Samuel Cooper didn’t see the masked men and was quite disappointed. He pestered his father and brothers with endless questions until his eldest brother sternly ordered him to be quiet. Only then did he reluctantly shrink into a large armchair, quietly listening as everyone analyzed the origins and motives of the masked intruders.

There were many powers in the Western Regions, with complicated names of people and places. Samuel Cooper listened in utter confusion, his interest gradually fading, and before he knew it, he fell asleep. Just before he drifted off completely, he kept hearing two words—Butcher. He thought: No matter who this “Butcher” refers to, there’s nothing to be afraid of. After all, his father is a real general.

In truth, Logan Cooper’s title of general wasn’t as genuine as his youngest son imagined. In the past, he had served as a palace guard in the Central Plains, and only upon retirement was he symbolically granted the rank of Third Grade Divine Martial General.

Though he served in the palace, Logan Cooper was renowned in the martial world of the Central Plains, all thanks to a set of family martial arts. The martial artist Henry Clark had even volunteered to become a servant in order to learn the family’s spear techniques. The eldest and second sons of the Gu family were also considered experts, but the youngest son, though half-grown, had yet to achieve anything.

The Gu family’s young master was handsome and looked very clever and lively, and he was indeed eager to learn. He had only one flaw—he lacked perseverance. Whatever he did, it was always on a whim, and he would give up after just a few days. Being the youngest in the family, he was showered with love from his parents and siblings, which only made this problem worse.

Samuel Cooper was sent back to his bedroom. When he woke up, instead of running to his sister’s room as usual, he wandered around the estate, asking about the details of last night’s robbery.

The masked men were defeated in a single blow, and everyone in the estate felt as if they had won a great victory. The only regret was that they hadn’t captured any prisoners—not even a drop of blood was left behind—which made the victory feel a bit incomplete. Still, when talking to the young master, everyone spoke at length, describing the scene as incredibly thrilling.

After hearing all this, Samuel Cooper was even more disappointed and kept blaming his little page Ethan, accusing him of not waking him up in time.

Ethan, who was about the same age as Samuel Cooper, was the only one in the household who dared to argue with the young master. He spread his hands, looking unconvinced. “Young master, you’re a martial artist, supposed to be alert to everything. I’m just a servant boy who follows orders—if I fall asleep, I wouldn’t even know if someone killed me, so how could I wake you up?”

Unable to out-argue his page, Samuel Cooper stormed off alone to his sister’s place for comfort.

Unlike the excited estate workers, Master Logan Cooper and the old servant Henry Clark were serious all day, supervising the staff even more strictly than usual and sending people out to gather information. Clearly, Logan Cooper believed that the incident of the masked men breaking into the estate was not over yet.

A hint of tension crept over the estate.

After half a day, Samuel Cooper lost interest in the masked men. He had full confidence in his father’s and brothers’ martial skills, and there were other experts in the estate to help. Even if an army attacked, they would be ready to defend. As for himself, he was just there to watch the excitement.

Besides, the Western Regions were different now from a decade or so ago. Back then, the great powers fought for dominance, small states were in chaos, warlords held private armies, and bandits were everywhere. Robbers often found that their victims were fellow outlaws, and ordinary people could only hide at home and pray to the gods for protection. Now, all that was in the past. The three great nations—Central Plains, Northern Court, and Shule—had reached a balance and compromise. Over thirty new and old small states had stabilized, bandits were becoming rare, and were gradually turning into legends.

When the family moved from the Central Plains to the Western Regions, Master Logan Cooper had thought it through carefully. “The Western Regions are very stable now. That estate is like a paradise on earth.”

Logan Cooper was right—the oasis where the estate was located truly was like a utopia.

Samuel Cooper firmly believed his father’s words, so he wasn’t worried at all. As usual, he chatted with his sister, wandered around the estate, bickered with his page Ethan, and as soon as night fell, his father sent him to bed, where he quickly drifted off to sleep.

In a hazy state, the young master of the Gu family felt someone shaking him vigorously. He opened his eyes, very displeased. “What is it? Are the bandits back?”

The page Ethan, yawning just like his young master, held up a candle. “It’s not bandits, it’s Master.”

Samuel Cooper managed to get up and saw his father’s thin figure standing in the shadow at the doorway.

“Lucas, put on your clothes. Go see your sister off.”

Lucas was Samuel Cooper’s childhood nickname, used only by his closest family.

“Sister is leaving already? But brother-in-law’s family hasn’t sent anyone yet.” Samuel Cooper was very surprised. The departure date was more than two months early, and he wasn’t prepared at all.

“Yes, it’s been moved up. Something has changed, and you have to leave now.”

Samuel Cooper was so sleepy he couldn’t think straight. He just answered, and with Ethan’s help, got dressed and put on his cloak. Logan Cooper tied a prepared bundle to his back and slipped a short sword into his belt.

The Gu family’s martial arts were famous for both saber and spear, but not for swordsmanship. This short sword was specially made for Samuel Cooper: the blade was narrow, less than two feet long, and weighed just over a pound.

The short sword was usually kept by his father, and Samuel Cooper rarely got to use it. Now, he was overjoyed, all sleepiness gone, and immediately wanted to draw it out and admire it. Logan Cooper pressed down his son’s hand and whispered:

“You’re a man of the Gu family now. Use it to protect your sister and yourself. Don’t show it off.”