“Alright, then let this be our duel. Last time, the two of you ganged up on me and made me bark like a dog, didn’t you? If I lose, I’ll do as you wish and bark like a dog in front of the academy students. If you lose, I won’t make you serve me like oxen or horses—I’ll just ask you to agree to one condition!” As soon as William Foster said this, even Mrs. Clark was shocked. She moved her lips, wanting to say something, but held back.

David Harris and James Thompson looked at William Foster in astonishment. With these words, the matter between the three was no longer just a childish quarrel—it now involved both families.

Even John Foster widened his eyes in disbelief, as if meeting his younger brother for the first time. In his memory, such resolute, decisive words were nothing like what his usually timid little brother would say.

“What condition?” Michael Harris moved his lips and asked.

“When the time comes, I’ll naturally tell you!” William Foster replied calmly, his voice full of confidence, as if in half a month, it would surely be David Harris and James Thompson who lost.

“Fine! In half a month, we’ll wait for you at the academy!” David Harris laughed in anger, gave William Foster a deep look, and left with Michael Harris, flicking his sleeves. In his heart, he was determined to repay the humiliation he suffered at the Marquis’s residence in half a month—on William Foster.

If he couldn’t beat John Foster, who was at the peak of Gang Qi, could he not beat a useless William Foster?

“Little brother, are you really confident?” Once David Harris and James Thompson had left, John Foster finally couldn’t help but ask.

“Big brother, mother, I know you’re both shocked and think my decision has dragged the Fang family into this, that I’m being reckless. But please believe me, I just want to prove that the descendants of the Fang family are not cowards!” William Foster’s eyes were exceptionally bright. If it were his “previous life,” he might have chosen to keep the peace and endure in silence, but the experiences of his “last life” had already taught him that to protect himself and his family, he must possess true strength.

Mrs. Clark’s body trembled slightly, a look of relief flashing in her eyes. “Yun’er, since you’ve decided, then do your best. Mother believes in you!” Although William Foster’s decision was a bit reckless, as a mother, Mrs. Clark still chose to support her child. Besides, she had always hoped William Foster would be determined to practice martial arts.

William Foster gave his mother a grateful look, then turned to John Foster. “Big brother, after they leave, don’t go looking for them. This matter started because of me, and I want to prove myself with my own strength!”

John Foster was shaken inside. At first, he had indeed planned to sneak out and give the little Marquis of Pingding and the little Marquis of Zhen’guo a good beating, at least enough to keep them bedridden for half a month. On one hand, to vent William Foster’s anger, and on the other, to secretly help his little brother. But now that William Foster had seen through him, he really couldn’t do it!

“It’s rare for little brother to have such resolve. For a martial artist, spirit, will, and conviction are extremely important. If I did that, sure, little brother could win, but he’s smart enough to know it was me. That would be a huge blow to his confidence—he’d think his victory was undeserved. At best, he might be dispirited for a while; at worst, he might never recover and make no further progress in martial arts. If that really happened, it would be my fault. Forget it, I’ll let him handle it himself. If things really go wrong, I’ll step in then.”

John Foster thought to himself and made up his mind, then nodded. “Got it. But little brother, you have to work hard. If there’s anything you don’t understand about martial arts, just ask me. Training on Tianshe Mountain is tough, so I’ll stay home for a few days and enjoy myself!”

“Big brother, thank you.” William Foster said emotionally, knowing that the hardship of training on Tianshe Mountain was just an excuse—his brother truly wanted to help him.

“We’re brothers, no need to thank me.” John Foster patted William Foster on the shoulder.

“Since you’re back, stay for a few days. But no more than three days—you must return to Tianshe Mountain after that. The court’s laws can’t be disobeyed at will.” Mrs. Clark said, her gaze sweeping over William Foster, a hint of joy in her eyes.

No one knows a son better than his mother. Mrs. Clark knew William Foster’s temperament best. With a protective father above and big brother John Foster inheriting the family business, William Foster had always been careless about martial arts, lacking ambition. Otherwise, even with the deep family traditions of David Harris and James Thompson, they couldn’t have beaten William Foster so badly.

William Foster was born into a marquis’s household, which was already prestigious compared to commoners. But Mrs. Clark knew well that the capital was far from peaceful beneath the surface. Behind the scenes, there were hidden dangers and undercurrents—one careless move could lead to utter ruin. All the glory and power could vanish in an instant.

If William Foster could devote himself to martial arts and gain more ability to protect himself, that would be for the best.

“Lin’er, come outside with me. I have something to say to you. Your brother is just recovering from illness—let him rest for a while.” With that, Mrs. Clark got up and walked out. John Foster’s temperament was too reckless, which was by no means a good thing.

“Yes, mother.”

After the two left, William Foster sat alone in the room, motionless. On the surface he appeared calm, but inside, waves of emotion surged.