The Retired Young Mercenary Is Secretly a Billionaire

[ a/n : A small correction regarding Chapters 408 and 409. I accidentally mentioned London instead of New York in a few places. Horizon Biotech's headquarters involved in the current operation is in New York, as established in the previous chapters.

The chapters have now been corrected. Apologies for the confusion, especially to those who already read them before the update. And thank you for sticking with the story! ]

.....

Miles didn't turn around.

But the wooden katana in his hand had already stopped against Clarissa's neck.

Perfectly still.

Not touching enough to hurt.

But close enough that everyone watching understood exactly what the final strike meant.

Clarissa stood frozen in position.

Her own wooden blade was angled too far away to defend.

Her breathing was heavy.

A strand of hair had fallen across her face.

Neither of them moved for a few seconds.

The courtyard had become completely silent.

Olivia stared.

Thea stared.

Even Chloe, who had already seen enough strange things around Miles to know that her husband was anything but ordinary, looked impressed.

But the person whose eyes had become the widest was Ivy.

Her little mouth remained open.

She looked between Clarissa and Miles.

Then slowly raised three fingers.

"Just three moves?"

The silence shattered.

Ivy's eyes sparkled.

"Woah!"

She almost jumped.

"Cousin is so cool!"

Chloe immediately smiled.

For some reason, her cheeks had become slightly red.

Miles finally lowered the wooden katana.

He turned casually.

"Your master was just being lenient with me."

Ivy looked toward Clarissa.

"Really, Master?"

Clarissa remained silent for a moment.

Then sighed.

She straightened her posture and rested the wooden sword against her shoulder.

"You won again."

Miles smiled.

Clarissa looked toward him.

"No need to defend me."

Then she glanced toward Ivy.

"My student understands what happened."

She crossed her arms.

"She's not a little kid."

Ivy nodded seriously.

"Master lost."

Clarissa's face twitched.

Miles almost laughed.

Thea smiled.

"It was a good fight."

She looked between them.

"You two are ridiculously strong."

Clarissa shook her head.

"I'm strong."

Then pointed toward Miles.

"He's a monster."

Miles looked offended.

Clarissa continued,

"A few months ago..."

She turned toward Chloe.

"...this idiot fought dozens of mercenaries almost by himself."

Chloe slowly looked toward Miles.

Miles immediately raised one finger.

"Almost."

Clarissa stared at him.

Miles continued innocently,

"You were the one who saved me in the end."

Clarissa sighed.

"Exactly."

She looked directly toward Chloe.

"Chloe."

Chloe smiled.

"Yes?"

"Don't let him go anywhere."

Miles frowned.

Clarissa pointed toward him.

"He's a battle junkie."

Chloe laughed.

"Of course."

She walked closer to Miles.

"I'll tie a string around his hand."

Then she raised her own wrist beside his.

"And the other end stays with me."

Ivy giggled.

Miles looked toward Chloe.

"That sounds like imprisonment."

"Marriage."

Chloe smiled sweetly.

Miles decided not to argue.

He walked toward her.

His jacket was folded over her arms.

Miles took it.

"Thank you."

He slipped it on.

Thea looked toward the car waiting at the edge of the estate road.

"So..."

Her expression softened.

"It's time for you to go?"

Miles adjusted his sleeve.

"Yeah."

Then he smiled.

"But we'll come back."

He looked toward Thea first.

"See you in Star Harbor."

Then Ivy.

"Little cousin."

Ivy smiled.

Then Olivia.

"And you too."

Olivia nodded.

"I'll be there soon."

Miles finally looked toward Clarissa.

"Clarissa?"

She already understood the question.

"I still have responsibilities with the clans."

Miles nodded.

Clarissa continued,

"When they move to Star Harbor..."

She looked toward Thea and Ivy.

"...their responsibility becomes yours."

Miles smiled.

"They'll be safe in Star Harbor."

There was no arrogance in his voice.

Just certainty.

Clarissa nodded.

"I know."

Miles looked toward her.

"Thank you."

Clarissa blinked.

"For what?"

"For coming here."

"For Ivy."

"For everything."

Clarissa's expression softened.

Then she smiled.

"You don't need to thank me."

She lowered her voice slightly.

"Your contribution to the clans has already been recognized."

Miles raised an eyebrow.

Clarissa continued,

"Whether you like it or not..."

"You are now an accepted member of the Ancient Clans."

Miles immediately looked suspicious.

"That sounds troublesome."

Clarissa laughed.

"There is one more thing."

Chloe looked curious.

"What?"

Clarissa turned toward her.

"As a newly married couple..."

"You both have to visit."

Miles froze.

Clarissa continued,

"You need to receive the blessings of the elders."

Miles stared at her.

Then slowly said,

"I'm afraid they'll kill me."

Clarissa laughed.

"They won't."

"You sure?"

"Yes."

She shook her head.

"I explained everything."

Miles looked unconvinced.

Clarissa continued,

"They don't hold anything against you anymore."

Then she looked toward Chloe.

Her expression became warmer.

"Our clans accept brides with celebration."

Chloe listened quietly.

Clarissa smiled.

"Days of celebration, actually."

"Welcoming rituals."

"Blessings."

"Family gatherings."

Then she added,

"Chloe will be celebrated like one of our own."

Chloe's smile became brighter.

"We'll come."

Miles looked toward her.

"You agreed very quickly."

Chloe smiled.

"It sounds fun."

Miles sighed.

Clarissa laughed.

"Take care."

She looked at both of them.

"Both of you."

Ivy immediately started waving.

"Bye bye, Cousin!"

Then she looked toward Chloe.

"Bye bye, Sister in law!"

Chloe waved back enthusiastically.

"Bye, Ivy."

Miles smiled.

"Train properly."

"I will!"

Captain Ken stepped forward too.

"See you again, Young Master."

Miles looked toward him.

"See you, Captain Ken."

A vehicle slowly stopped in front of them.

The driver stepped out.

Miles walked toward the rear passenger door.

He opened it for Chloe.

Chloe paused before entering.

She looked back once more.

Thea stood with Ivy beside her.

Olivia.

Clarissa.

Ken.

For someone who had arrived in Belvoir knowing almost no one, Chloe felt strangely reluctant to leave.

She smiled.

Then entered the car.

Miles closed the door.

Walked around the vehicle.

Then got in from the other side.

The car started moving.

Slowly...

The Winslow Estate disappeared behind them.

...

For several minutes, Miles quietly watched Chloe.

Chloe eventually noticed.

"What?"

Miles kept staring.

"What?"

She repeated.

Miles leaned closer.

"I was expecting something."

Chloe immediately understood.

But pretended otherwise.

"Expecting what?"

Miles narrowed his eyes.

"A prize."

Chloe blinked innocently.

"What prize?"

"You told me I'd get something if I won the spar."

Chloe looked outside the window.

"Did I?"

Miles stared.

"Yes."

She smiled secretly.

"I don't remember."

Miles sighed dramatically.

"And I was excited about the fight too."

Chloe looked toward him.

"Really?"

"Obviously."

"So that's why you won?"

Miles nodded seriously.

"Pure motivation."

Chloe laughed.

Then quickly changed the subject.

"So..."

Miles immediately knew what she was doing.

She grinned.

"Where are we going first?"

Miles looked at her suspiciously.

"Running away from the topic?"

"Where are we going?"

Miles sighed.

"Beijing."

Chloe's eyes lit up.

"Beijing?"

Miles nodded.

"That's the first real stop."

Chloe immediately smiled.

"Let's go."

Miles relaxed.

She continued,

"And don't tell me anything else."

Miles looked toward her.

"What?"

"Let everything be a surprise."

Miles smiled.

"That's the plan."

Chloe looked toward the driver.

Miles noticed.

"What?"

She didn't answer.

Instead...

She quickly leaned over.

Her lips touched his cheek.

A quick kiss.

Then she immediately moved back.

Miles froze.

"Huh?"

Chloe looked outside the window as though nothing had happened.

Miles touched his cheek.

"Hey."

She smiled.

"I wasn't ready."

"Too bad."

"Again."

"Not happening."

Miles stared at her.

"Mean."

Chloe chuckled.

Then she looked toward him again.

"Okay."

"What?"

"Tell me something."

Miles leaned back.

"Ask."

Her expression became more thoughtful.

"I know..."

She paused.

"...somewhere, things are serious."

Miles didn't respond.

Chloe continued,

"Serious enough that you can't completely ignore them."

He listened.

"I can see it."

"Calls."

"Messages."

"People moving around."

"Thea."

"Whatever happened last night."

Miles' expression changed slightly.

Chloe continued gently,

"Then why did you decide to go on this vacation with me?"

Miles looked toward her.

"I could have waited."

He smiled.

"Is it wrong to spend time with my newlywed wife?"

Chloe immediately shook her head.

"That's not what I mean."

"I know."

"But still..."

Miles looked outside the window.

The estate roads slowly gave way to the broader city route.

"I know I have responsibilities."

He paused.

"A lot."

"And I can't just throw them away."

Chloe listened quietly.

"But..."

Miles turned toward her.

"Living a normal life is also one of the goals I made for myself after leaving the field."

Chloe's expression softened.

Miles continued,

"I spent most of my life thinking responsibility meant sacrificing everything else."

"My time."

"Sleep."

"Feelings."

"Things I wanted."

He smiled faintly.

"Apparently..."

"That's not always true."

Chloe waited.

Miles continued,

"Someone recently taught me something about responsibilities and priorities."

Her eyes narrowed playfully.

"Someone?"

Miles nodded.

"I'm still learning."

He smiled.

"Sometimes from you."

Chloe smiled.

"And sometimes?"

Miles looked outside.

"From random people sitting near the sea."

Chloe tilted her head.

"A random person at the shore?"

Miles nodded.

"He said something that stayed with me."

Chloe gently held his hand.

"We're all learning."

Miles looked toward her.

"That's part of life."

She smiled.

"You don't have to follow some trend."

"Or copy how other people live."

"Or think there's only one correct way to be happy."

Her thumb gently moved over his hand.

"Let's just do what you want."

Miles smiled.

"This is what I want."

Chloe froze for half a second.

Then narrowed her eyes.

"Hmm."

Miles looked innocent.

"What?"

"Now you're flirting."

Miles laughed.

"What's wrong with flirting with my wife?"

"Nothing."

Chloe leaned back comfortably.

"Actually..."

"I approve."

Miles smiled.

Then she suddenly remembered.

"Wait."

"What?"

"Who was this person by the shore?"

Miles looked toward the road.

"Nobody."

Chloe immediately looked suspicious.

"Nobody?"

Miles smiled faintly.

"Just a person..."

He paused.

"...with a lot of questions."

"I hope he finds all his answers."

Chloe watched him.

But didn't ask more.

Instead, she rested her head against his shoulder.

And the car continued toward the airport.

…

Their flight left Haven behind.

Hours passed above the clouds.

Miles spent part of the journey sleeping.

Chloe spent most of it looking through the window, taking photographs, checking places she wanted to visit, and occasionally waking Miles simply because she was bored.

By the time their aircraft descended toward Beijing...

Night had already taken over the city.

Chloe pressed closer to the window.

Her eyes widened.

"Miles."

He leaned slightly toward her.

"What?"

"Look."

Below them...

Beijing stretched endlessly beneath the aircraft.

The city seemed less like a single metropolis and more like an ocean of light.

Wide highways cut through the darkness in glowing ribbons.

Streams of headlights moved through them like flowing veins.

Towering commercial buildings rose from brightly illuminated districts, their glass surfaces reflecting thousands of lights from the streets below.

Residential towers stretched into the distance.

Some windows remained bright.

Others dark.

Thousands of small lives stacked above one another.

Farther away...

Older neighborhoods appeared between modern developments.

Rows of low rooftops.

Narrow lanes.

Courtyard homes hidden beneath the enormous modern skyline.

Ancient and new existed beside each other without asking permission.

As the aircraft descended lower...

The city became clearer.

Massive avenues.

Traffic signals.

Neon signs.

Restaurants glowing along busy streets.

Shopping districts still filled with people despite the late hour.

The curved roofs of older structures appeared between trees and modern buildings, illuminated beneath warm golden lighting.

Even from above...

Beijing felt immense.

Not chaotic.

Not entirely calm either.

It carried the strange confidence of a city that had existed for centuries and somehow kept expanding without leaving its history behind.

Chloe stared outside.

"It's huge."

Miles smiled.

"Very."

The aircraft slowly turned.

Another section of the city came into view.

Lights stretched farther than Chloe could follow.

The urban horizon seemed endless.

She whispered,

"Paris looks completely different at night."

Miles nodded.

"This is what you wanted."

"Something different."

Chloe smiled.

"Definitely."

...

Later.

After immigration and collecting their luggage...

Miles and Chloe stepped outside the airport.

Cool night air immediately greeted them.

A vehicle was already waiting.

Miles loaded the luggage.

Then opened the door for Chloe.

She got inside.

Soon...

They were moving through Beijing.

Chloe barely touched the seat.

Her face remained turned toward the window.

The airport roads were broad and bright.

Traffic moved steadily despite the hour.

Signs passed overhead in Chinese and English.

Then gradually...

The city began swallowing them.

Modern towers appeared.

Office buildings decorated with light.

Large digital billboards shifted between advertisements.

Electric vehicles moved quietly beside traditional taxis.

Delivery riders waited near intersections.

Restaurants remained open.

Small groups of young people walked along sidewalks carrying drinks and late night food.

Chloe smiled.

"It's still so alive."

Miles looked toward her.

"You're not tired?"

"No."

She immediately shook her head.

"I'm looking."

Miles laughed.

She pointed outside.

"Look at that."

A brightly lit street passed beside them.

Red lanterns hung outside several restaurants.

Warm light spilled onto the pavement.

People stood around food stalls.

Steam rose from metal pots into the night air.

A few streets later...

Everything changed again.

The road widened.

Modern architecture returned.

Glass.

Steel.

Luxury storefronts.

Tall hotels.

Financial buildings.

Then another turn revealed quieter streets lined with trees.

The city changed character every few minutes.

Chloe lowered the window slightly.

Cold air touched her face.

Miles looked over.

"Careful."

"I'm fine."

She smiled.

The scent outside shifted between city air, restaurants, and the faint coolness of night.

Chloe leaned slightly closer to the glass.

"Beijing feels..."

She searched for the word.

"Old and new."

Miles nodded.

"At the same time."

"Exactly."

The car passed beneath another illuminated overpass.

In the distance...

Traditional rooflines glowed beneath warm lights.

Behind them rose modern towers.

Chloe looked toward Miles.

"I think I'm going to like this trip."

Miles smiled.

"We just arrived."

"I know."

She leaned against him.

"That's why."

Miles looked outside.

Beijing continued moving around them.

Millions of lights.

Millions of people.

A city awake beneath the night sky.

And somewhere inside it...

Their honeymoon was finally beginning.