“I haven’t touched a drop of alcohol in these fifteen years.” Charles Clark remained still, the coldness between his brows seeming to freeze, feeling more and more certain that he was right to reveal this matter.

　　Since childhood, Charles Clark had always given Henry Clark the impression of being a man of his word, never speaking falsely.

　　“You’re lying to me!” he said in a trembling voice. “Then… whose child am I? Yours?”

　　There was even a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

　　Yes, Charles Clark must have some unspeakable reason, which is why he entrusted me to the care of the The Clark Family. Or… am I his illegitimate son? His wife at home wouldn’t let me in, so he sent me here.

　　Charles Clark shook his head. “You are the child of my friend. Your parents passed away before you turned one. I brought you to Yuan Prefecture, Xiaohe Village, and gave Edward Clark and his wife a thousand coins, then five hundred coins every year after that—enough for their family to live on, and to raise you as well.”

　　“Those who are bought with money will also betray for money… I underestimated human nature.”

　　Henry Clark was not stupid—in fact, he was very clever. In an instant, he understood why his parents had always been so cold to him, even abusive.

　　Five years ago, Charles Clark disappeared, and the annual five hundred coins stopped as well.

　　“Where have you been these five years?” Henry Clark asked, his voice hoarse, his heart a mix of emotions.

　　There was some commotion outside. Charles Clark said calmly, “Five years ago, I had to travel far for some matters. I’ve returned this time to arrange a marriage for you.”

　　Arrange a marriage?

　　“I’m only fifteen.” At the founding of the dynasty, to replenish the population lost to war, the Tang encouraged early marriages, but the marriage age had been raised repeatedly since then.

　　Charles Clark shook his head. “I cannot stay here long. Before I leave, I must make sure everything is arranged for you. The young lady is the daughter of a scholar, but…”

　　Thinking of how Edward Clark and his wife treated Henry Clark, a murderous intent grew stronger in him. “After you marry, you may go to Chang’an and need not return. I will visit you when the time is right.”

　　Henry Clark felt his mind was in chaos. He tried to dispel those thoughts, knowing that Charles Clark must have his reasons.

　　Charles Clark took out a document. “This is a travel permit. Keep it safe.”

　　A travel permit had to go through the village chief, but David Bolton hadn’t mentioned it, so this must be a forgery by Charles Clark. Henry Clark wondered, could Charles Clark be a notorious bandit? Or perhaps a wandering swordsman who likes to spy on women bathing… Otherwise, how would he have such skills?

　　“I’ll invite a matchmaker soon.”

　　Charles Clark felt a bit of regret, thinking he’d arranged the marriage too early. But he would not go back on his word to Henry Clark.

　　Henry Clark, however, was not concerned about this. “Charles Clark, that cultivation method…”

　　Charles Clark frowned. “That method was left to you by your father. He said it was the most stable.”

　　Stability often means mediocrity.

　　Charles Clark looked at Henry Clark with a complicated expression.

　　Someone was coming. Charles Clark actually felt relieved, and then swiftly disappeared.

　　“I want to get some things from the mountains. Is there a good hunter in the village?”

　　Outside the village, Charles Clark, who had disguised himself by some unknown means, wandered to the canal and found a village woman washing clothes. Two copper coins landed on the dirty laundry. The woman picked them up, afraid he’d change his mind, and hurriedly said, “Yes! What do you want to hunt?”

　　Charles Clark was surprised. “You mean I can choose?”

　　The woman looked at him and suddenly smiled. “Of course!”

　　“Who?” Charles Clark asked.

　　The woman pounded her lower back with her fist. “Robert Clark.”

　　“He’s just a boy!” Charles Clark clenched his fists, thinking of the scars on Henry Clark’s chest and abdomen.

　　The woman shook her head. “His parents are cruel! They beat and scolded Robert Clark since he was ten, forcing him to work, or else they wouldn’t feed him. But what can a ten-year-old do? There’s only so much work in the fields. So Robert Clark carried a bow and a long knife into the mountains. How tall was he then? I still remember the scabbard always dragging on the ground—he just dragged it along. He walked all the way, wiping his tears as he went. After that, I never saw that child cry again.”

　　……

　　Henry Clark returned to his room in a daze, opened a wooden chest, and took out a bundle.

　　Inside were some odds and ends, all left by Charles Clark.

　　Now, it seemed, these were the things his parents had left him.

　　He took out a scroll and skillfully pressed a button.

　　“Ding!”

　　A small dot flashed green. Henry Clark was a little excited. “It’s working, it’s working.”

　　He pressed a few buttons, and the sounds kept changing.

　　“Pop songs…”

　　“Prehistoric classical music…”

　　Henry Clark curled his lip. “These are the worst.”

　　He pressed the button again.

　　“Economics…”

　　A girl’s voice came on. Henry Clark hesitated for a moment. He didn’t want to listen to this today, so he pressed the button again.

　　“Solar storms can affect satellite safety, interfering with the communication between space carriers and ground stations within the affected area…”

　　Henry Clark sat on the floor, hugging his knees, as if embracing the whole world…

　　After about half an hour, the green light turned red.

　　The girl’s voice became urgent. “Low battery, shutting down automatically… Low battery, shutting down automatically…”

　　The sound gradually faded away.

　　Henry Clark sat on the floor in a daze.

　　Outside, Edward Clark’s whole family was overjoyed.

　　Inside the house and outside seemed like two different worlds.

Chapter Three: The Little Ant Waving Its Claws at the Sky