“Nonsense, I’m perfectly fine. As a martial artist, how could our bodies be so fragile? That doctor said I’d need three months to be discharged, but look, I was out in just a month and a half. That’s the benefit of martial arts.”

　　David Brooks barked out.

　　When he saw Ethan Brooks, this second granduncle, who now looked much thinner, visibly brightened: “Good, truly the real dragon of our Baili family. What a spirited and handsome young man. Ethan, I heard from James that you’ve already completed the first round of the Thirty-Six Thunder Steps training?”

　　“Yes.”

　　“Good, haha, well done.”

　　David Brooks laughed heartily, making Ethan Brooks’s heart skip a beat.

　　Even after surgery for a cerebral infarction, it doesn’t mean you can rest easy. He was genuinely worried his second granduncle might collapse again after a hearty laugh, just like a month and a half ago.

　　For the sake of his granduncle’s health, he had planned to keep quiet about already reaching the stage of Qi Refinement and Blood Exchange.

　　“I know Henry has opinions about me making you practice martial arts, thinks it’s a waste of time? Hmph, short-sighted. The benefits of martial arts are beyond his imagination. Let’s ignore him. Come, Ethan, see what I’ve prepared for you.”

　　David Brooks quickly pulled Ethan Brooks into the courtyard. Once inside, he saw a large pot set up, with a roaring fire underneath and a strange, fragrant aroma wafting through the air.

　　“Second granduncle, are you… making a big pot of soup?”

　　“No! I’m going to set your bones. James, once the medicinal herbs are ready, pour them into the wooden tub.”

　　“Alright.”

　　James Brooks responded, glanced at Ethan Brooks, and said with a smile, “You’re in luck, kid. Your second granduncle’s bone-setting technique is top-notch, and this nourishing herbal bath recipe is even more valuable. After soaking for half a day and refining the medicinal power into your body, you’ll save yourself months of hard training.”

　　“Oh.”

　　Since it could enhance his strength, Ethan Brooks naturally wouldn’t refuse.

　　Soon, James Brooks poured the boiled herbs into a wooden tub inside the house, and then David Brooks had Ethan Brooks soak in the tub.

　　At this moment, the water was extremely hot. Ethan Brooks took off his clothes and got in, feeling as if he was being cooked alive. He couldn’t help but picture a dish in his mind.

　　Steamed lobster?

　　It was lobster season now. In his previous life, the Changsha Wenheyou lobster he used to eat—the taste…

　　What did it taste like? Ethan Brooks really didn’t know, since he was allergic to seafood. But every time he went, he’d see crowds lining up, and it just looked so satisfying.

　　Ethan Brooks soaked in the wooden tub for two hours, during which the water was reheated several times.

　　Under the high temperature, his pores opened wide, greatly increasing absorption efficiency.

　　After two hours, Ethan Brooks got out of the tub, and then David Brooks personally helped him stretch his muscles and set his bones.

　　Two days ago, after his fight with Adam Carter, Ethan Brooks had strained his muscles and bones due to an explosive burst of strength, all because his meridians weren’t fully trained. Now, after David Brooks’s manipulations, though it hurt, his muscles and bones were forcibly opened up, allowing him to perform many extreme moves he couldn’t do before.

　　The whole day passed in busy activity.

　　David Brooks was, after all, getting old. Even with a martial artist’s foundation, at seventy-four, his stamina couldn’t compare to the young. While setting Ethan Brooks’s bones, Ethan Brooks could clearly feel drops of sweat falling on him.

　　When the bone-setting was done, David Brooks was so exhausted he could barely stand, collapsing into a recliner and refusing to get up.

　　“Second granduncle…”

　　“Let your second granduncle rest a bit.”

　　James Brooks said to Ethan Brooks, and reminded him, “Rest well today. In the next few days, practice the Thirty-Six Thunder Steps as much as you can. Don’t be afraid of hardship or fatigue. If you can push yourself to the limit, three or four days of effort could equal three or four months of hard training.”

　　“I understand.”

　　Ethan Brooks nodded. He also felt full of energy, as if with a bit more training, he’d be close to a level three martial artist.

　　At this moment, David Brooks opened his eyes from the recliner, looking at Ethan Brooks with an eagle-sharp gaze: “It’s not about understanding, it’s about doing! Your uncle James has average talent, so that’s as far as he’ll go. The martial arts banner of our Baili family will depend on you to carry forward. So you must persist in your training. When you achieve the unity of the three elements and develop inner breath, only then will you live up to your martial arts talent. Do you hear me?”

　　“I hear you.”

　　Ethan Brooks replied solemnly.

　　“James, take Ethan home.”

　　“Alright.”

　　James Brooks nodded.

　　“Second granduncle, rest well. When the time comes, I’ll bring you the certificate of a war-level martial artist.”

　　Ethan Brooks said.

　　“Good, I’ll be waiting for that day.”

　　David Brooks said with a ringing voice.

　　Ethan Brooks nodded, left the courtyard, and James Brooks accompanied him.

　　“Back then, your grandfather took a sword to the chest. After being discharged with a disability, he received quite a bit of compensation. I don’t know exactly how much, but it was only enough to buy two sets of nourishing herbal bath ingredients. One was used on me, and the other is for you. In other words, that money for the herbs is your second granduncle’s funeral fund.”

　　James Brooks said.

　　“I understand.”

　　Ethan Brooks said.