The man missed with his knife, and another man immediately rushed forward. A dagger also appeared in his hand, slicing through the air like a flash of lightning, heading straight for George Washington's neck.

The opponent's move was so fast that George Washington couldn't see it clearly at all. He only instinctively sensed danger and reflexively leaned backward.

Swish! The cold glint of the dagger swept past his throat, so close that the icy chill made the skin on George Washington's neck break out in goosebumps.

His expression changed dramatically, and he exclaimed in shock, "You guys—"

Not giving him a chance to speak, the two burly men each wielded a dagger and attacked George Washington again. Their moves were swift and ruthless, every strike aimed at George Washington's vital points.

If it had been just over a month ago, George Washington probably wouldn't have lasted even a single round against them. But now, after receiving guidance from William Grant, his skills were no longer what they used to be.

Seeing the two daggers slashing toward him, George Washington slid his foot, moving sideways like a spinning top, and dodged a considerable distance.

Seeing this, the two men frowned secretly, muttering to themselves in disbelief. According to their investigation, George Washington was just a country boy who farmed the land—how could his movements be so quick and strange?

Watching George Washington dodge far away, one of the men chased after him with his knife, while the other quickly put on a deerskin glove, took a pouch from his lower back, opened its seal, and reached inside with his gloved hand.

Then he called out to his companion, who was launching a fierce attack on George Washington.

That man suddenly gave up his attack and bent down. At that moment, the man behind him pulled his hand out of the pouch, holding a red-and-white patterned snake.

He flicked his arm outward, and the snake flew straight toward George Washington.

The two men coordinated seamlessly: as soon as the first bent down, the second threw the snake.

George Washington couldn't even see what was flying toward him, but after more than a month of training, his body instinctively spun to the side, swinging a hoe as he moved.

Crack!

The hoe struck the flying snake's head dead-on. The snake fell to the ground, its red-and-white body instantly curling into a ball.

Seeing that it was a snake, George Washington's heart skipped a beat and his face changed.

The two men gritted their teeth in frustration. The one who had crouched down stood up again and resumed his attack on George Washington with his knife, while the other quickly stepped over to the snake, picked it up from the ground, stuffed it back into the pouch, then took off the deerskin glove, shouted loudly, and joined his companion in attacking George Washington from both sides.

Just as George Washington was being forced to retreat again and again by their fierce assault, suddenly, a loud shout came from the country road: "Stop!"

The shout was like a thunderclap on a clear day—even from a distance, it made everyone's heart skip a beat.

Hearing the voice, George Washington and the two men looked in the direction of the sound, only to see three people running quickly down the country road.

The leader was tall and sturdy, with bronzed, gleaming skin, thick eyebrows and tiger-like eyes, a straight nose and square mouth, and a full beard that gave him a rugged, heroic air.

The newcomer was none other than George Washington's eldest brother, George T.. Following behind him were his two close friends, Michael Bolton and Richard Cooper.

Seeing his big brother arrive, George Washington was overjoyed and shouted loudly, "Big brother—"

Seeing two thugs attacking their younger brother, both wielding knives, George T. was furious, his eyes bulging like copper bells, his beard and hair bristling, looking as if he was about to devour someone.

Michael Bolton and Richard Cooper also drew their short swords and charged toward George Washington with murderous intent.

Seeing this, the two men were secretly alarmed. It seemed there was no chance to take George Washington's life today.

The two exchanged a glance, said nothing, abandoned George Washington, and turned to run.

George T., Michael Bolton, and Richard Cooper would never let them escape and immediately gave chase. But the two men were fast runners, and in no time, they had fled far away. After chasing for a while and seeing the distance only growing, the three finally had to give up the pursuit.

They returned to George Washington, looked him up and down, and George T. asked with concern, "Little George, are you alright?"

George Washington shook his head, panting, and said, "Big brother, I'm fine!"

Michael Bolton and Richard Cooper asked anxiously, "Little George, what on earth happened? Who were those two?"

George Washington didn't know the two men either. He shook his head and said, "I don't know them, but they seem to know me. Not only did they call me by name, they also knew I often go to the market to sell grain."

Hearing this, George T.'s brow furrowed tightly. It sounded like they were locals, but he couldn't recall ever seeing them before.

George Washington continued, "They asked me for grain. I said I didn't have any, and then they suddenly attacked me with knives!"

George T.'s frown deepened. If they wanted grain, there was no need to try to kill him. If they were seeking revenge, Little George had always been honest and hardworking at home—how could he possibly have enemies?