"Knock, knock, knock!"
Just as Zhao Nan was teasing Ace, a knock sounded at the door. Zhao Nan swept the area with his soul power and discovered it was Vincent, so he called out, "Come in!"
"Creak!"
As the door creaked open, Vincent stepped inside.
"Mr. Zhao Nan."
After entering, Vincent greeted Zhao Nan, then raised a hand and waved to Ace.
Seeing Vincent's gesture, Ace reached out both hands, clearly wanting to go to him.
Vincent scooped Ace into his arms and teased him for a moment before saying to Zhao Nan, "Mr. Zhao Nan, I wonder if you'd be willing to stay with my Hyde Clan. We'd be glad to offer you the position of a clan retainer."
Hearing that, Zhao Nan simply shook his head. "I appreciate your kind offer, Mr. Vincent, but my heart is set on cultivation, and I have other things to take care of. I won't be staying in one place for long."
As Zhao Nan finished speaking, the hope in Vincent's eyes faded. He quickly gathered his thoughts, then said, "In that case, please take my youngest son with you and guide him."
Zhao Nan had been thinking the same thing. After all, there had been no mention of Ace Hyde in the original story, and the Hyde Clan had never grown this large either. It had only had a handful of members.
Clearly, something had happened within the Hyde Clan.
Still, Zhao Nan asked, "May I ask why you say that, Mr. Vincent?
"Ace is only four. Isn't it too early for him to leave the clan?"
"As you can see, Mr. Zhao Nan, the Hyde Clan is quite large now.
"But in truth, only those who carry the Violet Flame Warrior bloodline count as true members of the Hyde Clan.
"So this vast clan isn't really the Purple Flame Warrior Clan. It's just a huge weapons-forging operation whose members happen to bear the Hyde name.
"Ace is only four, and his mother passed away when he was very young. That means he isn't safe within the clan.
"That's why I want you to take him away, Mr. Zhao Nan."
Vincent paused to think, then explained some of the Hyde Clan's situation and why he wanted Zhao Nan to take Ace.
Zhao Nan gave a noncommittal nod. "All right. I'll take Ace with me when I leave."
He understood what Vincent meant, but he didn't care about the Hyde Clan's affairs.
In this world of the strong preying on the weak, being pitiful didn't make you right. Being powerful did.
So Zhao Nan wasn't going to help Vincent.
At Zhao Nan's utterly indifferent response, Vincent's expression shifted slightly, but he quickly composed himself.
Indeed, Vincent had come that day hoping Zhao Nan would help him put the Hyde Clan's internal affairs in order.
After all, Zhao Nan was Ace's teacher as well as a powerful expert. He had both the reason and the strength to intervene.
Unfortunately, Zhao Nan had shown no inclination to help.
Vincent understood, though. That was how powerful people across the Yulan Continent generally behaved.
Take the War God of War God Mountain, for example. He didn't care who among the royal family became emperor, as long as it was one of his descendants.
Knowing he wouldn't get any help from Zhao Nan, Vincent still bowed respectfully. Then he left Ace in Zhao Nan's room and withdrew.
As soon as Vincent stepped outside, he saw his eldest and second sons waiting nearby.
Without a word, Vincent walked over to them, ignoring their bows. In a low voice, he said, "Come on. We'll talk in the study."
"Yes, Father!"
The two answered in unison, then followed Vincent toward the study.
The Hyde Clan's study had been built using special methods, so spiritual power couldn't penetrate it. They could speak freely inside.
As soon as they entered, Vincent's eldest son anxiously asked, "Father, what did that lord say?"
Vincent knew what his eldest son wanted to ask. He wasn't asking about anything else—he wanted to know whether Vincent could get Zhao Nan to take him as a disciple.
His second son also looked at Vincent expectantly.
Vincent hadn't asked Zhao Nan directly, but his probing had made it clear that Zhao Nan would only accept Ace as his disciple, not the others.
His expression grim, Vincent said, "He refused."
"Why? I'm eighteen and already a fourth-level warrior. Am I still not good enough for him?"
"Exactly! Little Ace is only four. Why does he get an opportunity like that?"
His second son spoke with a vicious look.
Vincent frowned at their words, then snapped in a low voice, "If you want to die, keep shouting.
"I'll make this perfectly clear: I have five sons, and I will not antagonize a powerful expert for the two of you!"
The two froze at Vincent's words, then lowered their heads and apologized.
In truth, Vincent didn't understand how Zhao Nan had chosen his disciples either.
Could he really see a person's talent just by looking at him?
Then Vincent wondered if his youngest son possessed some unknown talent.
The first thing that came to mind was the Violet Flame Warrior bloodline passed down through their clan.
Could little Ace really have the bloodline?
Vincent wondered. But he soon shook his head. The bloodline concentration couldn't be tested until the child was eight!
Before you continue