Cogan

The damaged carriages of the caravan had been hastily arranged into a makeshift defensive line, with scattered debris and mottled bloodstains everywhere on the ground.

The two sides stood in a tense standoff across the blood-soaked grass, the air so tight it felt as if it would explode at any moment.

The yellow-haired youth, Cogan.

His cold gaze swept over the battered remains of the caravan.

But when Regg slowly stepped out from behind a carriage, his eyes suddenly froze—

He recognized him, of course. This was the Eldest Young Master of the family.

His heart skipped a beat at first, but he quickly calmed down.

He carefully scrutinized Regg's face. The other man looked vigilant, his eyes filled with scrutiny. Clearly... he didn't recognize him at all.

After a moment's thought, Cogan understood. His branch was a private force under a family elder, so not many in the family knew of them. It was only natural that the Eldest Young Master, who spent most of his time training outside, would be unaware of his existence.

Besides, he had heard that a Class holder's cultivation required a pure state of mind. The family likely kept the Eldest Young Master from being exposed to these dark dealings too early on purpose.

That was why those of them who did the dirty work did not have very high ranks.

Cogan sighed inwardly, his gaze instinctively drifting toward the depths of the grasslands—

That was the direction Nathan had just given chase. A complex feeling welled up in his heart.

Had he known earlier that the youth was one of the Eldest Young Master's men... he would have told Nathan to hold back no matter what.

That kid's talent was clearly extraordinary. To be able to slay Valentine at such a young age and force Nathan to use his secret technique—such potential was downright terrifying.

If he had known the boy was under the Eldest Young Master, they might have avoided this life-and-death struggle. Perhaps he could have even done them a favor, making the kid follow the Eldest Young Master even more loyally.

When the time came, the Eldest Young Master might even remember his kindness.

But on second thought, Cogan realized that nobles were always forgetful.

The Eldest Young Master might not take such a small matter to heart.

Nathan was an outcast of the family on the surface, but in reality, he was merely a “white glove.” Even if he died, his death could be blamed on the grassland bandits, leaving the family completely unaffected.

As for that kid named Matthew... he was just a genius from the countryside. No matter how brilliant, in the eyes of the family, he was merely new blood worthy of a few extra glances.

As long as he quietly withdrew now without leaving a trace, even if the Eldest Young Master heard about it later, he wouldn't necessarily look deeper into the connections behind it.

Thinking of this, Cogan gradually relaxed.

He stopped looking at Regg. His gaze swept over the panicked remnants of the horse bandits around him, and he quietly took half a step back, preparing to slip away unnoticed during the standoff—

The grasslands were so vast. As long as he left this place, everything that happened today could be treated as if it had never occurred.

Just as Cogan was calculating his move,

“Clop, clop... clop, clop...”

The clear sound of hooves echoed from the edge of the grasslands.

Everyone instinctively turned to look.

Beneath the deepening twilight of the horizon, a mounted figure was returning at a leisurely pace.

It was Matthew.

He was alone.

By the damaged barricade of the caravan, every eye was pinned directly on him.

Regg stood by the carriage, watching the approaching figure. When he clearly saw that Matthew was indeed alone, his pupils couldn't help but constrict slightly.

Nathan... hadn't returned.

A thought he barely dared to contemplate slowly surfaced from the depths of his heart—

Could it be... that the Silver Rank bandit chief had really been... dealt with by Matthew alone in the depths of the grasslands?

On the other side, the yellow-haired youth, Cogan, was also staring intently at the returning Matthew.

The facade of indifference on his face had long since shattered, replaced by an uncontrollable shock.

He had certainly thought of that possibility too, but he immediately shook his head in denial. Impossible! Absolutely impossible!

Nathan was a Silver Rank expert who had even used a blood-burning secret technique. How could he possibly be killed by such a young kid alone?

There must have been some accident. Perhaps Nathan had pursued him too far, exhausted his energy, and withdrawn on his own... or encountered some other situation...

Cogan refused to believe, and dared not believe, the simplest and most direct conclusion.

Matthew rode back to the battered caravan, taking in the standoff at a glance.

His gaze swept past the yellow-haired youth and landed on Regg's face—the latter had a look of scrutiny, with a trace of subtle doubt.

Matthew immediately made a judgment in his mind: Regg most likely didn't know about the connection between Nathan and the Fiery Lion family. Even if he did, Matthew must never expose it now.

As for the shocked, curious, and even fearful gazes of the surrounding caravan members, he ignored them completely.

He rode straight through the crowd, his horse's hooves making dull thuds against the blood-stained grass.

He rode all the way to Regg's side before pulling the reins, dismounting, and quickly walking over to Regg and the injured Porter. In a low voice, he said,

“The bandit chief pursued too closely. I had to take a long detour and barely managed to shake him off.”

Upon hearing this, Regg showed no sign of blame. Instead, he patted Matthew's shoulder and said with praise,

“Brother Matthew, you did well enough. It wasn't easy to shake Nathan off under such a pursuit.”

At the same time, hearing Matthew's report greatly set his mind at ease!

As the Eldest Young Master of the Fiery Lion family, he was naturally well-aware of the family's secret techniques. Once a secret technique like the one Nathan used was unleashed, the user wouldn't even be able to get out of bed for a long time afterward!

Since Matthew had shaken him off, there was no way Nathan could pursue them!

The outcome was decided!

Beside them, the weakened Porter was also filled with disbelief. Having taken a direct hit from Nathan after the secret technique was activated, he naturally knew how terrifying the man was in that state.

But on second thought, since Matthew had slain the bandit leader with a single strike, he had probably underestimated the youth before him...

The three of them had their own thoughts, but there was no time for excessive pleasantries now.

Then, Regg's tone shifted, a harsh glint flashing in his eyes.

“Next, we just need to take down that yellow-haired guy. If there are any complications...”

He paused, lowering his voice even further.

“No need to leave him alive.”

“Understood!”

Matthew complied, but a complex emotion flashed through his mind. ‘Is Regg's reaction because he truly doesn't know about the “white glove,” or does he plan to... discard certain people?’

Regardless, this situation was currently the most advantageous for him.

Killing the yellow-haired youth was necessary for two reasons.

First, this man associated with horse bandits and aided their villainy; his hands were definitely not clean.

As a Class holder, Matthew needed to keep his mind decisive and resolute. Seeing the man order the horse bandits to slaughter civilians, eliminating such a scourge would help stabilize his state of mind.

Second, Nathan was already dead by his sword. If he let this yellow-haired youth escape, the consequences would be endless.

Once the youth escaped, he would definitely go back to find Nathan.

If the body was discovered, the Fiery Lion family's investigation would likely follow immediately.

It was better to kill him now and dump the body in the grasslands. Even if they investigated, it would take time, giving him more room to prepare.

With this in mind, Matthew hesitated no longer.

He mounted his horse, raised his longbow high, and shouted to the caravan,

“Attack! Hunt down the remaining bandits!”

The moment the words left his mouth, he snatched his longbow from his back, nocked an arrow, and locked his hawk-like gaze onto the yellow-haired youth, Cogan.

He didn't put his full strength into this arrow; it was merely a probe.

Nathan had said these monitors “weren't even Class holders,” but Nathan's words...

Matthew wouldn't fully believe them.

Who could say how many of a resentful “white glove's” words, abandoned by his family, were actually true?

Rather than blindly trusting them, it was better to test it himself.

“Twang—”

The bowstring thrummed, and the arrow tore through the air.

...

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