This was a common activity among martial artists in Feiye City.

The rules were simple: the martial artists themselves did not participate; instead, their disciples competed against each other, and many wealthy merchants and prominent families from the area were invited to watch.

The purpose was to showcase the teaching abilities of the martial artists.

“The ones we’re up against practice Bat Fist.” As the third senior brother, Samuel Hayes had already completed his training in offense and defense systems, and was now constantly toughening his fists, having reached the level of ox-hide toughness.

“Bat Fist?” Henry Webb, who was currently sparring with him, asked in a low voice. “Have you fought them before?”

“They’re old rivals. Every six months or so, we have a match. Sometimes we win, sometimes they do. It’s all about competing for reputation in the surrounding districts.” Samuel Hayes replied casually.

“Anyway, you’re not the one going up, so what are you afraid of? Only a few of us will be in the ring.”

He nodded toward the eldest senior brother, David Scott, not far away.

“Look, eldest senior brother is already at the stone-skin level. When he punches someone, it’s like being hit by a boulder—bones can crack instantly.

Then there’s second senior sister, Helen Grant, the master’s granddaughter. Her fists are also at the stone-skin level, but her natural physique makes her a bit weaker, though she’s still much stronger than me.”

“Second senior sister doesn’t seem to come here often?” Henry Webb asked.

“Yeah, very rarely. She always stays in another courtyard, which is all female disciples.” Samuel Hayes nodded.

He brushed aside Henry Webb’s incoming right hand, then suddenly remembered something and made a stop gesture.

“By the way, the thing you asked me to look into—I’ve got news. Last year, a group of sculptors went outside the city and disappeared. No one knows if they’re dead or alive, and no bodies were found nearby.”

“…Disappeared… does that happen often?” Henry Webb’s expression didn’t change, but his eyes darkened slightly.

“Occasionally. It’s chaotic out there—bandits, robbers, wild beasts, poisonous insects, gangs. If you’re not careful, you’re gone.” Speaking of this, Samuel Hayes sighed as well.

Outside the city was a somewhat taboo topic. The tall walls of Feiye City separated them from the chaos and dangers beyond.

Inside the city was chaotic too, but at least there was a way to survive. Outside, the danger was on a whole different level.

“And also, that William Brooks you’ve had me keep an eye on—didn’t he recently join the Horned Snake Gang? I heard from my cousin that yesterday, the Horned Snake Gang and their Green Bamboo Gang fought over territory in Nanshan District, and a lot of people got beaten up. That William Brooks was involved too, so you might want to keep an eye on him.”

Samuel Hayes’s cousin was in the Green Bamboo Gang, and even a minor leader. Though he liked to brag, his information was reliable.

“Nanshan District, huh? Thanks a lot!” Henry Webb nodded earnestly.

To be honest, Samuel Hayes had helped him a lot lately. Although he’d helped in return by doing some homework, compared to what he’d received, his payback was nothing.

“No need to thank me.” Samuel Hayes waved his hand. “Honestly, I know my own situation. I like a bit of this and a bit of that, want to learn everything, but end up not being good at anything. But I do have one strength—I like making friends. If a friend’s in trouble and I can help, I won’t hesitate!”

He patted his chest.

“Of course, to be honest, I only help people I like. If someone’s boring, I can’t be bothered.” He smiled, glancing meaningfully at a corner.

There, a thin, dark-skinned youth stood—the new disciple Old Man Grant had personally brought back last month.

His name was Ethan Blake.

The name itself was on a different level from everyone else’s—just hearing it, you could tell he was scholarly.

But that wasn’t the most important thing. The key was that Ethan Blake’s talent and comprehension far surpassed the rest of them.

Whatever he was taught, he picked up instantly, and he practiced so quickly that he became proficient in no time.

Old Man Grant treated him like a treasure, often giving him special lessons, treating Ethan Blake as a personal disciple.

It was a completely different treatment from what the regular disciples received.

“Junior brother Ethan Blake is different from us.” Henry Webb shook his head.

When he first joined, he’d fantasized about being a genius too, but reality had hit him hard.

His own talent was no different from Samuel Hayes’s—just average.

“That kid Ethan Blake, I once invited him to drink with us, and he actually scolded me in front of everyone for not practicing hard, wasting money and energy.

I almost slapped him right there in front of everyone!” Samuel Hayes still got angry thinking about it.

“He’s only fifteen, right? Maybe he’s just too young.” Henry Webb tried to console him.

“Fifteen isn’t that young. I was already engaged at fifteen!” Samuel Hayes said heatedly. “Forget it, let’s not talk about him. How about we grab a drink after practice?”

“No, I’ve got something to do.” Henry Webb shook his head.

“Something to do? Come on, I know your schedule. It’s not homework collection day, and you’re free anyway. What could you possibly have to do? Honestly, what I can’t stand most are those fake goody-two-shoes—always saying they’re busy or need to practice, but sneaking out to visit brothels behind everyone’s back.

There are plenty of those types in our courtyard.”

Samuel Hayes started grumbling again.

“I really do have something to do.” Henry Webb shook his head.

“Tell me, what is it? If it’s a big deal, I can’t help, but if it’s something small, I’ll take care of it for you!” Samuel Hayes promised with a big wave of his hand.