“Damn!” Henry Clark cursed in frustration when he heard there was no hope, taking a swig of liquor. “So there’s really no shortcut, huh?”

“No shit, have you been watching too many TV dramas?” Samuel Bennett replied. “There really aren’t any shortcuts in martial arts, unless you’re a genius with extraordinary talent—then sure, you’re awesome. Otherwise, you have to start with the basics. Without a foundation, even if you run into some old master who wants to give you his power, it’s useless.”

“Then what about someone like Xuzhu? He didn’t have much talent either, but he became awesome just by inheriting hundreds of years’ worth of power from others.” Henry Clark protested.

“Before Xuzhu got that power, at least he’d practiced Arhat Fist and Weituo Palm for two years, so he knew what internal energy and meridians were all about, okay?” Samuel Bennett said. “And are you sure his talent was that low? The guy learned Tianshan Plum Blossom Hand in just a few days, you know.”

“True.” Henry Clark nodded. “Hey, why don’t you teach me some martial arts? With my talent, I’ll probably catch up to you in a few years.”

“Heh…” Samuel Bennett let out a cold laugh. “Sure, but what’s in it for me?”

“What? You’re actually asking for something in return for teaching your brother a few things?” Henry Clark shook his head. “You really are something…”

“All right, all right, forget it.” Samuel Bennett knew that if he kept arguing, Henry Clark would soon have him tied to the moral high ground and roasted alive, so he quickly added, “I’ll write down a basic breathing technique for you in a bit. Just practice it every day for now.”

Strictly speaking, he wasn’t supposed to do this, since the martial arts of the Huang family were never passed on to outsiders. But since the two of them had a bond spanning two lifetimes, he didn’t bother with the formalities.

“Great! It’s a deal!” Henry Clark immediately agreed loudly, but after saying that, he thought for a moment and quickly added, “Oh right, you’d better write it in simplified characters.”

“Huh? Why?” Samuel Bennett asked, puzzled.

“To prevent theft.” Henry Clark raised his voice. “If you lose what you wrote, no one else will be able to read it if it’s in simplified characters.”

“Hmm, makes sense.” Samuel Bennett nodded thoughtfully, but then he realized something. “Wait a minute, Brother Clark, since when have you been so meticulous? That’s not like you.”

“Hmph…” Henry Clark snorted. “What about it? You just don’t know me well enough.”

Samuel Bennett wasn’t buying it: “Say, Brother Clark, could it be that you just don’t recognize the characters here? That’s why you want me to write in simplified.”

“Bull!” Henry Clark’s retort sounded a bit guilty, and since it was just one word, he didn’t follow up.

“I really can’t take this anymore.” Samuel Bennett saw Henry Clark’s reaction and knew he’d guessed right. “That bastard Shen must be blind, inviting an illiterate like you to the Young Heroes’ Gathering, and even coming in person to do it.”

At this point, Henry Clark suddenly grew serious. “By the way… ‘Color’ (Mr. Huang’s old nickname, which Mr. Sun often used), speaking of this Master Brooks…” As he spoke, he glanced around as if worried someone was eavesdropping outside, then lowered his voice. “Now that I think about it… I suspect he’s up to something.”

===Chapter Four: Conspiracy===

Does Ethan Brooks really have a conspiracy?

Actually, Henry Clark wasn’t sure. He just couldn’t believe that, with his meager abilities and reputation, he could get the master of Luoyang’s Justice Sect to personally come and invite him, and even explain the reason.

According to the logic Brother Clark had developed from years of mixing in the fish market, this guy surnamed Shen must be after something from him, Henry Clark, or from the The Clark Family. Otherwise, he wouldn’t go to such lengths.

But today, Ethan Brooks hadn’t asked for money, or women, or even requested any favors. He just delivered the message and left… which was pretty suspicious.

“Color, what do you think he’s after?” After sharing his thoughts with Samuel Bennett, Henry Clark asked for his opinion.

“You know… you might have a point.” Samuel Bennett mused. “But what could Ethan Brooks want from you? If it’s money, his Justice Sect in Luoyang isn’t as rich as your The Clark Family, but judging by his carriages and clothes, he’s not short on cash. If it’s people…” He looked Henry Clark up and down. “Even if he’s into men, I doubt he’d go for someone like you.”

“Screw off! There aren’t that many people into men!” Henry Clark retorted.

“Exactly…” Samuel Bennett said. “So what else could your The Clark Family have that he wants?”

“Maybe…” Henry Clark thought aloud, “he wants to make me owe him a favor? After all, debts of gratitude are the hardest to repay.”

“Hmm…” Samuel Bennett said. “That’s hard to say.”

The two of them couldn’t come up with a reliable answer for the time being, so they let the matter drop.

That night, the two drank and chatted happily, sharing stories of their experiences over the years and reminiscing about their past lives in another world. They kept drinking until midnight. When the servants heard nothing from the room, they went in to check and found both men had “self-destructed”—they’d drunk themselves unconscious.

The servants had no choice but to carry the two off, one to the guest room, the other back to his own quarters.

…………

Meanwhile, also at midnight, in the inn where Ethan Brooks was staying.