Legend of Wyatt-Chapter 1491: Howard Family

"The Howard Family?"

Wyatt Barnes’ brow involuntarily furrowed.

When he was at the marketplace earlier today, he noticed someone following him. However, the person hid so well that he couldn’t immediately flush them out.

Later, the person stopped following him, so he dismissed the matter from his mind.

Who would have thought that no sooner had he returned to the inn than someone from the Howard Family would come knocking at his door?

Wyatt didn’t need to guess; he knew this had to be Eliel Howard’s doing.

Otherwise, how could he, a newly arrived stranger in Thames River City, draw the attention of the Howard Family?

Wyatt’s guess was indeed correct.

After Eliel returned to the Howard Family, the first thing she did was find her father, the Family Head Howard, to recount what had happened in the Nine Curves Mountain Range.

Upon hearing that his beloved daughter had narrowly escaped danger, the Family Head Howard flew into a rage and wanted to confront the Walker Family.

However, Eliel managed to stop him just in time.

After her explanation, the Family Head Howard realized that the pressing issue wasn’t to demand justice from the Walkers but rather to find the young man who had saved his daughter.

According to his daughter, that young man was highly likely from a force ranked at the seventh-tier or higher.

Thus, after Eliel sketched a portrait of the young man, Family Head Howard orchestrated a large-scale search across Thames River City.

It had to be said—Eliel’s drawing skills weren’t bad.

At the very least, the Howard Family’s people were able to locate Wyatt Barnes in the city’s largest marketplace based on the portrait and pinpoint the inn where he was staying.

"Please."

The Howard Family’s steward squinted his eyes and once again invited Wyatt, a flicker of sharp intent flashing briefly in his gaze.

"What if I refuse?"

Wyatt glanced indifferently at the steward and asked.

"Young Master, please don’t make this difficult for an old man like me."

The steward sighed, "Rest assured, you’re the savior of our young mistress. Our Howard Family may not be perfect, but we would never bite the hand that feeds us. This invitation is purely because our Family Head wishes to express his gratitude. There’s no ill intent whatsoever."

Wyatt gave the steward a deep look. After a while, he nodded. "Lead the way."

He had never been one to cower easily.

His previous question to the steward was merely a test.

On the way to the Howard Family estate, Wyatt learned that the steward’s name was Amias Howard.

When Amias tried to inquire about Wyatt’s full name, he only mentioned his surname, "Barnes."

"Young Master Barnes, is this your first time visiting Thames River City?"

Amias asked probing questions.

"Why do you ask?"

Wyatt responded.

"My subordinates reported your performance in the marketplace."

Amias said with a smile.

"Was the person following me one of your subordinates?"

Wyatt frowned.

"Yes."

Amias admitted openly, "He’s a Martial Artist at the mid-Saint Realm, skilled in tracking. Yet, he was still discovered by you, Young Master Barnes. Before this, he had never been exposed, not even when tailing Martial Artists or Taoist Cultivators at the mid-Saint Realm or below."

As he spoke, Amias seemed somewhat impressed.

"There’s always someone better out there. He simply hadn’t encountered one before."

Wyatt said indifferently.

"Indeed, Young Master Barnes taught him a decent lesson today."

Amias chuckled.

"I assume the inn I stayed at wasn’t discovered by him?"

Wyatt asked, still curious about this matter.

In his previous life as Earth’s strongest Weapon King, Wyatt prided himself on his counter-tracking skills, yet he hadn’t detected anyone trailing him back to the inn.

Considering his current state with ninety-nine Saint Veins activated, his hearing, vision, and sense of smell far exceeded ordinary people, further boosting his counter-tracking abilities.

And still, he failed to notice anyone.

Previously, while traveling toward Thames River City, he hadn’t detected Holden Yellow or the man in the black robe. That was understandable—one was a Small Perfection Saint Realm Martial Artist, and the other was a Grand Perfection Demon Cultivator—both far beyond his current level.

But the one who followed him back to the inn couldn’t possibly be in the Small Perfection Saint Realm.

In families like the Howard Family, those at the Small Perfection Saint Realm or above were unquestionably pillars of the clan and key members of their leadership.

Such people wouldn’t be sent to track him.

"After he was exposed by you at the marketplace, he stopped following you."

Amias nodded, "Once he reported back, I took over and personally followed you, Young Master Barnes. That’s why I appeared soon after you arrived at the inn."

"So, you’re a late-Saint Realm cultivator?"

Wyatt narrowed his eyes and asked.

"That’s correct."

Amias nodded.

Wyatt’s heart sank slightly. The gap in cultivation levels was enough to render his counter-tracking abilities ineffective...

Still, when he remembered he was only at the peak of the Transcending Mortal Realm, he felt at ease again.

As a Transcending Mortal Realm peak cultivator, could he reasonably expect to detect a late-Saint Realm cultivator’s tracking?

If he could, wouldn’t that be an insult to those in the late-Saint Realm?

Before he knew it, Wyatt had followed Amias to the Howard Family estate.

As a prominent eighth-tier family in Thames River City, the Howard Family estate was located to the east, covering a vast area and exuding grandeur. freēwēbηovel.c૦m

"Lord Howard!"

"Lord Howard!"

...

As they walked through the estate gates, the dozen or so family guards standing on both sides greeted Amias respectfully.

In the presence of Wyatt alone earlier, Amias’ demeanor had been warm and congenial. But now, his face was stern and exuded the authority befitting a steward.

Once inside the estate and away from others, however, Amias resumed his friendly demeanor, pointing out various landmarks to Wyatt.

The Howard Family’s estate was immense. Just crossing the front courtyard took a considerable amount of time.

The front courtyard featured lakes, rock gardens, and corridors, reminiscent of the Crimson Heaven Kingdom’s royal palace garden back home... except the royal garden was far smaller in comparison.

By this time, the evening sky was growing dim.

The onset of night was upon them.

Lamps across the front courtyard began to light, illuminating the buildings in a golden glow that exuded a regal air.

"Young Master Barnes, just ahead is our Howard Family’s main hall. The Family Head and our young mistress have been waiting there for quite a while."

Amias glanced ahead and informed Wyatt.

Hearing this, Wyatt looked up.

With just a glance, he spotted a palace-like structure standing prominently ahead, surrounded by other buildings, like stars encircling the moon.

When they arrived outside the main hall, Amias respectfully announced, "Family Head, Young Master Barnes has arrived."

"So your surname is Barnes."

At almost the same moment Amias finished speaking, a familiar figure to Wyatt appeared—Eliel Howard.

Eliel looked at Wyatt with a smile. "Well, what do you know? We meet again, don’t we?"

"Miss Howard, this doesn’t seem like how one treats their savior. It feels more like you’re dealing with an enemy."

Wyatt said meaningfully.

"If we hadn’t done this, how would we have found you?"

Eliel’s smile didn’t waver, as she had clearly guessed what Wyatt was referring to—the Howard Family tracking him.

"Everly, why haven’t you invited your savior in yet?"

At that moment, a booming voice resounded from within the hall, full of authority and command.

The voice alone revealed that its owner was someone used to commanding respect and authority.

Wyatt didn’t need to guess; he knew this was the voice of the Family Head Howard.

"Please, do come in... Young Master Barnes."

Eliel looked at Wyatt and gestured with a smile.

Without any pretense, Wyatt stepped straight into the main hall of the Howard Family estate.

The main hall was resplendent, exuding grandeur and majesty.

Upon stepping in, Wyatt’s gaze immediately landed on the middle-aged man seated at the center of the hall.

The rugged man had a full beard and a massive frame. Sitting there, he radiated an imposing presence, like a "King of Lions."

This was Valentin Howard, the head of the Howard Family.

Standing behind him was a younger man.

The younger man had decent features, and his brows bore a resemblance to Eliel’s.

Wyatt could guess that this was Leslie Howard, the eldest son of the Howard Family and Eliel’s brother.

"They say, ’Like father, like son’ and ’Like mother, like daughter’... But this rugged Howard Family head managed to father such refined children—it’s truly surprising."

Wyatt mused internally, clicking his tongue in wonder.

Wyatt could almost imagine that Valentin Howard’s wife must be an extraordinary beauty.

Otherwise, how could they have such exquisite offspring?

If Valentin’s wife wasn’t beautiful, there was only one other possibility—these two might not be his biological children.

Of course, that possibility was slim.

As a Family Head and a man of influence, would Valentin Howard really raise someone else’s children?

"Family Head Howard."

Wyatt cupped his hands in greeting, acknowledging Valentin politely.

"I am Valentin Howard, the head of the Howard Family. May I ask the full name of this young hero?"

Valentin chuckled warmly, his words carrying a kind and approachable tone, devoid of arrogance.

"My name is Barnes."

Wyatt replied flatly, still uninterested in revealing his full name.

"Hmph, his name must be terrible."

Walking back into the hall behind Wyatt, Eliel looked at his back and secretly muttered.

"Hmph!"

Valentin’s expression stiffened slightly as the young man standing behind him, Leslie Howard, snorted coldly. "Your arrogance knows no bounds! My father asked for your name, and yet you won’t even reveal it. I’m truly curious what background you come from to lack such basic manners!"

"Whether I reveal my name depends entirely on my mood. If you want to bring manners into this... As the eldest son of the Howard Family, is this how you treat the man who saved your sister? Is that what you call manners?"

Wyatt replied coolly.