Anyway, Henry Harper ended up wasting the whole night like this, and finally found Brian Lincoln's whereabouts at dawn. It was an ordinary residence, but since it was in a chaotic neighborhood, the walls outside were covered with strange graffiti and such, and the area was full of addicts, thieves, prostitutes, and the like.

The social level of this world was roughly equivalent to the early twentieth century on Earth, and the social welfare of that era was notoriously poor. Just think of the old districts of London or the chaos of Shanghai Bund at that time, and you'll get the idea—this place was exactly like that. In fact, along the way, Henry Harper had already encountered several robberies and attacks. Of course, the robbers and attackers were all ordinary people, so they posed no real threat to him. He simply escaped whenever he could, avoiding causing any big trouble here.

Henry Harper looked around beneath the residence where Brian Lincoln was staying. It was the early hours of the morning, and there were few people around, so he simply climbed up the wall. The forearms and legs he had trained with Luohan Fist came in handy, making his climb smooth and easy. Without anyone noticing, he climbed up to the window of the room where Brian Lincoln was, and began to eavesdrop carefully from outside.

Voices of a man and a woman came from the room, and it was clearly that kind of moment, which made Henry Harper feel quite awkward. But he was suspicious, so he made no sound and continued to wait quietly. After listening at the corner of the wall for a while, the voices inside finally stopped. Then came the sound of lighting a fire, smoking, and the couple's intimate conversation. Judging by the voices, it was definitely Brian Lincoln.

Henry Harper paid no attention to the sweet talk, just waited quietly by the window. After a long while, he finally heard the content he wanted amid the sounds of washing up and making the bed inside.

“Sir, are you alright? You didn’t go to see your brother today. Didn’t you say he had a bright future? If you neglect him like this, what if your relationship goes sour?” the woman suddenly asked.

Brian Lincoln's voice replied, “Heh, a bright future? If he follows the boss lady into the army and joins the Li family, then he’ll really have a bright future. Otherwise? Does he really think he can become an inner strength expert with that worthless, third-rate martial art? Then inner strength experts would be a dime a dozen! You don’t know, but not long ago, the eldest son of the Li family personally tried to recruit him, and even wanted to teach him a top-tier martial art. You know what? He actually refused! Who does that?”

“Huh? A top-tier martial art? And a high-level one at that?” the woman exclaimed. “If it were me, I’d agree even if I had to sell myself.”

“Hahaha, as if you’ve never sold yourself before,” Brian Lincoln teased.

The woman pouted and then continued, “So what happened next? Is it because he refused that you didn’t go see him?”

Brian Lincoln's voice continued, “Not exactly. I used to think he had a bright future, so I’ve been supporting him all these years, treating him like a lord. But if he refuses this time, I guess he’s really cut off his future. If I keep supporting him, I’d be a real idiot.”

The woman asked curiously, “But sir, didn’t you always say you two had a life-and-death bond? That you were brothers?”

“Hahaha, what are brothers? Brothers are meant to be sold out, aren’t they! Is this your first day out here? Have you ever seen anyone on these streets who values loyalty and lives long? Maybe I did treat him as a life-and-death friend before, but after so many years of supporting him, even the deepest bond fades, and any favor is repaid. People’s hearts change. I’ve been in this game long enough to understand that.”

The woman agreed repeatedly, but then asked curiously, “But sir, what if he agrees to the Li family’s offer on his nineteenth birthday? Aren’t you afraid you’ll end up with nothing for all your efforts?”

Brian Lincoln just laughed heartily and said, “It’s fine, it’s fine. I know him too well. I’ve been out here and my heart’s changed in this cesspool, but he’s basically never been in society, just a martial arts nerd who’s never seen the world. I know him too well. When the time comes, I’ll just make up some excuse and brush it off. No need to worry about what he thinks. If he really agrees then, maybe I’ll get to rise up too, hahaha…”

Henry Harper left quietly. On the way back to campus, he remained silent, unable to describe what he was feeling inside. It wasn’t anger, nor sadness, nor despair. If he had to put it into words, it was probably a kind of desolation—a desolation at seeing reality tainting his ideals.

“People’s hearts change so easily, yet we still lament how easily they change…”

Henry Harper silently recited this line from a poem he’d read back on Earth, and his thoughts about Brian Lincoln became more certain. After all, after so many years of supporting him for nothing, with no end or hope in sight, and only a so-called talent for mastering a worthless, third-rate martial art, that was enough for any investor to give up on him—even a so-called brother…