In fact, Grace Bolton also found it strange, because this kind of bearing had come with his progress in cultivation, not by his own intention. But thinking of the world of the Twin Dragons of the Tang Dynasty, where many top-tier martial arts techniques could alter one’s temperament, it was not so surprising after all. After turning a corner and finishing the greetings, Grace Bolton kept his smile unchanged as he said to George Knight and Thomas Clark, “It’s true that even an honest official finds it hard to settle family disputes, but why should we be the ones to judge family matters? Don’t forget, we’re not honest officials.”

“These past few months, you’ve been following and watching me, you know all about my actions. How could there be any secret affair between me and Mrs. Clark? I really don’t know where these rumors started. But let’s put that aside for now. The person we actually owe a favor to is Mrs. Clark. Besides, we’re people who live by the sword, not ones who should or even could care about benevolence and morality. If Mr. Harris and that main wife treat her well, I can say that as long as I, Grace Bolton, am around, the Mr. Harris family will have peace, and no one will be able to stir up trouble. But if Mr. Harris and that main wife make things hard for her over some baseless matter, and she really can’t go on, then it’s no big deal—just kill the main wife first, and Mrs. Clark naturally becomes the principal wife. If the root of the problem is still with Mr. Harris and things can’t be resolved, then kill him too, and I’ll marry Mrs. Clark myself. We’re people of the jianghu—if we can’t even handle a little killing, wiping out a family, and taking a wife, what are we worth?”

After hearing this, and seeing the gentle smile still lingering at the corners of Grace Bolton’s mouth, George Knight and Thomas Clark actually felt a chill in their hearts. Whatever they had wanted to say was immediately swallowed back down.

After saying all this, Grace Bolton was almost at the bun shop. Although he had just spoken of killing and wiping out families, he now stopped in his tracks and said to the two, who were still a bit dazed, “Alright, that’s for the future. For now, I’ll still keep my distance a bit. You two boys, go help out in the shop. After all, Mrs. Clark has taken care of you these past two years, so it’s only right for you to help out a little. But don’t stay too long—head back by yourselves in the afternoon, alright?”

Once the two hurried off, Grace Bolton gave a faint smile. Hm, those words just now really scared those two little brats. It’s understandable—even with all their talent, their natures are very kind. In the book, they could even be called naive, and besides, they’re still so young now.

Grace Bolton walked a few more steps and arrived in front of a martial arts school. On the school’s signboard, the golden characters 《石龙武场》 gleamed in the sunlight.

This was the largest gang-like power organization in Yangzhou City.

The Shilong Martial Arts School, personally founded by Yangzhou’s number one expert, “Mountain-Pushing Hand” Stephen Stone, whose internal and external skills had both reached the level of a top master. According to the book’s history, he could go toe-to-toe with the Yuwen clan’s Andrew Howard. His level was about the same as Philip Ford’s top disciple, the mother of the Twin Dragons, Emily Ford. To the current Grace Bolton, he was simply an unattainable peak.

No wonder people came from far and wide to study here, and the school controlled half of Yangzhou’s underworld business, making it hard for the Zhuhua Gang to gain a foothold in the city.

However, as Grace Bolton looked at the well-dressed disciples behind the gate, and saw the school itself—rectangular, with ten-foot-high walls—a faint, inscrutable smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Judging by the timing, Stephen Stone should have already obtained that mysterious Daoist manual, 《长生诀》, right? Although intelligence couldn’t confirm he had it, he had moved out of the city to live in a small manor on the outskirts, never leaving, with disciples regularly delivering supplies. Other than burying himself in studying 《长生诀》 all day, there was no other explanation.

He could have two years. Two years later, Emperor Yang of Sui would send Andrew Howard to investigate 《长生诀》, and only then would he be defeated and die. But now, Grace Bolton certainly wouldn’t give him two years. Anyone who’s read about the Tang era is obsessed with this legendary book, and Grace Bolton was no exception.

Since it’s a martial arts school, of course it wouldn’t be heavily guarded, and outsiders were allowed to visit. So, Grace Bolton strolled right in. The school had four courtyards, but the training ground took up a huge area, with dozens of people practicing martial arts. Elsewhere, all kinds of trees were planted, and there were even small pavilions. With the spring breeze blowing, the whole place was full of vitality.

“Stephen Stone, oh Stephen Stone, now that you have the Longevity Manual, you must know the danger of possessing a treasure. You’re surely obsessed with your research and ignoring outside affairs. In that case, I can rise up in this city.” Grace Bolton knew this was a great opportunity—a chance for his own development.

Unfortunately, at least for now, no one else knew this secret except for him, the transmigrator. Although Stephen Stone’s seclusion wasn’t a secret, most people just thought he was focused on training, not knowing he had obtained the Longevity Manual and was too busy to care about anything else. So, missing this chance to establish themselves in Yangzhou wasn’t really their fault.

It was Grace Bolton who benefited for nothing.

With this thought, he laughed heartily, stopped looking, and turned to leave. Out on the street, people bustled to and fro, an endless stream. He couldn’t help but praise it in his heart—Yangzhou City was truly remarkable. With trade routes to Goguryeo, Silla, and Southeast Asia, and such a thriving population, whoever controlled it would have the makings of an emperor.

Just as he returned to the southern market, someone came up and spoke: “Fragrant Master?”