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The old man was visibly irritated and not pleased.
"It's nothing to worry about," Ethan said calmly.
Liam, a lean and wiry man, chuckled to ease the tension and promptly ordered a table of fine wine and food for everyone.
Despite Liam's outwardly respectable demeanor, Ethan noticed that his companions didn't quite match up to their leader's appearance.
"Senior, allow me to toast you in gratitude for your help in avenging me," Liam said, raising his glass with a look of deference.
Ethan sensed something amiss but dismissed it. Even if the wine was poisoned, his exceptional health would likely neutralize most toxins.
"It's just a small gesture," Ethan said, downing the wine in one gulp.
Liam, seeing Ethan drink without hesitation, smirked slightly. "You've fallen for my little trap, old man!"
"I have great respect for you, Senior, and would like to seek your guidance. May I?" Liam revealed his true intention, hoping to gain fame by defeating Ethan.
Ethan smiled wryly. It seemed the encounter was becoming predictable.
"Haha, young man, you have courage, but your methods are ineffective against me. Do you still wish to continue?" Ethan asked, offering Liam a chance to prove himself.
Liam's face reddened with embarrassment. He hadn't expected his deceitful tactic to be uncovered.
He decided to push forward and said firmly, "Please help me, Senior."
Liam led Ethan out of the inn to the street, preparing for their duel.
Ethan stepped outside and observed the gathering crowd. It appeared they were familiar with such events.
"Liam, the renowned blade master from the region, requests a duel with the esteemed Senior Ethan," Liam announced, revealing both his identity and the opponent he intended to challenge.
"I'll give you a chance to fight," Ethan said, his tone calm. Standing with his hands behind his back, dressed in white with silver hair and a youthful face, he looked every bit the master of his generation.
Liam, no longer feeling arrogant, drew his long sword and performed a display of his skills, drawing applause from the onlookers.
Ethan was unimpressed by the performance. It seemed less like a fight and more like a show.
What Ethan didn't realize was that Liam was merely stalling for the laxative to take effect.
Liam was motivated by a desire for wealth and status, understanding that a well-known warrior could command higher rewards.
Seeing no immediate reaction from Ethan, Liam began to doubt whether the plan had worked or if Ethan was indeed unaffected by the laxative.
Liam continued with his swordplay, only to be met with a powerful force that halted his advance.
Liam was stunned. His former opponent, Derek, had claimed Ethan was a master, and now it was clear that he had underestimated Ethan's abilities.
Not a reckless man, Liam had only challenged Ethan after besting Derek.
Ethan, recognizing Liam's limited skill, stopped the charade. His right hand transformed into a sword finger, and a surge of energy from the Holy Spirit Sword Technique effortlessly disarmed Liam.
Liam was thrown against a wall and spat out blood, but he managed to speak, "Thank you, Senior Ethan, for your guidance. I concede defeat."
Pretending to be gracious, Liam admitted his loss, which led others to admire his courage and insight.
Ethan, indifferent to the praise, returned to his room in the inn.
Word of Ethan's mastery spread throughout the martial arts community.
In the world of martial arts, a master could establish a school and be honored even by the royal family.
The experts from the Sky Pavilion were intrigued by Ethan, who had suddenly appeared. According to their information, the mysterious Senior Ethan, originally named Gregory, was a butcher who had lost everything to gambling and lived as a beggar for fifty years.
How could he have learned martial arts so quickly and achieved mastery in such a short time?
There must be a significant secret behind it!
The Sky Pavilion speculated that Ethan might be an imposter, and they were eager to investigate further, hoping to uncover the truth.
That night, Ethan practiced his internal art, the Hunyuan Yiqi Jue. Although it was merely a post-natal technique, it enhanced his internal strength control and intellect.
While preparing for bed, a figure burst into his room.
"Please, don't make a sound. I'm just seeking refuge and will leave soon," came a clear female voice, hinting at her distress.
Ethan heard a dozen figures outside, all skilled and formidable.
The woman, Zhou Xiangyun, felt desperate. The court agents had learned of her family's possession of the Four Symbols Divine Art, leading to their annihilation. Only she had survived, thanks to her father's sacrifice.
As she clutched the Four Symbols Divine Art, Zhou Xiangyun lamented the fate that had brought ruin to her family but also represented a chance for revenge.
After the agents left, Zhou Xiangyun, weakened from blood loss, fainted before she could thank Ethan.
Ethan, noting her plight, decided to assist her. He stopped her bleeding and requested hot water from the inn staff to clean her wounds.
In doing so, he saw the Four Symbols Divine Art she carried.
"Haha, the Four Symbols Divine Art has come to me in such a way. It seems saving a life has its rewards."
After tending to Zhou Xiangyun, Ethan spent the night studying the Four Symbols Divine Art.
It proved to be a remarkable martial art, offering significant benefits even at its basic level.
[Four Symbols Divine Art: Basic Level; Internal Force +500, Strength +2, Constitution +2, Agility +2.]
[Special effects: Solid (defense +10), Haste (speed +10); Regeneration (recovers one-thousandth of maximum health per minute); Sharpness (damage +20).]
Though these bonuses were fixed, Ethan anticipated greater benefits as he perfected the technique. Additionally, the Four Symbols special effects promised to be a formidable asset in battle.
"Father, mother, don't leave me!" Zhou Xiangyun cried out in her sleep, reliving the tragic destruction of her family.
Seeing this, Ethan shook his head and continued to study the Four Symbols Divine Art, determined to master it by morning.
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