were wide with shock.
Alexander Cheng's strength far exceeded that of her own master, and he could even rival the leader of the Zen Order. It was simply inconceivable that someone of his caliber would flee without a fight.
What was even more unnerving was that Alexander Cheng's behavior had shifted the moment he laid eyes on Dustin.
Could it be that this young man before them had somehow struck fear into Alexander Cheng's heart?
The idea sent a chill down her spine, and it seemed increasingly likely.
So, the question remained: Who was this handsome man in front of her who could drive a martial arts master like Alexander Cheng to flee?
It was nothing short of astounding.
"Are we... saved?" Aria and the others exchanged bewildered glances.
They didn't know what had just happened, and they were utterly perplexed. However, one thing was clear: Alexander Cheng's hasty departure had saved them from a looming crisis.
Chapter 1186: An Unexpected Revelation
"Deputy sheriff Nolan! They are here; my people saw them coming in!"
Amidst the commotion, a cry pierced the air.
A contingent of martial arts law enforcement teams burst into the martial arts arena.
Leading them was the black-clad Deputy sheriff of the Martial Alliance, flanked by a man with a battered face and a swollen nose—the same captain of the law enforcement team whom Dustin had previously injured.
"It's trouble! The Martial Arts law enforcement team is here!"
Aria's expression darkened as she positioned herself in front of Dustin. "Sir Dustin, they're coming for you. Please leave quickly. I'll hold them off for you."
Dustin had saved her life before, and now it was her turn to repay the favor.
"Kid! Why bother about him? The law enforcement has the advantage in number of members. Let's hide and avoid trouble!" Cameron said, panic evident in his voice.
Though he was reasonably confident, he wasn't so self-assured that he believed he could take on the entire Martial Alliance.
"Sir Dustin, please, leave now! If you don't go, it might be too late!" Anxious, Aria urged.
"I've got no fear of Alexander Cheng, so there's no reason to fear these folks," Dustin said with a smile as he shook his head, protecting Aria behind him.
"Sir Dustin..."
Aria was about to say more when the Martial Arts law enforcement team arrived.
"Whoever disregarded their own life and dared to assault the Martial Arts law enforcement team, come out immediately and apologize!"
The leading Deputy sheriff in black held his hands behind his back, his demeanor arrogant, and his tone domineering.
The captain of the team that had been assaulted quickly spotted Dustin in the crowd and identified him. "Deputy sheriff Nolan! That's the kid! He's the one who attacked me! He's the one who challenged the authority of the Martial Alliance!"
"Whoa, you're really pushing it there...," the black-clad Deputy sheriff began to lay into them, but then, all of a sudden, his expression turned ghostly pale, like he'd been struck by lightning out of nowhere.
He was shaking like a leaf in the wind, totally unable to control his body.
"Kid! You actually had the guts to hit me earlier; well, your fate is now sealed!" The head of the law enforcement crew grinned like a maniac, his eyes full of absolute certainty.
"Du... Du..." The Deputy sheriff in black continued to wobble, sweat streaming down his face.
As a Martial Alliance Deputy sheriff, he had crossed paths with Dustin before. He had personally received the corpse of ‘the thunderstorm’ delivered by Dustin during the previous day.
The bold young man standing before him had actually dared to take down Alliance Leader Ronald's nephew. If he let violence erupt now, the Martial Alliance could turn into a complete bloodbath!
"Deputy Sheriff Nolan, no need for chit-chat. Grab this young man right now, and let's give him a taste of the Martial Alliance's justice!" The law enforcement team captain kept pushing.
"Arrest him? I'll arrest you, for crying out loud!" The black-clad deputy sheriff was taken aback, and he gave the team leader a couple of quick smacks across the face.
"Ah!!!"
The team leader stood there, dumbfounded and bewildered. "Deputy sheriff Nolan, why did you hit me?"
"You've got no eyes! This is Grandmaster Dustin, renowned throughout Balermo! How dare you show disrespect to Grandmaster Dustin? You deserve to be slapped!" The black-clothed Deputy sheriff was furious, landing two more resounding slaps.
"Nolan Brooks, Deputy Sheriff of the Martial Alliance, pays his respects to Grandmaster Dustin!" he declared with utmost respect, bowing deeply as he set aside his weapon after the fierce altercation.
"Grandmaster Dustin... Dustin?"
As the scene unfolded before him, the captain of the law enforcement team felt as though he'd been struck by lightning. He stood there, mouth agape, his mind racing with incredulity.
Could it truly be?
Was the figure standing before him none other than the legendary young master?
Silence enveloped them all, the weight of the moment sinking in like an anchor in their hearts.
The entire arena fell deathly quiet.
At that moment, everyone was utterly dumbfounded, their faces etched with shock.
"Dustin? Grandmaster Dustin? Could it be... he's the number one young master in Balermo?"
"Oh my, is this for real? This guy is a martial arts master?"
"No wonder he's so formidable, such a prodigy; no wonder even Grandmaster Alexander Cheng was terrified and ran away."
"I've heard about the young master for ages, but I've never laid eyes on him. I never imagined he'd be this dashing. He's certainly lived up to the adoration of countless female warriors."
After a moment of silence, the entire place erupted into chaos.
Chapter 1187: A Continuing Revelation
No one had anticipated the grandeur of Dustin's background.
Initially, they had assumed he was just a disciple from a small sect, perhaps a bit more talented than most.
Yet, they now stood face-to-face with the seemingly ordinary young man who was, in reality, the renowned young master, his true identity shattering their preconceived notions like fragile glass.
Since the Knighthood Society Tournament, he had skyrocketed to fame. He had slain Sir Augustus on Shinefield Lake and displayed unparalleled prowess in the Black Forest. And now, he had openly challenged the leader of the martial arts world.
Each of his actions had sent shockwaves through the region, creating a figure of unparalleled power and prestige, the likes of which had not been seen in Balermo for a century.
He was entirely unique among his peers, his reputation surpassing even that of some older masters, turning him into a living legend in the Balermo martial arts realm.
Now, as they witnessed this legend in the flesh, every eye was drawn to him.
"He... he... he... he's actually the Young Grandmaster?!" Liam stammered, his face drained of color, his eyelids twitching uncontrollably, his body trembling uncontrollably, as if the earth beneath him had shifted.
He had never fathomed that the person he had provoked just moments ago was none other than the infamous prodigy.
It made sense now. The ease with which Dustin had dispatched him with a single finger was no longer a mystery. And it explained why his master had been so terrified, fleeing in haste.
All the pieces fell into place.
"No wonder... no wonder he looked familiar. So, he's the person I've been searching for!"
At that moment, Serena's breath quickened. Her cheeks flushed, her beautiful eyes filled with admiration for the young master she had unknowingly crossed paths with.
She had witnessed Dustin's valiant display from afar during the grandmaster battle on Shinefield Lake. However, the distance had obscured his face.
Now, having seen him up close, she discovered that the object of her dreams was even more handsome and captivating than she had imagined.
Meeting in this way, was it fate taking a different turn?
"Sir Dustin, Dus... he's truly a martial arts master?" Aria was deeply shocked as she gazed at the tall figure before her.
She had never expected that Dustin, who seemed so approachable and unassuming, was, in fact, the famous young master—a top figure openly challenging the martial arts league's leader.
Her perception of him shifted dramatically in that instant, as the true scope of his identity and audacious goals became apparent.
It was a colossal revelation that seemed almost surreal.
"Damn..." Cameron, standing nearby, couldn't help but gulp, feeling a sudden chill on his scalp.
Boasting was one thing, but facing a martial arts master was a completely different experience.
It was akin to the awe and wonder ordinary people felt when gazing upon towering mountains.
Especially as he recalled his earlier audacious words, his fear grew, and a shiver ran down his spine.
"Grandmaster Dustin, please forgive our people's ignorance. We hope you can find it in your heart to forgive them," the black-clothed Deputy Sheriff implored, his head bowed, sweat forming on his brow.
Though Dustin had come to challenge the martial arts leader, he dared not show even a hint of disrespect.
At the level of a martial arts master, taking a life was as casual as plucking a weed.
If Dustin were to be offended and chose to act, no one would dare raise an objection.
"What are you all standing around for? Come here and apologize to Grandmaster Dustin!" The black-clad Deputy sheriff snapped, his tone stern and commanding.
Chapter 1188: Confrontation with the Martial Alliance
The captain of the law enforcement team snapped out of his daze, rushing forward with trembling steps, then knelt on the ground with a resounding thud. "Master Dustin! I've been blind; please don't hold it against me! Forgive me this time!"
He kowtowed repeatedly, displaying utter humility and dignity cast aside.
"You bunch of good-for-nothings! What are you doing?!"
Suddenly, a thunderous voice boomed, seemingly from thin air.
Simultaneously, Asher Reeds led a contingent of senior martial arts leaders into the martial arts arena.
Upon seeing the captain of the law enforcement team kneeling on the ground and the black-clad Deputy sheriff bowing and nodding, Asher's face darkened instantly.
"You disgraceful bunch! You've brought shame upon our Martial Alliance!" Asher bellowed, advancing to deliver a series of ruthless slaps to the two of them.
"Slap, slap, slap..."
They were beaten senseless, blood streaming from their mouths and noses. They dared not resist, enduring the humiliation.
When you offend a martial arts master, what choice do you have but to beg for mercy? Would you prefer death?
"Elder Asher, this is Master Dustin, who challenged Leader Ronald," the black-clothed Deputy sheriff ventured, hoping for clemency.
"How dare you utter such nonsense?!" Asher raged, delivering two more slaps to the Deputy sheriff. "Challenging the leader of the Martial Alliance makes you an enemy of our Martial Alliance. Yet you kneel before the enemy like a pair of spineless cowards!"
"I..."
Nolan, the black-clothed Deputy sheriff, struggled to find words, his face aflame.
Easy for you to say, but would you have the courage to challenge the martial arts master? Your bravado would crumble in a heartbeat.
"Are you Dustin?" Asher abruptly turned his attention to Dustin, his gaze filled with murderous intent, anger, and profound hatred.
"Yes, I am," Dustin affirmed. "Who are you?"
"I am Asher, an elder of the Martial Alliance!" Asher declared, his expression darkening further. "You committed a grave crime by killing my son last night, and now you dare challenge the leader of the martial arts alliance. Your audacity knows no bounds, you lawless scoundrel!"
Tensions in the room escalated as the confrontation between Grandmaster Dustin and the elder of the Martial Alliance unfolded, casting a shadow of uncertainty over their already precarious situation.
"Asher?" Dustin raised an eyebrow. "So, Ronald Reeds is your brother, and Erik is your son?"
"That's right!" Asher's teeth ground together. "You have committed a monstrous deed by killing my son, and today, you brazenly show up to challenge our martial arts alliance leader. You are a villain through and through!"
"You want to kill me? Do you have the capability?" Dustin sneered.
"If I had known you were coming, I would have set up a trap beforehand. Today, there's no escape for you!" As Asher spoke, he retreated abruptly, raising his hand to signal forward. "The three chief protectors are hereby ordered to apprehend this criminal!"
As soon as he uttered those words, three figures behind him suddenly shot up from the ground.
They soared more than ten meters into the air before landing around Dustin, effectively encircling him.
These three figures were clad in black robes and concealed behind featureless masks. Their aura was as profound as that of a demon, emanating a chilling malevolence.
The moment these three appeared, the temperature in the vicinity plummeted rapidly.
Onlookers recoiled in fright, as if jolted by an electric shock, hastily retreating to put distance between themselves and the newcomers.
Those who were a tad slower to retreat were immediately affected by the frigid cold, shivering uncontrollably.
Aria and Cameron, standing beside Dustin, were even more profoundly affected.
For a moment, they were frozen in place, unable to move, transformed into ice sculptures.
"Oh no! They've sent the Shadow Triad after Dustin. He's in real trouble!" Serena blurted out, her anxiety evident as she watched the situation unfold.
Chapter 1189: Facing The Shadow Triad
"I never expected that they'd even call upon the The Shadow Triad. Asher is truly sparing no expense!"
"It's rumored that the The Shadow Triad are all martial arts masters. Although Dustin is formidable, taking on three of them at once is a tough proposition."
"What kind of tactic is this from the Martial Arts Alliance? They initially came to challenge the leader of the Martial Arts Alliance, but now they seem to want to overwhelm the minority with numbers. Isn't this a blatant disregard for martial ethics?"
Warriors in attendance couldn't help but voice their thoughts as they observed the three figures in black robes and masks.
The the Shadow Triad were the Martial Alliance's hidden trump card, holding a rank higher than that of the elders, second only to the alliance leader and deputy alliance leader.
They were never deployed lightly, reserved for times of dire crisis within the alliance.
No one knew the true extent of their power, and no one had ever glimpsed their faces, for all who had attempted had met their demise.
The last time the Shadow Triad had been dispatched was a decade ago when Ronald Reeds assumed leadership of the alliance.
That day, a faction of rogue heretics had attempted to disrupt the succession ceremony.
The The Shadow Triad had unleashed their thunderous might, suppressing the entire assembly, and effortlessly annihilated all the heretic sect members.
That encounter had earned them widespread renown.
Within the Martial Alliance, the The Shadow Triad stood as a formidable bulwark.
No one had ever breached this defense, let alone threatened the alliance's foundation.
Now, in their bid to deal with Dustin, the Martial Alliance had not hesitated to send the The Shadow Triad to encircle and eliminate him simultaneously, a move many deemed excessive.
"The Shadow Triad?" Dustin glanced around, his expression growing colder. "Asher, is this your trump card?"
With his keen perception, Dustin could discern that the The Shadow Triad were not ordinary martial arts masters.
Their cultivation followed a dark and malevolent path.
Not only did they exude a cold aura and possess fierce gazes, but they also emitted a strong scent of blood.
The dark martial arts may promise rapid advancement, but they come with significant downsides. One such drawback is the constant requirement to consume fresh human blood throughout the year. This macabre necessity is crucial for keeping the malevolent forces within the practitioner's body in check and preventing them from going berserk.
The unique odor exuded by these three individuals confirmed this fact.
In other words, the so-called The Shadow Triad of the Martial Alliance were, in truth, three demonic figures who had taken countless lives!
The Martial Alliance was intended to set an example for the majority of martial artists, leading through virtuous conduct. Yet, for the sake of power and status, these individuals had chosen to flout moral principles, break rules, and secretly harness demons for their own purposes.
The Martial Alliance had truly become corrupt to its core.
"What? You scared?" Asher laughed cruelly. "If fear's got the best of you, just drop to your knees and let them do their thing. It might save you from a bit of pain!"
"Frightened?" Dustin scoffed. "Those three are just a bunch of lowlifes dabbling in dark arts. You honestly think they can be a threat to me?"
While dark arts might provide rapid growth, they resulted in an unstable realm and a shallow foundation. Identifying their weaknesses would make it easy to defeat all three.
"Young man! You won't cry until you're staring at your own coffin!" Asher responded menacingly. "Since you're so eager to court death, I'll be happy to oblige! The Shadow Triad, you have my orders—kill him on the spot without mercy!"
"Hold on a minute!" Serena suddenly rose from her seat and spoke with conviction. "Elder Asher, Grandmaster Dustin came here today to challenge the Martial Arts Alliance Leader. Intercepting him on the way with the Shadow Triad to gang up on him is a bit excessive, don't you think?"
"Exactly! We're here to witness the duel between Master Dustin and Alliance Leader Ronald, not to witness an unfair contest!" Many warriors chimed in, voicing their disapproval.
Chapter 1190: Deputy Alliance Leader Eldric
"Who are you to meddle in our affairs?" Asher's expression darkened.
"I am a disciple of the Zen Order, and I cannot stand by and watch such injustice unfold," Serena declared with unwavering determination. "The Martial Alliance should be a beacon of fairness and justice. Grandmaster Dustin issued a challenge, and your Martial Alliance accepted it. Yet now, even before Alliance Leader Ronald has arrived, you've chosen to corner and eliminate him in secret. Where is the integrity of the Martial Alliance? Where is its dignity?"
"Exactly! If you want a fight, do it with honor. There's no need for bullying just because you have more people."
"Grandmaster Dustin arrived here alone out of respect for the Martial Alliance. The least the Alliance can do is return that courtesy, have a fair showdown in the arena, and win the respect of everyone present."
"Are you all simply afraid that Grandmaster Dustin might pose a threat to Alliance Leader Ronald's position, leading you to resort to these underhanded tactics?"
At this moment, the assembled warriors voiced their criticisms and discontent.
Challenging the leader of the Martial Arts Alliance was a rare event, and regardless of whether Dustin succeeded or not, it showcased his courage. However, the actions of the Law enforcement were undeniably disappointing.
"Silence! All of you, quiet down!" Asher's anger flared. "This Dustin killed my son. As a father, I seek justice for my child. What's wrong with that?"
"Seeking justice is one thing, but you should not abuse the power of the Martial Alliance for personal vengeance!" Serena responded passionately.
"You... you... you insolent woman!" Asher was so furious that he trembled.
He had arranged a trap to capture Dustin, but now a young girl with golden hair had suddenly appeared and was obstructing him in various ways.
"Elder Asher, even if you seek vengeance, you should wait until after Grandmaster Dustin's challenge is concluded. We cannot agree to your actions at this moment."
"That's right! The challenge issued by the leader of the Martial Arts Alliance is sacred and inviolable. No matter how deep your grievances, you must set them aside for now."
With Serena leading the way, more and more warriors stood up to protest against this injustice.
In truth, they were not particularly concerned about whether Dustin lived or died; rather, they were dissatisfied with the Asher and law enforcement's high-handed and arbitrary conduct.
This behavior was truly outrageous.
If they didn't speak out today, the Law enforcement would continue to act with impunity.
What would happen if similar incidents occurred in the future?
"You... are you all trying to oppose the Martial Alliance?" Asher shouted through gritted teeth.
"Elder Asher, please exercise restraint and avoid alienating the public," a commanding voice suddenly interjected.
Subsequently, a middle-aged man in a long robe with a resolute countenance arrived on the scene as if carried by the wind.
He had his hands behind his back, walked with an elevated yet unhurried gait, exuding a calm and relaxed aura that was free-spirited.
Each step covered an astonishing distance.
While it appeared slow, he traversed the air and landed gracefully above everyone's heads in the blink of an eye before descending gently, akin to an immortal descending to the mortal realm.
The person who had arrived was none other than Eldric Thornfield, the deputy leader of the Martial Alliance.
"We greet Deputy Alliance Leader Eldric!" All the warriors present saluted with cupped fists.
Even Asher, who had been in an extremely irate state moments earlier, dared not utter another word.
In the entire Martial Arts Alliance, aside from Alliance Leader Ronald Reeds himself, Eldric was the most formidable presence.
Though Eldric usually kept a low profile and remained inconspicuous, no one dared to underestimate this deputy leader.
After all, in the contest for leadership of the Martial Arts Alliance, Eldric had been evenly matched with Ronald Reeds and had ultimately been defeated by a single move.
"Elder Asher, we are all guests here. Since Grandmaster Dustin issued a formal challenge, we should treat him with respect as hosts. What you are doing now is quite inappropriate," Eldric chided.
Implicitly, he had taken a clear stance on the matter.
. Interesting read
though the outcome is certain, I don't really know how Dustin will survive bearing in mind the experience he had with Ronald Reeds earlier
