In that instant, from hanging limply at his side to suddenly gripping the sword hilt, the movement was so fast that no one could see it clearly.

"So you do get angry after all. I thought you'd pushed yourself so hard that your brain was broken! If you know that, then you'd better behave yourself! I was sent by the Grand Elder to keep an eye on you, to prevent you from taking more cultivation resources from the family. You useless trash, you no longer have the right to take anything extra. Am I clear enough?"

Henry Carter's pupils contracted, showing a hint of wariness, but that Charles Carter was still as brazen as ever, his gaze utterly unrestrained.

Not only that, but his eyes were full of provocation as he looked at Edward Carter's hand on the sword hilt, the contempt in his eyes growing even stronger.

It was clearly a provocation, hoping that Edward Carter would make a move, so that he could strike back with justification. In his eyes, a sword cultivator whose own sword was broken—was that even a cultivator? What a disgrace!

In the family, it was just these people who looked down on Edward Carter, and this time, they all showed up together.

Edward Carter possessed the memories of a grandmaster, and his personality was somewhat influenced as well, so he didn't pay much attention to these little brats. His gaze was cold and resolute as he looked at each of them in turn, finally letting his eyes fall on Lillian Carter's face.

Lillian Carter frowned, disliking Edward Carter's equally brazen gaze, but she held back, not losing her temper, and met Edward Carter's eyes without fear.

"Fine! I understand. You can all leave now!"

"Leave? Leave that lowly maid of yours behind! Don't embarrass the Zhou family!"

Charles Carter pressed aggressively.

A cold glint flashed in Edward Carter's eyes, his sharp gaze instantly locking onto Charles Carter.

"Penny, come with me."

At that moment, a young girl in a white gauze dress walked out into the courtyard. Her appearance was also extremely beautiful, but there was a sickly pallor to her, making her look especially delicate, as if she could be blown over by the wind.

But when she spoke, Charles Carter didn't have the courage to talk back.

"Grace Miss, this matter has nothing to do with you. Penny is a lowly maid of the Zhou family, so forgive me for not giving you this courtesy—" Charles Carter's attitude was extremely tough.

"The Zhou family... truly... disappointing."

Grace glanced at Charles Carter, then at Edward Carter, who seemed indifferent and allowed his own maid to be bullied. Her eyes were full of dim disappointment, though the emotion was well concealed.

"Young master... Penny is just a servant, of lowly status. As long as young master cares for Penny, Penny is already content.

Young master, you are the one Penny admires most, most, most. If there is a next life, Penny will still follow you, be your maid, for a lifetime, forever."

Penny wept as she quietly stepped forward, not wanting to trouble the young master, ready to obey their arrangements.

The girl in white silently watched this scene, no longer intervening, but the once spirited beauty in her eyes had dimmed, losing its luster.

"Whew—"

Edward Carter let out a long sigh, and the last trace of affection in his heart for the family head, his grandfather, was gone.

He didn't believe that those powerful people were unaware of what was happening here.

Would they even take away his last year's resources? Would they also take away his personal maid, the one who grew up with him as childhood companions?

"Penny, there's no need to wait for the next life. In this life, just serve your young master well."

Edward Carter's hand suddenly reached out and grasped Penny's already cold little hand.

At that moment, he felt Penny's delicate body tremble again, and he also noticed that the sickly girl in white—the one who had always comforted and encouraged him, who always remained calm and mysterious, Grace—her dim eyes now shone with light.

"What, can't bear to part?"

Charles Carter taunted.

Henry Carter sneered repeatedly.

Sophie Carter stared at Penny with envy and jealousy, making no effort to hide her emotions.

As for Lillian Carter, her gaze was so... lofty, as if looking at a clown.

"If you beat me, then call me useless, and you can take Penny away!" Edward Carter's words were icy.

"Hahaha, you piece of trash, how dare you boast like that!" Charles Carter laughed arrogantly.

"Young master, don't do it! They're just looking for an excuse, don't you understand?" Penny was anxious, tears streaming down her face.

Edward Carter said nothing more. The sword in his hand suddenly turned into a flash of silver light, blotting out the sky. With a "whoosh," a vast and ancient aura surged forth.

This sword strike was just an ordinary "Bluewater Reaching the Sky" sword technique, but with one swing, it created a scene like a curtain of water, enough to shock anyone.

Charles Carter was a bit surprised. Before he could react, that sword, like a ghost or a startled spirit, with a "whoosh," broke through his aura, knocked aside the silver refined steel sword he had just drawn, and pierced straight through his chest!

"Splurt—"

Blood sprayed three meters away, and Charles Carter was sent flying, crashing heavily to the ground.

Chapter 009: Ruthless Hand Destroys the Flower

"Cough, cough, cough—"

He was utterly terrified, nearly scared to death. If that sword had been just a little bit off, he would have died right here!