The Future

Animals that lived by nature's primal laws possessed an innate perceptive ability that humans lacked.

Beyond their instincts for hunting and survival, this ability also served the astonishing purpose of helping them avoid danger and seek safety. Before natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and forest fires, all kinds of animals could be seen fleeing in a panic. Perhaps humans had possessed this ability in their primitive, beastlike days, but gradually forgot it. Evolution was not always an entirely positive development.

In his previous life, James had constantly improved himself and sharpened his awareness through martial arts training. He had already developed a perceptive ability that surpassed that of ordinary humans. Not only did he react more keenly to his surroundings, he had also gained some sensitivity to dangers such as hostility and killing intent.

It was said that, beyond the martial arts' highest physical state of "Bu Huai," there was another miraculous ability in spiritual cultivation, known as "perceiving danger and avoiding it without seeing or hearing." This kind of spiritual attainment was not limited to martial artists. Since ancient times, it had more often been found among reclusive scholars who practiced the Dao and meditated, magnanimous and open-minded literary masters, and even extremely devout believers.

If humanity had chosen a different tributary from technological development as it wound its way through history, what kind of world might have emerged remained anyone's guess.

Sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed in a forest clearing that had been utterly devastated, James seemed to have gained a sense akin to a sixth sense, but stronger and more controllable. It was built not only on his greatly enhanced vision and beastlike night vision, but also on his excellent hearing and the wolves' extraordinary ability to visualize scents. It was more like the state called "thought," attained when spiritual cultivation reached its peak.

He delighted in sensing a few unfamiliar birds cautiously settling on the treetops, the soft murmur of the breeze stirring the leaves, a hare bounding frantically away from a striking viper, an owl turning its head on a branch as it searched for prey, and a mountain lion striding along with a yawn, scaring off a fawn without the slightest interest in it...

Gradually, James could even "see" them clearly in his mind. After a long while, he carefully controlled and reined in this ability, which he called "Beast Perception," trying to return as much as possible to the weak perceptiveness of an ordinary human. This talent was like an enhanced radar or signal. If he could turn it on but not off, it would greatly disrupt his normal life.

Only when he could use it at will would it truly become his own strength. He had never yearned for some supreme power to fall from the heavens. Strength that he had not mastered bit by bit through his own efforts could never be brought to its full potential; worse, it would come with extremely lethal side effects and weaknesses.

"Cellular self-healing and rapid division at the genetic level have already surpassed any genuine or legendary pinnacle of physical achievement humans can reach through training..."

James couldn't help sighing. He knew full well that even if the legends were true, and someone could train their martial arts to the point of "Breaking the Void, Jian Shen Bu Huai," transforming their body and repairing all kinds of internal damage, thereby greatly extending their life and preserving their physical abilities, it still fell far short of this kind of rapid regeneration and mutant ability whose lifespan had no known limit.

"What would happen if I kept practicing martial arts with this body? I've mastered Anjin now. If I reached the levels of entering the realm of transformation and Bao Dan, could I go even further from here?" James wondered, considering the possibility.

Fundamentally, whether internal or external, martial arts gradually drew out the body's potential and improved every aspect of its physical capabilities, bringing it ever closer to the theoretical limits of the human body and granting it a kind of "superhuman" ability.

So how much potential could be drawn out of a body with limitless potential? How much strength could be unearthed from a mutant who healed rapidly and lived a long life? A nearly tangible light gleamed in James's eyes, like the eerie green glow of a wolf in the night...

James returned to his room in the manor before sunrise. He didn't want his grandfather to worry about him again. Over the past ten years, he had truly come to accept this taciturn, somewhat stern and harsh old man from the bottom of his heart. In some ways, Mr. Howlett reminded him of his former master: both had sheltered him from the elements, and both were in the twilight of their lives.

Vane, the butler, had been Mr. Howlett's oldest companion, but he was only slightly older than John Howlett. When Vane was young, he and his parents had been seized by bandits. Mr. Howlett rescued them, and from then on, Vane had followed him. Their bond went far beyond what a simple friendship could describe.

After John's death, Mr. Howlett hadn't had the energy to handle all the manor's affairs on his own, so he asked Vane to return and help. Mr. Vane had readily taken up the role of butler. Besides looking after Mr. Howlett and managing the manor, he also handled business at the various properties most of the time.

"Good morning, Mr. Vane." James came downstairs and greeted the butler, who was busy in the hall arranging tasks for the servants.

"Good morning, young master James!" The butler bowed in return. It had to be said that Mr. Vane had done an excellent job of becoming a cultured gentleman and manor butler after once being nothing more than a warrior who could ride and shoot.

He even wore a single-lens eyeglass, and a pocket watch sat in his breast pocket, its chain hanging naturally below. His brown linen suit showed off his still-sturdy build. Although both Mr. Howlett and James had repeatedly told him not to address them with honorifics such as "master" or "young master," Mr. Vane insisted. He seemed to enjoy the status and role.

"You're busy so early. Is Grandfather going out?" James asked.

"Yes, young master. Mr. Howlett is visiting the governor today, so he told me last night to make all the necessary preparations and get the gifts ready," Butler Vane explained. Just then, the groan of a cane tapping on the wooden floor sounded, and Mr. Howlett slowly came downstairs, leaning on the handrail.

James hurried forward and helped his grandfather down the stairs. Mr. Howlett waved him off and said, "I'm fine. It's nothing. I may be back late, so don't wait for me to have dinner. Don't go too far lately, either. You can help take care of more of the manor's affairs. You're grown up now, and should help out more." Mr. Howlett was always pretending to be stern in front of his grandson, but his earnest expression gave him away.

"Don't worry, I understand. By the way, Grandfather, I heard the governor has been making trouble for us lately. Are you going to see him because..." Before James could finish, Mr. Howlett cut him off. "It's because he's making trouble that I need to go. A new governor always wants something or other. Better to settle this nonsense early, so things will go more smoothly for you later."

James hesitated, but only nodded at his grandfather. He insisted on supporting the old man's arm as he helped him into the carriage. Mr. Howlett waved, tapped his cane, and signaled to the coachman.

"Hyah!"

The coachman shouted and cracked his whip. The four abreast horses broke into a gallop and sped away. A wagon loaded with gifts followed behind, flanked by eight riders. James watched Mr. Howlett until he disappeared into the distance, then stood thinking for a while before heading toward Victor's cabin.

Governor Kevin Smith knew Mr. Howlett was coming. Surprisingly, he seemed as delighted as if an old friend he hadn't seen in years were visiting from afar. By noon, he had already ordered the servants to make preparations to welcome Mr. Howlett. Given the transportation and road conditions of the time, Mr. Howlett could only leave in the morning and arrive at the governor's residence by evening.

The sun was slowly setting. Its last rays shone on the governor's residence's towering iron gates. The shadows of hooves and carriage wheels lingered on the ground for a moment, then vanished. The servants at the residence quickly opened the gate when they saw the carriage and helped the road-weary Mr. Howlett down.

"Welcome, Mr. Howlett! His Excellency the Governor is waiting for you outside the manor."

Mr. Howlett looked slightly puzzled, then replied, "His Excellency is too kind. Let's go."

Governor Smith was a somewhat short, middle-aged man who looked healthy. His hair was far thicker than that of the balding Englishmen he was surrounded by. He had an ordinary face, but looked exceptionally shrewd. As a regional governor, he seemed more like a businessman.

"Mr. Howlett! I've heard so much about you! You should have sent word sooner. The preparations were rather rushed." Smith hurried forward and warmly took Mr. Howlett's hand. Before Old Howlett could respond, he continued, "I must also apologize for the cattle incident a few days ago. It truly wasn't my intention. You must let me explain everything properly today."

Mr. Howlett grew increasingly uneasy. He felt the situation was probably far more troublesome than he had imagined.