This overwhelming crowd could only hold back, letting those bruised and battered Gao family retainers strut around showing off.

Covered in dust, Samuel Brooks, with a bruised and swollen face, sat limply on the ground, wiping away tears and sobbing in utter despair.

After finishing a set of turtle-style boxing, William Grant, whose mind was now clear, stood in front of him, his face full of disappointment.

“David Brooks, oh David Brooks, why won’t you listen to my advice?”

“I told you to turn hostility into friendship, but you refused. See what happened? You got beaten up again.”

After saying this, William Grant squatted down, and just this one movement made Samuel Brooks scramble backward in fear.

“Don’t come over, don’t come over.”

“Are you willing to turn hostility into friendship? Speak!”

“I am, I am, I’m willing to do anything.”

Already traumatized by the beating, Samuel Brooks saw William Grant glaring at him again and quickly shouted his answer.

William Grant looked at the bruised and battered Samuel Brooks with suspicion.

“…You agreed so quickly, I feel like you’re just brushing me off.”

Samuel Brooks was completely at a loss.

“Big brother, how about I agree a bit slower, would that be better?”

“Big brother?!” This form of address from Samuel Brooks made William Grant’s eyes light up instantly.

I’m so low-key and reserved, never looking for trouble, yet trouble always seems to find me.

If we’re going to turn hostility into friendship, there should at least be some sense of ceremony.

What if this guy is just paying lip service and later comes back to ambush me again? Who could stand that?

After all, he’s the son of the famous Song dynasty traitor John Brooks; beating him up every time he goes out isn’t really appropriate.

If John Brooks goes crying to that muddle-headed emperor Song Huizong Zhao Ji, it might affect his own father’s career.

Maybe… I should just let bygones be bygones and become sworn brothers with this guy?

But to recognize as a brother someone older than me, who cries and snivels every time he gets beaten up, William Grant felt a bit embarrassed.

Seeing William Grant in front of him, stroking his chin, his eyes darting around suspiciously,

Samuel Brooks’s hair stood on end. He just knew that this younger but frighteningly strong Gao Dalang was up to no good.

“Big brother, I’m willing to make peace with you, just let me go.”

“I can swear to the heavens, I’ll never go against you again.”

William Grant raised his hand to cut off Samuel Brooks’s rambling and spoke directly.

“In order for us to truly make peace, I have a rather excellent idea, and I’m sure you’ll be happy to…”

“I—if I don’t—ah… I’m willing, I’m willing…”

“See, I knew you’d be willing.”

“……” Samuel Brooks’s swollen eyes filled with aggrieved tears.

Damn it, I’m only willing because you’re forcing me.

At this moment, the drill instructor of the 800,000 Imperial Guards, Matthew Lane, who had just routed the Cai family retainers and captured David Brooks alive, was

now leaning on his bald-tasseled spear, eyes red, sizing up the sixth son of Chancellor Cai and the young master Gao.

Matthew Lane couldn’t help but slap himself across the face. Serves you right for meddling, for showing off. Look at the mess you’ve made!

You’ve offended Chancellor Cai—don’t you care about your career? Don’t you care about your official position?

At this moment, William Grant gave Samuel Brooks a very kind smile.

“Today I’ve decided to accept a disciple on behalf of my master. Come, call me senior brother.”

“???”

Chapter 9: Isn’t Matthew Lane good enough? Why do you need a bicycle? Why do you need Lin Chong?

“Accept a disciple on behalf of your master?!”

Samuel Brooks stared blankly at William Grant in front of him, feeling like there was something wrong with his hearing.

He saw William Grant wave his hand around for a while, then randomly pointed in a direction and said,

“That’s right, my master is the grandson of the immortal Peng Zu, and has lived for over two hundred years. Although recently, he tried to shatter the void and ascend to immortality,

alas, the mortal world is too filthy, and he couldn’t sever all worldly ties, so his primordial spirit was severely damaged…”

Listening to their young master’s tall tales, the Gao family members—who preferred to use their fists—were clearly confused.

“Is that true, Brother Yvonne Foster? Isn’t that Peng Daoist in the manor supposed to have a stroke?”

“Brother Yvonne Foster, I heard that Peng Daoist died of a sudden heart attack…”

“All of you, shut the hell up! Whatever the young master says, that’s what it is.

If any of you ruin the young master’s big plans, the master and madam will skin you alive.”

Yvonne Foster fiercely suppressed the Gao family’s thugs and guards in a low voice, then looked at the eloquent young master William Grant with awe.

With a mind like the young master’s, do you really think he’s just a child?

“Well, David Brooks, what are you standing there for? Hurry up and state your position—are you going to agree willingly, or unwillingly?”

Samuel Brooks stared blankly at the younger William Grant, who looked ready to use force at the slightest disagreement.

He instantly understood what “unwilling agreement” meant, and, already traumatized by this ruthless child, Samuel Brooks could only hold back tears and nod silently…

…

“I am John Brooks’s sixth son, Samuel Brooks, and I have decided to make peace.”