Today, I met with Grand Commandant Grant's son William Grant; with a smile, we let bygones be bygones, shook hands and made peace, putting all past grudges behind us..."

"Quick, write it down! Why are you just standing there?"

"...I willingly accept Senior Brother William Grant's invitation to become a disciple under Master Peng Xuanji, the True Man Peng, as his second disciple."

All the The Brooks Family and The Grant Family, along with that Instructor Lane who now had a palm print on half his face.

They all stared dumbfounded as the son of the Grand Commandant, William Grant, patiently instructed the trembling son of the Prime Minister, Samuel Brooks, as he wrote furiously.

William Grant examined the completed copy, the agreement for accepting a disciple on behalf of the master, which had been signed, stamped, and even marked with a handprint.

"Mm, your handwriting is a bit ugly, but at least it serves as proof."

"As proof..." Samuel Brooks looked at the content he had been forced to write, and his eyes instantly reddened.

William Grant handed the agreement to his trusted attendant Yvonne Foster, whose expression was stiff.

He raised his hand and patted the fat David Brooks, who weighed almost twice as much as himself, and said earnestly,

"We've settled our differences. From now on, when we meet, we can greet each other as fellow disciples, not with a big slap to the face. Isn't that much better..."

The bruised and battered Samuel Brooks stared blankly at William Grant's mouth, which never seemed to stop moving.

The anger he had felt, along with the fear and shame that followed, faded away. As Samuel Brooks gradually calmed down, he suddenly felt that what William Grant was saying actually made some sense.

Especially that line about how the world isn't just about fighting and killing, but also about human relationships and worldly wisdom.

It made Samuel Brooks feel like he was facing not a younger boy, but a cunning old father patiently teaching him by word and deed.

At that moment, he saw William Grant stretch out his fingers toward him, rubbing them together repeatedly.

"This is..."

"I say, junior brother, this is where you're in the wrong. Now that we're fellow disciples, after taking a master, you have to give a token of respect, right?"

"But our master is like an immortal, and when it comes to accepting disciples, he cares more about fate than ceremony. You can just give cash directly."

Looking at William Grant's mouth, which never stopped moving, David Brooks was truly scared. "But I don't have any money."

"Not having money isn't a big deal. Come, come, since we have pen and ink, just write an IOU for the token of respect."

"......"

Having lost both his wife and his soldiers, and now saddled with a mountain of debt, David Brooks.

At last, surrounded by the dejected The Brooks Family, he stumbled away, his heart utterly dead.

After dealing with the The Brooks Family, William Grant turned around and, full of admiration, bowed to Matthew Lane, whose face was still red.

"Instructor Lane, if it weren't for your righteous help today, I would have been in real danger."

"No, no, young master, there's no need to be so polite. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time..."

As he spoke the last few words, Matthew Lane's eyes reddened, and even his voice choked with emotion, making William Grant feel suspicious.

"Instructor Lane, what's wrong?"

Seeing William Grant's suspicious gaze, Matthew Lane's heart started pounding. He quickly shook his head and pointed to his chest, forcing an explanation.

"It's just here, I accidentally got hit a moment ago, it hurts a bit..."

"Do you need to see a doctor?"

"No need to trouble yourself, it's just a minor injury, not worth mentioning."

I brought this on myself, a pain in my heart that no medicine can cure. Matthew Lane silently added in his heart.

"Mm, very well. It's just that there have been many incidents today, so I can't stay long. I'll be sure to visit another day to thank you in person."

Hearing this promise of a visit, Matthew Lane, who had been flustered and at a loss, suddenly brightened.

He wanted to politely decline, but was afraid that if Young Master Grant didn't come, he'd lose the chance to make a connection. So, making a quick decision, he bowed respectfully to William Grant.

"Please, young master, come whenever you have time. I will be sure to await your visit. Um, that..."

"Which?"

"That, my wife is also at home..."

"Oh, that's wonderful. Instructor Lane, don't worry, I will definitely come."

Young Master Grant couldn't help but show a look of delight as he sized up this instructor of the Eight Hundred Thousand Imperial Guards, who was at least 1.8 meters tall, with a tall, strong build.

If Robert Lane, who might have beaten him black and blue and made him scream, wasn't around, so be it.

Wasn't this Matthew Lane, so sensible, well-behaved, and tactful, with spear skills like a dragon, just as good? Why ask for a bicycle? Why ask for Robert Lane?

Watching as William Grant, surrounded by the Grant Residence Staff, boarded the carriage and left, Matthew Lane stood under the big locust tree by the street, leaning on his bald-tasseled spear.

His back looked so desolate, his expression so mournful, just like Robert Lane about to be forced up Liangshan.

Thinking about how the Prime Minister's son had been captured by him right in front of Young Master Grant, and how Young Master Grant had slapped him repeatedly.

Matthew Lane's eyes grew hot again. Damn, if he'd known the one clashing with Young Master Grant would be David Brooks, he'd never have stuck his neck out.

Now, he could only hope that the people from Brooks Residence hadn't noticed his deliberately loud self-introduction when he appeared.

And he hoped even more that this Young Master Grant would truly understand what it means to repay a favor.

Just a moment ago, he was worried that Young Master Grant would come visit, but now, he was already worried that Young Master Grant wouldn't.

Thinking of William Grant's methods and words in dealing with Samuel Brooks, Matthew Lane, with a heart full of sorrow and tears, couldn't help but mutter softly.