“Fame and fortune may be tempting, but once you get involved, it’s hard to extricate yourself. Father’s upright character has surely offended many people. Once Father’s military power is diminished, what awaits our The Foster Family will be utter disaster!”

　　As John Foster spoke, his eyes were bright and shrewd, with none of the recklessness he usually displayed. William Foster’s eyes widened in utter shock. This was completely different from what he remembered.

　　What William Foster didn’t know was that by taking up martial arts again, he had already caused events to deviate from the path of his memories.

　　“Big brother, you…” William Foster’s mouth fell open. According to his memories from his previous life, William Foster had always assumed that his brother’s reckless nature was what led him deep into the northern wilds, and ultimately to being crippled by a powerful northern barbarian. But now, it was clear that his brother had been playing the fool, hiding his true self.

　　John Foster winked slyly and grinned, “What’s wrong, is it strange to you? Haha, just think about it. If I were really that reckless, how could I have reached the peak of the Qi Gang stage so soon?”

　　William Foster felt relieved at these words. That’s right—a person with such outstanding martial talent couldn’t possibly be a simple brute.

　　“Big brother, you’re amazing!” William Foster lifted his head, feeling truly happy. He really didn’t know that if he hadn’t taken up martial arts again, John Foster would never have said these things to him.

　　Patting William Foster’s shoulder firmly, John Foster said, “Little brother, we’ve come this far and there’s no turning back. You saw what happened last time. Even the illegitimate sons of Pingding Marquis and Zhen Guo Marquis dared to insult our mother right in our own marquisate. If I acted too clever, no matter how angry I was inside, I wouldn’t have been able to do what I did that day. With Father gone, I am the man of the house, and I must take on the responsibility of protecting Mother.”

　　Thinking of the grievances his mother had suffered, John Foster couldn’t help but feel a pang in his heart. Outsiders only saw their noble titles and glory, but they didn’t know that in the capital, they were just a notch above ordinary commoner marquises. Even with a marquisate, they always had to bear the word “commoner” in front of their title.

　　The Marquis of Four Directions couldn’t compare to the great nobles like Zhen Guo Marquis or Pingding Marquis, lacking the strength to contend with them. To protect the The Foster Family, his mother had endured countless humiliations. Every time he saw his mother return after being insulted by those noble ladies, John Foster would be driven mad with anger. His rapid progress in martial arts was fueled by this very determination.

　　“Little brother, listen to me. This training at Tianshe Mountain will last a long time. Even after winter passes, I might not be back. When the training ends, according to the laws of Great Zhou, I’ll have to leave the capital and officially join the army. Once I’m gone, it’ll just be you and Mother at home. You’re the man of the house—you must protect Mother!” John Foster’s eyes were red. The transfer order from the Great Zhou court had already arrived, and he knew he would soon have to leave the capital.

　　“Big brother, don’t worry. With me here, I won’t let anyone insult Mother.” William Foster said resolutely.

　　Suddenly, William Foster seemed to think of something, and his expression changed: “Big brother, you’re about to join the army?”

　　“Yes, what’s wrong? Can’t bear to see your big brother leave?” John Foster ruffled William Foster’s hair, puzzled by his sudden change in expression.

　　“Do you know where you’ll be assigned?” William Foster asked anxiously.

　　“I don’t know yet.” John Foster looked thoughtful. “But if I have the chance, I’d like to be sent to the Northern Barbarians!”

Chapter 6: Changing Fate

　　Buzz!

　　At the mention of the Northern Barbarians, William Foster’s mind shook violently, as if hundreds of great bells were ringing at once, leaving his mind blank.

　　“Brother, what’s wrong with you!” In the middle of speaking, John Foster suddenly noticed William Foster’s face had changed dramatically, his skin pale and bloodless, and was shocked.

　　William Foster saw his brother John Foster’s face looming before him, full of anxiety. That familiar face suddenly became blurry.

　　“Hahaha!…” A desolate and hopeless laughter echoed in his mind, and the face before him was suddenly covered in scars and blood. William Foster seemed to see his brother again, laughing madly in despair before fleeing.

　　William Foster hadn’t witnessed his brother’s suicide, but he had waited outside the door and saw his brother’s corpse carried out of the room. By then, he had been dead for days, the body already reeking, his face covered in self-inflicted wounds from utter despair.

　　That face, and his brother’s anxious face, kept overlapping before his eyes—sometimes merging, sometimes blurring.

　　“Big brother, promise me, you must promise me—no matter what, never go to the Northern Barbarians!” William Foster shook his head, suddenly grabbing John Foster’s arm and speaking urgently. His face was pale, as if he had encountered something terrifying.

　　John Foster frowned, opened his mouth, then nodded, “It doesn’t matter to me where I go. But since you don’t want me to go, I won’t. Little brother, what’s going on? There must be a reason you don’t want me to go!”

　　William Foster opened his mouth, hesitated for a long time, then said, “Big brother, do you believe in reincarnation? What if I told you I came back from ten years in the future—would you believe me?”

　　John Foster was stunned, and just as William Foster thought he believed him, John Foster suddenly burst out laughing, “Hahaha!”