Logan Walker walked over to stand beside Brian Carter without a word, casting a faint glance at Henry King. He was curious to see what act this man named Jin was here to put on today.

Back when Blake Carter and David Bolton dueled, Henry King was clearly at the Walker Academy, yet he turned a blind eye and let David Bolton show off his power. To put it bluntly, Henry King was nothing but a lackey for the noble families, utterly lacking in character. All that talk about Henry King's unwavering loyalty was nothing but an international joke.

Henry King, however, put on a tone of false concern and asked, “Blake, are your injuries all right?”

Logan Walker smiled and said, “Is the esteemed Headmaster here to visit the students? But it seems you’ve come a bit late, haven’t you? My injuries are no longer an issue—will that disappoint a lot of people?”

Henry King gave an awkward laugh, inwardly puzzled. What was up with this The Carter Family boy today? In the past, whenever Blake Carter saw him, he’d avoid him like a mouse avoiding a cat, not even daring to meet his gaze.

Had he been possessed today? Not only was he making faces at him, but there was even a hint of mockery in his tone. Did this kid think that just because he was at home, he could act tough?

The other two looked at Logan Walker as he walked in, their cold sneers completely undisguised, sizing up this resurrected The Carter Family boy as if watching an international joke.

Brian Carter was displeased, his face expressionless as he asked, “The three of you wouldn’t come here for no reason. May I ask what brings you here today?”

One of the shifty-looking scholars stood up, giving Brian Carter a cupped-fist salute with a dry laugh. “Chief Carter, I was invited here today to offer you a word of golden advice.”

“Please, go ahead,” Brian Carter replied calmly.

This scholar’s full name was William Goodwin, well-versed in the classics and always ready to show off his learning. However, his reputation for character was poor—he was a lobbyist who spoke on others’ behalf. To put it plainly, he was a sycophantic scholar who would serve anyone who paid him. Relying on his glib tongue, he made a living by currying favor among the noble families in the county.

“Mm, Chief Carter, you’re a straightforward man. Let’s not beat around the bush. In four years, at the ‘Family Appraisal,’ you must know your family’s situation, right?” William Goodwin asked sharply.

“And what of it?”

“What of it?” William Goodwin said exaggeratedly. “Surely you’re not unaware of what will happen if your family loses its humble seat? If you’re a sensible man, you should start preparing a backup plan now.”

Brian Carter frowned slightly. “So, Brother William Goodwin, you’re here to show me the right path?”

William Goodwin sighed. “What can I say? I’ve always been warm-hearted. There is indeed a bright path before you—would you care to hear it?”

Brian Carter was about to rise and see them out, but Logan Walker interjected, “Why not let’s hear it? If it truly is a bright path, we should thank you for your good intentions.”

“This gentleman here is the younger brother of the head of the Xu family, one of the county’s noble houses—John Hughes. He represents the Xu family and can offer your humble Qin family a promise: as long as your family is willing to voluntarily give up the humble seat in four years, the Xu family will guarantee your safety and leave you two hundred mu of farmland and an oil mill.”

Logan Walker finally understood—these men had come together with ill intentions, here to rob them under the guise of negotiation.

Chapter 0006: Provocation and Counterattack

Brian Carter struggled to contain his anger, speaking in a low voice: “Sir William Goodwin, from your tone, do you think my The Carter Family is doomed to lose in four years?”

William Goodwin leaned back in his chair, speaking unhurriedly: “In all of Luojiang County, over the past twenty years, many new powers have emerged. There are at least seven or eight families qualified to compete for a humble seat. But in all of Luojiang County, there are only about thirty noble seats in total. These seats are few, and the competition is fierce. Take Mr. Newman from the Donglin Town herbal shop, for example—with his current influence and connections, do you, Brother Brian, think you can keep your humble seat? You know your Qin family’s situation better than I do, don’t you, Chief Carter?”

Though furious, Brian Carter forced himself to remain calm, quietly setting down his teacup.

“This ‘Family Appraisal’—my The Carter Family has participated in more than twenty sessions over the generations. To boast a little, when my The Carter Family was around, most of the current powerful families in Luojiang County didn’t even exist. We’ve weathered many storms. The appraisal is presided over by the True Martial Holy Land, and all those in charge are personally appointed by His Majesty the Emperor. No matter how wide your connections, how long your reach, can you extend your hand into the True Martial Holy Land?”

Brian Carter’s reply was neither servile nor overbearing. Though he understood the family’s difficult situation, his proud nature would never allow him to show weakness before outsiders.

William Goodwin gave a couple of dry laughs, staring at Brian Carter with a strange expression. His gaze was even a bit brazen, as if openly bullying them, and even his form of address had changed.