The Female CEO's Personal Bodyguard

Chapter 1358: Chapter 1358: Sincerity? Useless

Franklin Austin cleaned up all the bamboo leaves, and only then did he gather the bamboo branches and begin to tie them together with rattan.

He had clearly made countless brooms before, his movements were extremely skilled—not particularly fast, but conveyed a fluid beauty. It was as if he wasn’t binding just a broom but rather an extraordinary piece of craftsmanship.

Soon, a sturdy, attractive, and durable large broom was completed.

Franklin stood up, examined the broom for a moment with a few glances, nodded his head in satisfaction, then used it to sweep all the bamboo leaves he had picked earlier out of the yard.

Franklin returned, leaned the broom against the wall, and his gaze finally landed on Carson Flores’s face, sizing him up.

”You’re not from the White Crane Immortal Sect?”

Carson clasped his hands in greeting: ”Senior Su, well met. I am Carson Flores, from the Barbaric Wilderness Realm, currently a guest at the White Crane Immortal Sect, not a joined member.”

”Barbaric Wilderness Realm?”

Franklin’s expression showed a hint of surprise as he dusted off his hands: ”Are you here for the Heavenly Sword?”

Carson said with a smile, ”For the past three months, I’ve been reading books in the Scripture Pavilion. Now that my reading has reached a pause, hearing of Senior Su’s illustrious deeds, I came to pay my respects.”

Franklin’s expression was indifferent: ”In these wild mountains and ridges, with all things and people changed, there’s nothing worthwhile to see.”

Having said that, Franklin no longer paid any attention to Carson and turned to enter the house.

Carson clasped his hands and asked politely: ”Senior Su, may I take a look around?”

Franklin paused mid-step, and said indifferently: ”As you like.”

Carson expressed his thanks: ”Thank you, Senior.”

Though Franklin’s demeanor was cold, Carson did not mind it, and even thought it was quite normal.

It’s no small feat for one to live alone on this mountain for thousands of years and not go mad. If such a person is somewhat aloof, that’s hardly a problem at all.

Besides, Carson was neither a member of the White Crane Immortal Sect nor was he a young disciple who should expect any courtesy, having arrived uninvited.

Having obtained Franklin’s permission, Carson began to explore the barren mountain peak.

This exploration lasted for two or three hours.

He visited every place there was to visit without sensing anything special.

Carson was far from disappointed.

Over the past several thousand years, numerous favored sons of the heavens and powerful individuals have come here seeking the inheritance, none successfully. It would have been truly absurd if he had stumbled upon it just by walking around once.

It was afternoon by the time Carson returned to the wooden house. Without any fuss, he paid his respects to the house, left some gifts he had prepared in advance, and then turned to descend the mountain.

He still chose to go on foot.

This trip up and down the mountain, along with the time spent casually wandering around, took up the entire day.

With no gains to show for it.

In the days that followed, Carson climbed the mountain every day, staying for about an hour before returning. He also brought Franklin gifts such as fine wine and Spirit Fruits from time to time.

”It’s no use giving me gifts. I am but a sword servant, with dull innate talents. I do not possess the skills of the Heavenly Sword. In these thousands of years, I have also failed to comprehend where the master’s inheritance truly lies...”

Carson responded with a smile, ”I know. I’m giving these gifts not to learn something or obtain guidance, but rather as an apology for my intrusion, Senior Su.”

Franklin did not say much: ”Do as you will. Every crevice in these rocks has been turned over by others. If you want to search, go ahead.”

Carson’s gaze settled upon the impeccably clean black stone steps, and he said with a smile, ”Thank you, Senior.”

Noticing where Carson’s gaze lay, Franklin squinted slightly, ”Others fly up here, but you choose to walk. Do you think it shows sincerity? I’m the only one on this mountain. No matter how sincere you are, it is of no use. I must reiterate: I do not possess the skills of the Heavenly Sword. Even if I admired you, I couldn’t help you.”

Carson said with a smile, ”Firstly, out of respect for the two seniors, and secondly, I’m not preparing for cultivation right now, just treating it as an activity to stimulate blood flow and exercise the body.”

Carson was not cultivating partly because he felt that he could slow down and think things through, and partly because the Phenomenon Seed was continually absorbing nutrients, which put a strain on his heart. Under these circumstances, it clearly wasn’t suitable for cultivation.

Climbing the mountain was not a significant exertion for Carson, who possessed an Immortal Physique, but it still helped activate his blood circulation and divert his attention. Moreover, Carson felt that walking on those long black stone steps was comfortable, perhaps it was just an illusion.

Until the Phenomenon Seed fully integrated, Carson planned to live his days like this.

Relaxed, comfortable, and cultivating health.

As for his stay at the White Crane Immortal Sect, it was a personal favor, and Carson would certainly keep it in mind.

A month passed in the blink of an eye, and Carson climbed the mountain daily, chatting with Franklin for a few moments each time.

Franklin went from initially ignoring him, to speaking a few indifferent words, and then to chatting casually. His attitude had changed quite a bit.

That day, as usual, Carson took a round on the mountain and, seeing it was about time, prepared to descend.

Suddenly, Franklin spoke up: ”Aren’t you tired of climbing up and down every day? There’s an empty house here. If you wish, you can stay. That way, you’ll have more time to search and wander around...”

Carson was taken aback and said in surprise, ”I’m not a disciple from within the sect; can I still stay at Heavenly Sword Peak?”