“I am the legitimate wife’s child of a noble house, while your mother was merely a concubine. As a child born of a concubine, your status is lowly—how dare you speak so arrogantly before me? Even if I hit you, so what? If you still don’t know your place and continue to act wildly, it won’t just be a whipping next time!”

William Foster stepped forward, closing the distance to within two feet of Lady Grace. With this step, he used the force of the Wild Ox Fist, and a surge of domineering energy rose from his entire body, creating an intense sense of oppression. The wild ox lives freely on the open plains, unrestrained and without taboos. Its horns are sharp and its strength formidable—even tigers and lions retreat when they encounter it.

“Ah!” Lady Grace was startled by William Foster’s glare and immediately stumbled backward in fright. She had no doubt that if she dared to stay here, William Foster would truly do something terrifying.

“Get lost!”

William Foster’s voice thundered like a clap, and Lady Grace turned pale with fear. She shoved through the crowd and dashed out without looking back. Even from afar, her hysterical cries and curses could still be heard: “William Foster, just you wait. Our Pingding Marquis’ household will never let you off!…”

William Foster paid it no mind. Girls like her only know how to rely on their family’s power to bully others. Strip away that family backing, and they’re fragile inside.

“Thank you.” Henry Bolton stood up from the ground, expressing his gratitude.

“It was nothing.” William Foster replied calmly.

“This could be a bit troublesome now.” After getting up, Samuel Carter wore a worried expression.

“What’s wrong?” William Foster asked in surprise.

“Brother Fang, do you know why this Lady Grace, a concubine’s daughter, dares to be so arrogant?”

William Foster shook his head. He never paid attention to such things, so how could he know?

“Lady Grace’s fiancé is James Thompson, the youngest son born of the legitimate wife of the Zhen Guo Marquis. According to our Great Zhou’s laws, someone like James Thompson, born of the main wife, will at least receive the title of viscount upon coming of age. Moreover, the Zhen Guo Marquis and Pingding Marquis intend to form an alliance, and the marriage between Lady Grace and the young Zhen Guo Marquis is the result. Now that you’ve struck Lady Grace and scarred her face, I’m afraid there’s big trouble ahead!” Samuel Carter said anxiously.

“So it’s him.” Upon hearing the name of the young Zhen Guo Marquis James Thompson, William Foster waved his hand dismissively, unconcerned. James Thompson and David Harris—even if they didn’t come looking for him, he would seek them out himself.

Samuel Carter could see that William Foster wasn’t taking it seriously, and his worry deepened.

Inside the Hall of Cold Mist, David Harris and James Thompson were surrounded by a group of scholars, engaged in lively discussion. Suddenly, the sound of crying reached their ears, accompanied by a waft of fragrance. James Thompson saw a flash of red before him, and suddenly found a soft, fragrant beauty in his arms.

“Young Marquis, you must stand up for me. I’ve been bullied.” Lady Grace clung to James Thompson, resting her head on his chest and sobbing.

“Who? Who dares bully you?” David Harris stood up and shouted. Both he and Lady Grace were children of the Pingding Marquis, and his connection to James Thompson was thanks to Lady Grace.

“William Foster, it was that little bastard William Foster!” Lady Grace sobbed, tears streaming down her face. Hearing her brother’s question, she lifted her head and spoke with hatred.

“What? Him!” James Thompson and David Harris were both shocked, exchanging glances. Neither had expected William Foster to be so bold, causing such a stir as soon as he arrived at the academy.

“This guy has some nerve. This time, my mother pressured Tianshe Mountain to transfer John Foster back, so let’s see what that little bastard can rely on now. Last time, I went too easy on him—this time, I’ll break his legs, or he’ll never learn his lesson!” A vicious glint flashed in James Thompson’s eyes. His engagement to Lady Grace had been approved by both marquises and arranged by their mothers. The whip William Foster lashed across Grace’s face pained him deeply.

“Little sister, lead the way. We’ll help you get justice!” David Harris clenched his fists, making cracking sounds. In his palm, a black bead spun. He had already guessed that William Foster had been training hard during his absence from the academy, so he hadn’t been idle either.

With Lady Grace in front and David Harris and James Thompson behind, a large group of students followed, surging toward the place Lady Grace had indicated.

“There he is!”

William Foster was walking through the crowd with Henry Bolton and Samuel Carter when he suddenly heard a sharp shout. Turning his head, he immediately spotted Lady Grace in the crowd. Henry Bolton and Samuel Carter noticed as well, and their faces changed dramatically.

“Out of the way!”

A rough shout rang out, and the students blocking William Foster’s path were forcibly pushed aside, opening a passage. David Harris and James Thompson, leading a large group, rushed over and immediately surrounded William Foster, Henry Bolton, and Samuel Carter, clearly intent on seeking justice.

“William Foster, are you looking for death!”

With a furious roar, James Thompson didn’t hesitate—he threw a punch, the wind howling as it smashed toward William Foster. Midway, his fingers spread, forming a tiger’s claw—this was the advanced Fierce Tiger Fist from the basic martial arts.

Pa!

William Foster took a small step back, narrowly dodging James Thompson’s punch, and spoke: “James Thompson, is our duel starting now?”

James Thompson was stunned—he hadn’t expected William Foster to dodge. He knew that the old William Foster could never have avoided that punch.

“Not bad, looks like you’ve been training hard. Unfortunately, you still can’t beat us!” David Harris’s eyes flashed coldly, a sneer in his heart.