“Rest assured, I will make sure he falls into my hands sooner or later.” The young man placed a piece on the board and said calmly, “The trap I’ve prepared—he’ll walk right into it himself.”

“I’ve lost.” The old family head looked at the chessboard and sighed wistfully.

……

Feng City.

The manor.

Brian Zane held an ancient book in his hands—it was none other than Frank Ford’s classic text.

In addition to Frank Ford’s book, Edward Grant had also managed to gather over a hundred taels of silver.

“Master.” Eric Lane leapt over the courtyard wall, glanced at Edward Grant and Henry Clark, then stepped before Brian Zane and bowed.

“All preparations complete?” Brian Zane looked at the ancient book, not even raising his head.

“Everything is ready. Also…” Eric Lane hesitated, “There’s a problem with Mr. Turner.”

“I noticed it today because of this ancient book.” Brian Zane closed the book, lifted it slightly, and said, “I suspect Mr. Turner has some dealings with the The Song Family of Xuancheng.”

“You already knew, Master?” Eric Lane looked up, but then quickly understood.

“When I had Edward Grant kill for the book today, Mr. Turner’s eyes flickered with panic—he couldn’t hide it from me.” Brian Zane said slowly, “Now that I’m sure there’s a problem with Mr. Turner, some things become easier to deduce. I wanted this ancient book, and people from the The Song Family came to snatch it. That could be called a coincidence, but that young man from the The Song Family used several lives to provoke and test me…”

“I heard about it.” Eric Lane nodded. “Luckily, Lord Edward Grant disposed of the bodies cleanly, saving us the trouble of owing Mr. Harris a favor.”

“If that The Song Family brat hadn’t figured out my habits, why would he use a few lives to test me?” Brian Zane said, “This time, I only brought Edward Grant and Henry Clark with me. Normally, I’m always cautious—no matter what I do, one of them must stay by my side as a guard. So, at the mouth of Xuanfeng Valley and that small path, we could only block one. If they didn’t know in advance that I only had two guards, how would they have chosen such a way to test me?”

“So that’s how it is.” Eric Lane had been by his master’s side for some time. Given his master’s temperament, if he had brought him along this afternoon, then Edward Grant would have blocked Xuanfeng Valley, and he himself would have been sent to block the small path. Both roads to Xuancheng would have been covered, leaving no room for error.

“Don’t underestimate Xuancheng.” Brian Zane said seriously, “This young man from the The Song Family is even harder to deal with than the old family head. Handle what I’ve assigned you personally.”

“Understood.” Eric Lane hesitated, “Then… should we deal with Mr. Turner?”

“Keep him.” Brian Zane said, “Don’t alert the enemy. That The Song Family brat doesn’t know that I’ve seen through Mr. Turner. Sometimes, if word comes from us, people won’t believe it, but if it’s overheard by Mr. Turner, it’ll seem more credible.”

“Understood.” Eric Lane bowed and said, “I’ll head to Xuancheng now.”

“Be careful in all things.”

“I will.”

Eric Lane vaulted over the courtyard wall, but a strange thought surfaced in his mind.

Master always calls the other man “brat,” but in fact, that Terry Song is four years older than Master.

It’s just that, in recent years, those who have matched wits with Master have all been the heads of various families, or even the previous generation or higher. Unconsciously, perhaps Master has forgotten that he himself is still a young man.

Moreover… with Master’s current status, there’s no family head who would treat him as a junior anymore.

……

Meanwhile, Brian Zane’s gaze fell once more on the ancient book.

The corners of his mouth lifted slightly as he murmured, “An unexpected delight.”

What a marvelous Daoist art.

Chapter 005: Without Wealth, One Cannot Nurture the Dao

The weather was clear and the sun was bright.

A gentle breeze brushed the treetops, making them sway softly.

Zhongwang Mountain, Qianlong Manor.

“Is lunch ready yet?”

“The young master will arrive before noon.”

“Should we clean the young master’s room again and arrange all the items I’ve prepared?”

“Are the big red lanterns at the door hung up?”

“Move those sundries over there to the storage room quickly—don’t leave them here to be an eyesore.”

“The path from the open space in front of the manor to the young master’s room must be spotless, and all the decorations must be arranged with care. Everything should please the young master’s eye, understand?”

The manor was bustling. The white-haired steward was shouting orders, directing everyone, but he himself was already drenched in sweat and quite exhausted.

Everyone in the manor, whether servants or maids, was extremely busy.

……

“The young master is here!”

Suddenly, a voice rang out.

The steward hurried out the door, and the people he had arranged were already lined up on both sides, waiting for the young master’s arrival.

A group of people could be seen approaching slowly along the road.

At the front was a young man in a wheelchair, looking to be just over twenty, with delicate and handsome features and skin as fair as snow.

He wore a gentle smile, dressed in white, yet spotless.

Behind him stood a burly man like an iron tower, expressionless, pushing the wheelchair.

“Young master…”

The old steward rushed over and said, “Why have you arrived early, young master?”