When Ryan Carter came to his senses and saw the guard before him with a look of utter shock, he was a bit taken aback. In the next instant, he understood, reached out to pat the poor guard’s cheek, and leisurely walked into the residence.

Volume One: Grass on the Plain

Chapter Seven: Hiding the Name of the Family James Sullivan

On Fist and Foot, Ryan Carter’s Progress

Bidding farewell to old friends and welcoming new ones. As soon as William Thompson left, Howard Carter arrived.

Yet another composed and elegant middle-aged man. Of medium build, slightly plump, with a rosy complexion—clearly well maintained. His eagle-like eyes actually bore some resemblance to Ryan Carter’s, only more weathered, and with a deeper gaze.

This was the second time the two had met; the last time was when Ryan Carter feigned illness and he came to visit. About this man, Ryan Carter only knew he was the leader of the Qi merchants in Zhongdu, and that William Thompson had hinted there was some family connection between them.

“My surname is Shen, given name Luo,” was Howard Carter’s opening line.

Ryan Carter showed no reaction; he didn’t understand the significance behind the name. But Eagle Carter understood, and blurted out, “James Sullivan? What’s your relation to our lord’s maternal family?”

Calling himself James Sullivan, Howard Carter gracefully lifted his robe, knelt on one knee before Ryan Carter, and saluted with cupped fists: “I am indeed the steward of the Shen family’s outer residence, the eighth younger brother of Consort Jin.”

Ryan Carter hurriedly helped him up—Consort Jin was his mother in this life, and her younger brother was, of course, his uncle.

Ryan Carter helped James Sullivan up, smiling wryly: “Uncle, you flatter your nephew. Please, take a seat.” In his heart, he was truly delighted.

James Sullivan did not decline. Once seated, he carefully observed this ‘nephew’ who had brought him from Zhongdu to Shangjing, and for whom he was about to give up his current life. He seemed a bit stronger than during the last visit, and much more spirited.

Ryan Carter saw that James Sullivan seemed lost in some emotion, but was in no hurry. He quietly watched the curling steam from his teacup, sensing that the man before him had just made some kind of decision, and was feeling a bit heavy-hearted.

Successful people tend to have strong self-control, and the merchant James Sullivan was no exception. He quickly regained his composure and said solemnly, “Sixteen years ago, I was ordered to come to Shangjing to secretly protect Your Highness. The family head instructed me to hide my identity and not contact you, only to appear in your most perilous moments. I beg Your Highness’ forgiveness.” This was his explanation for sixteen years of absence.

Ryan Carter was not the original unfortunate soul, so he felt nothing for those sixteen years of hardship. He replied sincerely, “Uncle, you overstate it. Elders act with foresight—how could the younger generation presume to judge? Besides, your arrival at this time says it all.”

Hearing these warm words, James Sullivan’s brows relaxed a little, and he smiled: “Thank you, Your Highness, for your comfort. From today, the five hundred loyal men and eight million in assets of my Shen family in Shangjing are at Your Highness’ disposal.”

Even after two lifetimes, Ryan Carter couldn’t help but stand up and exclaim, “Really?”

James Sullivan saw the always refined young master finally show a youthful side, and chuckled inwardly. He nodded, “Absolutely true. The family head said, as long as Your Highness can escape danger, even if all our arrangements in Shangjing are destroyed, it is worth it.” He silently added, as was said sixteen years ago.

The situation had changed rapidly, and with ten thousand miles between here and Zhongdu, there was no time to ask for instructions. Even if he didn’t carry out the order from sixteen years ago, there would be excuses. But after some inner conflict, James Sullivan still resolutely carried it out.

Even without knowing the details, Ryan Carter understood that a person only has so many sixteen-year periods in life. Judging by James Sullivan’s appearance, he must have been no more than eighteen or nineteen when he left Zhongdu—the best years of his life spent here.

Suddenly, Ryan Carter had a flash of realization: “That night we were ambushed, Eagle Carter said someone helped us. That must have been you, uncle!”

James Sullivan nodded: “That’s right. But the enemy was too formidable—we lost quite a few men and still couldn’t save Your Highness.”

Ryan Carter shook his head and said seriously, “Uncle, you are mistaken. Without those brothers’ sacrifice, your nephew would never have lasted until the assassins withdrew.” He stood, straightened his robe, and bowed deeply to James Sullivan: “Uncle, your great kindness is beyond thanks. I can only serve you with filial piety in the future.”

James Sullivan accepted the bow, deeply gratified. Though they were uncle and nephew, Ryan Carter was a prince, and the etiquette of ruler and subject outweighed that of kin. By saying this, Ryan Carter was abandoning the etiquette of ruler and subject, and from now on would treat him as family. Such an attitude naturally pleased James Sullivan greatly. He laughed heartily, stood up, and supported Ryan Carter, asking, “Your Highness, do you have a plan?”

The uncle and nephew moved to the study and plotted in secret for a long time. It was nearly dark when James Sullivan left the hostage prince’s residence, still looking astonished.

After seeing James Sullivan off, Eagle Carter thought to himself, “His Highness really doesn’t like keeping people for dinner—even his own uncle has to hurry home for supper.”

……

The days passed one by one. According to plan, James Sullivan busily visited all the influential figures in Shangjing. Every so often, he would come to Ryan Carter’s residence to sit and discuss matters. Truly, money can work wonders—the gate guards treated James Sullivan with great respect, letting him come and go as he pleased.

Ryan Carter continued to train himself methodically, as if nothing had happened.

That evening, after dinner, it was time for the usual sandbag practice.

As usual, Ryan Carter opened with a whip kick. Eagle Carter was a bit slow to react and failed to block in time. The whistling whip kick lashed toward his temple. Eagle Carter was too late to lean back, but that powerful leg stopped instantly right beside his ear, just an inch away.