Edward Grant also didn’t know if his punch really weighed a hundred jin, but at least he had achieved the unity of muscle, bone, and flesh. The bluestone floor in the Loyal and Brave Marquis’s residence was chosen for its extreme sturdiness—ordinary stone, he figured, he could probably shatter.

According to the Martial Essentials, Edward Grant’s speed was already considered quite fast, likely thanks to the solid foundation he’d built as a child.

In his memory, when Edward Grant’s father was still alive, he had taught him some basic martial arts from a young age. But after his father passed away, Old Madam Grant doted on him too much, and he gradually neglected his training.

After enduring this month, William Carter finally delivered the official documents, and Edward Grant could set out for Heyang Prefecture to report for duty, leaving behind this marquis residence that felt as dangerous as a prison.

In front of the grand gates of the marquis’s mansion, everyone from the household came to see him off. Old Madam Grant hugged Edward Grant, wiping her tears: “My dear grandson, when you get to Heyang Prefecture, you must take good care of yourself. Don’t worry about money—the household still has some savings. If you run out, just write home.”

William Carter coughed: “Old Madam Grant, don’t worry. The salary from the Jingye Division is quite high, even higher than that of civil or military officials.”

Edward Grant bowed to Old Madam Grant, then looked up at the plaque above the gate, at the four large characters for Loyal and Brave Marquis’s Residence, and said in a deep voice:

“Grandmother, don’t worry. I will take good care of myself. When I’ve made a name for myself, I’ll come back.”

These words from Edward Grant were not only for Old Madam Grant, but also for ‘himself’—for the ‘Edward Grant’ who had died under evil sorcery.

After crossing over, he had searched through all the memories of this life’s Edward Grant. In the end, he could only use two words to describe himself in this life: pure and simple.

Orphaned young, Edward Grant was raised by Old Madam Grant.

Old Madam Grant was a kind person, doting but not spoiling, so Edward Grant didn’t have any major flaws. Though he was neither accomplished in literature nor martial arts, he was kind to others and had little scheming in him. He didn’t even have a concept of inheriting the title.

After crossing over, Edward Grant immediately sensed The Bolton Family’s malice toward him, but in this life’s Edward Grant’s memories, he only thought it was because he hadn’t behaved well enough, that he’d done something wrong to make his aunt dislike him.

Such a pure and harmless person, yet because of a struggle for interests, died tragically under evil sorcery. Even at the moment of death, he didn’t know the truth, but Edward Grant felt all the suffocation and injustice.

He was able to live again because he had taken over the body of ‘Edward Grant’.

Instinctively, Edward Grant felt he owed something to the ‘himself’ of this life, so the grievances and injustice—he would repay them in the future!

At this moment, The Bolton Family also walked over with a smile and said, “Cheng’er, after you get to Heyang Prefecture, remember to write home often. We’ll all miss you. Also, James took leave from the academy today especially to see you off.”

By The Bolton Family’s side, a handsome youth of about fifteen or sixteen stepped forward, a faint smile on his face as he said to Edward Grant, “I wish you a smooth journey, brother. Safe travels.”

That youth was The Bolton Family’s son, James Grant.

In Edward Grant’s memory, he rarely appeared. The Bolton Family had sent him to the academy from a young age and even hired a retired officer as a martial instructor to teach him martial arts.

Compared to Edward Grant, who was neither accomplished in literature nor martial arts, James Grant could be said to excel in both.

Edward Grant didn’t know whether he was aware of what his mother had done, but for now, at least, there was no sense of closeness between him and Edward Grant.

Lowering his head to avoid letting The Bolton Family see the sharpness in his eyes, Edward Grant said in a low voice, “Thank you, Aunt and little brother.”

William Carter handed the official documents and a token representing the Jingye Division to Edward Grant: “Young Master Grant, I’ve already sent word to Heyang Prefecture. Just take these and report directly. The Jingye Division has other matters to attend to, so I won’t be accompanying you.”

As a Xuanjia Guard of the Jingye Division in the capital, William Carter had plenty of responsibilities and naturally wouldn’t personally escort Edward Grant to Heyang Prefecture.

Old Madam Grant worriedly asked, “Will anything happen on the road?”

The Bolton Family’s somewhat sharp lips curved into a slight smile: “Old Madam, don’t worry. I’ve already arranged for three family retainers to escort Cheng’er. They’re all old soldiers who served with his second uncle—nothing will happen.”

Old Madam Grant nodded in satisfaction: “Good, you’ve handled this matter quite thoroughly.”

Edward Grant’s expression changed slightly: “There’s no need for the trouble. There’s an official road from the capital to Heyang Prefecture—how could there be any danger?”

But on this matter, Old Madam Grant didn’t listen to Edward Grant. Instead, she waved her hand firmly: “Better safe than sorry. No matter how safe, it’s not enough.”

Within the Gu household, even The Bolton Family didn’t dare openly contradict Old Madam Grant. With her saying this, if Edward Grant protested too much, it would seem suspicious.

So Edward Grant could only mount his horse, escorted by the three strong family retainers, and leave the capital.

Without those three escorts, perhaps there would be no danger, but with them, danger was ever-present.

As he left the capital, Edward Grant looked back.

Since he had crossed over, in this month or so, he had never left the Gu residence. This was his first time seeing what the outside of the Great Qian capital looked like.