Brian Carter gave John Clark a meaningful smile; he knew exactly what John Clark was planning. But John Clark had no idea who he was really dealing with. That alone guaranteed that all of John Clark’s schemes would end in failure.

John Clark felt uneasy under Brian Carter’s smile. He turned his head slightly, not daring to meet Brian Carter’s eyes.

Brian Carter took the broadsword from Mrs. Clark and left on his own.

Mrs. Clark was extremely indignant. “That brat is so arrogant!”

Priest Mark Clark sneered, “I think he’s destined for a short and unlucky life. He won’t be arrogant for long.”

Mrs. Clark was stunned for a moment, then suddenly understood, her broad face lighting up with joy. “The priest is absolutely right, absolutely right. That brat will die a violent death soon…”

The butcher woman spoke crudely, and Mark Clark curled his lip slightly, not bothering to respond.

John Clark leaned in and whispered, “It’s fate that my nephew won’t live long, so there’s no need to worry. Thank you for your help this time, cousin. When you have some free time in a few days, please come by our house for a visit.”

“Of course,” Mark Clark replied with a reserved expression.

The three members of John Clark’s family returned home. Mrs. Clark immediately sent David Clark out and impatiently asked, “What did you give that Mark Clark this time?”

“I promised him three Tiger Bone Vitality Pills,” Mark Clark replied.

“What, that many?” Mrs. Clark said painfully. “Mark Clark really dares to ask for a lot!”

When Mrs. Clark spoke of Mark Clark, her tone was far from polite. She was respectful in the ancestral hall only out of fear. She didn’t care much for Mark Clark himself, especially since he was so greedy, which made her even more dissatisfied.

“He’s a priest; we can’t give him too little. That broadsword is a top-quality hundred-forged steel blade—worth more than ten Tiger Bone Vitality Pills. As long as we get the sword back, we’ll have made a profit,” John Clark analyzed.

“So how are we going to get rid of that brat?” Mrs. Clark asked eagerly. If possible, she’d love to do it herself—stab that hateful thing to death with one blow.

“That’s easy. Once he joins the Ironblood Army, we can arrange something and find a chance to take his life.”

John Clark stroked his mustache proudly. “Even if my nephew regains his senses, he’s still just a child. He wants to compete with us?”

“Hahaha…”

The couple laughed together, feeling unspeakably pleased.

David Clark heard them from afar. Though he didn’t know exactly what was going on, he could guess the gist. He couldn’t help but grin widely, then muttered fiercely, “Idiot, let’s see how you die!”

Chapter 5 Eating Meat

Brian Carter walked out of the ancestral hall’s main gate, carrying the broadsword and wearing a broad smile.

Grace Miller was still sweeping at the entrance. When she saw Brian Carter coming out alone, she paused, looking up at him, her deep blue eyes full of curiosity.

She didn’t need to speak; her gaze clearly expressed her thoughts.

Brian Carter didn’t want to hide anything from the girl anymore. He said directly, “Xiaoyue, I’ve regained my senses. I came here today to split the family property with my uncle.”

Brian Carter nodded toward the black pig tied up nearby. “The sword and the black pig are both mine now. Haha, I’ll treat you to some meat at lunch.”

“No, thank you.”

Grace Miller hesitated for a moment, then shook her head and declined Brian Carter’s invitation. Brian Carter had been acting foolish just this morning, and now he’d suddenly recovered his senses—it was hard for her to accept.

But she was reserved and deep-minded, never showing her thoughts on her face, let alone questioning others.

“Don’t be shy…” Brian Carter said sincerely. “I don’t have many friends. Come over for lunch.”

Grace Miller still shook her head and said softly, “Now that you’re better and can take care of yourself, I’m relieved.”

Her voice was cool and clear, always giving people a sense of cold detachment.

Brian Carter had already untied the rope from the pig. He tapped the pig’s rear with a stick, driving it forward.

After a few steps, Brian Carter turned back to Grace Miller and said, “Lunch at Old Cangtou’s place. Don’t be late.”

With that, not waiting for Grace Miller to refuse again, Brian Carter drove the black pig away with big strides.

Grace Miller watched Brian Carter’s departing figure and noticed that his back was now straight. That small change made his posture much more upright.

Even though he wasn’t tall yet, he looked much more confident—completely different from the foolish boy she’d known.

That phrase “don’t be late” was something she used to say to Brian Carter when they were little.

Thinking of this, Grace Miller felt her heart soften even more.

“Since he’s recovered, I should have a good talk with him.” After thinking it over, Grace Miller finally found a reason to go to lunch, and felt much more at ease.

Brian Carter carried the sword in one hand and drove the pig along. He attracted quite a bit of attention on the road.

The Iron Forest Tribe wasn’t big, and as the only fool in the tribe, Brian Carter was very well-known.

“Hey, fool, where did you get that sword?” A few boys followed him for a while, and finally a cross-eyed boy couldn’t help but ask.

Brian Carter glanced at the boy but said nothing. The boy’s shifty eyes made it clear he was up to no good.

Being ignored by a fool, the cross-eyed boy felt embarrassed. Seeing that Brian Carter was alone, he grew bolder.

“Hey, fool, I’m talking to you!” The cross-eyed boy blocked Brian Carter’s path, demanding aggressively.