Chapter 234: The Honest Man

Chapter 234: The Honest Man

As the words continued, the unfamiliarity between the brothers gradually faded. Seeing the inexplicable smile on Bran’s face, Adam always felt unsettled.

He finally couldn’t help but ask, “What are you smiling at?”

Bran shook his head, “Nothing.”

Adam clenched his teeth, “Say it, I promise I won’t blame you.”

“I’m smiling because you are honest.”

Being honest was absolutely not something to boast about in the Northlands. So Adam widened his eyes and retorted, “You say I’m honest?”

Bran nodded heavily without any hesitation.

Adam couldn’t help but raise his voice a few notches, “You’re the honest one! Since childhood, you never even let out a fart.”

Baring his white teeth, Bran spread his hands, “So what? You let out plenty, but were they useful? Since we were kids, in which matter have you ever shown real courage?”

Adam gritted his teeth and spoke without thinking, “That’s bullshit!”

This only invited a round of laughter, “You said you wouldn’t blame me.”

This made Adam flush red, unable to speak for a long while.

“You might think Second Brother is more honest, but you’re too embarrassed to bring him up.” Ignoring Adam’s embarrassment, Bran went on, “But how many things has Second Brother done that you didn’t dare to? The only thing you did was take the blame for him. You think that was brave, right? But that wasn’t something you did; you merely followed the rules and did what an older brother should.

We’ve all done things you didn’t dare to. Look, now even the youngest sister has run away.”

“That’s because you’re all jerks.”

Bran sighed, “Alright, even if we are jerks, doesn’t that just prove you are too honest?”

“You!”

“You’ve been to Northland City. You should know that city is poorly managed, yet it still changes every day.

Now look here. Before taking over, you must have had many ideas. But once you sat in Father’s study and heard their instructions, you didn’t dare to make any move.

You know what? I didn’t plan to stay in Northland City forever. I even chose the next City Lord for Northland City.”

Adam spoke up, “Lily!”

“But she ran away. I had to find another candidate. I thought of many people—Sister, Second Brother—just never thought of you.”

Adam took a rough breath, “You think I’m honest.”

“I don’t understand what’s wrong with you? You clearly have many ideas, and you showed some when you were in the Western Territory. Now you have the chance, our parents aren’t here, and no one is holding you back, yet you’ve done nothing.

Perhaps I was wrong. You’re not honest; you’re incompetent.”

Adam was getting furious, “You just wait!”

“Fine.”

Blinded by anger, Adam stomped away. He even forgot about Bran building a manor for him. Bran, however, acted as if nothing had happened and wobbled along with Ancient Tree toward the River Beach.

Soon, a new manor appeared on the outer edge of the River Beach. On its plaque were four large characters: Honest Manor. Adam’s furious expression was turned into a statue, standing right in the center of the courtyard. On the base of the statue, three shining characters read: The Honest Man.

By the time Adam cooled down and realized what had happened, Bran and Ancient Tree had already left long ago.

…

Honest kids at least save people worry. Many like honest kids mostly for this reason. After mocking Adam’s honesty, Bran didn’t know his retribution was already coming.

After a few days of acting high and mighty, Xirui gradually became familiar with the White-robed Ones. During a small test, Xirui decided to respond to the White Robes’ request and display her not-yet-fully-controlled power.

A cold wind blew, snowflakes fell, and all the buildings the White Robes had begun constructing collapsed. Fortunately, the roads in Northland City were wide enough, and the buildings were spaced far apart, giving people enough space to escape. That there were no casualties was a great fortune in the misfortune. And Xirui vanished from sight the moment the incident happened.

Often, Huahua was even less reliable than Ancient Tree; it was just her nature. Except for Bran and a few people Bran cared about, she wouldn’t care about anyone else’s life or death.

Xirui ran back to the High Tower, preparing to escape again. This time, she planned to go to her Sister. Her Brother had some good things, and leaving them here was a bit wasteful, like that Mist and that Water Pearl. But before she could descend the tower, Huahua stopped her.

The Mist flew out from her embrace, wrapped around the Water Pearl, and returned to its original place. In that instant, Huahua’s gaze turned icy, making Xirui shiver. But then a surge of irritation rose in her heart. Who did she think she was?

Coldness spread from within her body; she wanted Huahua to know her power. However, a black light flashed, and Huahua directly pounced on her, knocking her to the ground. Then, grabbing her collar and ignoring her struggles, Huahua dragged her step by step up the stairs back to the top of the tower.

Now her power was trapped inside her body, no longer responding to her call. So she began to beg for mercy. Her originally proud little face was now filled with a fawning smile, but it was useless. In the end, Xirui was put under confinement by Huahua.

The White-robed Ones were clearing the rubble. A group was arguing about who had urged the little girl to display her power. Pachu sighed, comforting everyone, “It’s good that it’s destroyed. The original design was no longer suitable.”

He then pointed in the direction of the High Tower, “Look there. As part of the city, it shouldn’t be too shabby. Moreover, as students of the Great Wizard, we can’t disgrace him.”

Soon, everyone in the city knew: the White Robes, to follow the Great Wizard, had decided to build structures no less impressive than those in the Eastern District. When this rumor reached the ears of the White Robes, they were utterly dumbfounded.

Who was so wicked! Could we even build that? But this was something they couldn’t and didn’t dare to clarify!

Scholar Baz, who had been watching coldly from the sidelines, stepped forward, “Perhaps I can offer some help.”

Facing the doubtful gazes of the crowd, Baz spoke unhurriedly, “In terms of power, I am indeed not worth one ten-thousandth of you, but in architecture, I am confident I have some experience. The prerequisite is that you are willing to listen to a bit of my advice.

At the Great Wizard’s request, my attendants and students were dismissed, so I need your cooperation. If we can temporarily recall them in a hired capacity, it would be of greater help to us.”

Pachu sighed, “Alright, I’ll discuss this matter with the City Lord.”

…

At this time, Mary was standing beside Danny, boasting about what she had done. It was due to her tireless efforts that the rumor spread throughout the city in a short time.