Matthew Reed entered his own home. Beyond the sense of intimacy, this was also a way to show the people of Dingfang City a certain attitude.

He was telling everyone in Dingfang City that he had a connection with him—if anyone dared to mess with him, they would be messing with Matthew Reed!

“Brother Lin, my home is just inside the city, not far from here. Let me lead the way for you.” Liam Foster would never pass up such an opportunity. Although he didn’t like relying on others, he knew very well that before he had enough strength to protect himself, having a powerful backer was not a bad thing.

“Senior Lin, please get in the carriage.” Just as Liam Foster was pulling Evelyn Clark along to lead the way, Master Harris had already brought over a finely decorated carriage.

Charles Brooks looked at the carriage, the corner of his mouth twitching.

That was the carriage he had painstakingly crafted. In all of Dingfang City, anyone who saw that carriage would know that Young Master Brooks had arrived.

But now, neither the person leading the horses nor the one riding in the carriage paid any attention to the wishes of its owner.

But did he dare say a word?

He didn’t dare!

The carriage, drawn by four horses, sped along and reached the gates of Dingfang City in just five minutes.

During those five minutes, Liam Foster kept introducing the surroundings of Dingfang City to Matthew Reed, and the two of them were constantly laughing and chatting.

Inside the carriage, only one person was lost in thought. That person was Evelyn Clark.

What happened today was truly overwhelming for Evelyn Clark. Xiao Ling, the one she had always protected, not only made it out of the desperate situation of the Lushan Secret Realm, but also gathered quite a few herbs.

Moreover, he had made friends with a powerful cultivator—one so imposing that even Young Master Brooks could only bow and kowtow before him.

All of this felt a bit unreal to her, but the constant sound of conversation in her ears told her that it was all true.

Looking at Liam Foster across from her, handling everything with ease and even laughing from time to time, Evelyn Clark's eyes gradually grew moist.

The The Foster Family was located on the north side of Dingfang City, in a courtyard covering three mu.

The houses in the courtyard were built side by side, quite imposing, but whether it was the doors or other decorations, everything exuded an ancient air.

Matthew Reed looked over the house, and his impression of the The Foster Family's situation became even more certain: this was a declining family.

It truly was a declining family. The only reason Liam Foster and Evelyn Clark still had this three-mu courtyard to live in was because it was the ancestral home of the The Foster Family, as well as the family shrine.

“Brother Lin, please.”

Liam Foster, facing this home that was both familiar and strange, also felt a sense of curiosity, but he still placed himself in the role of a hospitable host.

Matthew Reed followed Liam Foster into the main hall of the house. They had barely sat down and exchanged a few words when someone outside called out loudly, “I am Emily Thompson, the manager of Zhenbao Pavilion in Dingfang City, requesting an audience with the senior.”

The voice was not loud, but it had a lingering, persistent quality.

“To have a ninth-level Qi Refining expert as a manager—Zhenbao Pavilion truly lives up to its name.” Matthew Reed muttered to himself, then said calmly, “Come in!”

As he spoke, a man in his thirties quickly walked in. Seeing Matthew Reed seated at the head, he didn’t hesitate at all and respectfully said, “Emily Thompson greets the senior.”

Matthew Reed nodded, saying nothing.

Emily Thompson then cupped his fists toward Liam Foster and said, “Young Master Fang, the grievances you suffered in the Lushan Secret Realm were entirely due to our poor management at Zhenbao Pavilion, which allowed a traitor like David Bolton to act out. Regarding this matter, Zhenbao Pavilion will definitely give you an explanation.”

As he spoke, he clapped his hands, and a white-robed youth, looking only about a dozen years old, entered carrying a tray.

On the tray was a human head.

David Bolton's head!

Chapter 10: The Golden Sword Talisman

In Dingfang City, as a steward of Zhenbao Pavilion, David Bolton was a notable figure wherever he went.

But now, his head was being presented as a gift before Liam Foster.

Looking at the head, which still bore traces of fear and unwillingness, Liam Foster felt no sympathy—only a burning desire to become stronger.

He didn’t speak, but Matthew Reed, sitting to the side, said calmly, “Manager Thompson, do you think a single head is enough to resolve the grievances my brother suffered?”

“Immortal Master Reed is right. This head of David Bolton is merely Zhenbao Pavilion’s apology to Young Master Fang. As for the disturbance Young Master Fang suffered, we have other gifts to offer.” As he spoke, Emily Thompson gently clapped his hands.

This time, four white-robed youths entered, each carrying a tray. On the first tray was a jade bottle the size of a fist; on the second, a sheathed longsword; on the third, a tray full of spirit stones; and on the fourth, a small, yellowed book.

Once the four youths stood in place, Emily Thompson smiled and said, “Immortal Master Reed, Young Master Fang, these small gifts are a token of our respect. We hope they can make up for the harm Zhenbao Pavilion has caused Young Master Fang.”

Matthew Reed reached out, and the yellowed little book landed in his hand.