“If this world really is as dangerous as I suspect, then what do I need to protect myself? What can I use to protect myself?”

He asked himself this.

He sat at the table, thinking for a while.

Henry Walker slowly stood up, blew out the candle, and returned all the books on the table to their original places one by one.

Then he pushed the door open and stepped out.

“Young master, have you finished reading?”

Little Grace was leaning against the door, dozing off, and was startled when Henry Walker suddenly came out, but she quickly reacted.

“Mm, where is Uncle Baker now? Do you know?”

Henry Walker asked casually.

There were many people with the surname Zhao and of advanced age in the Lu household, but the only one everyone actually called Uncle Baker was a single person.

That was the Lu family’s top martial artist, the most formidable master—David Baker, whom Frank Walker called Uncle Baker.

“Uh… Uncle Baker is usually at the training grounds at this time, working on his strength and training the house staff.” Little Grace had a good relationship with the other servants and was fairly well-informed.

“Let’s go find him.”

Henry Walker had thought it over for quite some time and knew that Uncle Baker was probably the key person he could most easily approach to gain the power to protect himself.

Following the small paths of the residence, Henry Walker quickly passed through two areas of living quarters and arrived at the very back of the estate.

On a large training ground, an elderly man with graying hair was leading a dozen or so house staff in practicing martial arts.

The early morning sunlight shone down, gradually washing away some of the grim events heard earlier that morning.

The martial master David Baker wore a fitted short-sleeved outfit, a black top and gray long pants, with a thick-backed broadsword strapped to his back that he never parted with.

Henry Walker waited at the side, watching.

After David Baker had trained the house staff for a while, he let them pair up to spar on their own.

He himself walked over toward Henry Walker. He had already noticed Henry Walker.

“Young master, what brings you to the training ground today? Is there something you need this old man’s help with?”

David Baker held a status in the household comparable to the master himself.

There were a few other martial masters as well, all with considerable standing, and when compared to the young masters and ladies, they mostly interacted as equals.

Henry Walker glanced at the house staff still practicing martial arts not far away.

“Uncle Baker, I want to learn martial arts.”

As soon as he said this, the smile on David Baker’s face froze.

“Henry Jr., are you joking with this old man?”

“I’m not joking.” Henry Walker shook his head.

He had thought it over for a long time. Right now, the easiest way to gain the power to protect himself was to first learn martial arts from the family’s own martial master.

The family’s martial master, David Baker—Uncle Baker—his swordsmanship was such that only a handful in all of Jiulian City could surpass him.

David Baker looked at Henry Walker seriously and shook his head.

“If you truly want to learn martial arts, Henry Jr., it’s not that I can’t teach you what little I know. It’s just… you’re already too old, your bones have set, and many movements simply can’t be done properly. If you can’t do the movements right, the power is greatly diminished…”

“It’s fine. Uncle Baker, just teach me as you would.”

Henry Walker not only wanted to gain some means of self-protection, but also wanted to test something.

David Baker pondered for a moment.

Then he agreed readily.

“Very well. I have no children, and after so many years in the Lu family, I’ve lived quite comfortably. The master has treated us well. By rights and by custom, if you want to learn from me, you should formally become my disciple. But given my relationship with the Lu family, let’s skip the ceremony. Just don’t pass on what I teach you to outsiders.”

David Baker waved his hand.

As the eldest young master, Henry Walker would eventually take over all the family’s business and properties.

He also had the intention of building a closer relationship with him.

“But, Henry, there’s something I need to make clear to you first.”

“Please, go ahead.” Henry Walker said earnestly.

David Baker stroked the beard on his chin and said in a deep voice,

“I know you were shaken by the tragedy at the The Wright Family this morning and want to learn martial arts to protect yourself. But let me be clear: even the strongest martial artists in the world can’t handle those strange and bizarre occurrences.”

“…I understand…”

Henry Walker nodded.

“I just feel uneasy. I just want to do what I can.”

“As long as you understand, Henry.” David Baker thought for a moment, then took a small booklet from his chest, wrapped in layers of yellow cloth.

He carefully unwrapped it, revealing the booklet inside.

On the cover were several large characters:

“Black Tiger Broadsword Technique.”

Chapter 4: Black Tiger Broadsword Technique (Part 2)

“This is a basic broadsword technique taught to me years ago by a wandering Daoist. In the martial world, it’s considered third-rate. Don’t underestimate it just because it’s third-rate—there are still things about it that stand out. Even a third-rate manual is enough to be included in the libraries of the great sects. Take it and study it carefully. There are detailed diagrams of the stances inside. Try practicing on your own first. If you’re sure you want to continue after reading it, come find me. But whether you practice or not, remember to return the booklet to me.”

David Baker carefully handed the booklet to Henry Walker.

“Alright!”

Henry Walker knew that this must be David Baker’s most treasured possession.

The fact that he handed it over so easily didn’t mean that Henry Walker could master the technique just by relying on the booklet.