Chapter One Hundred and Six: Schemes at Last Bear Fruit

The recent conversation with the woman who called herself the Queen Bee stirred memories deep within Sherlock’s mind.

She was right—his current mastery of archery was indeed the secret technique known as "Eagle Eye," passed down within the Charles family. Yet, Sherlock was not a member of that lineage. He had obtained this skill through less than honorable means in his youth.

Back then, he was merely the son of a humble merchant in the royal capital. Though gifted with knightly potential, he lacked access to proper training resources, suitable breathing methods, and secret techniques. Day after day, he could only practice a common, mass-produced style he had picked up at the market, wasting his youth on it.

This often led Sherlock to reflection; he believed his fate was nearly sealed. He imagined that as he grew older, he would abandon his dreams, inherit his father’s small shop, marry a girl deemed suitable by family status, and pin all his hopes on the next generation.

But Sherlock was unwilling to surrender. He still harbored dreams—dreams of mastering a supreme technique and roaming the world with unrivaled skill. His fascination deepened when, by chance, he witnessed the remarkable archery of a scion of the Charles family. He bitterly resented not being born into a noble house.

At that time, his father had passed away, and having already lost his mother, Sherlock took over the small shop to support himself and his younger sister.

Though the shop’s stagnant, lifeless business wore on him day after day, it did nothing to dampen his resolve—in fact, it only strengthened it. Then, one day, he suddenly realized that as she matured, his sister was becoming increasingly charming and graceful.

Gradually, a plan formed in Sherlock’s heart. After inflicting three cuts on his own arm, he found that pain could not quell his burning ambition. Resolute, he set his plan into motion.

He fixed his sights on a young man named Will Charles, a direct descendant of the Charles family. Although Will’s innate talent was mediocre, he was of noble birth and seemed to possess a keen business mind, owning several shops along Sherlock’s street.

Sherlock observed Will secretly and concluded that despite his lack of exceptional talent, Will was a good man with wit, a dignified appearance, and noble lineage—qualities befitting a brother-in-law.

Thus, the plan unfolded. On a bright afternoon, his sister happened upon Will by chance.

Soon after, through Sherlock’s deliberate arrangements, their shops began business dealings, with his sister frequently serving Will. Before long, the two began dating, their relationship blossoming into passionate love, oblivious to the shadow looming behind them.

During this time, Sherlock was utterly exhausted. A hopeless romantic himself, he was now forced to orchestrate another’s love story.

He meticulously scouted every meeting place, often staying up late to simulate their encounters alone. He even hired actors to pose as thugs, allowing Will to play the hero. Sherlock spared no effort to maintain the shop’s income and to make his sister more beautiful and appealing. He learned every dish Will favored, feigning his own fondness so his sister could practice cooking them repeatedly at home.

Such dedication did not go unrewarded. His sister and Will soon fell deeply in love. After several cautious tests, Sherlock confirmed Will’s sincere affection for her. Only then did he tentatively reveal his desire to learn the Charles family’s breathing method and secret techniques.

But his sister, outgoing and headstrong, not only failed to understand but harshly rebuked him. In response, Sherlock resorted to threats—he would withhold the secret techniques unless she consented to continue seeing Will.

He overestimated his standing in his sister’s heart. In a fit of anger, she moved out and began living with Will. Sherlock felt as though he had lost both his sister and his leverage.

Furious, he reported the affair to the Charles family. They had long planned Will’s marriage and allowed their scions casual affairs but forbade them from marrying daughters of common merchants.

Unfortunately, in their communications, they learned Will was serious about this relationship. The family’s response was swift and harsh: they arranged for a bride from a suitable family and pressured Will to marry, hoping to curb his rebelliousness.

Will refused outright, threatening to elope with his beloved. It was then that Sherlock, who had been monitoring them closely, appeared. He presented Will with two choices: surrender the secret techniques so Sherlock could assist their elopement and provide cover to escape the family’s pursuit; or immediately inform the Charles family to stop them.

Torn between his love and his family’s legacy, Will faced an agonizing dilemma.

In the end, Sherlock obtained the secret techniques, but his sister severed all ties with him and fled north with Will to the city of Dallas, where they continued their business.

Will’s elopement caused an uproar within the Charles family. They intended to send agents to retrieve him and enforce the arranged marriage.

Yet news of the elopement somehow reached the ears of the young woman from the noble family betrothed to Will—an impetuous and fiery soul. In a fit of rage, she set fire to her own bridal chamber.

Though rescued, her beauty was forever marred.

The Charles family spent lavishly to bring healers from the Barov family to treat her, but she refused all help.

She declared that her ruined visage would serve as a permanent reminder of her shame and vowed that whoever destroyed her life would suffer for three generations.

Seeing her obstinacy, the Charles family abandoned the matter. Later, they heard she had run away and vanished without a trace.

From then on, relations between the Charles family and that noble household grew cold and distant. What was meant to be a union of families nearly became enmity. The Charles family came to regard Will as a disgrace and thereafter disregarded him.

Ironically, the Charles family’s secret techniques suited Sherlock perfectly. After acquiring them, he progressed rapidly, soon selling the shop to embark on a mercenary career. He carefully concealed his archery skills, relying instead on martial prowess to earn a formidable reputation.

With age and experience, Sherlock began to regret his past actions. He made several attempts to seek forgiveness from his sister and Will in Dallas, but each visit ended in rejection.

Thus, Sherlock continued to hone his skills and amass wealth in the mercenary world, all the while quietly watching over his sister and brother-in-law from afar. He held onto the hope that time would heal wounds and that one day, he might regain their forgiveness.