He set up a new bed board in his own bedroom and changed to fresh bedding, tidying up quickly.

He then came to the front hall to inform the two, “Thank you for waiting. The bedroom is ready.”

“Many thanks, young Daoist,” the scholar thanked him again, then turned to the woman and said, “Emily, you go in first.”

The woman nodded gracefully and entered the room.

Only then did the middle-aged scholar say to Henry Thompson, “I must trouble you, little master, to look after my daughter for a while. She cannot leave until at least noon tomorrow.”

“Hm?” Henry Thompson was taken aback. From the scholar’s tone, it sounded as if he himself did not intend to stay the night?

The middle-aged scholar seemed to notice his confusion and smiled, “To be honest… sigh, I fear I do not have long to live. If I stay here, I may bring trouble upon you as well. So, no matter what, I must leave. But my daughter is innocent. I can see you are not a bad person, young Daoist, so I feel at ease entrusting her to you for now.”

Hearing his calm tone, Henry Thompson hadn’t expected he was speaking of life and death matters. Not fully understanding, he could only nod in agreement.

But just then, a resolute voice suddenly sounded from the courtyard: “I will go with Father!”

The woman who had just entered the bedroom had actually come back.

In fact, she had quietly opened the door and tiptoed back toward the front hall—Henry Thompson had heard it all. He just hadn’t expected the matter entrusted to him was so grave, and by the time he thought to warn them, it was already too late.

“Emily, silly child.” The middle-aged scholar sighed when he saw his daughter return. “Earlier, I received word that they have paid a great sum to hire a demon from Qingyi Tower to kill me. The eight-armed Asura sent by Qingyi Tower has already declared that he will never let me reach Yuhang Town alive! He will surely intercept me on the road ahead—why would you insist on accompanying me to certain death?”

Chapter 9: This Is Really Embarrassing

Eight-armed Asura?

Henry Thompson was stirred and wanted to ask.

But the woman called Emily would not let him interrupt.

She looked at the middle-aged scholar, her voice trembling: “Since Father knows there are demons blocking the way, why do you insist on going? Can’t we go somewhere else together? Didn’t you say just yesterday that the scenery in Jiangnan is beautiful, and you’ve never seen it in your life? If we don’t go to Yuhang Town, wouldn’t it be nice to travel elsewhere together? Or take a boat out to sea—you’ve always longed to see foreign lands, haven’t you?”

“Heh.” The middle-aged scholar smiled and shook his head. “I, Samuel Clark, am an official of the court! Even though I have been exiled here, if I were to flee in panic because of a mere demon’s threats, what dignity would the court have left? On the contrary, if I die on the way to my post, wouldn’t that only further prove the arrogance of that old villain Yang? Even if I cannot bring him down, I can at least shake His Majesty’s trust in him. Things like this—one, two, someday they will be enough to topple the Yang family’s high tower!”

“There are countless officials in the court, but a daughter has only one father.” The woman’s gaze was sorrowful. “Can’t Father let go of those pointless court struggles for your daughter’s sake?”

“I cannot let go. The court is a quagmire, but if one truly wishes to serve the people, one must enter it and struggle. Unknowingly, I have already sunk deep into the mire.” The scholar’s gaze passed beyond the front hall doors, looking into the distant sky. “If your mother were still alive, she would surely understand my choice.”

“Very well.” The woman nodded. “Your daughter dares not sway your decision, but if you are determined to face death, then your daughter must go with you!”

“Emily!” The scholar gripped her hands tightly. “Why are you so foolish? I know you appear gentle on the outside, but inside you are strong as steel. But this is all my own choice. You are still young, there is so much you have yet to see and experience—there’s no need to sacrifice yourself for this.”

“Though I am young, I understand reason, thanks to Father teaching me to read since I was little.” The woman lifted her head, meeting the scholar’s eyes. “Does Father look down on your daughter, thinking a woman is unworthy to die for a great cause?”

Her voice was clear and gentle, but every word rang out with conviction.

“Sigh—” The scholar let out a deep sigh. “The greatest pride of my life is not passing the imperial exam, nor holding high office, but having such a good daughter as you! There are countless young men in Chaoge City—how many can compare to you? But…”

“Your daughter understands your feelings.” The woman suddenly showed a faint smile. “You are also my greatest pride! So there’s no need to say more—my mind is made up!”

“I, Samuel Clark, can say that in this life I have no shame before the Emperor above or the common people below! Only to you and your mother do I owe a debt I could never repay, not in three lifetimes!”

He pulled his daughter into his arms. The woman was smiling, but the scholar was weeping uncontrollably.

“Father…”

“Emily…”

Seeing that their conversation had finally paused, Henry Thompson at last had a chance to speak. He asked calmly, “May I ask, sir, this eight-armed Asura you mentioned—is it a demon with eight arms?”

Hmm?

The scholar looked up, stunned. Father and daughter both turned to look at the little Daoist with strange expressions.

Here we are, sacrificing ourselves for righteousness, father and daughter moved to tears—and you suddenly ask if the eight-armed Asura has eight arms?

Don’t you think there’s something wrong with you?