He originally possessed the cultivation of the seventh level of True Qi, already a rare master in the mortal world. Normally, his vital energy was restrained within, not radiating outward, so he appeared just like an ordinary person. But now, as he suddenly unleashed it, it was like the wind stirring the clouds, a giant dragon soaring to the heavens.

"Whoosh..."

After Henry Carter pushed his True Qi to the limit, he suddenly took a step forward, and the ground paved with bluestone slabs immediately cracked open.

Others only saw a blur before their eyes—Henry Carter had already vanished from where he stood. In the distance, they could only see a shockwave rushing away in an instant.

"This... Xuan'er, he... how did he become so powerful..."

Mr. Carter was so frightened that his face turned pale, never expecting that his own son would possess such abilities.

Henry Carter did not ride a horse, because with his current cultivation, running at full speed was far faster than any horse. Riding a horse required following the road, turning where needed, stopping where needed, passing through gates, yielding to others. But when he ran, he vaulted over walls and rooftops, crossed water and rivers, moving in a straight line, heading directly for the Hundred Herbs Garden more than thirty li outside Four Symbols City—many times faster than a galloping horse.

As Henry Carter approached the Hundred Herbs Garden, Charles Walker had only just arrived there himself.

"Haha, this time, after capturing this **, I don't believe that brat won't take the bait!"

Charles Walker was overjoyed, growing more pleased the more he thought about it, almost humming a tune.

As soon as he entered the Hundred Herbs Garden, he loudly ordered, "All of you, hide yourselves well! That brat will definitely come to rescue this ** when he hears I've captured her. As soon as he dares to step into this garden, all of you charge at once—break both his legs first, then we'll talk! Hmph, so what if he can fight a little? I don't believe a hundred top blade-wielders can't take down a discarded disciple from the Immortal Sect!"

"Yes, Young Master Walker!"

In addition to the twenty men who had followed Charles Walker to capture Emily Parker, there were eighty more blade-wielders whom Charles Walker had summoned in advance and stationed in the Hundred Herbs Garden. These men were all famous blade-wielders in Four Symbols City, somewhat like mercenaries from a previous life, or assassins. The common trait was that, as long as you paid them, they would even dare to kill their own parents—cold-blooded and ruthless.

Charles Walker was no fool. He knew that, given Henry Carter's strength, he stood no chance against him alone. So he planned to use a numbers tactic—a hundred top blade-wielders could even take down a top expert, let alone Henry Carter.

"Heh, Brother Walker, since you've invited so many blade-wielders, I feel a bit superfluous myself!"

The brocade-clad young master sitting on the horse beside Charles Walker said indifferently, a hint of arrogance in his tone.

"Not at all, not at all. That fellow named Meng is nothing special, not worthy of Brother Sullivan's attention. I invited Brother Sullivan here for drinking and merriment! Haha, let's head to the grass hall now. In a while, we can drink and watch that Meng fellow suffer—how about it?"

Charles Walker laughed heartily, inviting the brocade-clad young master to the grass hall with him, while Emily Parker was temporarily locked in the woodshed.

With a single whistle, over a hundred black-clad blade-wielders hid themselves in the secret corners of the Hundred Herbs Garden, and a murderous atmosphere instantly filled the place.

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Chapter 10: The Might of the Discarded Disciple

Henry Carter arrived at the Hundred Herbs Garden only about the time it takes for one incense stick to burn after Charles Walker and the others.

Still a hundred zhang from the garden, he glanced over and saw wisps of murderous intent drifting above the Hundred Herbs Garden. He immediately understood—there must be people lying in ambush for him inside. But upon seeing the murderous aura, he actually felt less anxious, because since Charles Walker had set up this deadly trap, his target must be himself, and Emily Parker should not have been harmed yet.

Within the Great Illness Immortal Art, there was a method for observing qi, useful for finding those gravely ill. Besides illness qi, it could also detect murderous intent.

From the density and amount of murderous aura drifting above the Hundred Herbs Garden, he could roughly estimate the number and cultivation of those lying in ambush.

Henry Carter held a long sword in his hand and slowly walked to the entrance of the Hundred Herbs Garden. Looking in from the gate, he saw the doors wide open, allowing a direct view from the outer gate to the inner hall. The courtyard was empty, but in the inner hall sat two brocade-clad young masters drinking wine. One of them was Charles Walker. When he saw Henry Carter arrive, he immediately burst into hearty laughter and downed a cup.

"You really came. You didn't disappoint me..."

Charles Walker laughed, a trace of murderous intent appearing in his eyes as he looked at Henry Carter.

"You have disappointed me..."

Henry Carter calmed the True Qi within his body, entered with his sword, and said coolly, "Hand over Emily Parker, and I'll spare your life!"

"Haha..."

Charles Walker burst out laughing, turning to the brocade-clad young master opposite him and saying, "Brother Sullivan, do you think this loser is crazy? Facing death, and he dares to threaten me?"

As he laughed, he reached for a wine cup, filled it, and placed it by his feet. Then his face turned cold as he said to Henry Carter, "Meng, you're just a discarded disciple expelled from the Immortal Sect. What right do you have to act arrogant in front of me? Today, I'll give you a chance. As long as you kneel and crawl from the gate to my feet and drink this cup of wine, I'll let you off this time—I'll only break your right hand, and I'll release Miss Parker. How about it? If you don't obey, heh, my methods are well-known in Four Symbols City. Not only will you suffer today, but that Miss Parker—I'll have my fun with her, then sell her to a brothel..."