A little over an hourter, the group arrived at the old man''s house.


    The man''s name was Sawuti. A true Border City native, he was seventy-one years old, thin and with a head of graying hair.


    But he was full of vigor and in high spirits.


    Upon seeing Tarquin, he greeted him proactively. "Hello, you must be Mr. Bradford?"


    "Hello,” Tarquin replied politely. "My name is Tarquin."


    "Hello, hello. Wee to Border City, and wee to my home."


    The old man smiled and shook Tarquin''s hand. Tarquin reciprocated.


    As Sawuti applied pressure, he suddenly sensed something and looked at Tarquin in shock. "?!"


    Tarquin''s expression remained calm as he met the old man''s gaze without flinching.


    "..."


    After a moment, Sawuti released Tarquin''s hand, his expression returning to normal as he ushered them inside.


    "Come in and talk. I''ve brewed some tea for you."


    Tarquin nced at Lowell, a brief, unspoken exchange passing between them, before they followed the old man into the house.


    The interior was sparsely furnished but spotlessly clean.


    A stove stood in the middle of the room, a kettle on top with water bubbling at a rolling boil.


    The old man warmly poured them tea.


    "Try our local salted milk tea. It''s all-natural.”


    Tarquin and Lowell epted the cups politely. Lowell took a sip and praised it. "Mm, this is delicious. It really is true that things without all that processed junk taste the most authentic."


    The local official immediately chimed in with a smile, "There are too many bizarre teas out there. They''re expensive, they don''t taste good, and worst of all, they''re unhealthy."


    Lowell nodded. "That''s for sure."


    The official added, "The sad thing is, you can''t buy authentic tea like this in stores. We have good tea, but we can''t sell it."


    “I''ll help you promote it,” Lowell said immediately.


    This was exactly what the official had been hoping to hear. He beamed, unable to hide his joy. "With big shots like you helping to


    promote it, people are sure to buy it... our town


    On behalf of the people line


    I thank you."


    "Every family here raises cattle and sheep. The milk is fresh, the tea is high-quality, and I guarantee we don''t add any of that other junk."


    Lowell took the opportunity to say, “Would it be alright if I went to see everyone''s herds? I could take some videos to have my friends promote them online."


    "Of course, of course! Are you tired? If not, I can take you for a tour right now."


    "Not tired at all. Tarquin, you stay here and chat with the old man. I''m going to go have a look around."


    Tarquin nodded. "Alright, go on.”


    Lowell stood up and, with a knowing look, led the local official out of the house, leaving only the old man and Tarquin inside.


    Now, the old man got straight to the point. "Mr. Bradford, you didn''te all this way to be my student,


    did you? Your skill,


    skill it''s greater than mine if you were to fight Puthaf you''d surely win!"


    That was why the old man had been so shocked during the handshake.


    As skilled martial artists, it was easy to sense an opponent''s strength.


    He didn''t know the true depths of Tarquin''s power, but it was clearly superior to his


    own.


    Why would someone stronger than him travel so far to learn from him?


    It didn''t make sense.


    The old man was old, but he wasn''t a fool.


    Tarquin calmly exined, "I don''t know Puthai''s true strength. You fought him to a draw, so you would know best."


    “Besides, I''ve heard The Punikon Family is skilled with hidden weapons. I wanted toe and understand the situation from you."


    The old man seemed to believe him. "Oh... I see."


    "From what I know of Puthai, you won''t lose. You''re stronger than kim! But you can''t becent. You have to guard against his dirty tricks That old bastard Puthai has no honor!"