Moreover, with the status of a menial servant, even acting as a spy would make it difficult to learn any secrets. There was even less reason to secretly study martial arts; “The Flower-Searching Sword Qi Manual” was merely a mid-tier Xuan-level sword technique, not worth such painstaking effort.

After thinking it over, a sudden flash of inspiration struck his mind—

“A once-in-a-century peerless sword genius has actually appeared among the menial servants?”

Henry Clark scratched his head and smacked his lips: even he found this possibility far-fetched and hard to believe. Yet once the idea took root, he couldn’t suppress it. The Sword Manor was now so short on talent that it was in a critical state—if a peerless genius could really be discovered, it would be a great fortune.

Of course, since nothing was confirmed yet, all of this was just his own speculation and not something to reveal prematurely. If it turned out to be untrue, wouldn’t he be slapping his own face? So, he kept quiet for now and went alone to find the outer manor’s menial affairs steward, Deacon Reed, to inquire:

“What? You dismissed that menial servant surnamed Liang today and drove him down the mountain?”

Just as he reached the most crucial step, the trail abruptly ended, leaving Henry Clark furious. Although, no matter how he looked at it, that menial servant named “Brian Carter” didn’t seem likely to be the one he was searching for, but without checking in person, how could he be at ease? After all, solving the first sword puzzle might have involved luck, but to solve the second one in such a short time—other than being a natural-born genius, there was no other explanation.

Talented people are easy to find; true geniuses are rare.

Deacon Reed was completely confused, having no idea what he had done to attract the sudden visit of such a high-ranking elder in the middle of the night. Though he was domineering in front of the menial servants, in front of Henry Clark, he didn’t even dare to breathe loudly. Whatever was asked, he answered.

Deacon Reed said in a small, aggrieved voice, “That kid was lazy and didn’t work hard…”

Smack!

A loud slap landed on his chubby face, leaving five clear finger marks.

“Idiot! I’m telling you, go down the mountain right now and bring him back. If you can’t find him, don’t bother coming back… No, if you can’t find him, bring your own head back. And keep this matter secret—if you dare gossip, hmph, you’ll be a mute forever.”

If not for urgent matters, Henry Clark would have gone down the mountain himself. But he didn’t know Brian Carter, and with the truth still unclear, it wasn’t wise to make a big scene.

The elder’s furious outburst terrified Deacon Reed. He wasn’t stupid and didn’t dare say another word. He hurriedly gathered his things, took Henry Clark’s special writ, and went down the mountain in the middle of the night to look for Brian Carter.

In the vast night, Deacon Reed, completely baffled, felt his chubby face burning with pain and couldn’t help but feel wronged: What deity have I offended, to suddenly suffer this disaster… Could it be that this kid Brian Carter quietly latched onto Elder Clark? Bah, impossible—I know that kid’s background very well.

Unable to figure it out, Deacon Reed simply set it aside, thinking that once he found Brian Carter, the truth would come out.

But once he left Zhongnan Mountain, with the world so vast, where was he supposed to look?

Wuwuwu… During the day, he had acted high and mighty, driving Brian Carter down the mountain; but after just half a day, he now had to anxiously search for him—no, he should say, invite him back.

What kind of situation is this?

Completely confused and full of frustration and grievance, his slapped chubby face hurt even more.

Chapter 9: Encounter

“Run… whatever you do, don’t look back…”

Anxious shouts echoed in the darkness; a menacing, ferocious, gigantic shadow that wouldn’t go away…

Brian Carter suddenly woke up, his back drenched in cold sweat.

Outside the room, the north wind howled, and there was a soft rustling sound—it was snowing.

He got up and opened the window, seeing a vast, white world. Down on the street, early vendors were already up, bustling about and hawking their goods.

Zhongnan City.

Brian Carter was staying at an inn in Zhongnan City. After leaving Zhongnan Mountain, he had traveled a long distance, journeying thousands of miles to this city, intending to seek refuge with Old Deacon. However, when he found the place, it was deserted. After asking the neighbors, his heart sank:

Old Deacon was dead, and his granddaughter Lily was missing!

From their tone, it sounded like Old Deacon’s death was not natural.

“Damn it!”

Brian Carter stomped his foot hard, but the most urgent matter was to find Lily first—a vivid image of a fifteen-year-old girl appeared in his mind: ponytail, neat bangs across her forehead, bright eyes and white teeth. She loved to smile, and when she did, two shallow dimples would appear on her cheeks.

Back on Zhongnan Mountain, Lily loved to play with Brian Carter. Whenever she saw him, she would sweetly call out “big brother”…

So now, where could she be? A little girl with no family, in this freezing weather—was she cold and hungry?

Brian Carter had been through hard times himself and knew how tough such wandering days could be.

He sighed, washed up a bit, went downstairs for breakfast, tightened his clothes, and stepped out to continue searching the city. He felt that, given Lily’s situation, she wouldn’t have left Zhongnan City.

Outside the city were wild mountains and forests, full of fierce beasts—an ordinary person alone would hardly survive.

The snow kept falling, piling up thickly on the ground, crunching underfoot. More people appeared, and the streets grew lively.

Brian Carter kept his hands tucked in his sleeves, looking around as he walked.