In order to prevent chaos at home and keep the young disciples from being too distracted to practice martial arts, Jason Carter had no choice but to grant special permission for the three Henry Carter brothers to spar with Ryan Cooper at any time. However, there was one condition: they could not compete within the The Carter Family estate. The The Carter Brothers were essentially given their freedom, and their gratitude toward Ryan Cooper was as boundless as the surging river and endless mountains—truly beyond words.

Another year passed as the flowers bloomed once more. Ryan Cooper had fallen deeply in love with martial arts. The shadow of Emily Carter in his heart grew fainter with time, only causing a twinge of pain when he thought of her.

First love is like a poem—fresh, elegant, and full of style; like a song—lively, passionate, and rhythmic; like a lyric—graceful, affectionate, and full of meaning.

Ryan Cooper deeply felt that he had been too impulsive in the past, lacking self-control. Even if Emily Carter had truly betrayed him, he should not have become so despondent.

He realized that no matter the reason for their breakup, he should face his first love with openness. After all, she was the one who gave him his first warmth from the opposite sex, his first genuine care, and his first passion and pursuit of love. The next time he saw her, perhaps he could face her calmly. Thinking of this, a faint ache returned to his heart.

Chapter Eight: The Hooligan Brawl

Time flew by, and as another year’s flowers fell, it was the beginning of summer. Ryan Cooper was now nineteen.

Today, the forest outside Changfeng Town was bustling with excitement, because Ryan Cooper was about to fight his final battle in Changfeng. Soon, he would set out into the martial world. The town’s hooligans had arrived early, eager to witness a fierce showdown.

Before long, the three brothers of the The Carter Family and Ryan Cooper arrived as well. The eldest, Henry Carter, looked even more robust, his strong frame a full head taller than most people. The second brother, Andrew Carter, was even more handsome, exuding heroic spirit. The one who had changed the most over the past year was the third brother, Samuel Carter; he had become increasingly striking, now a stunningly handsome man. If he were to dress in women’s clothes, he would surely make all the girls envious. Whenever Ryan Cooper faced him, he couldn’t help but think of Emily Carter—the two looked so much alike.

Over the past year, Ryan Cooper had grown even more imposing, now half a head taller than William Carter. His long hair draped casually over his shoulders, and a lazy smile played on his lips, as if nothing could bother him. Yet, in the flicker of his eyes, there was occasionally a commanding, intimidating aura. Standing there, he was a paradoxical blend of wildness and grace.

The four of them, each with their own unique aura, became the center of attention wherever they went.

The hooligans quickly surrounded the four of them.

One of the hooligans said, “Bosses, when are you going to fight? We’ve been waiting so long, we’re dying of anticipation…”

Henry Carter replied, “What are you so anxious for? None of us are in a hurry, so why are you? It’s like the emperor isn’t worried, but the eunuch is.”

Ryan Cooper drawled, “Brothers, since you’re all so eager, I’ll show you how I, Ryan Cooper, deal with these three moons.”

Andrew Carter said, “Madman, bring it on.”

Samuel Carter added, “Brother-in-law, don’t beg for mercy later.”

Henry Carter couldn’t wait any longer and had already taken off his outer robe, revealing a set of gray, tight-fitting clothes.

“Ah!”

“Ah!”

“Ah!”

“Ah!”

All four shouted at once.

To the astonishment of the onlooking hooligans, the four of them started fighting like street thugs. Ryan Cooper brandished his family’s heirloom black jade stone and charged forward, while the three brothers of the The Carter Family had somehow found short sticks and rushed at Ryan Cooper as well. There was no technique or order to it—it was just four hooligans, four ruffians, brawling.

The hooligans were dumbfounded. They had never expected the long-awaited “final battle of Changfeng” to look like this. The four young masters, usually so unfathomable in their eyes, were now acting even more like hooligans than the hooligans themselves. Among the four, all sorts of dirty tricks were used—“monkey steals the peach,” “black tiger steals the heart”—one after another. Every trick and move the hooligans were known for, the four of them put to use.

Ryan Cooper, relying on his strong physique, darted and fought among the three, though he took quite a few hits himself. But the three brothers fared even worse, their faces bruised and swollen.

The hooligans couldn’t help but sigh: a boss is truly a boss—so unfathomable.

The four of them, with bricks and sticks, shouted and brawled in a chaotic mess. In the end, they simply threw down their weapons and wrestled together—headlocks, waist holds, leg trips, even tickling under the arms—using every shameless move imaginable. There were cries of pain and bursts of triumphant laughter.

The onlooking hooligans exclaimed: this is the true pinnacle of hooligan martial arts.

The forest was filled with noise and commotion.

Even the small animals in the forest cried out, “Terrifying, terrifying, so many madmen.”

Half an hour later, all four lay on the ground, groaning. Ryan Cooper was the first to stagger to his feet, barely victorious. His shirt was already torn, his chest and back covered in bruises, and his face sported a large black-and-blue mark. His once sleek, black hair was now a tangled mess.

The hooligans hurried to flatter him, “Boss Baitian is truly invincible—such skill is unmatched in the world!”