Thomas Thompson said loudly, “Even if we don’t kill right away, we must first capture and interrogate thoroughly!”

　　Trying to catch me again!

　　Edward Clark was truly angry. “Go ahead and catch me, I don’t care. But if any delay causes something to happen to Young Master Harris, I won’t take the blame!”

　　As soon as these words were spoken, everyone was stunned. The first to react was actually William Harris. He grabbed Edward Clark’s shoulders, overjoyed and surprised. “Child, could it be that someone from my family has survived?”

Chapter 12: Reunion

　　William Harris’s ten fingers were like iron pincers; Edward Clark’s small frame was nearly crushed.

　　“Easy, easy!”

　　Realizing his loss of composure, William Harris quickly let go, but his expression grew even more anxious and urgent. “Child, did you really help save my family?”

　　Edward Clark coughed twice, then said, “Sir Harris, please come this way.”

　　Edward Clark led the way, with William Harris, Arthur Reed, Thomas Thompson, and many others following, all the way to the Earth God Temple.

　　In the past few days, Edward Clark had gone to collect corpses, while Clark stayed at the temple with Little Harris and a few beggar children. The old lady was on edge every day, not knowing when things would finally settle down.

　　Later, the townspeople in the city rose up, beat the yamen officers, and nearly started a battle. In Kaifeng, all sorts of people came out of the woodwork, and even beggars and ruffians barged into the small temple, trying to drive out Clark and the others.

　　Fortunately, Edward Clark had prepared in advance. He discovered that Albert King was truly loyal to William Harris, so he quietly told him about Little Harris. Albert King was shocked, knowing how important the child was, so he arranged for a few of the most loyal and capable imperial guards to protect Little Harris.

　　So, even though Kaifeng was in chaos, Little Harris remained safe and sound.

　　For the first two days, there was only rice gruel to drink. Later, they got a yellow dog, and Little Harris had milk to drink. After a few days, he even gained some weight.

　　The little one never cried or fussed—he just ate and slept. Clark couldn’t have been more fond of him.

　　That day, the little fellow had just finished a bowl of milk and was about to sleep when he heard a commotion. A group of people surged into the alley. Clark, frightened, quickly picked up the child, ready to hide in the drainage ditch. The other guards went out to investigate, and when they returned, they were all beaming with joy.

　　“Madam, the Commander is here! The Commander has entered the capital!”

　　Clark was overjoyed and hurried out with the child, just in time to run into William Harris.

　　William Harris looked at Clark. The last time they met was twenty years ago, when Edward Clark’s grandfather was still alive and William Harris was just a junior officer, not well-off, often coming to his uncle’s house for meals. Clark always took special care of him, serving the best food and drink. Even after twenty years, William Harris remembered it all clearly and was deeply grateful. Seeing Clark now, he was almost completely convinced.

　　He bowed deeply. “Aunt, Que’er pays his respects!”

　　It turned out that William Harris had a sparrow-shaped tattoo on his neck. When he was young, people called him Robin Harris, but as he grew older and more powerful, people only dared to use that name in private. Back then, though, Clark always called him Robin Harris.

　　When the old lady saw William Harris, tears welled up in her eyes.

　　She hurriedly reached out to support him, then handed the child to William Harris.

　　“Sigh, I’ve finally waited for you to enter the city. These days, I was afraid I wouldn’t live to see you. I’m sorry to your family!” Clark wiped her tears. “Now it’s all right. I can rest easy, handing the child over to you.”

　　At a glance, William Harris saw the child and was overjoyed. Usually, he wielded swords and spears with arms strong enough to lift hundreds of pounds, but now, holding a baby just a few months old, his arms trembled, barely able to bear the weight.

　　Tears streamed down William Harris’s face; he was at a loss for words.

　　At this moment, Arthur Reed quickly took the lead and said, “Congratulations, Sir Harris, congratulations! The young master has survived disaster and will surely have boundless good fortune. This is a great joy, a joy beyond measure!”

　　William Harris nodded repeatedly, equally overjoyed, but of course, there was always someone to rain on the parade.

　　Thomas Thompson stepped forward again. He looked at the child and said, neither warmly nor coldly, “This child looks to be only a few months old. My lord, can you really recognize him? Is he truly yours?”

　　After saying this, Thomas Thompson realized his tone was a bit harsh and quickly added, “I mean we should be cautious, ask about the origins, and make sure there’s no mistake, so as not to be deceived.”

　　As soon as he said this, Clark was furious.

　　The old lady had exhausted herself these days, protecting and caring for the child, only to be doubted—how outrageous!

　　She reached out and took the child from William Harris’s arms, then said coldly to Thomas Thompson, “The general is right, we should ask clearly first. I’m old, but I’ve never deceived anyone!”

　　William Harris’s face flushed slightly. He thought, Brother Xiufeng, must you spoil such a happy occasion! The little one’s features are exactly like mine—how could it be fake!

　　Thomas Thompson’s face was gloomy, but he still insisted, “My lord, your status is not what it used to be. You must be cautious, lest you be taken advantage of by villains.”

　　Edward Clark had been watching Thomas Thompson all along. At first, he was annoyed at Thomas Thompson’s lack of tact, but then he noticed that when Thomas Thompson spoke, he wasn’t paying attention to him at all, but was instead watching Arthur Reed.