Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 1488

A little over an hour later, 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. Welcome to Border City, and welcome 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 glanced 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 accepted 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.”

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 explained, “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 to come 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 him! But you can’t be complacent. You have to guard against his dirty tricks. That old bastard Puthai has no honor!”