The older of the brothers, Jones, returned to Brad's internal guard, who seemed to be more interested in power than the younger brother behind Philip.

A little over a year ago, when Philip was promoted to the Intermediate Academy, he had a long conversation with his grandfather, Brad.

In the end, Philip chose his younger brother Paul as one of the forces to protect him, while also secretly doing something for him.

According to the original plan, the two brothers would protect Philip until he reached adulthood and returned to the Internal Guard.

After all the ordeals, and now with his awakening imminent, Philip desperately needs a force that is completely at his disposal.

Brad, out of some consideration, readily agreed, and gave Philip a delicate gold badge carved with a roaring lion, representing that he would henceforth become one of the masters of the true power of the family.

Although it is still impossible for this small force to break away from the control of the family, Paul's mentality has changed radically in terms of subordination.

"Not for now, I'll just take a look here, don't alarm them. Wait until they finish their training and after the selection. Philip said in a deep voice.

"Yes, young master. When Paul had finished speaking, he turned and disappeared.

The courtyard is large and looks more like a school than a prison.

Inside were a number of young children, ranging from eight or nine to teens, and as for skin color and ethnicity, they varied widely.

If you look closely, you can probably divide it into two distinct categories.

One is a mixture of other races that are not Ward. The other group looks like a Ward child.

These children have been captured over the years from human traffickers and bandits.

Those who seem to be Ward's children are actually screened, and the Ward's mixed race with the steppe people is just that the racial characteristics of the steppe people are not obvious.

As for where the remaining children went after screening, Philip did not know and did not care.

And the other children, the same children of thieves, had no idea who their father was.

But they still have to thank their parents, for various reasons, they did not let them be contaminated with the blood of the grassland people, and there is still a trace of use.

These kids are excellent candidates for spies, but it's not yet time to use them.

Philip is young and he has plenty of time and patience to wait.

Some of the other rescued children were lucky enough to return to their hometowns, while others were unable to find out their origins and had to live in orphanages affiliated with various welfare institutions.

But in Philip's opinion, it is better to live here.

At least the children here don't have to fight for a piece of moldy bread, don't have to worry about being well-dressed and don't have to worry about being sanctimonious, and they can learn a lot of practical skills that are simple and fulfilling.

Compared to them, as Lynch's niece, Lin Yun is undoubtedly much luckier.

In the afternoon, Philip took Lin Yun on the way back to the city.

Looking at the girl's reluctant appearance of turning back three times in one step, he had a little headache.

No way, even in his capacity, he can only bring girls here twice a year.

It was a compromise between him and his family, Catherine to be precise.

Speaking of the nominal mother-daughter relationship between Catherine and Lin Yun, it is most appropriate to describe it as detached.

And the reason for this result, Philip is the majority of the factor.

When Lin Yun first arrived in Gaokan City, Catherine still liked this thin little girl very much, or rather pity her miserable life experience.

In terms of food, clothing, housing and transportation, they all provided meticulous care, and Anna's departure allowed Lin Yun to quickly fill a certain gap.

But perhaps it was too rough a childhood experience, Lin Yun's personality was a little stubborn and withdrawn, and he was always a little instinctively wary of this sudden care and kindness.

Not just to be wary of Catherine, but to everyone, only Philip can barely enter her world.

The little girl may feel that she is well disguised, but in the eyes of these adults, it is like a candle in the dark, and it is very obvious.

Jane and Catherine discussed privately and found that Lin Yun seemed to be using such a method to close his heart and protect himself at the same time.

Maybe she was worried that one day a sudden parting would hurt her already sensitive heart, just like the friend in the nameless valley who couldn't remember his appearance.

Jane and Catherine had no choice but to let it go, hoping to use time and love to influence her.

There are two triggers for things to take a turn for the worse.

One of them is Alexandra.

When Lin Yun unexpectedly learned that she was being held outside the city, she stubbornly stood in the study all night, and did not let Brad's hard lion's heart soften.

In the end, it was Philip who was distressed and helped to say a few kind words before Brad agreed to visit him once in a while.

And the supervision of this matter was handed over to Lin Yun's nominal adoptive mother, Catherine.

This incident left a deep mustard in the hearts of the two women, one big and one small.

Catherine understood the affection for the calf, but she was aroused with hatred and resentment, and she did not want to mention anyone involved in the kidnapping.

In her opinion, it is already a great favor to let that woman live a good life.

Moreover, Lin Yun's noble identity should not have more to do with that woman.

Therefore, in the end, the result of the compromise is only twice a year.

And for Lin Yun, Alexandra played the most important role in her entire childhood. It's a mother, it's a protector, and it's one of the few people you can trust.

At least Philip had never seen Lin Yun show such a weak expression in front of others, including him.

She didn't understand what Brad and Catherine were doing, and even though Philip explained it many times, the little girl couldn't let go.

Over time, the relationship between the two mothers and daughters became a little awkward.

The protagonist of another event that makes the contradiction truly clear is none other than Philip himself.

It was one night two years ago, and Catherine accidentally discovered that the physical contact between Philip and Lin Yun seemed to be much more intimate than that of ordinary siblings or friends.

To be precise, Philip's performance was much more obvious, which made Catherine a little alarmed.

Girls are far more mature than boys, and Philip's performance shows his adolescent restlessness to the fullest.

Philip felt innocent about this.

Although the heart is the soul of an adult, it has lived in this world for more than ten years, and has long been completely integrated into the current identity, including name, personality, origin and age.

The impulsive impulse of hormones is really not a soul inhibition that can be simply suppressed.

Older people's love, although more rational and thick, is often less fiery and desperate than that of young people.

This is not only due to the abundant maturity of the heart, but also due to the significant reduction in the body's hormone secretion level.

Although he has long adapted to the hot-blooded and impulsive physique of this life, and gradually merged with his own cautious reason, it is inevitable that he will occasionally be a little uncontrollable.

Catherine admonished Philip, consciously or unconsciously, although the Wardsmann Empire did not stipulate that only one woman could be married.

But Lin Yun is not suitable to be his first wife.

He is still very young, don't hurt others and yourself because of impulsiveness.

Philip knew in his heart and agreed with this statement.

The person standing behind Lin Yun was indeed a Sacred Domain Bishop, but he was of the Twin Continents.

The status of the priests of the Twin Continents is somewhat special, they usually do not reside in this continent, and few people run their own forces, and Lynch is no exception, wandering alone in this distant land.

Although I don't know if I need to marry for the benefit of the family, as the son of a powerful person, I must sacrifice something while enjoying power.

In this regard, Philip had been prepared for a long time, but he didn't want to give up Lin Yun.

This girl with a similar appearance to his previous race, this girl who protected him with an arm and a small dagger in the middle of the river valley, this girl who fed him the only piece of meat left in the camp of the White Eagle Thieves, has already become an indispensable person in his life.

Fortunately, Lin Yun finally returned to the Lion Castle with Philip.

With Philip's gags, the atmosphere of the dinner was still relatively harmonious and warm.

Although Catherine and Lin Yun were a little embarrassed, they still greeted each other with a smile on the surface, and Catherine also asked about the girl's homework and life in the academy with concern.

"Philip, come with me to the study. After the meal, Brad said to Philip.

The grandfather and grandson each lit a cigarette and sat on the large sofa, swallowing the clouds.

The Ward people have an excellent physique, and can almost ignore the harm caused to the body by the harmful components in it.

Philip thought that Brad wanted to ask about the day, but the old earl didn't care about the children, but asked, "How long do you feel until you wake up?"

Philip thought for a moment before replying, "We are at a bottleneck stage, and I always feel that there is still an opportunity missing. ”

"Edward said the same thing, he is more anxious than you, this has become an obsession of his, always hoping to see you wake up sooner, so that he can break this wish. Brad spat out a smoke ring, which Philip had taught him.

"What do you think of this year's military academy competition, I hope you can participate and try to get better results. ”

Philip quickly snuffed out the cigarette butt in the ashtray and sat up straight to listen to his grandfather's teachings.

Brad nodded with satisfaction and explained, "In the last ten years, the family's political influence in the imperial capital has become less and less. To be precise, it is our families in the border military city that the influence in the imperial capital is getting weaker and weaker.

The new aristocracy, relying on their deep pockets, has wantonly crowded out our old families.

This has caused the dissatisfaction of many old friends, and some people in the rear have gradually lost their iron and proud bones, immersed in the hypocrisy of peace.

I don't know when the steppenwolf Kou, who has been dormant for so many years, will come out of the nest again, bringing horrific bloodshed and carnage. ”