Evelyn Ross took a step back.

She looked at Ethan Valentine. "What did you just call me?"

Ethan paused.

He remembered his uncle's instructions.

He cleared his throat. "I know about your relationship with my uncle. If you don't want me calling you that in public, I understand."

Evelyn was confused.

Before she could process it, Ethan turned to the gatekeeper. "This is my elder... I mean, my friend. Treat her with respect from now on."

The gatekeeper immediately clasped his fists. "Understood, Second Senior Brother!"

He bowed to Evelyn. "My apologies, miss. If you had mentioned knowing the Second Senior Brother earlier, I would have let you in. But the Cortez Sect truly doesn't take on freelance work."

Ethan looked at Evelyn. "Freelance work?"

Evelyn coughed lightly. "I wanted to collaborate with the Cortez Sect."

"Collaborate?"

Ethan was stunned.

The gatekeeper laughed. "Miss, at best, that would be hiring. Out of respect for the Second Senior Brother, we could assign a few men to protect you. That isn't collaboration."

Evelyn pressed further. "What counts as collaboration then?"

Ethan explained. "The Cortez Sect doesn't collaborate externally. Unless you join the Cortez Sect and become an Inner Disciple. Only then are you considered one of us."

Evelyn was speechless.

Is this how martial arts families collaborate?

She thought it was about business partnerships.

She thought for a moment and asked, "How does one join the Cortez Sect? To become an Inner Disciple?"

Ethan was exasperated.

He lifted his chin proudly. "Becoming an Inner Disciple is very difficult. It primarily depends on innate talent. Children are brought here around three or four years old for bone assessment. Only those with exceptional bone structure are accepted."

Ethan patted his chest. "Out of the seven Valentine brothers, only I was chosen!"

Evelyn thought... Who's 'us' with you?

But...

Does the Cortez Sect only accept children?

She couldn't exactly turn back into a three-year-old.

She thought of Chloe.

But no.

Chloe's bones are too soft. She's better suited for dancing than martial arts.

Evelyn frowned. "Has anyone older ever been accepted?"

"Of course!"

Ethan replied. "The First Senior Sister was recognized by the Sect Leader when she was fifteen!"

The gatekeeper added excitedly, "Yes! The Sect Leader said the First Senior Sister had extraordinary bone structure. Especially resilient. She was trained hard since childhood. Built like a fortress. Unfortunately, the Sect Leader trained her in secret. None of us have ever seen her."

Ethan looked wistful. "The Sect Leader said the First Senior Sister would return to the Cortez Sect to guide us when she turns twenty-three. It should be happening soon..."

The gatekeeper said eagerly, "Second Senior Brother, you're undefeated in the Cortez Sect. When the First Senior Sister arrives, you should spar with her!"

Ethan smacked his head. "Nonsense! How could I compare to the First Senior Sister? The Sect Leader said she completed her training at eighteen. She narrowly beat the Sect Leader by half a move at twenty. I can't even defeat the Sect Leader yet. Don't set me up for failure."

The gatekeeper chuckled.

Evelyn interrupted them. "My bones are quite good too. I've been resilient since childhood. Can you take me to see the Sect Leader?"

The gatekeeper and Ethan fell silent simultaneously.

They both looked at Evelyn with strange expressions.

The gatekeeper glanced at Ethan. "Not to discourage you, but you're over twenty, right? Your bones have hardened. Without a foundation, it's impossible. The First Senior Sister could train because she grew up under harsh conditions. Her body didn't develop normally..."

Evelyn explained, "I started martial arts training at fifteen. Maybe it's possible?"

She remembered those years.

She left the Ashcroft family at fourteen. Sold balloons in the park while studying.

A middle-aged man had watched her for a long time.

He eventually approached and said, "Young lady, you have exceptional bone structure. Become my disciple?"

Evelyn almost called the police.

Only after he agreed to pay her five hundred dollars daily for one hour of training did she consent.

She trained for four or five years. Her master said he was going traveling. Told her to practice on her own. Would find her when the time was right.

Two years had passed. She didn't even know his name.

Evelyn looked at Ethan. "Take me to see him. Whether it's possible or not, we'll know after the assessment."

Ethan wanted to refuse.

But he remembered his uncle's instructions. To be filial to his aunt.

He twitched his mouth. "Fine. Follow me."

Ethan tossed his car keys to the gatekeeper. Led Evelyn inside.

The Cortez Sect was vast. Everywhere, people practiced martial arts. Grunts and shouts filled the air. The atmosphere was intensely masculine.

After walking for half an hour, they reached a simple house.

Ethan said, "The Sect Leader is meditating inside. I'll call him."

Inside the room.

Cortez Sect Leader Joseph Cortez was weeping bitterly. He looked at a photo on his phone with his disciple Evelyn Ross. Tears streamed down his face.

He had only ever taken this one disciple in his life. How could she have drowned so young?!

Ethan's voice came from outside. "Sect Leader, I've brought someone to see you. Is it convenient?"