Laughter and mocking voices echoed endlessly, causing Evelyn Benson's brows to knit tightly as he looked ahead and caught sight of that bare-chested, mud-covered, hulking fool who seemed to have just crawled out of a dirt pile. A surge of warmth rose in his heart.

Chapter 10: Lofty Mountains and Deep Earth

Ever since Henry Benson left for the borderlands, over these past years, if one had to name anyone with whom Evelyn Benson could still exchange a few words, it would be none other than the drooling big oaf before him.

Matthew Benson was born to Cui He, the personal maid of Samuel Benson's eighth wife. His father was rumored to be a guest who had once stayed at the Duan household for a time, but exactly who it was is now unknown.

More than ten years ago, Cui He’s belly gradually swelled and could no longer be concealed. When it was discovered, the eighth wife gave her a vicious beating, nearly killing both mother and child. Afterwards, the mother was driven to the woodshed in the outer residence. Fortunately, Evelyn Benson's father, William Benson, was skilled in medicine and healed the gravely injured Cui He, thus saving both mother and son.

Perhaps it was the result of that brutal beating, but after Matthew Benson was born, he was slow-witted and dull. However, thanks to his naturally robust physique, by the age of twelve he was already a head bigger than most people. The household servants in the outer residence delighted in teasing this “big fool.”

Because William Benson had once saved Matthew Benson and his mother, the two families often interacted, and Evelyn Benson developed a close friendship with this oaf who was a year younger than him.

In the past, when Evelyn Benson saw so many people mocking Matthew Benson, he would always step forward, but the outcome was always the same: both of them ended up bruised and battered. But today, Evelyn Benson was no longer afraid.

“They’re nothing but a bunch of wicked servants. Even if I reveal some of my strength today, I can’t let them bully the only brother I have left in the Duan family besides my eldest brother.”

Pushing through the crowd, Evelyn Benson came to the front and spoke in a voice like a drum, “搬山, ignore them. Just lift that stone lock. You can do it.”

Hearing Evelyn Benson’s familiar voice, Matthew Benson, his face flushed red, suddenly tightened his grip on the stone lock. With a hysterical low roar, he yanked the thousand-jin stone lock from the ground—using just one hand.

Evelyn Benson knew well the extent of Matthew Benson’s natural strength. The only reason he hadn’t managed to lift the stone lock earlier was because of the jeering servants. Now that Evelyn Benson had appeared, he had found his backbone and his strength surged.

Witnessing this, exclamations of shock erupted all around. A servant who had already reached the third stage of martial cultivation flashed a look of jealousy in his eyes. He flicked a hidden iron pellet from his fingers, aiming straight for the back of Matthew Benson’s knee.

“Hmph, just a brute with strength—what right does he have to take a spot…”

This servant was a minor steward in the outer residence. He had once attended the martial training camp, but due to lack of talent, only reached the third stage of martial cultivation and could progress no further.

Even so, this level of skill was enough to make him proud among the outer residence servants. He often bullied Matthew Benson, beating and scolding him at will. Now, seeing Matthew Benson display such brute strength and possibly pass the first test, he couldn’t help but harbor ill intent.

“Courting death!”

The moment the wicked steward made his move, Evelyn Benson noticed. Without any visible action, he bent his finger through his sleeve and flicked, sending out a blade-sharp gust of finger wind. Not only did it smash the iron pellet into powder, but the remaining force struck the steward’s shoulder hard.

At the same time, an undetectable stream of fire energy instantly pierced through half the steward’s meridians. If no expert helped him heal, his third-stage martial cultivation would be ruined for good.

All of this happened in an instant. By the time the steward cried out in pain, the others finally realized something had happened, but no one knew it was Evelyn Benson’s doing.

“I’ll cripple half your meridians to pay for your sneak attack on my brother.”

Evelyn Benson’s expression remained unchanged, still looking as if it had nothing to do with him. Inside, however, he felt a small thrill of revenge. After all, this was the first time since mastering his cultivation that he had done something that truly satisfied him. He thought to himself, “I may not be a good man, but I repay kindness and avenge wrongs. With a clear conscience, that’s enough.”

At this selection trial, the sudden attack on the steward was strange, but it didn’t attract much attention. He was quickly carried away, and Evelyn Benson’s strength remained undiscovered as he wished.

However, up on the high platform, Grace Benson, who was overseeing the selection, noticed the incident in this small corner. He frowned slightly and muttered, “A strike as sharp as a blade, invisible and traceless—could that have been Condensed Air Force?”

As soon as the thought arose, Grace Benson dismissed it, shaking his head in confusion and falling silent.

“Impossible. Of the thousand or so people summoned this time, none are outstanding members of my clan. At most, three or five might stand out, but none could possibly use a technique like ‘Condensed Air Force.’ That’s a skill only a peak eighth-stage martial artist can perform. Even I can barely manage it.”

Meanwhile, Matthew Benson, who had already passed the test, approached Evelyn Benson with a silly grin, drooling as he draped his fan-sized hand over Evelyn Benson’s shoulder. Though he said not a word and just kept grinning, Evelyn Benson could clearly sense his feelings.

“搬山, you must pass the next trial too. The two of us brothers will go to the borderlands together and kill barbarians!”