Eric Bennett was standing outside the hall, noticing a few guards patrolling the courtyard. Mr. Turner was being so meticulous—even though this was a pawnshop, the item to be taken out was guarded at a level comparable to a safe within a vault in this era. He thought to himself, the Clark family is so wealthy that ordinary gold and silver would hardly catch their eye. What kind of treasure could make Mr. Turner so cautious?

However, Grace Clark's graceful figure was blocking the small bundle, and since Eric Bennett didn't have X-ray vision, all he could see was Grace Clark seeming to shake her head, then nod. Eric Bennett finally gave up on trying to see what it was. Before long, a guard hurried in and approached Mr. Turner, saying, “Old Mr. Turner, someone wants to pawn something.”

Mr. Turner frowned and waved his hand, “Let him wait. Don’t let him in to disturb the young lady.” After a pause, he instructed, “George Miller, you go out and take a look.” As he spoke, he put away the bundle, carefully placing it back in the cabinet.

A young man responded and came out from the back hall. He was of medium build, with a dark complexion, and walked toward the outer hall.

After Mr. Turner put away the bundle, Grace Clark suddenly said, “Mr. Turner, let Eric Bennett go along and have a look too.”

Mr. Turner was taken aback. Pawnshops were a novelty in Xudu City, and he had earned Mr. William Clark's trust with his sharp eye, managing this pawnshop and training several excellent subordinates over the years.

But the pawn business was extremely niche at the moment, with few people knowing about it and even fewer experts. Little Eric had been trained by him and already had a keen eye, so Mr. Turner naturally trusted him to appraise goods. But what did the young lady mean by having Eric Bennett go along too?

Getting older makes one overthink things. Mr. Turner hesitated, and seeing this, Grace Clark smiled slightly, “Mr. Turner, it’s not that I don’t trust you. It’s just that this is someone Third Uncle has chosen, intending to take him as a disciple. I want to see what he’s capable of.”

She spoke in a very low voice, so Eric Bennett didn’t hear, but Mr. Turner was thunderstruck, exclaiming, “What?” He had followed Mr. William Clark for many years, always just a subordinate, never a disciple, which he had always regretted. When he asked Mr. William Clark why he wouldn’t take him as a disciple, Mr. William Clark always avoided the question.

Eric Bennett might not know the significance of being accepted as a disciple by Mr. William Clark, but Mr. Turner understood perfectly. He knew that if word got out, half the people in Xudu City would look at this person differently.

But that thin, frail young man, dressed as a servant and looking even younger than Little Eric, how could he have won such favor from Mr. William Clark?

Chapter 9: An Unexpected Discovery

Mr. Turner was extremely surprised, but still smiled and said, “If Third Master has his eye on him, I’d like to see for myself.”

Grace Clark smiled sweetly, “Actually, I don’t know what Third Uncle sees in him either—maybe there’s more to it. When it comes to the pawn business, the Clark family can’t do without Mr. Turner.”

Mr. Turner felt much better. He had followed Mr. William Clark for years and, even if he hadn’t achieved great merit, he had worked hard. He was certainly confident in his own judgment.

Mr. William Clark had his reasons for not taking him as a disciple, and if he intended to take this young man as one, there must be a plan. What kind of luck did this kid have? Judging by the young lady’s words, she seemed to think the same, which made Mr. Turner feel quite gratified.

Seeing Mr. Turner smile, Grace Clark also chuckled softly, “When Eric Bennett is appraising the goods, please give him some pointers, Mr. Turner.” She was, after all, the one managing the Clark family’s business, and with just a few words, she turned Mr. Turner's confusion into joy.

Mr. Turner nodded and led Grace Clark outside the hall. Looking at Eric Bennett, who was sitting in the sun, he called out, “Brother Bennett?”

Eric Bennett was rather surprised, thinking, I’m just a servant, and yet the boss is addressing me like this—did he get hit on the head or something?

But since the man was being so polite, even though he didn’t understand why, he cupped his hands and smiled, “May I ask what you need, Manager?”

Mr. Turner saw that the young man had some manners and nodded slightly, “There are some goods outside. If you’re interested, Brother Bennett, why not come take a look with me?”

Though he was confident in himself, after hearing what the young lady said, he thought, If this kid really becomes Mr. William Clark’s disciple, his future prospects would be immeasurable. It wouldn’t hurt to win him over early.

Eric Bennett was actually a bit interested. Since coming to this era, every brick and tile he saw would have fetched a good price in his own time. The goods in this pawnshop, needless to say, would be even rarer in his era.

He nodded and followed Mr. Turner and Grace Clark to the gate of the courtyard, where they saw George Miller standing at the entrance. Opposite him stood a man in short, tattered clothes and worn-out shoes, holding a shabby little cloth bag—clearly the attire of the poorest commoners in Xudu.

Seeing this, Grace Clark was a little disappointed, thinking that such a person couldn’t possibly have anything valuable. She had wanted to test Eric Bennett’s eye for goods again, but it seemed she had miscalculated this time.

George Miller turned around and was about to say something, but seeing a look from Mr. Turner, he changed his words tactfully, “It’s just some old, broken copper coins.”

The commoner hurriedly said, “But surely I can pawn them for a little money?”

“Brother Bennett, help us take a look,” Mr. Turner said calmly.

Eric Bennett didn’t stand on ceremony. Looking at the commoner, he asked, “What’s your surname?”