William Carter smiled and said that after all, David Brooks was the top scholar, and his family head was even the Minister of Revenue of the Great Jing Dynasty, so he truly had influence at court.

David Brooks agreed immediately. The two didn’t talk for long, since Secretary Young was still outside.

Once the door was closed and only William Carter remained in the room, the smile vanished from his face. He began to worry whether the enemy would send even stronger experts.

He hoped the enemy wouldn’t be too powerful, so he could still reap survival rewards.

From David Brooks’s words, it seemed that while supreme experts were strong, they weren’t rare. This indicated that there were realms even higher than “supreme,” since “supreme expert” was just a term used in the martial world, not an actual realm name. William Carter needed time to grow stronger.

Fortunately, William Carter’s worries were unnecessary. In the days that followed, soldiers came every day, and William Carter was questioned multiple times. He answered confidently, completely unafraid, because the surprise attack by the Ghost-Eyed Evil King had led to a conclusion regarding the death of his fifth senior brother.

It was self-defense!

Reasonable and justified, with ample evidence!

The logic was sound!

The only thing lacking was a motive. Officials from the government, the Ministry of Justice, and the imperial prison were all puzzled—who was behind all this, and why did they want to kill William Carter?

William Carter had originally hoped that Samuel Carter would come see him in person, so he could use the opportunity to reveal the truth. But Samuel Carter never came; the emperor was busy with state affairs and wasn’t drawn in by such a case.

Five days later.

The fourth prince, Thomas Carter, came. He said excitedly, “Brother Changsheng, was the leg technique you used to kill the Ghost-Eyed Evil King the Divine Shadow Kick you taught me?”

William Carter nodded. Thomas Carter became even more excited and began to describe the sensation this event had caused. The entire palace was talking about it, and it was said that even the martial world had heard the news.

Longqi Temple, Daoist Changsheng, killed the Ghost-Eyed Evil King at the age of fourteen!

Such an age, such an achievement—it was truly astonishing.

William Carter was secretly pleased to hear this, but also worried it might bring more trouble.

“Even my eldest brother is interested in you and said he’d visit you if he gets the chance,” Thomas Carter said with a smile.

William Carter’s expression didn’t change, but a murderous intent rose in his heart.

The false crown prince wanted to see him too?

Not a good time to act.

He still had to keep a low profile, wait until he was strong enough, and then take his revenge.

The two chatted for a while longer. William Carter began to instruct Thomas Carter on his difficulties with the Divine Shadow Kick. Thomas Carter listened attentively, and after half an hour, he had gained a lot. He thanked William Carter before leaving.

This time, Thomas Carter didn’t come empty-handed; he brought pastries from the palace. After tasting them, William Carter thought they were quite good—much tastier than the bland meals at Longqi Temple.

Not bad, not bad. Next time, he should bring more.

William Carter thought happily.

That day, a troop was sent to the foot of Longqi Mountain to guard it, putting an end to the days when the disciples lived in fear.

A month later, Reverend Mason returned, and the troops withdrew.

All the disciples gathered in the Mingxin Hall, heads bowed before Reverend Mason. The atmosphere in the hall was gloomy. William Carter also bowed his head, while Charles Foster and Grace Foster knelt before Reverend Mason, their foreheads pressed to the floor.

Compared to before he left the mountain, Reverend Mason looked much older, with wrinkles appearing between his brows, likely from constant worry.

“Sigh.”

A heavy sigh broke the silence in Mingxin Hall.

Reverend Mason spoke: “Rise, all of you. Facing a supreme expert like the Ghost-Eyed Evil King, even I would not be fully confident. You have already done well enough. The dead are gone; do not dwell on it any longer.”

Charles Foster and Grace Foster stood up, still not daring to lift their heads, especially Charles Foster, whose fists trembled inside his sleeves. Over the past month, his temperament had changed drastically; he was no longer as cheerful as before, always wearing a gloomy expression, and the other disciples dared not speak to him.

Reverend Mason looked at William Carter and said, “Changsheng, you performed well. You saved Longqi Temple.”

William Carter quickly bowed and said it was his duty.

Reverend Mason didn’t dwell on the matter, but said, “Your eldest senior brother has defected to the Demonic Sect. From now on, he is no longer the chief disciple of Longqi Temple. Qiuhé will be the chief disciple, Qiushuang the second, and Changsheng the third.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the disciples all looked up, excitedly asking questions.

Within Longqi Temple, James Thompson had always been like a patriarch, close to the disciples, including William Carter; no one disliked him.

Charles Foster’s face looked terrible; he felt no excitement at being promoted to chief disciple.

William Carter was not surprised to be promoted to third disciple. His achievements spoke for themselves, and the status of disciples at Longqi Temple could be adjusted. Usually, this only happened when a disciple died and another took their place.

He could understand James Thompson’s betrayal.

Love is a dangerous thing.

As long as it didn’t threaten his own safety, it was fine.

After all, he was a cultivator. In a hundred years, everyone around him now would be dust, sleeping beneath the earth.

Reverend Mason said no more, waving his horsetail whisk to signal the disciples to leave.

Though the disciples were full of emotion, they had no choice but to withdraw.

William Carter hesitated, thinking Reverend Mason would speak to him alone, but he didn’t. It seemed he didn’t care about the deaths of the disciples.

He returned to his room alone, still confused.

Reverend Mason’s attitude toward him was clearly strange.

Could it be that Reverend Mason knew his true identity?