He mustered up his courage and asked, “May I know my master’s secular name?”

　　Edward Wood smiled slightly, “It’s really nothing special. Even the emperor knows I’m hiding here. Last year, he secretly sent a guard to deliver an imperial edict to me. As a result, several of your senior brothers found out my secret. I can tell you, but I hope you won’t spread it. I used to be called George Warren. Have you heard of me?”

　　Samuel Bennett was greatly shocked. His master Edward Wood was actually the famous general of the mid-Tang dynasty, George Warren, who led the northern expedition against the Khitan, defeated the Turks and Tibetans, and rose to the rank of Military Governor of the Four Garrisons? But… didn’t he die suddenly in history?

　　Edward Wood smiled faintly again, “The emperor gave me a dose of death medicine, and at the same time, a dose of life medicine. I took the death medicine in front of the envoy, and after he left, I took the life medicine. George Warren died, but Edward Wood was reborn. I bid farewell to my wife and children, became a monk, and came to Kongtong Mountain. I’ve stayed here for fifteen years.”

　　Seeing Samuel Bennett’s face full of shock, Edward Wood smiled, handed him the short iron sword weighing eight jin, and said, “Just practice for an hour according to the moves I taught you this morning. Take your medicine and go to sleep afterwards. Go on!”

　　……

Chapter 0010: Soul-Destroying Heartbreak

　　In the room, Third Robert Clark asked Ethan Clark, “What’s the name of our little junior brother’s enemy?”

　　“His name is William Bolton, and it seems he was chosen by Xuanhu Palace.”

　　As Ethan Clark said this, he suddenly looked at him warily, “Third Brother, don’t do anything reckless. You’ve already caused enough trouble for Master.”

　　“Don’t worry! I won’t act rashly. I have my own methods!”

　　Ethan Clark curled his lips, “Your methods are always the same: either bitten to death by a poisonous snake, falling off a cliff by accident, or wandering into a wolf’s den. Besides these dirty tricks, do you have any other ideas? Don’t think people are fools—they’ll know it was you.”

　　“Tch! This time, your chubby brother is going to try something new. I guarantee they won’t figure it out. I’ll help our little junior brother vent his anger.”

　　“Senior brother!”

　　Suddenly, Samuel Bennett’s voice came from behind. The two turned around and saw Samuel Bennett standing at the doorway, though they didn’t know when he’d arrived.

　　They quickly smiled and said, “Junior brother, you’re back?”

　　Samuel Bennett walked in and said coolly to Robert Clark, “That William Bolton is a goal of mine. I want to surpass him, which is why I train so hard. If he dies, my motivation will be gone too. Thank you for looking out for me, but let’s leave him be.”

　　Robert Clark gave a dry laugh, “Alright! Then I’ll leave him to you. You can take care of him yourself in the future.”

　　“Little junior brother, what basic skills did Master teach you?” Ethan Clark asked curiously from the side.

　　Samuel Bennett scratched his head, “I’m not really sure. What basic skills did you two learn?”

　　“I learned this!”

　　Ethan Clark took off his belt, hung it between the bedpost and the door, and lay lightly on it. “I’ve slept on this strap for five years.”

　　“So you sleep on a rope!”

　　Samuel Bennett exclaimed in amazement, then asked Robert Clark, “What about you, third senior brother?”

　　“I lift stones. I do it several hundred times a day, starting with forty jin.”

　　The two looked at Samuel Bennett together. “I practice the Golden Rooster Stands on One Leg!” Samuel Bennett walked out of the room, stood on one leg in the courtyard, held his sword horizontally above his head with his right hand, and pointed at a spot on the tree trunk with his left hand, motionless.

　　Robert Clark and Ethan Clark looked at each other in confusion. What kind of training was this?

　　“You two, don’t disturb him. Go mind your own business!” Edward Wood glared at them from the side.

　　The two senior brothers had no choice but to return to their room, disgruntled.

　　Edward Wood silently watched Samuel Bennett from a distance, seeing him as if he were a meditating monk, oblivious to the outside world.

　　He nodded, clasped his hands behind his back, and returned to his own room.

　　On the first night, Samuel Bennett stood for a full three hours. Of course, he couldn’t stay still the whole time—at most, he could last ten minutes before needing to stop, rest for a bit, and then continue. In the end, Samuel Bennett practically crawled back, so exhausted that he was numb all over, collapsing onto his bed, unable to move.

　　Charles Clark brought over a bowl of medicine as thick as syrup and set it in front of him. “Drink up! Once you finish, go to sleep.”

　　A pungent smell so strong it made Samuel Bennett sit up immediately, just like the rotten egg stench from a modern chemical plant, making him want to vomit.

　　Ethan Clark patted him on the back, smiling, “It does stink, but you’ll get used to it. Just pinch your nose and drink it all in one go. Or do you want me to help you pinch it?”

　　“I’ll do it myself!”

　　Samuel Bennett pinched his nose, picked up the bowl, steeled himself, and gulped it down without tasting it. Halfway through, he suddenly bent over and retched violently. The chubby Robert Clark reacted quickly, pressing down on his chest and stomach, so Samuel Bennett didn’t throw up.

　　Ethan Clark hurriedly handed him a bowl of water. Samuel Bennett drank half the bowl in one go and let out a long breath. “This stuff is so damn soul-destroying, I feel like I’m going to die. Senior brother, do I have to drink this for five years?”

　　“Three or five years, it’s all the same. You’ll get used to it. One day you’ll even miss it. Come on! Finish the rest of the bowl.”

　　Robert Clark pinched Samuel Bennett’s nose and forced the rest of the medicine down his throat. He chuckled, “Back then, second brother forced it down me the same way. Now it’s my turn to try. Haha! Forcing someone to take medicine is so damn satisfying!”

　　Samuel Bennett rolled his eyes in exasperation, unable to say a word.

　　After the last sip, Samuel Bennett lay on his back on the bed. After a while, he asked, “Senior brother, what’s the name of this medicine?”