"Brother, is there something you need?"
"Nothing much, just wondering if Layne Reid’s family has come looking for trouble with you?"
"Not at all, I guess they’re too embarrassed to bother me since they know they’re in the wrong. After all, as formidable as the Reid Family is, my Frost Family isn’t bad either."
"Okay then, if anyone gives you trouble, call me immediately or give them my number and have them come to me directly."
"Don’t worry about me, I’m fine!"
Carson Flores hung up the phone, his expression slightly puzzled.
Layne Reid must have suffered excruciating pain last night; the lack of any reaction from the Reid family was not normal.
Contemplating the conviction in Lillian Frost’s voice just now, Carson Flores suddenly snapped to a realization.
The Frost Family must have intervened.
Out of concern for him, Lillian must have informed her eldest uncle, who in turn dealt with the Reid Family, which is why there had been no word from them up to now.
Thinking of this, Carson Flores’s mood became subtly complex.
Since he was young, Carson had shouldered everything himself, facing any danger on his own terms. And now he was being protected?
Shielded quietly, without even a heads-up.
Was this their way of not wanting to add to his stress?
When the eldest uncle negotiated with the Reid Family, had he made any sacrifices to keep him safe?
This thought made Carson slightly uneasy.
"Carson, come out and have some fruit!"
Carson replied and made his way to the garden where Leah Frost sat casually on a chair, legs propped up, using a toothpick to pick at the fruits on the plate beside her.
"Try some, it’s really sweet."
Carson sat down on the adjoining chair, picked up a toothpick, and began to eat the fruit, his mind wandering as he did so.
"What’s on your mind? You’re looking so serious—is it a beautiful woman?"
Leah Frost waved her hand in front of Carson’s face, snapping him out of his distraction.
Regaining his focus, Carson laughed and said, "Aunt Leah, I heard there are many prominent families in Xijing. Can you tell me about them—who’s really powerful?"
Leah Frost looked at Carson and laughed, "Why the sudden interest?"
Carson replied, "If I’m to get by in Xijing, I should know who I can provoke and who I can’t, right?"
Leah popped a grape into her mouth and laughed, "The Frost Family isn’t the strongest in Xijing, but still, we do have three Innate Grandmasters backing us. As long as you’re in the right, you don’t need to cower before anyone. So, don’t be afraid, stand tall, and if someone messes with you, fight back. If you can’t beat them, your aunt will step in for you."
Carson was taken aback—three Innate Grandmasters in the Frost Family? Certainly, their power was formidable, no wonder they were considered a Xijing powerhouse.
Even if the Frost Family had three Innate Grandmasters, these Innate Grandmasters were surnamed Frost, not Flores. Although he shared Frost blood, as the saying goes—the daughter married off is like water poured away. His relationship with his grandparents was close, but to the entire Frost Family, he could only be considered an outsider.
He did not expect that, should he cause any serious trouble, those three Innate Grandmasters would come to his aid.
After swallowing the grape, Leah Frost continued, "There are many influential families in Xijing, that’s for sure, but the ones that really count are those with an Innate Grandmaster in their clan. By that count, there are roughly the ’Four Sects and Twelve Surnames’..."
Carson laughed, "That’s quite a few. Tough to remember all that."
Leah Frost chuckled, "No need to. Those who call themselves such-and-such family of Xijing are the Twelve Surnames. Only families among the Twelve Surnames dare to claim that title. For instance, we refer to ourselves outwardly as the Frost Family of Xijing. As for the Four Sects, they are the Water Cloud Sect, Five Dragon Sect, Sky Martial Sect, and Eight Spirit Sect. Their sects are located in the mountains, so you’re less likely to encounter them."
Carson nodded, "Understood."
Just then, Carson’s phone suddenly rang with an unfamiliar number.
Carson glanced at Leah Frost, hesitated for a moment, then answered the call.
"Carson, this is Santino Vasquez!"
Carson’s eyes grew cold—this guy had actually taken the initiative to contact him?
Santino Vasquez’s voice was icy, "I know you want to deal with me. Since you’ve come to Xijing, we should settle our affairs properly."
Carson’s voice remained calm, "Okay, go on."
"Tonight at eight, Dock 8 at the Western Suburbs Pier. Let’s end our grudges. Do you dare to come?"
Carson laughed, "Alright."
Santino Vasquez said sternly, "See you at eight!"
Carson hung up the phone, his expression serene as he picked up a toothpick and speared another piece of fruit to pop into his mouth.
Leah Frost, looking into the distance and holding a grape, asked casually, "Who was that?"
Carson smiled faintly, "A friend, also in Xijing, asked to meet me tonight."
Leah Frost acknowledged with a sound, a barely discernible smirk playing at the corner of her mouth.
Does she think I’m deaf?