“This David Thompson, I’m afraid it was you, Alice Thompson, who killed him yourself. You claim to be clearing Henry Thompson’s name, but hmph, who doesn’t know that you are incapable of bearing children, so you treated this useless young master as your own. But in doing so, you are still not truly vindicating Henry Thompson!” The Second Elder, Brian Thompson, said in a deep voice.

“Second Elder, this time you have wrongly accused Steward Alice Thompson. This time, Steward Alice Thompson was away in Bilan City for procurement matters more than ten days ago and only returned yesterday. And as I heard, David Thompson’s death occurred—hmm, it happened before that.” The Grand Elder’s expression changed slightly, and he quickly stopped talking, taking the opportunity to say something that could turn the situation around.

The rest of the people didn’t notice, but Samuel Thompson’s eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he fell into silent contemplation.

“Alice Thompson only told me the news last night, but at today’s council, the Grand Elder already knew that David Thompson had been dead for several days. This person… I’m afraid Little Henry might be in some danger.” Samuel Thompson pondered inwardly, but outwardly showed no sign of anything unusual.

At this moment, his mind was racing. Among those closest to Henry Thompson who could know about David Thompson’s death, even counting both the inner and outer courtyards, there were no more than ten people. And realistically, unless someone rode day and night at top speed, it would be impossible to know everything in such a short time. This Tianshui Manor, it seems, has deeper waters than expected.

Chapter 008: Cruel Misunderstanding

Samuel Thompson was deep in thought when the Second Elder laughed and said, “Couldn’t Alice Thompson have poisoned David Thompson and then let Henry Thompson finish him off? How could a martial arts cripple possibly kill David Thompson, a second-rate expert, within five years? Hmph, don’t think I don’t know—Henry Thompson spends all his days and nights in that ancient building at Tianshui Manor reading books. What could he possibly achieve?

—Uh, that’s also what I heard from the servant I sent to check on the Third Young Master,”

Brian Thompson was momentarily speechless, cursing himself inwardly for his stupidity. In his agitation to suppress Henry Thompson, he had accidentally revealed that he had people planted in Tianshui Manor. What a blunder!

As soon as he said this, the other elders all looked as if they had suddenly realized something.

Mark Thompson sneered coldly, “So it turns out, Second Elder Brian Thompson cares so much for the Third Young Master and knows him so thoroughly. We are truly ashamed for being so neglectful of the younger generation, failing to set a good example as elders!”

“Yes, yes, we are deeply ashamed,” Frank Thompson also said with a sharp smile.

“Everyone, right and wrong will be clear if we summon Henry Thompson back for a contest. If Alice Thompson has deliberately distorted the facts, I will not forgive him. But if it’s true, then Little Henry will be the pride of our Li family!

Thirteen years old, a second-rate expert—who would believe it if word got out?

If it’s true, then in the family competition five years from now, who could be our match?” Samuel Thompson said proudly. As for Alice Thompson, he had absolute trust. Thus, though he restrained his excitement as he spoke, his words were entirely optimistic.

As a father, the shadow in Samuel Thompson’s heart had formed the moment Henry Thompson was born. When it was confirmed that Henry Thompson was a martial arts cripple, that shadow grew to its greatest extent. When he learned that the elders’ council had decided to execute the child, the shadow completely enveloped his heart.

To save his child, he had to ‘confine’ him, to ‘abandon’ him. As a father, the pain in Samuel Thompson’s heart was truly immense.

Great love is silent. Samuel Thompson was like this, and so was his wife, Henry Thompson’s mother, Rose Jackson.

Having lived in the martial world, she knew that if a useless child did not make a name for himself, he might survive by luck. But once people in the martial world found out, not only would the family be shamed, but he would also be forced to fight in the arena, suffer the ridicule of thousands, lose all dignity, and in the end, be mercilessly killed…

So, great love is silent. Precisely because of love, for five years, neither of them saw Henry Thompson even once.

Even though Rose Jackson wept daily, even though she often stared blankly at her child’s clothes, she never once asked her husband to go see their child…

The only few times were when Grace Thompson made such a fuss that Alice Thompson quietly took her to visit…

“Hmph, since when has the Li family had such luck? Though it’s hard to imagine, there is at least some hope. Seeing him is still worthwhile,” Mark Thompson said in a low voice, and the other four elders said nothing more, tacitly agreeing.

If there had been any mocking objections before, now that they wanted to see real ability, the four elders had nothing more to say.

In front of the five elders and the clan leader, what tricks could be played? Martial skill is based on real evidence—how could anyone fake it?

Experts can tell at a glance. After decades of training, it’s easy to see the truth.

“Since the clan leader and all the elders have decided, I will go and arrange for the young master to come to Bilan City,” Alice Thompson immediately bowed.

Samuel Thompson and the five elders all nodded in rare agreement.

Alice Thompson immediately got up and hurriedly withdrew.