"Not only do we need to investigate, but we must also prepare to strike back," Brian Zane said softly.

"Young master, which family will you start with?" Eric Lane asked.

"Logically, it should be the Zhao family, whose weakness I hold," Brian Zane said quietly. "Among the three great families of Xuancheng, I caught the Zhao family in a compromising position two years ago. They were forced to ally with me, which allowed me to gain a foothold and suppress the other families, becoming the top family in Xuancheng. But now, the Zhao family dares to betray me. It seems that leverage is probably useless now. In fact, that person is very likely to make a move through the Zhao family. If we start with the Zhao family and prepare to counterattack, we might fall into his trap... However, I did leave a backup plan two years ago."

"You mean the Qian family?" Eric Lane responded.

"The Qian family's business dealings are far from legitimate," Brian Zane said. "Two years ago, I wanted to start with them, but I chose the Zhao family instead and left the Qian family alone, not using that as a pretext to act. That was my backup in Xuancheng. This time, follow my preparations. When the time is right, let the Qian family head know who holds his lifeline... At that point, he will come to me personally."

"I understand."

"Be cautious in your actions."

"Yes."

Eric Lane responded, then retreated over the courtyard wall without making a sound.

Brian Zane closed his eyes slightly, tilting his face to the sky.

His original wish was simply to cultivate for longevity and stay far from worldly strife.

But now, for the sake of cultivation, to nurture a true dragon's body, he could only enter the mortal world, using secular power and wealth to gather everything he needed.

In doing so, he recruited countless people to serve him, and while they worked for him, he also bore responsibility for their livelihoods and futures. Unconsciously, he took on an added burden.

Because of this, he schemed and competed in the mortal world, sometimes pouring all his energy into these affairs, contending and clashing with others, to the point where he would sometimes feel as if he were a merchant, not a cultivator.

"I was once a man of the heavens..."

Brian Zane murmured, "Now lost among the common people."

Chapter 003: The Richest Man in Huai'an, Ruthless and Merciless

A gentle breeze was blowing.

Brian Zane sat in a wheelchair.

Henry Clark was pushing from behind.

In front of others, when something needed to be done, he would give orders to Edward Grant and Henry Clark, creating a false impression to mislead outsiders.

But when alone, he could control these two ancient corpses with a single thought.

At this moment, following behind, besides Edward Grant and Henry Clark, was also his personal maid.

The girl's name was Ethan Frost, about fifteen or sixteen years old, with delicate and beautiful features.

Within the Zhuang residence, there were dozens of maids, but this girl was chosen as his personal attendant for another reason.

She was not a maid bought for a few taels of silver, but was rescued from a snowy road to Xuancheng during a blizzard three years ago.

Back then, she was only twelve or thirteen, starving and freezing, a skinny, dirty little girl. Now, she had grown into a graceful young lady, attentive and gentle.

"Ethan Frost, do you still remember what I taught you before?"

"I remember everything. I also carefully read the notes you marked."

"You've always been smart and have a good memory."

Brian Zane said slowly, "What I taught you, you must ponder carefully. It will be of great use in the future."

Ethan Frost nodded vigorously and replied, "You taught me that learning without thinking leads to confusion, and thinking without learning is perilous. I have never forgotten that."

Brian Zane nodded slightly and said, "I need to go out this afternoon. I'll be back before sunset. Prepare my medicinal bath for tonight."

Ethan Frost acknowledged.

...

East of Fengcheng, by Bailing Lake.

Today is the second day of the second lunar month. According to local customs, there will be a grand event at Bailing Lake.

Brian Zane had just settled major affairs in Fengcheng, spending two months of effort, and was quite exhausted, so he intended to relax a bit.

So, together with Edward Grant, Henry Clark, and Mr. Turner, he took a carriage to Bailing Lake.

On the way, he also planned to meet a scholar and buy an ancient book.

"This man's name is Frank Ford. His grandfather was a scholar with some learning, but died of illness at thirty-six. His father was young at the time and not very bright, barely literate. After his grandfather died, the family became even poorer and had to move to the eastern suburbs to live by hunting. Now, in Frank Ford's generation, he has some talent, but it's limited."

Mr. Turner said beside him, "Frank Ford can read and write, but his knowledge is lacking. He has failed the exams many times and is now destitute. So he wants to sell an ancient book his grandfather acquired by chance to the Zhuang family business."

Brian Zane sat in the carriage, feeling the bumps of the road, eyes half-closed as if dozing.

But he heard every word Mr. Turner said.

"In that case, after verifying it, just buy it at the agreed price. What went wrong?"

"Young master, this man is greedy," Mr. Turner said with some indignation. "At first, he only wanted five taels of silver. Later, when he heard you love antiques, he raised the price on the spot to twenty taels. I was about to throw him out, but the book does seem quite old, and I glanced at a couple of pages—the writing is impressive. But my eyes are untrained, so I can't judge its true value..."

"Very well, then."