They were a group of desperados who lived with their lives hanging by a thread, always fighting for money and resources. Conflict was common among them, but Hanshan City had its own order—especially in the trading and medicinal herb markets, where private fights were strictly forbidden. So whenever adventurers encountered their enemies, they would choose to step onto the arena and fight to the death.

Additionally, if two adventurers took a fancy to the same item in the trading or medicinal herb market, the final ownership was often decided by fists.

Here, martial prowess was valued.

In this world, the victor was king, and the strong were revered.

Wynn's Apothecary was not located in the medicinal herb market, so Henry Clark was unwilling to waste time here. However, just as he was about to leave the market, a figure blocked his path.

Auntie Ford.

The wife of a stall owner in the market, she was somewhat familiar with Henry Clark because of Grace Young. At this moment, dressed in a green checkered robe with her hair neatly tied up, Auntie Ford had lost her usual gentle demeanor and spoke anxiously, “Henry Clark, I was just about to go to Zhenyao Workshop to find you! Grace... Grace has gone up to the arena.”

Henry Clark was stunned, then his expression changed dramatically. He grabbed Auntie Ford's arm and, pulling her toward the arena, quickly asked, “Auntie Ford, what happened? With Grace's level of cultivation, how could she get on the arena?”

You have to understand—

Grace Young had only just started cultivating, and the technique she practiced was one he had taught her. According to the eighteen levels of Qi Refinement, Grace Young at best was only at the first postnatal level—stronger than an ordinary person, but absolutely no match for a true cultivator.

Auntie Ford said, “It’s the son of Butcher Bolton. He and Grace were competing for the position of tooth-puller for a customer, so they went to the arena to settle it. Henry Clark, Auntie Ford knows your health isn’t good, but Grace is just a skinny little girl—how could she possibly fight? If that burly boy from Butcher Bolton's family injures or cripples her, Grace's life will be ruined. Please, think of something and help Grace!”

“Auntie Ford, don’t worry. As long as I’m here, nothing will happen to Grace.”

Henry Clark moved swiftly, and when he arrived at the third arena, he found it surrounded by several thick layers of people. Humans are naturally drawn to excitement—even a fight between two twelve- or thirteen-year-old children could attract a crowd, including many powerful adventurers.

On the arena—

The small and thin Grace Young looked a bit flustered, but her tightly clenched fists were full of strength. Opposite her stood a boy with a broad, sturdy face, half a head taller than Grace Young.

“Stupid girl, kneel down and admit your mistake, and I’ll go easy on you. Otherwise, I’ll break your legs and you’ll have to crawl around here begging for the rest of your life.” Peter Bolton, though young, was the son of a butcher and had grown up around blood and violence, giving him a ruthless streak.

Many of the adventurers around the arena nodded secretly at his words.

Ruthlessness—

That’s what it takes to survive in this world where the weak are preyed upon.

Grace Young stubbornly said, “I met that customer first! Why are you fighting me for it? Your father is a butcher—you don’t lack blue silver. But I have to save up blue silver to buy medicine for Brother Clark!”

Outside the crowd—

Henry Clark was struggling to squeeze his way in when he suddenly heard Grace Young's words. He felt as if struck by lightning, his heart trembling.

So—

She was fighting for the tooth-puller job, even stepping onto the arena, just to earn money to buy him medicine?

“This... silly girl.”

Henry Clark had thought that, after losing his loved ones in that other world, his heart had become as hard as stone. But Grace Young's pure affection made him realize that there was still a soft spot deep inside him.

On the arena—

Peter Bolton didn’t rush to make a move. In his eyes, the frail little girl before him wasn’t even worth three punches or kicks. He had always loved being in the spotlight, and after his father spent a lot of money for him to train with a boxing master, he had become even more arrogant.

At this moment—

With so many people watching, he felt like the main character, the center of attention.

Peter Bolton hooked his finger, sneering, “You stupid girl, still thinking of saving up to buy medicine for someone else? I think you’ll need that money to buy medicine for yourself! Come on, I’ll let you have three moves.”

Chapter 0007: A Shocking Upset

The people living in the borderlands revered martial arts and respected the strong—even little children were no exception.

Around the packed arena, the crowd kept cheering, praising Peter Bolton's manly spirit. Only the adventurers who had long danced on the edge of death showed a hint of mockery in their eyes—they could see the boy’s inner weakness and unrealistic behavior.

Even an eagle must give its all to catch a rabbit.

That boy was judging by appearances and boasting that he’d let his opponent have three moves—such arrogance! Even if he won this time, sooner or later he’d suffer for it in a similar situation.

Grace Young stood there timidly and asked hesitantly, “You’re really going to let me have three moves?”