On the road, Brian Carter learned that Evan Brooks was an orphan, raised by his master since childhood, who also taught him magic. According to Evan Brooks, his master was a very powerful mage, though he didn’t know exactly how powerful. However, judging by his master’s ability to instantly cast spells of level three or below, he was definitely at least an intermediate mage. Such a mage would be highly sought after in any empire, so Brian Carter wondered why his master would choose to stay in Evan Brooks’s small village. Brian Carter thought there must be some compelling reason.

Henry Foster practiced the Gale Sword Technique and cultivated Gale Battle Aura. It was said to be a family inheritance, a rather ordinary martial skill, but through his hard work, he earned the title of Intermediate Swordsman at the age of twenty-four, which was something of a miracle.

Whenever there was free time along the way, Henry Foster would find a place to practice his swordsmanship. After much pestering from Brian Carter, he agreed to let Brian Carter watch from the side. After all, he considered his swordsmanship to be just an ordinary martial skill, so there was no need to keep it secret.

Watching Henry Foster practice, Brian Carter noticed that his swordsmanship was indeed quite ordinary. Achieving such results with such a technique showed he was a genius, but more importantly, he was diligent. There were still many flaws in his moves; when striking, he didn’t use the strength of his whole body, relying only on arm strength.

After understanding the characteristics of Henry Foster’s martial skills, Brian Carter analyzed and calculated ways to improve them in his mind. He then said, “Tianya, is this really all there is to your Gale Sword Technique?” Henry Foster thought Brian Carter was mocking his swordsmanship and, a bit displeased, sheathed his sword and walked back to where everyone was resting.

Brian Carter realized he had misspoken. He could imagine that Henry Foster already felt his swordsmanship was ordinary, so hearing this would make him overthink. He quickly called out, “Tianya, I didn’t mean what you think. I just wanted to understand your situation and help you improve your sword moves.”

Henry Foster didn’t really want to listen to Brian Carter’s explanation, but when he heard Brian Carter say he could help improve his swordsmanship, he stopped. After hesitating for a moment, he slowly turned and asked Brian Carter, “You’re saying you can improve my sword technique?”

Brian Carter knew Henry Foster still didn’t quite believe him, but the prospect of improving his swordsmanship was too tempting. So he said, “Of course! I’m knowledgeable in astronomy and geography, well-read in all kinds of books. Improving sword moves is a piece of cake for me. Back in the day... Hey, hey, Tianya, where are you going? Come back, let me tell you about your swordsmanship.”

Hearing Brian Carter ramble, Henry Foster turned to leave, but when Brian Carter called him back to talk about swordsmanship, he stopped again.

Seeing this, Brian Carter got straight to the point: “Your swordsmanship has a lot of flaws, especially since you rely entirely on arm strength, without using your waist or legs at all. Like this—adjust your posture, channel the power of your whole body into the strike, and this move can be used like this...” Brian Carter demonstrated with Henry Foster’s greatsword as he spoke. (How exactly to demonstrate, I don’t know myself—just get the idea.)

In this way, Brian Carter taught Henry Foster the improved sword techniques, as well as his own creations tailored for Henry Foster. In the end, Henry Foster stood there a bit dumbfounded, wondering if he was dreaming. With this set of techniques, he could at least advance to a Junior Sword Saint, and after hearing Brian Carter’s sword theory, he believed that becoming a Senior Sword Saint would no longer be just a dream. In the end, he didn’t even notice when the one who gave him hope, Brian Carter, had left.

Brian Carter knew that Henry Foster needed time to digest all this, so he returned to camp alone.

Chapter 10: Arrival at the Imperial City

“How does Brian Carter use the strength of his whole body?”

After Henry Foster had digested the sword techniques, he realized there were some things Brian Carter had said that he hadn’t understood—he’d just been too shocked at the time to ask. Brian Carter explained as he demonstrated.

So along the way, Henry Foster kept asking Brian Carter about martial skills, and Brian Carter always answered every question. Each time, Henry Foster would leave excitedly and then find a place to practice. Brian Carter knew that success required both effort and talent, but talent was only a small part—hard work was most important. Henry Foster had talent and was willing to work hard, but just lacked a bit of opportunity. Brian Carter believed that Henry Foster’s future would be limitless.

Gradually, everyone noticed that Henry Foster was surprisingly attentive to Brian Carter. If Brian Carter needed something, he would fetch it; if Brian Carter wanted water, he would get it for him. Everyone was puzzled—how could someone as cold as Henry Foster treat Brian Carter this way, and his behavior clearly showed respect for Brian Carter. When asked, Henry Foster said nothing, and Brian Carter was the same. Mainly, Brian Carter didn’t want any trouble—if people found out, it would be a hassle for him.

Evan Brooks felt there was definitely something going on, so he stuck close to Brian Carter. This Evan Brooks was a real curiosity-seeker, perhaps a trait developed from his simple upbringing in a small village.

At first, he directly chased after Brian Carter with questions. He didn’t ask Henry Foster because Henry Foster was too cool and wouldn’t say much. Although Brian Carter wouldn’t tell him the truth, he would always find a way to change the subject, unlike the cold Henry Foster.