“I really need to learn some self-defense.” A thought flashed through his mind.

“This body already has some basic sword skills. If I recover them, they should be useful.”

As he pondered, he recalled the booklet his cheap master had given him before dying.

“Could it be some kind of secret martial art?” He had always been a bit envious of his junior sister’s Minor Guiyuan Technique. In the sect, aside from her, neither he nor the Lu Yun siblings could practice it, seemingly due to incompatible physiques.

These days, out of curiosity about internal energy, he had tried a few times, but all ended in failure.

Thinking of that booklet today, a glimmer of hope rose in his heart.

“I’ll take another look when I get back. Maybe there’s some hidden secret inside.”

Back in his room, he looked around to make sure no one was there, then listened carefully to the sounds outside, confirming that no one was nearby.

Only then did he crawl under his bed, where there was a secret compartment in the wall. He gently pried it open, revealing the yellow booklet and some pieces of silver.

Taking out the booklet, Henry Clark crawled backward out from under the bed.

Pa.

Suddenly, a hand slapped hard onto his shoulder.

“Who!!”

Henry Clark was startled. He whipped his head around and saw a tall figure standing behind him, looking at him with a cold sneer.

“After waiting so many days, you finally decided to take out the secret technique?” The figure’s voice was icy.

Chapter 3: Initiation (Part 1)

A chill ran down Henry Clark’s forehead, his heart pounding wildly.

In the darkness, the two stood one in front of the other. The shadow only sneered, then walked over and sat on a chair to the side.

“Did your senior brother say anything before he died? How could he hand the secret manual to a brat like you?”

Henry Clark’s mind raced, and he immediately realized what the man was talking about, as well as the shadow’s identity.

It was the missing uncle-master of the Hong Song Sect, his master’s junior, Charles Cooper. He was said to be one of the two top experts from the sect’s former glory days.

“Heh… So it’s Uncle-Master Charles Cooper?” He felt his heart tremble, but forced himself to stay calm. “If you want the secret technique, I’ll give it to you. If you come and ask openly, would I, your junior, dare refuse?”

He knew well that Charles Cooper was a ruthless outlaw who killed without blinking. Back then, after a disagreement with his master, he had beaten the old man to the ground and left. Rumor had it he’d committed bloody crimes in many places—a true bandit!

How long had it been, and now he was facing another life-threatening situation… Henry Clark finally understood why so few people lived in the wilds in ancient times… Without the ability to protect yourself, living alone outside was basically suicide…

He swallowed hard. The more dangerous the situation, the calmer he forced himself to be. He quickly tossed the secret manual in his hand to Charles Cooper.

“You’re quite straightforward.” Charles Cooper seemed surprised that this guy was so spineless, handing over the sect’s most precious item without resistance.

Pa.

He caught the manual with one hand and flipped through it casually. In the faint moonlight, his expression grew increasingly unpleasant.

Henry Clark didn’t dare move a muscle. He felt as if a sharp blade was pointed right at his chest, so close that even the slightest movement would get him cut.

Seeing Charles Cooper’s face darken, his own heart tightened.

Charles Cooper had a thin face, wore a black Daoist robe, and his long hair was tied up in a Daoist’s topknot. He looked just like a true cultivator, but as he read the manual, his expression twisted more and more.

“Good, good, good…!! As expected of my senior brother—he couldn’t resist screwing me over even on his deathbed! Very good!!” Charles Cooper’s face suddenly turned vicious.

Whoosh!

Suddenly, he thrust out a palm, striking at Henry Clark’s chest like lightning. A foul, stinking wind whipped up, howling through the room like a ghostly wail.

Henry Clark’s mind went blank. He wanted to dodge, but his body was stiff and wouldn’t obey.

Am I going to die…? Is this it…?!

For a moment, his mind felt electrocuted, his thoughts frozen. He could only watch helplessly as the black palm drew closer to his chest.

Bang!!

Suddenly, a large piece of door board appeared in front of his chest, blocking Henry Clark.

The surging palm force instantly shattered the yellowish board into several pieces. Two of the fragments slammed into Henry Clark’s chest, making him feel a dull pain as he was sent flying backward.

“Senior brother!!!”

In the moonlight, he saw a slender figure flash in front of him, a silver sword drawn in a swift arc.

Clang!!

Charles Cooper’s palm was struck by the sword light, producing a muffled, wooden thud.

“Hm? Minor Guiyuan Technique? There’s actually another disciple in the sect who can practice the Minor Guiyuan Technique?” Charles Cooper looked surprised, stepping back a few paces to eye the girl standing before him.

Standing in front of Henry Clark was Yvonne Harris, who had been cultivating in the room. She was now dressed in close-fitting gray sleepwear, holding a gleaming longsword across her body.