Matthew Cooper is thirty-two years old this year, already past his prime, and staying at the martial arts school not to continue his studies or strive for the Jinli stage, but to help Samuel Foster manage the school.

Edward Grant broke through to the Skin-Membrane stage after only four months of training, with excellent talent and ample meat and medicinal supplements. In the eyes of many, he has a great chance of reaching the Iron-Skin level. Most importantly, Edward Grant is only seventeen this year, with tremendous potential.

Samuel Foster has been teaching for twenty years, but only in the first five years did he produce a disciple who reached the Jinli stage. In the following fifteen years, he made no further achievements, which greatly damaged his reputation. He is eager to teach another disciple who can reach the Jinli stage.

This is also why Samuel Foster values Edward Grant so highly.

Chapter 12: Refusal

“Sit.” Samuel Foster pointed to a wooden stool nearby and said.

“Thank you, Master.” William Carter bowed slightly, then sat down calmly, his humility tinged with a sense of steadiness and dignity.

“I really didn’t expect this boy to have such talent in combat. It’s just a pity that after nearly three years of martial arts training, he hasn’t even touched the threshold of the Skin-Membrane stage, so he’s destined to have no hope of reaching the Jinli stage. Without entering the Jinli stage, no matter how good his fighting skills are, he can’t truly make a name for himself—he’s just a martial arts apprentice. Otherwise, I wouldn’t mind spending my own money to help him.” Samuel Foster looked at William Carter, his eyes showing a complex mix of appreciation and regret.

“You’ve been at the martial arts school for almost three years now, right?” Samuel Foster asked.

“Master, there are still two months left before it’s three years.” William Carter replied.

“After nearly three years of training, your family must be under a heavy burden, and they must be anxious for you to start earning money to support them, right?” Samuel Foster said.

“Yes.” William Carter replied.

“You’ve probably heard of Xingchang Escort Agency, one of the four major escort agencies in our county. The chief escort, Song Haichuan, is a close friend of mine. I can recommend you to work as an escort there.” Samuel Foster said.

Upon hearing this, William Carter couldn’t help but show a look of surprise.

For a martial arts apprentice like him, who has only trained muscles and flesh, joining an escort agency usually means starting as a porter. Only those at the Skin-Membrane stage can directly become escorts.

Moreover, Samuel Foster has always been known for being strict and unsmiling, especially towards those from poor families with little hope of reaching the Skin-Membrane stage. He rarely paid them any attention; apart from a few pointers at the beginning, most of the teaching was left to his Skin-Membrane disciples.

The former William Carter felt only fear towards Samuel Foster, with little affection or respect, thinking of him as a cold, merciless martial artist who cared only for money.

He never expected that this very master would care about his future today, even using his connections to help him secure an escort position.

“An escort traveling the martial world not only needs great strength to protect the goods, but also must be resourceful, understand social etiquette, and be good at dealing with people. Your practical skills are already on par with those at the Skin-Membrane stage, and you’re educated and clever. With a little guidance, you should be able to handle the job quickly. Unlike David Morgan, who, though naturally strong and as powerful as someone at the Ox-Skin level, is uneducated and straightforward. He’d make a good guard or a fierce fighter in a gang, but the escort position probably isn’t suitable for him.”

“Of course, although the income of an escort is not low, these are troubled times, and the profession is quite dangerous. You should think it over carefully. If you’re interested, with my recommendation, Xingchang Escort Agency will definitely give you a position as an escort.” Seeing William Carter’s surprised expression, Samuel Foster smiled slightly and continued.

If it were before, William Carter would have agreed without hesitation.

With his martial arts foundation, even after three to five years as a porter, he would never have been promoted to escort. And although the job is dangerous, the pay is high—just a few trips would be enough to cover his family’s expenses for a year.

But the current William Carter is no longer the same as before.

Although he still lacks money to buy meat and medicinal supplements, he now has some hidden resources to help him obtain them.

However, these resources can only be used secretly, not openly. What he can show in public is only his martial arts.

So for the current William Carter, the most urgent task is not to make money, but to improve his martial arts and break through to the Skin-Membrane stage, and even the Jinli stage, as soon as possible.

To achieve a breakthrough quickly, staying at the martial arts school is clearly the best choice.

“Thank you for your kindness, Master. I don’t want to give up martial arts—I want to keep trying.” William Carter quickly stood up and cupped his hands in reply.

Samuel Foster looked up at William Carter, his eyes showing surprise, and a hint of ridicule at his overestimation of himself.

“In that case, go.” Samuel Foster waved his hand, then picked up his teacup and continued drinking.

This world is harsh and realistic. Samuel Foster has already done all he can; if William Carter doesn’t appreciate it, he certainly won’t waste his breath trying to persuade him.

“Ziling, not bad! I haven’t sparred with you for a while, and I didn’t expect you to suddenly get the hang of it—you can even fight Edward Grant to a draw now!” As soon as William Carter returned, David Morgan came up and punched him in the chest, while the other muscle-training apprentices all deliberately avoided him.