Although the words spoken by this monk were each more unpleasant than the last, Brian Clark had heard even harsher words in his previous life and didn’t care about such things. If the attitudes previously shown by Elder Clark and Blake Clark had already put him on high alert, then the news at this moment undoubtedly signaled a grave survival crisis. Looking at the grinning monk, he couldn’t help but fix his gaze on the other for a moment, then suddenly asked, “I wonder, what does the Ming Code say about breaking off an engagement?”

“The Ming Code?” The monk was taken aback by Brian Clark’s question, then burst out laughing. “Didn’t expect it, you kid are quite shrewd—much better than that old fool Eighth Clark! If you really go by the Ming Code, if the man breaks off the engagement, all the betrothal gifts go to the woman, and if the woman is unwilling and reports it to the authorities, the man gets eighty strokes of the cane. But if the woman wants to break off the engagement and the man is unwilling and reports it, then even the one who marries her in the future will get punished together. That’s how it’s written, but if it really goes to the authorities, it all depends on whose backing is stronger.”

At this point, the monk suddenly paused, then smiled thoughtfully and said, “However, that Mr. Sullivan probably doesn’t want things to get out of hand and ruin his reputation. There’s actually a little trick here. As soon as you’re expelled, you’re no longer a member of the The Clark Family, so even if the marriage contract still exists, this alliance has nothing to do with you. Maybe they’d even be happy to find someone outstanding from the The Clark Family to marry their daughter?”

The earlier explanation had just solved Brian Clark’s urgent confusion about the Ming Code, and this last sentence was even more meaningful—he understood it after a moment’s thought. As he was pondering, Grant Clark over there, still tipsy, slammed a fist hard against the wall: “They say that among great clans, people kill without shedding blood, but I didn’t expect even a small family like the The Clark Family to be so ruthless!”

The monk, hearing this complaint, just shrugged indifferently. “You’ve lived all these years and only now understand this? The only reason you got caught up in this mess is because you saved Seventh Young Master Clark’s life. Otherwise, if he died, that would be the end of it, and they could just enjoy the benefits!”

“It’s fine, uncle, don’t worry. When the cart gets to the mountain, there’ll be a way through; when the boat reaches the bridgehead, it’ll go straight.” In just this short while, Brian Clark had already calmed down. He was never the type to just lose his head when trouble came; now, instead, he was comforting Grant Clark. When the still-drunk old man impatiently loosened his collar and bared his chest, Brian Clark added, “Uncle, if you hadn’t saved me, none of this trouble would have happened.”

“Little Brian, what are you saying? I only know that a man must live up to his conscience and the heavens, so I don’t care about these troubles!” Grant Clark snorted angrily at the monk, then turned his head and said, “Besides, these old bones of mine don’t have to stay here with Monk Whitman to survive. With my strength, I can find work anywhere! Anyway, Little Brian, you’d better hurry back and worry about your own affairs. I’m all alone, no ties, I’ll be fine!”

Eager to process the news he’d just received, and with Grant Clark urging him repeatedly, Brian Clark didn’t linger long before taking his leave. As soon as he left, Grant Clark was about to vent his anger at Monk Whitman, but unexpectedly, his old friend suddenly started laughing.

“Eighth Clark, if your child hadn’t died, he’d be about the same age as that boy, wouldn’t he?”

Grant Clark’s face instantly darkened, and he snapped gruffly, “I just saw him and thought of my past, what’s it got to do with my poor child! Besides, back then it was his father who helped buy a cheap coffin and gave me a few strings of cash. I’m not like that old bastard from the The Sullivan Family—I remember every bit of kindness!”

“Alright, alright, let’s leave it at that.” The middle-aged monk shrugged and skipped over the topic, then suddenly winked and smiled, “How about we make a bet?”

At the mention of a bet, Grant Clark immediately became wary, frowning and glaring at the other. “Bet on what?”

“I bet that your young friend will definitely get through this. Well? Do you take the bet or not?”

“Pah, pah, pah!” Grant Clark spat on the ground in annoyance, then said fiercely, “If I fall for your tricks again, I won’t be called Xu! I’m a good judge of character—he definitely won’t be that unlucky. Of course I bet he’ll turn misfortune into blessing!”

“Then that’s settled! So why are you still mad at me?” Monk Whitman chuckled, shaking the wide sleeves of his monk’s robe. “If he gets through this, for saving his life, even if your house gets taken, he’ll most likely invite you to live with him. Why would you still care about this shabby place of mine?”

Chapter Five: The Gatekeeper and Servants

Returning from Grant Clark’s small courtyard to his own house was only a little over a hundred steps, but Brian Clark, having drunk and not yet fully recovered, slowed his pace and took quite a while to get there. As soon as he entered, he happened to bump into a short, stocky man. Through his drunken haze, he recognized the gatekeeper, Sixth King, and before he could say anything, the other greeted him with a smile.

“Oh my, young master, you went out? You’re still not fully recovered, and Ryan Clark actually left you to come back alone—how improper!”