Godfather asked him to give all the family property to The Collins Family. As a dignified man, once he handed over the family business, he naturally wouldn’t continue to live off others.

But that “soft life” looks so tempting...

All the more reason not to take it!

After figuring out Grace Collins’s identity, Henry Blake raised his hand in greeting:

“Greetings, Master Aunt. Godfather asked me to deliver these things. Once I’m done, I still need to go to the yamen to exchange for a new token. After I’ve settled down in the capital, I’ll come visit the residence again.”

This was clearly a tactful refusal—he didn’t want to come inside.

But the big white bird standing on Henry Blake’s shoulder was not so polite.

Hearing they were relatives, the bird, acting very familiar, flew up to the second-floor window, landed on Grace Collins’s impressively sized chest, and opened its beak:

“Jii~”

This snow-white bird was Henry Blake’s hunting bird, named “White Prince”—meaning “King of freeloaders.” Technically, it was a bird, but it had grown into a ball.

As for its exact species, Henry Blake wasn’t sure. When he was young and drying grain at home, this bird came to scrounge for food and drink. He caught it and kept it as a pet.

He’d thought it might be some kind of “auspicious beast,” but after raising it for so many years, he found that this fat chicken, aside from eating, sleeping, and acting cute, had no special qualities—and sometimes even acted silly.

Like now, taking the initiative to beg for food, and not only landing on a lady’s chest, but also kneading the soft fabric with its little claws, apparently enjoying the feel, stepping twice more, its eyes sparkling as it looked back at Henry Blake:

“Jii~”

The meaning was probably—so soft~

This made Grace Collins blush, and she quickly picked up the mischievous bird:

“Oh~ this bird is really clingy~”

Henry Blake looked embarrassed and scolded:

“Come back.”

“Jii...”

Only then did the bird obediently fly down from the second floor and land on Henry Blake’s shoulder.

Grace Collins smoothed her clothes and continued:

“You’d better just call me Third Aunt. ‘Master Aunt’ makes me sound old. Second Brother is really something—he took you as his adopted son, but then had you bring over the family business. If The Collins Family accepts it, the neighbors will gossip. Since you’re here, we’re family—no need to be so formal. You should take the silver back. From now on, you’re the young master of my The Collins Family. That security escort office outside will be yours to manage. How about it?”

Henry Blake had sold the security office in the border town and got over a thousand taels of silver. It didn’t seem like much, but in terms of purchasing power, it was about a million in his previous life—a considerable sum for ordinary people. And a security office in the capital would be worth at least ten times more.

A real man doesn’t eat food given in contempt. For such a gift, Henry Blake directly declined:

“Thank you for your kindness, Third Aunt, but since Godfather’s will arranged it this way, I won’t go against it. Godfather’s friends and family are my friends and family. If you ever need anything, just let Mr. Bennett inform me. The security escorts are all old family retainers. I hope you’ll treat them well. I’ll take my leave now.”

Seeing that Henry Blake was loyal and principled, unwilling to accept unearned rewards, Grace Collins grew even more fond of him. She didn’t insist, exchanged a few more polite words, and watched Henry Blake leave.

Soon, one man, one horse, and one bird merged into the crowd and disappeared at the street corner.

Grace Collins didn’t let her smile fade until Henry Blake was out of sight, then her expression turned thoughtful.

The maid Emma, who had been standing behind her, finally poked her head out and whispered:

“Madam, did Second Master just send us a treasure? Young Master Blake is really handsome. When he looked at me just now, my legs went weak...”

Grace Collins narrowed her eyes slightly, a bit displeased, but soon nodded:

“I really didn’t expect Second Brother to take in such a handsome adopted son. Even I was a bit tempted... Not to mention his martial skills or character, just his looks alone would let him thrive in the capital.”

Emma giggled, “How talented is Young Master Blake? Did you see through him, Madam?”

Grace Collins pondered seriously, “His aura is as chaotic as tangled vines, yet he has a body full of powerful inner strength. His moves are unrefined, but his bones and muscles are as strong as a tiger or dragon. Second Brother probably just laid the foundation for him, without teaching real skills. To have such ability at only eighteen—he’s a rare genius. If someone teaches him real martial arts, he could make a name for himself in the martial world within a few years.”

A look of seriousness flashed in Emma’s eyes: “So what should we do now? Should we find a chance to tell Young Master Blake about the business here, teach him spear techniques, and train him as the young master?”

Grace Collins shook her head slightly: “He traveled a thousand miles to deliver the family property according to the will. He seems to have excellent character, but you can’t judge a person’s heart by their appearance. Martial arts are killing skills and can’t be taught lightly. The Red Flower House is a big operation, and the choice of the next master isn’t mine alone. We’ll have to observe him for a while.”

“But Young Master Blake seems very proud and doesn’t want to live at The Collins Family under someone else’s roof. How can we observe him?”

“All young people new to the martial world are proud. I’ll go talk to him tonight—he’ll soften up...”

“Madam.”

“Hmm?”

“That sounded a bit... weird...”

“?”

------------

Chapter 3: A Stunning Blade

At dusk, Henry Blake led his horse through the bustling, interwoven streets of Yun’an City.

Having lived in this world for eighteen years, Henry Blake had learned about the situation here.

Great Wei was divided into twelve provinces, its territory slightly smaller than the flourishing Tang dynasty. The emperor was a woman, but the geography was very unfamiliar. Some mountains and rivers had familiar names, but it was nothing like the five lakes and four seas in his previous life’s memory.