Arriving here, Alice Thompson was very excited—not because he was at the center of power, nor because he could report important matters face-to-face to the five Elders along with the The Thompson Patriarch, but because of the content of this report!

Alice Thompson had watched Henry Thompson grow up. He had no children of his own, so all his fatherly love was given, whole and undivided, to this ill-fated, unfortunate child.

Others might not know, but Alice Thompson did. Back then, every time he saw the despair and pallor in that child’s eyes, his heart would clench and ache. After so many years, finally, through absolute effort, that unfortunate child had changed his fate—changed the fate of being looked down upon by everyone.

This report was precisely because that unfortunate child was finally about to wash away his past shame!

How could Alice Thompson, who had poured all his fatherly love into this child, not be excited!

“Alice Thompson greets the Patriarch, and the First Elder, Second Elder, Third Elder, Fourth Elder, and Fifth Elder.” Alice Thompson bowed deeply to everyone.

Samuel Thompson nodded, signaling Alice Thompson to continue.

As for the others, apart from Mark Thompson, who also nodded slightly, the other four showed no reaction at all.

Alice Thompson was not displeased by this; in fact, he felt it was only natural. Of course, he felt a bit closer to Samuel Thompson and Mark Thompson.

“Patriarch, Elders, this time, I personally witnessed Third Young Master at Tianshui Manor, tirelessly and painstakingly training for five years. He finally developed a fierce sword technique on his own. With this sword technique, Young Master’s martial arts skills have advanced at an astonishing rate, and his strength has improved in an unbelievable way!

Third Young Master is finally no longer a good-for-nothing! No, he was never a good-for-nothing—he is a genius!”

Alice Thompson was extremely excited, his blood boiling, his face flushed with color.

In fact, Samuel Thompson already knew this news and had received confirmation from Alice Thompson, but the other five Elders did not know.

As soon as this news was revealed, the five Elders’ expressions changed simultaneously.

A wave of shock and astonishment swept through them, and then four of the Elders almost shouted in unison, “Insolent servant! How dare you utter such lies—you deserve death! A martial arts cripple, born with severed meridians—how could he possibly advance to the ranks of experts in five years? Utter nonsense!”

“Complete rubbish!”

...

Immediately, angry rebukes and scoldings shot from the mouths of the four Elders like sharp swords, fiercely wounding the old steward’s heart.

To them, Young Master, Third Young Master, was nothing but a worthless waste? Alice Thompson’s heart sank to the bottom, a sudden chill of desolation rising within him. A bit aged as he was, his eyes actually brimmed with cloudy tears.

His heart ached—not just for the tangled family ties of this complex clan, but also for that child who, though not his own, was as dear as if he were.

Fifth ElderMark Thompson had been watching all this with indifference, saying nothing, but a trace of gloom flickered across his face.

“All right, since the five Elders don’t seem to believe it, Alice Thompson, you may prove it.” Samuel Thompson seemed to have anticipated this outcome, and now smiled calmly, stroking his thick, not particularly long or black beard.

At first, seeing Samuel Thompson’s somewhat amused smile, Alice Thompson felt a bit disappointed. But now, realizing his chance had come, he was overjoyed, knowing he could help Henry Thompson clear his name. He immediately raised his head and said proudly, “Elders, you all know the Xuan Iron Sword, right? This is the only sharp sword in the The Thompson Family, originally kept in the ancestral hall. Because Third Young Master liked ancient books, when some scrolls were moved, the sword was sent along with them.”

“This sword, though made of good material and fairly sharp, is so crudely forged that it’s useless! And those who use swords are inferior—true strength lies in wielding a blade!” Frank Thompson shook his head disdainfully and laughed arrogantly.

Although this was the only sharp sword, no one liked it. First, its style was old-fashioned and ‘ugly’; second, everyone knew they didn’t have the ability to draw it from its scabbard—and that was the real reason!

So, when the sword was mentioned, everyone knew that this sword, weighing ‘eight jin and four liang’, was far inferior to a blade. No one objected to it falling into Henry Thompson’s hands.

“A useless sword for a useless person—what a perfect match! Hahaha—” Simon Thompson also laughed ‘kindly’.

Samuel Thompson frowned slightly, but said nothing, only glancing at Alice Thompson.

Alice Thompson understood, and immediately said loudly and proudly, “It was this Xuan Iron useless sword—no one could draw it, but Young Master casually moved, and not only drew the sword, but also killed the vicious steward David Thompson with a single strike!”

“Hmm?—”

At this, everyone was suddenly shocked, especially Mark Thompson, whose eyes flashed with a sudden, ruthless gleam. But as the scene was a bit chaotic, no one noticed.