Chapter One: The Ji Family's Chang Kong

Once again waking in pain from a dream, William Harper sat up from the wooden bed and glanced out the window. Dawn was just breaking.

He quickly put on his blue robe, scooped up a handful of cold water to roughly wash his face, and then, unable to wait any longer, William Harper rushed outside.

The whole year's work depends on a good start in spring, and a day's work depends on a good start in the morning. However, for William Harper, morning was not a pleasant time.

He hurried to the kitchen, rolled up his sleeves, and immediately got busy.

Adding firewood, lighting the fire, adding water, kneading dough—his movements were extremely practiced, clearly not his first time doing these chores.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Crack! Crack! Crack!

Bursts of loud noises came from outside—the sound of fists shattering bluestone and feet breaking sturdy wood. The young men of the Ji family were all taking advantage of the morning to train their bodies and muscles, hoping to make further progress on the arduous path of Celestial Warrior cultivation.

Inside the kitchen, as William Harper was stir-frying lettuce, he paused for a moment when he heard the sound of bluestone being smashed outside. A trace of loneliness appeared on his face. With a light sigh, William Harper refocused on the lettuce in the wok, but secretly cried out in dismay—the lettuce was overcooked.

"Chang Kong, is breakfast ready yet?

The city lord will be coming today. The Ji family's triennial Celestial Warrior test will begin at the hour of Chen. We need to hurry!"

A pleasant female voice came from the door. Before the words had fully faded, Grace Harper had already entered the kitchen.

"Aunt, it'll be ready soon."

William Harper turned and grinned, his smoke-blackened little face making his naturally white teeth stand out even more.

Seeing the bright smile on that soot-stained face, Grace Harper felt a sudden pang of sorrow in her heart. With a silent sigh, she stepped forward and reached out her delicate hand to help William Harper wipe the dirt from his face.

William Harper immediately put down the spatula, hurriedly stepped back two paces, and turned his back to Grace Harper as he arranged the steamed buns on the rack. Only then did he say softly, "Aunt, my face is dirty. I'll wash it later. Don't get your hands dirty too."

"You child!

What are you saying?"

Grace Harper suddenly grew angry. With a graceful movement, she was already in front of William Harper. Her left hand flashed out to grip William Harper's shoulder, preventing him from dodging, while her right hand continued the unfinished task—wiping the black soot from his face.

However, Grace Harper's dry right hand only smeared the soot around, making William Harper's face look even more like a mess of ghostly markings.

"Aunt, I told you not to wipe it. Look, now your hand is all dirty."

William Harper was touched, knowing who truly cared for him.

"If it gets dirty, I'll just wash it!"

Grace Harper scolded gently, her expression turning serious as she said solemnly, "Chang Kong, no matter what others say about you or how they see you, in your aunt's eyes, you will always be the best child of the Ji family!"

"I know my aunt loves me."

William Harper smiled, carefully brushing aside the long hair covering Grace Harper's left cheek. Looking at the four hideous scars stretching from the corner of her brow down her smooth cheek to her white neck, William Harper's gaze grew resolute. He said, "Aunt, I may never have the ability to avenge you, but I will definitely find a way to remove those four scars from your face!"

The four scars on Grace Harper's face were like four ugly little snakes coiled there, completely ruining her once-beautiful features. From the marks, it was clear they had been gouged out by someone's sharp fingernails!

The scars were so deep—one could imagine how those nails must have sunk into her flesh, the pain unimaginable...

Physical pain was one thing, but the pain in her heart was even more despairing!

For a woman, especially one who was once beautiful, the cruelest and most vicious revenge was nothing worse than this!

"Don't say such nonsense. It's enough for your aunt to know you care."

Grace Harper's eyes flickered, her face a bit flustered. She quickly used her hair to cover the four hideous scars on her left cheek, then helped William Harper arrange the buns and side dishes. "Come on, the men of the Ji family are not known for their patience—they must be getting anxious."

William Harper clenched his fists tighter and tighter, his nails digging deep into his flesh. Only when he felt a stabbing pain did he finally let go.

Taking a deep breath to calm his turbulent emotions, William Harper picked up the remaining bowls of porridge and silently followed behind Grace Harper out of the kitchen.

※※※ Dining Hall.

A few side dishes were set on the long table, along with two large baskets of white steamed buns, and a bowl of porridge in front of each person.

Samuel Harper and Thomas Harper, the two elders, sat at the head of the table. On the left were Samuel Harper's two sons, George Harper and Henry Harper, and his grandsons Edward Harper, Charles Harper, and Alice Harper.