Grace Foster did not answer, but walked straight toward him without slowing down, colliding with him head-on.

The man panicked and hurriedly dodged aside, but Grace Foster brushed right past him, with the little tail following, and disappeared completely into the distance.

The man on the left shouted angrily, “The hunter’s son is this arrogant? I’ll kill him!”

Another chimed in, “That bastard, I’ll stab him right now.”

Their voices boomed like thunder, crackling in the air.

The fat man kept humming; even when he wasn’t speaking, there was always a faint hum coming from his nose.

“One more time, and I’ll—”

Before he could finish, Grace Foster’s figure appeared before them again, striding quickly toward them.

The fat man fell silent, and the two on either side turned pale and took a step back.

The fat man grinned, revealing his rotten teeth.

“Brother Tao…”

Grace Foster spoke, “Deer hide, will you take it?”

“Yes, yes, I’ll send someone tomorrow… I’ll come pick it up myself.”

“Alright.”

Grace Foster turned and left again.

When his figure had once again disappeared into the distance, the man on the left cursed, “Look at that, doesn’t even greet his elders? That damned brat…”

“Shut up and get lost!!”

…

In the courtyard, The Foster-Bolton Family watched the little one in front of her wolfing down food, her eyes full of pity.

“Eat slowly, eat slowly…”

She gently stroked the child’s head and looked over at Grace.

“His family?”

“Old Zhang went out yesterday and hasn’t come back yet.”

“I see mother is tired from cooking and making fires. Why not let him do chores? Just give him enough to eat each day so he doesn’t starve.”

The Foster-Bolton Family gave a bitter smile and slowly looked over at John Foster not far away.

At that moment, John Foster was repairing broken furniture with a hammer.

Without looking up, John Foster called out:

“What are you looking at me for?! Mr. Foster already gave the order, what else can I do?!”

The Foster-Bolton Family stroked the child’s head again and sighed.

The sky gradually darkened.

The blood-red sunset was swallowed by the night, and the birds on the roof stopped singing.

Tonight, there was no moon.

Inside the pitch-black house, it was utter darkness.

Faint rustling noises could be heard, growing louder and louder, and suddenly, the sound of crying came from afar.

Grace sat up abruptly and groped his way out from the inner room.

John Foster was already standing in the courtyard, motionless, listening intently.

The Foster-Bolton Family stood nervously at the doorway, clutching the door, with the little one sitting behind her.

Crying, hoofbeats, and roars intertwined, and dazzling flames flickered in the distance.

That was the direction of the village.

There were also hoofbeats coming from the peach grove, getting closer and closer. Just as Grace Foster was about to head to the storeroom, John Foster called out to stop him.

“It’s fine… open the main gate.”

Grace opened the courtyard gate, and The Foster-Bolton Family told the child not to come out, then stepped out herself and closed the house door.

Soon, several people stopped at the gate. Two soldiers with knives sat on horseback, and the fat man they’d seen during the day stood in the middle, sweating profusely.

He forced a smile.

“John Foster, people from the county have come… everyone has to go.”

“Alright.”

David Bolton picked up a worn piece of paper and looked at the soldier beside him.

“Three in the John Foster family, wife The Foster-Bolton Family, son Grace, all here…”

“Let’s go.”

Chapter 5: Officials Arrest People

At night, the village was especially bright, with torches lit everywhere.

Several soldiers guarded the entrance, holding powerful crossbows.

Some on horseback were rushing back and forth throughout the village.

Those in official uniforms shouted loudly, pointing at tightly closed doors, and the soldiers dragged people out, ignoring their cries.

All the villagers were gathered together, lined up in a neat row.

Under the torches were faces full of terror.

John Foster stood at the far end of the crowd, while The Foster-Bolton Family and Grace were protected at the back by a few fellow villagers, pressed tightly against the wall.

A man with a thick beard held a register, pacing back and forth in front of everyone.

“One person per household!”

“We set out tonight!”

“Anyone who flees will be punished as a dead man!”

He began to call names.

That little register was like a death warrant.

“Zhang Sheng’s household!”

“Zhang Sheng’s household?!”

The official shouted, looking at the crowd in front of him. “Where are Zhang Sheng’s family? All dead?”

The fat man beside him smiled obsequiously, “Your Excellency is wise, they really are all dead…”

The official grew angry, “Then why haven’t they been removed from the register?”

“It’s already been reported, just haven’t had time to delete them.”

The official snorted and looked to the next.

“Zhang Dashi’s household!”

An old woman tottered forward, “Here.”

“Zhang Lishi?”

“That’s me… Your Excellency, my three sons, two grandsons, and one husband were all taken away by you. Are they well? Have you seen them?”

The official waved his hand, “Get your things ready, you’ll be leaving soon.”

“Alright… to see them, I’ll go see them.”

The old woman tottered back home.

“Zhang Du’s household!”