Fred knew Seelie had been right. Varioso provided a carriage and enthusiastically took them to his home. His main goal was to recruit fighters for these Stefords.Hence, Fred asked, "And the Stefords are...""Oh! I forgot that Mr. Fred came from the West Island and doesn't know much about the Stefords!"Varioso immediately explained with a smile, "This place is called Waterway Town, like I’ve said before. The Stefords owned the largest martial arts center in Waterway Town. They have a reputation of being the center with the most powerful martial arts experts in the entire South Islands for at least three generations!”"Oh? Since the Stefords are so powerful, there should be no shortage of fighters, right?" Fred immediately asked with a smile.How could Fred, a sly fox, be fooled by Varioso?When he heard this Varioso smiled awkwardly and said, "Uh... Mr. Fred, you know how it is with families… What goes up must come down. Although the Stefords were indeed famous throughout the So
The next day, at Steford Mansion…As agreed, Varioso brought Fred there to meet the eldest daughter of the Stefords.After a brief bow, Varioso immediately began to introduce Fred to her. "Miss Steford, this is the Mr. Hoffman that I told you about. His swordsmanship is superb. I have personally seen Mr. Hoffman single-handedly kill more than ten wild wolves using just the trees and plants in the forest mountain in place of swords. With how he drove away the entire wolf pack, he is undoubtedly a rare fighter!"Although there was no exaggeration in his words, the description of how Fred single-handedly drove the wolves away with nothing but plants and branches in the forest would surely make a positive impression on Fred. Runiya, the eldest daughter of the Stefords, was very surprised at Varioso's words. She stood up and asked, "Mr. Burke, is what you’re saying true?""Absolutely! As I just said, I saw it with my own eyes!" Varioso said immediately.Alas!At this moment, a nasty
However, Bovies’ words were not unreasonable either.First of all, this Quintennium Challenge was very important to the Stefords. If the Stefords lost in this competition, losing control of Waterway Town would be the least of their concerns.Those who had always coveted the Stefords would think that they were no longer powerful. Outside attacks would come, overtly or covertly. "One more thing!"Now that Runiya was shaken, Bovies spoke again. "We, the Stefords, have many enemies in this competition, there is no telling what kind of shameful means those people will use. From my perspective, people with unknown backgrounds should be subjected to stricter inspection!”"Bovies, you… What do you mean?!" Varioso could not sit still anymore and immediately stood up and shouted."I mean no disrespect. Everyone is thinking of the Stefords’ best interests. This includes you too, Commander Burke!" Bovies said proudly."You… I…"Varioso's face turned red with anger. He shouted, "I brought
Bovies sneered. He might only be the vice commander of the Stefords’ bodyguards, but he was the most powerful man guarding the Stefords. After all, everyone in Waterway Town, including the Stefords, knew that Commander Varioso was growing old. The commander might have been a great fighter before, but he was in his 40s now, and his age had crept up to him. As such, Bovies paid Fred no mind. He even looked down on him since Fred had been all talk and no bite.Bovies thought that ignorant and arrogant fools like Fred were the easiest opponents to defeat. All he had to do was agitate him and Fred’s impulsiveness would be his own demise.Seelie, who had followed Fred and Varioso here, walked over to stand beside Fred. She whispered, “Hey! Are you sure you’ve got him?“Don’t forget that you’re completely powerless right now! You’re no better than an ordinary person! Sure, not everyone in the Ancient Martial Realm is a warlord, but even ordinary people here have practiced martial art
As simple as that sounded, Varioso’s exasperation and Runiya’s indulgence in Bovies spoke volumes of how respected Bovies was among the Stefords. While Bovies could be replaced, to get rid of him immediately would be a blatant offense against the Stefords. Fred was heavily injured too, and he could not regulate the inner strength within him. To get caught in a fight now would be akin to shooting himself in his foot.Still, Fred slowly moved to the center.“Oh? Where’d your arrogance go, hmm?”Bovies did not quite understand how Fred could remain so calm when he had just provoked him through Seelie.Fred looked nothing like the arrogant young man who claimed to not know what it felt like to lose. Soon, disdain painted Bovies’ features. After all, only a cowardly man was too scared to make his anger known after someone taunted his wife. In fact, Bovies was starting to believe that Fred had realized how impossible this fight was. He must be ready to surrender and flee.“Haha!
“W-What…?” Everyone present was shocked, their jaws hanging low from their mouths. They had yet to wrap their heads around what just happened. Bovies—one of the strongest people in Waterway Town—had lost to Fred in the blink of an eye.No one thought Fred would win, yet the man was unscathed where he stood.Only now did everyone realize that Fred must have concealed his true strength.There was no doubt who the winner of this challenge was. “How skilled, Mr. Hoffman!” Runiya exclaimed in surprise, though her expression was grim.After all, Bovies was the vice commander of the Stefords' bodyguards, and he had lost pitifully to an outsider. “You’re too kind.” Fred nodded at Runiya’s reaction to Bovies’ loss.Her displeasure spoke volumes of how much she cared about her people. She was not the kind to fawn over Fred and ignore Bovies’ injuries just because Fred was stronger.Fred had no qualms following a kind and caring lady like Runiya until he restored his inner strengt
That night, a welcoming banquet was held for Fred.Despite being upset about his quick defeat, Bovies had shed quite a bit of his arrogance after waking up.After all, everyone could fight in the Ancient Martial Realm. It was the survival of the fittest.Now that he knew Fred was much more powerful than he was, Bovies naturally would not dare to anger the younger man.Just as the banquet ended, Runiya had Varioso meet her in the inner court. “Miss Steford, you were looking for me?” Varioso bowed and greeted respectfully. Runiya quickly walked over to him. “There’s no need to be so courteous, Mr. Burke. I called you here today to thank you for introducing such a powerful fighter among us! With him here, we'll surely win the five-year competition!” “You’re too kind, Miss Steford. It was pure chance that I met Mr. Fred, and I'm one of the Stefords' bodyguards, after all. It’s only natural that I have our best interests in mind,” Varioso replied with a hand over his heart. Runi
Varioso sucked in a cold breath.The five-year competition was approaching, and many competitors would be participating. Thus, Ruinya, the head of the Steford family, was concerned about the presence of questionable people. Varioso understood the grounds of her worries. However, he could not help but feel appalled to hear Runiya's intention to control Fred and have him do the Stefords' bidding. “Miss Steford! What... This... I don't agree!” Varioso quickly continued, “E-Even if Mr. Fred is... of questionable origin, he's still fighting on our family's behalf! I-If word gets out that we're controlling him, it'll only prevent other great fighters from joining us!“And by then... And by then, those great fighters who could have been ours would join the other families! So... So even if we remain the rulers of Waterway Town after this competition... it won't end well for us in the long run!”“Commander Burke is right.” Footsteps grew closer, and Bovies slowly emerged from the shado
Marciella walking away did not bode well with the giant snake. Marciella was its food! How could it accept that its food had escaped?Marciella had not moved far yet. She reluctantly looked back at Fred.She did not know how Fred would handle the River God. She could only hope Fred would be okay!When Fred saw that she had left, he geared up, rubbing his palms in glee. He had an eager look on his face, which confused the giant snake.It was the snake’s first time meeting a man like Fred!How strange indeed!At this time!Suddenly, Fred said with hostility etched on his face, "Hey, Big Snake, what are you going to do now?"The snake's attention was entirely focused on him, which seemed off to Fred."What I’m going to do?"The giant snake fixated its eyes on Fred. It felt that it could handle a human like Fred easily.“I’m going to kill you with one bite! How dare you look down on me like this!"The giant snake rushed toward Fred fiercely at a speed so fast that no one could
Fred was annoyed by the giant snake's arrogant tone. Fred squinted his eyes at the snake and asked in confusion, "Why are you making that face?"“Huh?"The giant snake was shocked. He thought that Fred would submit to him, but to his surprise, Fred was not shaken at all.The snake was about to lose his temper.“Dirty snake, haven't I made myself clear enough? I think you are probably sleep-talking if you want me to hand over my people to you..." Fred said impatiently.At this moment…Feeling that it was being ridiculed, the snake said suddenly, "You punk, this is the first time anyone spoke to me this way. What is your name?"“Me?"Fred was stunned subconsciously, not knowing what the snake wanted. Suddenly, he understood.“Did you want to know my name so you can remember me, bow down before me, and become my follower? Sure, I’ll give you that chance!"He was adding fuel to the fire. The giant snake almost spat out blood in anger!"What? You want me to follow an immature bei
Huh!?Putting aside Marciella, even Fred could not hide his shock as a giant snake appeared from under the water!A giant snake!How could it be!?Fred's eyes widened at the sheer size of the snake. "A Giant Snake… Is this the so-called River God?"Moreover, the size was humongous. The snake must be at least ten stories high!What a huge snake!Fred finally understood why he felt a powerful force under the water!There was a sharp glint in the giant snake’s eyes! That was the blinking light from time to time!"Who comes here? Are you from the village? Who do you plan to sacrifice to me this time?" As soon as the giant snake spoke, Fred realized that this was not the first time it had done this.The snake seemed familiar with the ritual process. Obviously, the villagers had witnessed this giant snake before. This was the meeting between the two sides! Fred felt uncomfortable at this. As for the giant snake, it felt bemused when it saw Fred. The snake had never seen Fred befo
Fred was going to risk it all to open this girl's eyes!The force from the punch was extraordinary! As soon as the tree was hit by the seismic fist, it fell immediately and the whole tree split neatly in two!Marciella was dumbfounded!Although she knew how powerful Fred was, to witness his power was a different thing entirely!"Master Fred, your power is insane!"Marciella could not help but applaud.Fred seemed indifferent, as though he had no feeling at all about this."Is it? Why do you think so?"He looked so indifferent.For Ancient Martial Arts, things did not get any simpler than this!"You’re so strong. Anyway, I don’t doubt you anymore..." Marciella sighed, suddenly feeling very sad. "This is the reward of being educated. If we were more knowledgeable, we wouldn’t be so clueless.”"Haha, if you can't solve your issues, your descendants can work harder," Fred said with a wink.Marciella said, "Mr. Fred, I needed to ask you something! What if our luck was changed ju
What Fred said aroused her curiosity."What does it look like when you offer a sacrifice?"Fred knew he could not speak of this matter. Sure enough, Marciella felt a little downcast after Fred said the words. She did not know why Fred would say such a thing. Suddenly, Fred felt bad about it.He coughed and said, "Don't think too much about it... I just want to find a clue. Maybe we could find a solution. Why does it never rain in your village?""Huh?"Marciella's eyes, which were still a little dejected, suddenly realized what was important and asked hurriedly, "Mr. Fred, are you saying that the reason why it never rains in our village is because someone is behind it?"Although Fred was unwilling to admit it, he could not help but nod. "Yes, this is exactly what you thought!""For real?!"Marciella felt hopeful again when she heard this. She said hastily, "The thing you asked about is pretty simple. You can just check out that place!""That place?"Fred turned around to see w
Marciella found herself nodding in agreement with Fred's harsh assessment. "You're spot on," she said. "That woman is nothing but vile!"Seeing Marciella's reaction, a rare smile crossed Fred's face as he nodded back. "Glad you see it my way," he said.What caught Fred off guard was the villagers' reaction. One by one, their faces turned ashen with despair.It seemed to them that nothing could be worse than the predicament they were facing. The absence of the witch spelled doom for the village—it was like their last shred of hope had vanished. They had all put their faith in her to charm the River God into blessing them with rain, which would have brought some peace to their troubled lives. However, now their chances seemed to have dried up just like their fields. Fred stood there, his face a mask of serenity amidst the chaos.In the moments that followed, the village chief was a picture of despair, his only option was to send everyone home while he racked his brain for a backup pl
"What?"Fred did not even have time to blink before the witch suddenly made a move.It was like a bomb went off.Kaboom!Then, she was dead!Fred dusted off his hands, even surprising himself with his lack of tolerance for the witch.Now, though, he had a real headache. He had planned to clear the air with the witch and lay out the past so everyone would know the full picture.He thought that might just turn things around.The situation changed when she vanished, and Fred's plans were completely derailed. Then again, changing the villagers' minds was not going to be a walk in the park anyway. They were pretty set in their ways, thanks to all the stuff they had been fed.As such, just talking it out might not cut it. Heck, it could even mess with history!With the witch out of the equation, Fred figured he might as well try a different tactic. Maybe if he took out the guy in the cloak and worked his own magic to bring some rain, it could save a lot of hassle. The more he thoug
"No way!"The witch bristled with defiance. She could not accept that she was no match for Fred.As she noticed Fred's focus was locked on her, a sly idea popped up in her mind.Before she could act on it, though, she found herself pinned against the wall by Fred in a flash...Her face contorted in disbelief. She was pinned so tightly that she could not even move!The witch was completely overpowered, her heart racing with panic.How could he be so much stronger than her?Fred, on the other hand, seemed unfazed."What's going through your head? You don't seriously think you can take me on, do you?" Fred asked, his voice laced with skepticism.The witch felt utterly trapped, as if at any second, Fred might just finish her off."Look, I messed up, okay? Can we not do this? I'm old, just a pile of brittle bones—I can't take this kind of rough treatment!" the witch pleaded with Fred, trying a new tactic to get through to him.Fred was not falling for it. He looked at her with a
"Heh, I caught on to you a while back, you know. You've been tailing me, and I'm pretty sure you're here for me. Plus, you don't have the look of someone from our village. That means you are an outsider, and I'm your target, right? Listen, man, we don't have any beef with each other, so why are you sticking your nose where it doesn't belong?"The witch had sensed the raw power rolling off Fred, and it was enough to send shivers down her spine!At that moment, she knew that challenging Fred was not going to be a walk in the park! If she had spotted him earlier in the forest, it would not have been good news for her. For starters, she had no clue how many tricks Fred had up his sleeve, and if he took her down, she and her buddy would be toast.However, the witch was not about to let Fred take her out without a fight! She racked her brain and finally settled on one strategy!She would try to sweet-talk him, hoping Fred would fall for her words just like everyone else, and fall into he