Drake Trent always maintained a composed demeanor in front of outsiders. He uttered the words with incredible speed, his face blank, as if he were just commenting on the weather.

Aurora Sinclair shuffled several steps to the side, putting distance between them.

She said in all seriousness, "Young Master, I don’t gamble."

Drake Trent froze, suddenly finding this girl rather amusing.

He deliberately slowed his pace and sidled up to her again. "Don’t want to play cards? Then you can keep your Young Master company in bed."

Aurora Sinclair shuffled sideways again, only to bump into a familiar figure.

Alvin Morgan steadied her and asked with concern, "Miss, are you feeling unwell?"

The words came out in oddly accented Veridian.

Aurora Sinclair instinctively started to shake her head, but she stopped short. Instead, she offered a compliment, "Your Veridian is really good."

"Just so-so. I’m still learning."

"I’m learning Niphorian. We could practice with each other..."

The two of them started chatting, completely ignoring Drake Trent.

Drake Trent’s eyes narrowed. He shot a look at the Sherwood Family’s bodyguard, then his face darkened and he strode quickly ahead.

Aurora Sinclair breathed a sigh of relief. She turned to look at Alvin Morgan, only to see him expressionless, silently mouthing the words, ’Stay away from him.’

***

Tate Sherwood’s estate wasn’t far from the tournament venue, only about a fifteen-minute drive.

In contrast to the quiet seclusion of the Yamada Clan’s estate, this area was much livelier. A bustling downtown was just two streets away, with residential homes on either side.

’My master always said that for a Martial Artist to find a pocket of serenity for cultivation in the middle of a bustling city requires a state of mind far beyond the ordinary. That’s why the Sherwood Family shouldn’t be underestimated.’

Inside the heavy, red-lacquered gates stood a stone statue of a Military General, said to be the founder of the Sherwood Clan and one of the eight ancient Great Martial Venerables.

Beyond the statue stood an ancient Niphorian building resembling a temple.

It had the same gable roof style, rising about three stories high. With its gray tiles and white walls, it had a very quaint and traditional appearance.

"The two Mr. Trents, right this way..."

Aurora Sinclair dutifully followed behind Victor Trent into Tate Sherwood’s reception room.

Female attendants from the Sherwood Clan slid open all of a room’s partitions, making it feel as though the room itself had been deconstructed.

The entire room instantly felt spacious and bright.

A female attendant began preparing tea for the group. Her movements were as fluid as flowing water, carrying a certain rhythm.

Everyone watched her with bated breath. Some admired her face, others her hands, and still others focused on the tea itself. Even in a room of tea connoisseurs, each person’s experience was unique—much like the myriad flavors of life, which can only be truly known by the one who tastes them.

Aurora Sinclair was also lucky enough to get a cup of tea, handed to her by Drake Trent.

She let out a faint sigh.

Tate Sherwood and Victor Trent began discussing matters of the Martial World. Tate started by congratulating Drake, then brought up the subject of a marriage alliance.

Seeing that he seemed sincere, Victor Trent ventured, "Head of the Sherwood Family, when it comes to marriage, we must consider the feelings of the younger generation. We should let the two of them talk first. If they’re both willing, we can certainly discuss it further. Drake, is there anyone you’re fond of at the moment?"

For some reason, the face of the silly girl beside him suddenly flashed through Drake Trent’s mind. His heart clenched, and he denied it, "No."

Tate Sherwood was delighted. He arranged for someone to take Drake Trent to meet his daughter so the two could get to know each other.

"Let’s go..." Drake Trent stood up. When he saw Aurora Sinclair wasn’t following, he gave her a light kick.

Aurora Sinclair looked up at him in confusion. "I’m supposed to stay with the Family Head."

Victor Trent knew full well Mama Young had sent this girl to keep an eye on him. He quickly waved his hand. "You go along with Drake! I don’t need an escort."

"Mama Young said..."

Drake Trent seized her by the arm and dragged her out of the room.

Once they were out of the reception room, Aurora Sinclair yanked her arm back and took two steps away from him, clearly displeased at being dragged.

Drake Trent took another two steps forward and asked, somewhat puzzled, "You don’t seem to like me?"

Aurora Sinclair suddenly recalled Leigh Miles’s catchphrase: ’You’re not a Veridia Coin; it’s not like everyone has to like you.’

She said with a blank look, "You want to kill me."

Drake Trent froze. He then recalled forcing her to poison the drink, and a smirk played on his lips. "But you didn’t go through with it, did you?"

"So you’ll kill me to silence me."

A playful glint appeared in Drake Trent’s eyes. "I couldn’t possibly bring myself to kill you now."

Aurora Sinclair clutched her chest and edged farther away from him. "I’m not going to your room."

"You will."

"I won’t..."

"Just wait and see."

Drake Trent laughed.

***

A female attendant led them to a small pavilion in the rear courtyard and asked them to wait a moment.

The small pavilion was built atop a bridge, spanning a gently flowing stream where many colorful koi swam.

Aurora Sinclair sat in the pavilion, watching the fish below. She pulled a cookie from her pocket, crumbled it into crumbs, and tossed them to the fish.

Drake Trent sat beside her and watched her. ’She’s so different from all the other girls I’ve met.’

She radiated a serene aura, seemingly free of all worldly desires.

Looking at her always made him feel grounded, at peace.

"Joy, what kind of man do you like?"

Without a second thought, Aurora Sinclair replied, "Mr. Saul from Woody Village."

Not far away, the few people who were approaching froze, nearly bursting into laughter.

All eyes turned to one of the men.

Alvin Morgan was the third son in his family. Before becoming the Young Master, he was known as the Third Young Master of the Morgan Family.

Drake Trent was about to ask who this "Mr. Saul" was when he heard approaching footsteps and turned to look out of the pavilion.

Neve Sherwood curtsied apologetically to Drake Trent. "Lord Martial King, I’m so sorry I’m late..."

Drake Trent gave a slight nod but didn’t reply.

The atmosphere in the pavilion grew a little awkward.

Having finished feeding the fish, Aurora Sinclair clapped the crumbs from her hands and stood to leave the pavilion, but Drake Trent grabbed her and pulled her back. "Where are you going?"

"Just going to stand outside."

Aurora Sinclair pointed to the group of bodyguards in black suits standing outside the pavilion.

"Just sit still." Drake Trent frowned.

Aurora Sinclair shrank back and shuffled to the side, maintaining a safe distance from him.

Just then, Neve Sherwood asked in a gentle voice, "And this is...?"

"My maid."

Neve Sherwood covered her mouth, acting like a Whitlock Lotus. "Mr. Trent is so considerate to his servants."

Drake Trent coolly changed the subject. "Miss Sherwood, what do you enjoy doing in your free time?"

"I enjoy practicing martial arts, drinking tea, and flower arranging. And you, Lord Martial King?"

"Work..."

Aurora Sinclair listened to their lukewarm conversation and gradually closed her eyes.

To her surprise, Drake Trent suddenly spoke up. "My maid seems to be sleepy. Well then, perhaps we should call it a day..."

At this, Aurora’s eyes flew open. She said with a dopey expression, "Young Master, I’m not sleepy! Please, continue."

Neve Sherwood hid a smile and said to Aurora Sinclair, "If you’re truly tired, you can go rest on a nearby daybed."

Aurora Sinclair’s eyes lit up. She shot to her feet and said to Drake Trent, "Young Master, I’ll go wait for you nearby..."

Before he could answer, she scurried out of the pavilion as if afraid he’d change his mind.

Neve Sherwood said to her bodyguard, "Woody, you take her."

Alvin Morgan performed an Ancient Martial Ceremony and then gestured for Aurora Sinclair to follow.

Watching their retreating figures, Drake Trent felt a pang of annoyance.

"Lord Martial King, are you perhaps feeling unwell?"

Drake Trent pulled his gaze back and gave a slight shake of his head.

Neve Sherwood chuckled. All trace of her earlier gentleness vanished as she spoke bluntly, "Lord Martial King, my father is set on a marriage alliance between our families. However, I already have someone I love, and you, Lord Martial King, seem uninterested in me. So, why don’t we put an end to this matter of an alliance right here? How does that sound?"

Upon hearing this, Drake Trent looked her up and down, then suddenly closed the distance between them, his hand shooting out to grip her by the neck.

He asked in a low, dangerous voice, "Are you Claire Sherwood?"