```
That was a touch that declared sovereignty.
Like a parent stroking a child's hair, like a teacher touching a student's hair...
—And, like a master caressing a pet's fur.
Regardless, the godfather's attitude towards his godsons and goddaughters was always the same.
The key lay in how the other party viewed the relationship.
If he respected the godfather as a father, then the godfather would also consider him his own child;
If he revered the godfather as if he were his mentor, then the godfather would guide him carefully, clarifying doubts;
But if he regarded the godfather as his master, and himself as a pet that had cozied up to him...
Then the godfather would no longer see the other as an equal but as a beast tamed by him.
The mercenaries, who had been scared out of their wits, were now wagging their tails, crowding around and doing everything possible to please the one they once thought weak and bullyable...
