“Patriarch, if this time it truly turns out to be false, the turmoil will be too great and is bound to attract the attention of other noble families. What should we do then?” Mark Thompson asked with a somewhat grave expression.

A trace of complex emotion flashed in Samuel Thompson’s eyes. He paused for a moment without speaking.

At this moment, after the four elders greeted them in turn, they each withdrew. In a short while, only Samuel Thompson and Mark Thompson remained in the hall.

Samuel Thompson still trusted Mark Thompson quite a bit. This man was not good with words, but he was swift and decisive in action, extremely straightforward, and though he was taciturn, his loyalty was rare.

“If it truly is so, then—for the sake of the family, we can only kill him!” Samuel Thompson spoke these words with pain in his heart, yet helplessly.

A glint flashed in Mark Thompson’s eyes, but he remained silent for a long time. Only then did he say in a deep voice, “If it truly is so, then this path is the best choice for Third Young Master. It’s hard on you, Patriarch.”

“Sigh—”

“Sigh—”

In the darkness of night, two long sighs.

……

Back at the residence, Samuel Thompson told Rose Jackson about what had happened today. Upon learning that her child was about to return, Rose Jackson was truly overwhelmed with joy, holding her husband tightly, unable to speak for a long time, her words choked with sobs.

But Samuel Thompson’s heart grew even heavier. If all of this truly turns out to be false, would he really have to strike with a deadly hand…

At this moment, Samuel Thompson suddenly felt a sense of unease, a kind of anxiety that seemed to come from the depths of his soul. This unease made him more irritable and less at ease.

“Yi’er has always been such a well-behaved and sensible child, but those eyes of his are just too sorrowful. Perhaps he’s long known that he’s a ‘good-for-nothing’. Every time I see that look in his eyes, my heart feels as if it’s being twisted by a knife.” Tears streamed uncontrollably down her face as Rose Jackson choked out the words.

“If this child had been born five hundred years ago, he could have become a great literary figure. But now, with the court in turmoil, corrupt officials rampant, the martial world full of danger, murder and robbery everywhere… In such a blood-soaked world, someone who doesn’t know martial arts can only be bullied!

If that were all, it would be fine. But being born into the Li family, the rules of the martial world cannot be broken. Living in the martial world, one cannot act freely. Death is a small matter, but disgracing our ancestors and losing the family’s honor—that is the real issue. So, if things change this time, death may be the best choice for Yi’er.”

Samuel Thompson said in a deep voice. At this moment, his slightly hunched figure looked extremely old, yet he was still in his prime.

Rose Jackson’s body trembled violently. The hands holding onto Samuel Thompson’s strong arm gripped even tighter, her long nails digging into his skin, leaving scratches and streaks of blood, staining the pale robe red.

“No—you can’t kill Yi’er. You might as well kill me too—” Rose Jackson seemed on the verge of madness.

“Calm down!” Samuel Thompson shouted.

Rose Jackson shuddered, then collapsed onto Samuel Thompson’s shoulder, sobbing bitterly.

At the doorway, eleven-year-old Grace Thompson was already showing signs of graceful maturity.

With wide, incredulous eyes, she stared in disbelief at her parents. Grace Thompson’s small body trembled, and suddenly, she shouted loudly, “You want to kill Brother Yi? I hate you, I hate you so much! Why are you treating Brother Yi like this! Wuwuwu, Brother Yi, Brother Yi, run! Father wants to kill you!”

Chapter 009 Departure

Grace Thompson was young, but her martial skills were excellent. Especially because she loved to play, her lightness skills were truly outstanding and quite extraordinary.

At this age, she was just beginning to understand things. Grace Thompson had happily come to her parents’ bedroom door, only to overhear Samuel Thompson talking about killing Henry Thompson, and Rose Jackson crying, saying, “You might as well kill me too.” Connecting this with her brother, who had been driven out of the house and abandoned by the family since childhood, she was instantly shocked.

In her heart, Grace Thompson loved Henry Thompson the most, and her feelings were extremely complicated!

As she grew older, she understood more. Besides her deep sympathy for her “born useless” brother, she also cherished the beautiful memories of childhood.

Grace Thompson was naturally intelligent and had an excellent memory. She remembered almost everything from her childhood.

Back then, Henry Thompson would hold her, kiss her affectionately, care for her, and even his scoldings were full of love…

At that time, Grace Thompson didn’t know what that warmth was, only that such an embrace felt very comforting. But now, Grace Thompson understood—it was true, selfless familial love, a love thicker than blood.

At this moment, Grace Thompson completely broke down, unable to believe what was happening before her eyes. Yet her mother’s real tears and pleading gaze, her father’s resolute attitude, all cruelly confirmed the truth!

Tears fell in streams. A slender, red figure turned into a streak of red and shot away, quickly disappearing into the distance.

Unable to bear such pressure, Grace Thompson ran away—and she did so in a hurry, leaving decisively, to warn Henry Thompson.