Mr. Brooks sat behind the desk. Although he was already over sixty, his hair and beard were still jet-black and shiny, making him look no older than forty. His square, dignified face was full of helplessness as he watched his grandson lazily and listlessly walk in, almost losing his temper once again.

William Brooks was born into poverty. As a youth, he became a general, sweeping across the land and striking fear into the hearts of enemy armies from every nation. Not only was he outstanding in both civil and military affairs, but he was also one of the few Heaven Profound-level experts in the entire Tianxiang Empire. He was steady and resolute by nature, rarely showing his emotions, always harboring deep plans in his heart.

Just from the phrase “born into poverty, a general in his youth!” one could see: how many children from poor families ever make it to the rank of general? Let alone becoming a general while still young?!

From a humble commoner to the current Grand Duke of the Blood Orchid, William Brooks took less than forty years. Though one could say the times make the hero, looking at the entire history of the continent, such cases are exceedingly rare! This experience alone was enough to be proud of. Yet, whenever he saw his only remaining grandson, he was filled with helplessness and bitter disappointment.

The old man truly couldn’t understand how, with his family’s bloodline and strict discipline, such a black sheep could have been produced! This boy was neither scholarly nor martial; he got dizzy whenever he picked up a book, and at the mention of training, he ran faster than a rabbit. Other families’ sons and nephews were either already talented and well-known, or had at least gotten their profound energy cultivation on track—at least at the fifth rank or above. But his precious grandson had already driven away five tutors in succession, and his profound energy cultivation was still a pitiful third rank...

Yet this good-for-nothing was a natural genius when it came to indulging in wine, women, gambling, and other vices—he needed no teacher for those. In these areas, he was a prodigy. After a lifetime of heroism, to have such a grandson...

With a powerless sigh, Mr. Brooks couldn’t help but think: if only his son and those other two grandsons were still alive... At this thought, he gave a self-mocking smile: if they were all still here, would this only heir have been spoiled into such a state? When he received the news of his son’s heroic death, he had forced himself not to cry, priding himself on being the father of a famous general and the grandfather of heroes. When his two grandsons, Mo You and Mo Chou, died on the battlefield, he had also held back his tears, thinking “my son is a hero, my grandsons are brave men.” Later, when Wu Yi was left crippled for life, he finally shed tears for the first time, but still felt a sliver of relief and luck—at least he still had one grandson left, and the Brooks family line could continue... But now, it seemed, his last grandson was just a little scoundrel, a hopeless good-for-nothing!

What could he do?!

“I heard you fell out of bed last night? And even knocked yourself out? Is that true?!” Pushing aside his emotions, William Brooks asked calmly.

“Uh?” Ethan Brooks looked up, a bit puzzled, a bit relieved. If it were any other matter, Ethan Brooks could have muddled through with the memories left in his mind, but this one he truly didn’t know. In fact, this was also a big mystery in Ethan Brooks’s heart: when he woke up this morning, there was nothing unusual about this body, so how did he cross over? Only now, from the old man’s question, did he vaguely guess: so this guy actually died by falling out of bed in his sleep...

What a true wastrel—an idol, really! To die by falling out of bed while sleeping!

Ethan Brooks felt genuine admiration in his heart. Such a master truly deserved to be looked up to.

“Uh what uh?” Mr. Brooks slapped the desk, his beard bristling and eyes glaring. Just seeing his lazy look made his anger flare up. “You little bastard, you didn’t even know someone tried to harm you in secret! If I hadn’t taken precautions, you’d already be meeting King Yama by now! Tell me, can’t you show a little promise?!”

So it turns out the kid was attacked! Ethan Brooks secretly curled his lips, thinking to himself: your so-called “precautions” weren’t much use—your grandson has already reincarnated under your “protection.”

Seeing that he still hadn’t spoken, Mr. Brooks was a bit surprised. With this guy’s useless nature, how could he be so quiet? In the past, if he heard someone had tried to harm him, he would have jumped up immediately. But now, his expression was calm, as if he didn’t care, and... there was even a faint hint of coldness.

Am I seeing things?! Mr. Brooks really couldn’t believe such a cold aura could appear on his good-for-nothing grandson!

Chapter Three Samuel Brooks

“Enough. Though we’re family, you deliberately moved to the southernmost part of the residence just to avoid me. Sigh... Tomorrow, move back here!” After giving Ethan Brooks a deep look, William Brooks said with pain in his voice. No matter how much of a wastrel or disappointment he was, he was still his grandson, and the only bloodline of the Brooks family...

At present, although external affairs were calm, the princes were all growing up, and internal strife was surging beneath the surface. As the top figure in the military, he was like a towering tree—everyone wanted to draw close to him or wait for him to lean their way. Targeting his only bloodline was the perfect scheme to frame him! If Ethan Brooks didn’t move back, such incidents would likely keep happening.