The Deceitful One



Donald stated respectfully, "You see, Master, it is a custom in Nadir that whenever someone moves into a new house, they should host a small reception for their neighbors.

"This is done so that the person can get accustomed to the city and at the same time also develop connections with other people. This is especially so for a wealthy businessman like you."

Bryan felt that this was reasonable. But at the same time, he also found it to be a drag. He couldn't help but complain, "Must I really do this? I can spend my precious time doing something much more productive."

After all, he felt that all these things didn't really matter much to him. He would rather meditate or go around scouring the city for ingredients required for his advancement.

However, to Donald who didn't know that Bryan was a transcendent, this meant a great deal. This was because he naturally wanted his master to gain a proper foothold in the city.

Hence, he was adamant about it, "I'm afraid this must be done, master. Besides, you'll only have to show up and speak a little to the people that would be gathering. You can leave the rest to me."

Bryan sighed helplessly, "Fine, we'll do it. But when?"

"Ideally, the reception should be held within a week of you moving in. Since it will be difficult to prepare everything by tomorrow, shall we do it the day after?" Donald asked.

"Sure," Bryan waved his hand nonchalantly, "You can go ahead and prepare. Just let me know beforehand if there are certain etiquette or something that I need to follow."

Donald bowed respectfully, "Very well, master."

Bryan then headed upstairs to take a shower. Meanwhile, Donald carried Benny in his arms and headed towards the kitchen.

He had tonight as well as the entirety of tomorrow to plan everything for the reception. On the way to the kitchen, he passed by a maid and instructed her, "Go get some invitation cards printed. Have it ready by tonight."

The maid replied cheerfully, "Yes, Uncle Donald. How many should I get?"

Donald thought for a while and replied, "Hmm, get forty cards printed just to be on the safe side."

After all, he wasn't planning to invite the entirety of Calm Springs, only a few houses in the vicinity. He then gave the maid some money, which Bryan had given him a few days back for the house expenses, and instructed her what to print on the cards.

The maid departed, meanwhile, Benny tugged at Donald's collar, "Meow~"

Donald looked at him and chuckled, "All right, all right, let's get you something to eat now."

…

Sunday, 21st July 1582.

The setting sun cast a gentle orange hue across the calm and peaceful neighborhood of Calm Springs. The fall season was only a month away, however, the leaves of the trees had already begun to turn yellow and orange.

Due to the neighborhood's proximity to the Church of the Earth Mother in the distance, various types of trees were planted across all the footpaths of this neighborhood. It was a splendid sight to behold.

The atmosphere at 16 Calm Springs—Bryan's mansion—was quite lively this evening. A flurry of people dressed in fancy clothes were gathering at this place.

After all, today was the day that Bryan was throwing the reception for his neighbors. He was currently standing at the entrance of his compound with Donald standing behind him.

As the guests continued to arrive, Bryan greeted them one by one with a warm smile on his face. Donald carried out his duties diligently as he introduced all the neighbors to Bryan.

"Please, go ahead and enjoy! I shall join you shortly." Bryan smiled brightly as he welcomed a middle-aged couple inside his house.

"Oh, thank you!" The middle-aged woman smiled, "You're far too kind, Mr. Wayne."

The couple then entered the compound along with their two kids. Meanwhile, the smile on Bryan's lips threatened to break. He was seriously tired of smiling for the last twenty minutes.

He turned around to look at Donald and complained, "Didn't you say it was going to be a small reception? How come more than a couple of dozen people have already shown up?"

Donald's eyebrows twitched, "Master… When I said 'small', I meant around fifty people."

Bryan couldn't help but curse, "Fuck me! Now I have to mingle with this bunch of fake strangers…"

Donald couldn't help but chuckle, "Don't worry, master. I have taken the liberty to invite your friend, Miss Grace as well."

"Oh!" Bryan's eyes lit up, "Nicely done, Donald. At least the reception won't be entirely boring."

Donald nodded, "But when you go inside, you must take time out to chat with every person that has come here. It would be considered rude otherwise."

Bryan sighed helplessly, "Do I really need to do more than I already have? Isn't welcoming them personally enough?"

Donald shook his head and spoke solemnly, "Forgive me for my insistence, master. But this is for your own good. You must cultivate a friendly relationship with everyone here.

"You never know when someone here might be of help to you. Besides, this is Calm Springs. Everyone who can afford to live here is influential and wealthy."

Bryan thought that this indeed made sense. Suddenly, he felt as if instead of being a personal butler, Donald would make for a very good personal assistant, a right-hand man so to speak.

'Should I introduce him to the Transcendent world? Hmm… but he's already in his thirties. Will it be too late for him to become an Apprentice?' Bryan wondered inwardly.

He decided that he would later on secretly check his spiritual aptitude. He would also observe him for a longer period of time before ultimately making a decision.

Just as he was thinking about whether to help Donald become an Apprentice, he was snapped out of his thoughts as the latter whispered into his ears, "That is Mr. and Mrs. Washington. They own a chain of high-end clothing stores throughout the city."

Bryan looked in the direction where Donald was covertly pointing and saw a relatively young couple who seemed to be in their late twenties, approach him with smiles.

He smiled brightly and greeted them, "Mr. Washington, I am honored to have you at my humble abode."

He then looked at the brunette lady and smiled, "Mrs. Washington, you look as lovely as a field of tulips glistening in the early rays of the spring sun. Your husband is indeed a very lucky man to have you as his partner. You both make a splendid couple!"

Bryan's eloquent way of speaking and praising instantly won the heart of the couple. After all, which woman wouldn't like to be admired for her beauty? And which man wouldn't like to feel good about having a beautiful partner?

Furthermore, the charm that Bryan naturally emanated after having undergone the body transformation, made it difficult for others to find fault in him. If anything, his body language was extremely pleasing to the eyes.

As Bryan and the couple began to chat, Donald who was standing behind the former couldn't help but think incredulously, 'Master, is such a smooth talker!'

As the couples and families continued to arrive, Bryan patiently and sincerely greeted each and every one of them and welcomed them inside.

Everyone that came in had a very good first impression of Bryan. They couldn't find a single fault in him even if they wanted to.

From his mannerisms, way of talking, and etiquette, everything was near perfect. Even Donald found it hard to believe that Bryan actually hailed from the slums. Such traits could only be found in nobles!

Naturally, this was all thanks to Detective Watson forcing Bryan to learn all the noble etiquettes back in the day.

When Bryan thought back to the times when he used to complain to his teacher about how such things would never help him in life, he couldn't help but smile bitterly, 'Looks like I was wrong, teacher… How can anything you taught me ever be useless?'

He shook his head and rid himself of such thoughts that would only dampen his mood. He looked at Donald and inquired, "I think that's more than fifty people that have entered already."

Donald chuckled, "I believe that will be all, Master. Now, only Miss Grace is remaining."

Bryan nodded, "That's right, where the hell is she?"

Right at that moment, the duo heard the sound of a steam car approaching. And a few moments later, a black sedan parked in front of the compound's entrance.

Bryan saw the person sitting in the backseat and chuckled, "Speak of the devil."

Grace got out of the car and looked at Bryan and smile brightly. She was wearing a blue dress and jewelry that perfectly accentuated her bright blue gem-like eyes.

She approached Bryan and gave him a warm hug, "Tony! How have you been?"

"I heard you went missing for a few days?" She added mockingly.

Bryan chuckled and was about to reply but the next moment, he noticed another black steam car drive by and park right behind Grace's.

When Grace noticed this car, she frowned, "What is she doing here?"

A blonde young lady who looked very much like Grace got out of the car and straight away walked towards Bryan, "We need to talk."

Listening to Claudia's condescending tone, Bryan's eyes narrowed. He then smirked, "Sure, follow me."

He led her inside the house and to the study on the second floor of his mansion. All the while, he thought inwardly, 'Dare to act like that in my own house? Heh, I guess it's about time I tried that out.'