Gavin Wood nodded repeatedly. “Yes, we should go take a look.” He casually closed the door, grabbed David Wood, and headed out. When they reached the gate, he suddenly asked, “Did godfather leave a will?”

David Wood was furious. “Brother Thirty-Six, how can you be like this?”

Gavin Wood smiled and put his arm around Brother Thirty-Nine’s shoulder as they left the house together, not bothering to lock the door, and walked toward the entrance of the alley. “I just want to know who little Rou will belong to.”

David Wood’s face turned bright red with anger. Little Rou was one of the four maids by Evelyn Smith’s side, the most favored one. Though she was young, the godsons all treated her as half a godmother and never showed any disrespect.

Not far ahead was the Erlang Temple. Gavin Wood looked at the temple gate, let out a long sigh, and was filled with sorrow.

David Wood finally forgave him a little. “Brother Thirty-Six, don’t be too sad. Godfather said long ago that he had arrangements for everyone.”

Gavin Wood shook his head. “That’s not what I’m sighing about. There’s a new girl in Chun Yuan Alley, and today she’s going to the Erlang Temple to offer incense. I guess I won’t get a chance to see her.”

David Wood swung his fist at Brother Thirty-Six’s stomach, but Gavin Wood put him in a headlock, so he couldn’t use any strength and could only shout, “Everyone says you’re unfilial, and it turns out you really are. Godfather doted on you for nothing. He even mentioned your name yesterday.”

“He mentioned my name?” Gavin Wood was quite surprised by such an honor.

“That’s right. Godfather said he’d wait for Gavin Wood and the others to come back before making a plan to capture the demon fox.”

Gavin Wood let go of Brother Thirty-Nine. “‘Gavin Wood and the others’—he only mentioned my name, not anyone else’s?”

David Wood shook his head.

“Who else wasn’t home yesterday?” The godsons were used to calling Evelyn Smith’s residence “home.”

“Big Brother and Brothers Two and Three are in Tongzhou. Brothers Thirteen, Fifteen, and Thirty-One are in Nanjing. Brothers Sixteen, Twenty-Four, and Twenty-Eight are in Taiyuan. The others were all here.”

Gavin Wood grunted in acknowledgment. Big Brother Shane Wood had always been the leader of the godsons. Brother Thirteen James Wood was clever and quick-witted, regarded by godfather as a strategist. Brother Sixteen Keith Wood was outstanding in martial arts and often carried out the toughest missions. Among the other godsons, there were three or five who were also highly valued. No matter how you looked at it, Gavin Wood was not one of the standouts.

“Did godfather mention the wrong name?” Gavin Wood could only come to this conclusion.

David Wood didn’t hold back, spreading his hands. “That’s what everyone says.”

Chongwenmen Inner Street was always bustling, and now it was packed with traffic. The two of them walked along the edge of the road. On the way, David Wood recounted what had happened yesterday. He was one of the four attendants who had gone to the Western Depot and had seen godfather come out with a gloomy face.

“I heard the new director is named Wang Zhi, also from Duanteng Gorge. I even said we’d have someone to rely on in the future, but judging by godfather’s expression, he didn’t seem happy. But godfather didn’t meet Wang Zhi yesterday. Still, that old eunuch seems to have already decided that godfather and Wang Zhi won’t get along…” David Wood kept saying “but,” full of doubts.

Gavin Wood didn’t care at all. He looked up at the sky. “What a beautiful day. It won’t be long before we can go out of the city for a spring outing.”

“Brother Thirty-Six, can’t you be a little more human?” David Wood was very dissatisfied with this attitude.

Gavin Wood laughed. “Feelings, feelings—only the living have them. Once you’re dead, nothing’s left. Godfather didn’t believe in ghosts or gods. When godmother passed away, he didn’t cry or wail either.”

David Wood turned his face away and refused to speak to Brother Thirty-Six any further.

At the entrance of Guanyin Temple Alley, Old Five Mark Wood came walking toward them. “Brother Thirty-Nine, hurry to the Embroidered Uniform Guard and report to Lord Yuan.”

“With so many brothers, why am I the only one running errands? I haven’t even seen godfather for the last time.”

“Hurry up.” Mark Wood barked. With Big Brother Shane Wood away, he was the leader of the godsons left behind. David Wood didn’t dare disobey and left grumbling.

Mark Wood was older. When he was adopted, he was already fourteen or fifteen. Now, nearing thirty, he hadn’t grown much taller, but he’d become more solidly built, with darker skin and a beard several inches long, making him look even more mature.

“Brother Thirty-Six, come to my house to talk.” Mark Wood lived in the first house on the left at the entrance of the alley.

Gavin Wood smiled. “Fifth Brother, isn’t this the wrong time for a chat?”

Mark Wood was always serious, and now his expression was even more stern. “Fine, I’ll get straight to the point. Among our forty brothers, seven have already become Embroidered Uniform Guards. Godfather had been working hard to recommend the rest, but now that he’s suddenly passed away, someone needs to take over the recommendations immediately, or else you all might end up with nothing.”

Mark Wood was already a captain in the Embroidered Uniform Guard, while Gavin Wood was not. “Fifth Brother is thinking of us.”

“No need for formalities among brothers. I’m thinking of you all, but you also need to think of me.”

Gavin Wood raised his eyebrows, puzzled.

“Among the brothers, you’re the smartest, just not fond of showing it. Godfather mentioned your name yesterday, probably for this reason. Brother Thirty-Six, remember, you have my promise. I can’t guarantee it for the others, but I will definitely get you into the Embroidered Uniform Guard.”

“That’s great.” Gavin Wood smiled. “At least I’ll have a monthly salary and be better off than now.”

Fifth Brother knew that Brother Thirty-Six had no great ambitions and smiled slightly as he led the way into the alley.

Halfway there, Gavin Wood said, “Brother Thirty-Nine said godfather died under suspicious circumstances.”