Samuel Howard glared at him. “You little brat, where do you feel unwell?”

Edward Howard clutched his stomach and was about to dash downstairs. “Grandson’s stomach hurts, I need to use the toilet!”

Samuel Howard appeared right in his path, and Edward Howard crashed into him with a thud, falling back. Samuel Howard said stiffly, “Hold it in!”

Edward Howard was speechless. “Grandpa, how can you be so cruel!?”

Samuel Howard snorted coldly. “Listen, brat, for these next three months, you’re to stay home and behave yourself. Work hard on your martial arts, and don’t embarrass our Hong family at the Xiushan Autumn Gathering!”

After speaking, he glanced out the window. “Thomas Howard, keep an eye on him for me!”

“Yes, sir!”

Samuel Howard walked off with his hands behind his back, his footsteps thudding so heavily that one might think an ancient beast was approaching.

After a few steps, the old man suddenly stopped and turned his head, looking at Thomas Howard in surprise. “You…”

Thomas Howard hurried to catch up. The two of them, one in front and one behind, left Edward Howard’s small courtyard. Samuel Howard suddenly spun around. “You just broke through to mid-stage Third Grade Manifestation two nights ago. Normally, it should take at least half a month to stabilize your realm. How is it that in just one night, you’ve already stabilized it? Consolidating a realm isn’t that hard, but you’re way too fast.”

Thomas Howard thought for a moment, then cupped his fists and, for the first time, earnestly requested, “General, I respectfully ask to become Young Master Yu’s personal bodyguard!”

A look of shock flashed in Samuel Howard’s tiger-like eyes. “Thomas Howard, you know what this means, don’t you?”

Third Grade Manifestation—absolutely a super expert. Every super expert has their own dignity and pride. Even if they serve under someone, that aura cannot be erased. Otherwise, they’re not worthy of being called an expert.

Precisely because of this pride, experts at the Third Grade Manifestation level almost never become anyone’s personal bodyguard. What does personal bodyguard mean? Frankly, it’s just a lackey. Even if you’re a Third Grade Manifestation, a lackey is still a lackey—just one who’s really good at fighting.

For example, if Edward Howard, this second-generation rich kid, goes out with Thomas Howard, his Third Grade Manifestation bodyguard, not everyone in Wudu City would recognize Edward Howard. If he gets into a conflict with some street punk, and since Edward Howard himself is a good-for-nothing, should Thomas Howard step in or not?

As the personal bodyguard, of course he should.

But a Third Grade Manifestation against a street punk…

That’s why even Samuel Howard never used a Third Grade Manifestation as a personal bodyguard. He’d only bring along Thomas Howard and the others when needed.

Thomas Howard gritted his teeth and nodded. “General, I know. I’ve thought it through. The reason I was able to stabilize my realm overnight is all thanks to Young Master Yu.”

A sharp gleam shot from Samuel Howard’s eyes. He lost his composure and grabbed Thomas Howard—even though Thomas Howard was already mid-stage Third Grade Manifestation, in front of Samuel Howard, a Second Grade Divine Awakening, he had no room to resist!

“What did you say?! Did Edward Howard work his magic again last night?”

Thomas Howard replied, “Exactly. General, Young Master Yu is no longer the same as before. Even if he doesn’t achieve much in his own cultivation in the future, he’s still the Hong family’s greatest treasure!”

Samuel Howard released Thomas Howard, lowered his head with hands behind his back, and paced in place.

After a long while, Samuel Howard finally looked up at Thomas Howard. “If that’s the case, I can’t give you an answer right now.”

Thomas Howard was disappointed, but on second thought, it was to be expected.

If he became Edward Howard’s personal bodyguard, he’d likely be the only one to benefit from this in the future. Whether others would be jealous aside, for the sake of the Hong family’s development, such a decision couldn’t be made rashly.

“I understand.”

Samuel Howard nodded in satisfaction. “Don’t worry, I’ll never treat you unfairly.”

“Thank you, General.”

“Also, this matter is strictly confidential. Without my orders, you can’t reveal a single word—even to Edward Howard himself!”

This was to prevent the prodigal son from running his mouth and showing off, courting disaster.

Thomas Howard knelt down with a bang. “Rest assured, General, Thomas Howard would rather die than speak!”

Chapter 9: Assisting Cultivation (Part 1)

Edward Howard squatted in the outhouse, his face turning blue from holding it in.

What a jinxed mouth—he just had to mention the toilet earlier, and now, here he was with real diarrhea! After the old man left, Edward Howard had breakfast, and then, within half an hour, set a glorious record of using the toilet six times. It was likely that in a hundred years, no one in the Hong residence would break it!

Finally, his stomach felt relieved. Edward Howard sighed as he wiped himself with straw paper and stood up.

Strangely, diarrhea should make you weaker, but why did he feel more energetic the more he went? Edward Howard was puzzled, but since he felt great now, he tidied himself up and went to look for his big brother Charles Howard.

Edward Howard didn’t even need to look—Uncle Shen was definitely nearby.

When he arrived at Charles Howard’s courtyard, things were different today. All the servants were hiding outside, craning their necks to peek inside.

Edward Howard was curious. He pushed the door open and heard a woman’s angry shouting from inside. Then, with a bang, Charles Howard stumbled out in a sorry state, immediately followed by a book flying out and smacking him on the head.