Charles Bennett refuses to fight, then he won’t be able to stay in Qingmu City anymore. If he accepts the challenge, it’s even more humiliating. Andrew Carter is a “Diwu Realm” expert—how can a Renwu Realm compare to a Diwu Realm? It’s like bringing a knife to a gunfight.

Meanwhile, the head of the The Bennett Family and several core committee members seated on the main platform were unusually quiet at this moment—some picking their ears, some staring at ants on the ground, some about to doze off, and a couple even started snoring thunderously, as if they’d fallen asleep in an instant. It was truly bizarre.

Clearly, they were making it obvious: “We’re not helping.”

Of course, the The Bennett Family was also quite wary of the Qingzhou The Carter Family; the two families simply weren’t on the same level. If the The Carter Family was a tree, the The Bennett Family was just a pitiful blade of grass struggling to survive beneath it. As for Samuel Bennett and the others, they naturally looked on with schadenfreude. Most of the remaining The Bennett Family clan members wore expressions of pity.

All eyes were on Charles Bennett, whose face was turning as purple as an eggplant.

“Second-in-Command Carter, today is our The Bennett Family disciples’ promotion competition. This is our The Bennett Residence’s territory. Patriarch, isn’t this a bit inappropriate?” In the council of elders, “Brian Bennett,” who was very close to Charles Bennett, finally couldn’t hold back and stood up hesitantly to speak.

“Brian, this is a ‘family matter’ between their two families, it has nothing to do with our The Bennett Residence. If Second-in-Command Carter really wants to borrow our The Bennett Family’s arena, what reason do we have to refuse? It’s not like this hasn’t happened before.” Robert Bennett found a fig leaf, making his reasoning sound high-sounding. In reality, he was retaliating for Charles Bennett challenging his authority as patriarch earlier.

“Isn’t this…” Brian Bennett wanted to argue further, but Robert Bennett glanced at the chief law elder Andrew Bennett, who immediately put on a stern face and snorted, “Brian, why are you meddling in the ‘family matters’ of those two families? You’d better focus on your son Peter Bennett; he has a chance to be promoted to a bronze-level disciple.”

Andrew Bennett’s words carried a hint of threat, because bronze-level disciples were the highest-ranking disciples in the The Bennett Residence. They were also the main focus for cultivation, and once a challenge succeeded, it would affect the allocation of resources below.

Chapter 005: Stand Tall Even in Death

Moreover, even among bronze-level disciples, there were differences in treatment, and the right to allocate cultivation resources was in the hands of the council of elders. In truth, the so-called council of elders was really just the patriarch and the chief law elder calling the shots.

It was just like in modern society, where the county party secretary and the county magistrate were the real decision-makers, and the standing committee could sometimes be just for show. So, offending the two most powerful figures in the clan at the same time was absolutely unwise. Brian Bennett could only cast an apologetic glance at Charles Bennett and fell silent.

“You’re all shameless!” Dozens of clan members from Charles Bennett’s branch, including David Bennett, all shouted.

“This is outrageous! Throw them out of the arena.” In front of the The Carter Family’s power, Robert Bennett acted like a “turtle hiding in its shell,” but in front of his own clan, he had to put on the airs of a patriarch, looking every bit the part.

If I’m not impressive, who is?

“Fine! I accept—” Charles Bennett had barely uttered the word “fight” when—

“Dad, please give me the marriage contract.” William Bennett spoke up, stepping steadily onto the arena.

“William, even if I die, I’ll die standing! A real man has nothing to fear from death—no matter how strong they are, they can’t destroy your father’s will.” Charles Bennett said with tragic determination.

“Dad, this is between me and Alice Carter. Your son is already fifteen this year and will be an adult next year. Please, let me make the decision just this once, okay?” William Bennett’s face was cold and resolute.

“Philip Bennett, go ask the madam for the marriage contract.” Charles Bennett looked grief-stricken. Soon, Philip Bennett came running back, handing the contract to Charles Bennett with both hands. Charles Bennett unfolded it and tossed it to William Bennett.

Ch-ch-ch…

A series of ripping sounds followed as William Bennett calmly tore up the thick, gold-embossed marriage contract, which was over a dozen pages long. He tore it slowly, expressionless, right in front of Andrew Carter. When he finished, he blew on the pieces, and strips of paper as wide as half a finger scattered all over the ground, like falling petals in the wind.

“Andrew Carter, from this moment on, the The Bennett and Carter Families are finished with each other. You can leave now.” As William Bennett said this, he suddenly raised his voice: “David Bennett, pack up the betrothal gifts my godfather arranged back then and take them back. Mr. Bennett (the Butler), throw all the so-called ‘compensation’ from the The Carter Family into the trash for me.”

“William Bennett, you’re throwing the ‘compensation’ our The Carter Family gave you into the trash? Are you trying to insult our The Carter Family?” Andrew Carter was so angry he nearly twisted his nose, roaring like an enraged “flea.”

“Since the compensation was given to me, William Bennett, then once the marriage contract was handed over, the compensation became mine. How I deal with it is none of your business. What does it have to do with your The Carter Residence? Or do you, Second-in-Command Carter, want to go back on your word? But I won’t give your The Carter Family that chance. Do you know what ‘spilled water can’t be gathered up’ means? Because once water is poured out, it can never be taken back.” William Bennett looked coldly at Andrew Carter, who was trembling with rage.

“What a sharp-tongued brat. I, Andrew Carter, will remember you.” Andrew Carter couldn’t find any other way to vent his anger, his eyes nearly bulging out of their sockets.

“Throw it away. What use are these filthy things?” William Bennett snorted coldly again.