Three days later, Edward Benson, relying on his memory, returned to the The Benson Family residence.

After the ordeal in Xingjue Valley, Edward Benson's clothes were tattered from head to toe, making him look extremely disheveled. Fortunately, he was still considered a young master.

Although the family guards at the gate were not exactly kind, they did not stop him.

However, there was not a trace of warmth from them either. Each wore a playful smile, some mocking, some disdainful, some filled with disgust, and occasionally, there was even a hint of pity or sympathy.

Having lived two lifetimes, Edward Benson was long used to ignoring the gazes of others.

The The Benson Estate was enormous—by modern standards, it was at least the size of a large resort. The houses and pavilions, terraces and waterside gazebos, were all designed with opulence and grandeur. Every potted plant, every ornament, was crafted with ingenuity, displaying attention to detail. Even the mansions of the wealthiest people in his previous life could not compare to such splendor and luxury.

Unfortunately, all this prosperity and wealth had little to do with Edward Benson. His own quarters were remote and cramped.

As an illegitimate child, he was not entitled to the same treatment as the legitimate heirs. The resources he received from the family each month were only a third of what the legitimate children got.

Even that third was often withheld or shortchanged.

Entering through the main gate, Edward Benson did not get lost, thanks to the memories left by his predecessor.

However, before he could make it back to his quarters, he was stopped by two people as he passed through a long corridor.

In the lingering memories, these two were called Charles Benson and William Benson, half-brothers with the same father but different mothers.

By blood, they were clan brothers to Edward Benson.

But there was no sense of brotherly affection between them. On the contrary, an undisguised hostility was clearly written on their faces.

"Yo! Isn't this our The Benson Family's great genius who passed the Yin-Yang Academy entrance exam?" The younger one, William Benson, was the first to speak.

Chapter 0004: A Man Must Strive for Himself

There is no love or hate without reason in this world.

Although the brothers Charles Benson and William Benson did not have a close relationship with him, there was no deep enmity either. Their public mockery was clearly an attempt to curry favor with Henry Benson.

The The Benson Family had pulled a switch, forcibly giving Henry Benson the spot that rightfully belonged to Edward Benson. And Henry Benson was the legitimate son of the clan leader.

From any angle, his future was bright. The position of clan leader was all but guaranteed.

Joining the Yin-Yang Academy meant a meteoric rise; becoming a marquis or prime minister in the future would be no problem.

If he did even better and left Qingluo Country, he would be like a dragon returning to the sea—his prospects would be limitless.

Who wouldn't want to cozy up to such a person, unless they were a fool?

As for Edward Benson, though talented, he couldn't go to the Yin-Yang Academy and was not favored in the family. Even a blind man could see his bleak future.

So, while Edward Benson was annoyed by such pointless provocation, he was not surprised.

The older brother, Charles Benson, seeing Edward Benson remain silent, forced a smile and said, "Xiao Yi, I heard you were so upset that you ran off to Xingjue Valley to seek death. As your brother, let me give you some advice: better a live coward than a dead hero."

Beside him, William Benson sneered, "If you want to die, do it cleanly! Now you look neither human nor ghost. Anyone who doesn't know better would think a beggar wandered into our The Benson Estate!"

"Heh, all right, all right, William Benson, don't be so harsh. Xiao Yi is a man of backbone, after all."

"Tch! What's the use of backbone? If your fate is bad, nothing else matters. Look at Henry—he's of legitimate blood, and his mother's family is one of the six pillar clans of Qingluo Country. A powerful alliance, born to be a dragon." William Benson's tone was full of envy and flattery.

Watching these two brothers put on their act, Edward Benson felt waves of nausea.

Henry?

If he remembered correctly, both Henry Benson and Edward Benson were sons of the family head, half-brothers, and Henry Benson was actually a year younger than Edward Benson.

But Henry Benson's mother's family was powerful, and he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, always flattered and praised. Henry Benson's own mother's background was unknown, making him an illegitimate child, looked down upon since childhood.

These two brothers in front of him looked at least two or three years older than Edward Benson, yet they called Henry Benson "Henry" so naturally and affectionately.

Seeing that Edward Benson still didn't respond, the two brothers seemed to lose interest.

Charles Benson put on a fake smile and said, "Xiao Yi, you should really change your clothes. Tomorrow the family is hosting a grand banquet to celebrate Henry Benson's admission to the Yin-Yang Academy. There will be many guests. If you dress like this, it will really damage the family's image. If the elders see you, you'll definitely get a scolding."

It sounded like he was looking out for Edward Benson, but in reality, he was just rubbing salt in the wound. Where did Henry Benson's spot at the Yin-Yang Academy come from? Wasn't it taken from Edward Benson?

The more the family celebrated this, the more it was a slap in Edward Benson's face.

"Brother, why bother being so polite to him? After tomorrow, he'll be cast out like a stray dog. The family doesn't keep freeloaders."

The two brothers were clearly working together to break Edward Benson's spirit.

Edward Benson smiled, his gaze meaningful as he stared at the two of them. "It's only been a few days, but your bootlicking skills have really improved. But if you want to suck up to Henry Benson, wouldn't it be more effective to do it right in front of him?"