The one called Charles Brooks was somewhat more robust in build, and his blade technique was fierce and aggressive. As for Samuel Grant, he was a bit thinner and smaller, his movements swift and nimble, and his swordplay was cunning and dangerous.

While watching with great interest, he casually asked Evelyn Foster a few questions. During his explanations, William Carter gradually came to understand that the system of personal strength in this world was vague—there were no grades, nor any rankings. He simply knew that the imperial bodyguards were mostly selected through layers of screening from the military. Not only was martial skill important, but also a clean background and loyalty to the emperor, among other factors. For example, Evelyn Foster was originally the son of an ordinary merchant family in Hunan, studious from a young age and especially fond of martial arts. At the age of six, he was sent by his family to Wudang Mountain to study, where he trained for ten years. He then roamed the martial world for two years. At eighteen, he joined the army, and finally, at twenty-two, was recruited into the imperial bodyguards through a strict selection process. After three years of diligent service, he was promoted to third-class imperial bodyguard and appointed as the captain of a ten-man squad.

Wudang Mountain? William Carter became interested. That was one of the legendary holy lands of martial arts. He requested Evelyn Foster to demonstrate something different from the others. Evelyn Foster dared not refuse, so he drew his saber and gathered his inner strength. On the blade, a faint, shimmering white glow appeared. With a light step, he floated four or five meters forward, his long saber plunging between Charles Brooks and Samuel Grant. As the blade flashed, he actually swept both of them into his attack.

Brooks and Grant hurriedly joined forces to deal with Evelyn Foster. But unfortunately, Evelyn Foster's strength far surpassed theirs. After barely withstanding a dozen moves, Evelyn Foster broke their blades. Then, with a light touch, he landed softly beside William Carter.

“Good, good, all of you did well.” William Carter stood with his hands behind his back, looking gratified. Especially Evelyn Foster, whose strength was impressive. Although he didn't say it outright, it was clear from his words that those two years Evelyn Foster spent in the martial world at sixteen must have earned him some reputation. Now, at twenty-five, he was far beyond his former self.

Thinking about the chaotic system of strength, William Carter began to ponder. Unlike people of ancient times, he was not vague about concepts of measurement. When it came to personal strength, all one could say was so-and-so defeated so-and-so—extremely unclear. In the past, when reading web novels or playing games, the levels were distinct and obvious. A thought occurred: if all the skilled people in the world were ranked in a nine-grade system like officials, it would not only make it clear to understand someone's level of strength, but also provide a good environment for recruiting and cultivating power in the future. The more he thought about it, the more sense it made, and he began to consider it deeply.

……

Chapter 7: Money, Money

……

However, now was not the time to act on this idea. At the very least, he needed to become more familiar with this world, get involved in government affairs, and gain some power. In addition, William Carter was very interested in Wudang Mountain. First, seeing that Evelyn Foster from Wudang seemed quite powerful, it was imaginable that there would be others in Wudang of equal or even greater strength. Second, perhaps he could recruit Wudang's experts for his own use.

He asked Evelyn Foster a few more key questions and learned that the Wudang Sect had always kept out of worldly affairs. Back then, Evelyn Foster had secretly left the mountain to explore the world, and later heard that his master had sent people to look for him. During his time in the martial world, he had gotten into trouble a few times due to youthful recklessness. Fearing his master's punishment, he joined the army and was lucky enough to be selected as an imperial bodyguard. Speaking of his master, Evelyn Foster's expression grew somber, and a trace of longing for his master appeared. It was no wonder—having been cared for by his master since childhood, their bond was naturally deep.

When it came to his master's strength, according to Evelyn Foster's account, he couldn't gauge his master's depth when he left the mountain, but as he grew older and stronger, he could vaguely estimate his master's strength back then. He said that even now, he was far from being his master's match. According to some vague classifications in the martial world, his master had already half-stepped into the grandmaster realm at that time. In the martial world, there were only about ten people who could be called grandmasters by name.

William Carter was overjoyed, but his face showed little happiness; he only sighed lightly and said, “Evelyn Foster, if you miss your master, I will grant you a leave of absence. Go back and reunite with him. I will first promote you to first-class saber-bearing bodyguard and grant you an imperial edict. Once you return, I trust your master will no longer blame you.”

“Your Majesty…” Evelyn Foster, extremely moved, knelt on one knee and said, “This humble servant thanks Your Majesty for your grace, but with treacherous ministers in power, I worry for Your Majesty's safety and dare not leave your side.”

“Evelyn Foster, if you truly care for me, I still hope you will go back once.” William Carter gave him a meaningful look and said slowly, “I wish to meet your master in person.”

Evelyn Foster's body trembled, and he immediately understood William Carter's meaning. After a moment's focus, he replied solemnly, “Your Majesty, if I travel day and night with urgent dispatch, I will surely bring my master here within ten days. Naturally, I will also persuade the others as quickly as possible.”