As soon as the door closed, his expression darkened, and he said in a deep voice, “It seems your madness has passed, and now you dare to strike your own brother! You even had Erlang report the truth—what are you after? Are you trying to test my patience?”

　　William Harris’s heart skipped a beat. He lowered his head and did not answer.

　　When he was struck by lightning and lay unconscious in bed, he sensed Robert Harris’s coldness toward him, as if there was some unavoidable reason behind it.

Chapter Eight Robert Harris (Part Two)

　　Yesterday, when Ryan Harris came to the door, he took the opportunity to lose his temper, wanting to test Robert Harris’s true attitude.

　　But unexpectedly, Robert Harris saw through his intentions at a glance.

　　Fortunately, Robert Harris did not pursue the matter further. Instead, he looked at the memorial tablet of David Harris, eyes brimming with tears, and softly said, “Father, Zini has recovered. All your years of hardship have not been in vain. Now you can rest easy in the afterlife.”

　　After speaking, he motioned for William Harris to come over and kowtow to David Harris.

　　“Achunu, since you have recovered, you should live your life well from now on. Don’t go around showing off or picking fights.

　　Although I am the county constable of Changping, that doesn’t mean you can act lawlessly here. Changping is complicated. Two years ago, the Khitans caused trouble. Although the court eventually suppressed them, that doesn’t mean they’ll behave themselves. Now the court has established Guzhu in the northwest, making things even more complex. The Khitans, the Xi, and the Turks are all arrogant and aggressive. You’d best behave yourself.

　　Originally, I planned to let you gain some experience at the yamen.

　　But now that Erlang has become a zhiyi, you should just stay here quietly and observe mourning for your grandfather on behalf of your father.

　　These years you’ve been muddleheaded and foolish, wasting a lot of time. Now that you’ve finally come to your senses, just study well at home. Don’t worry about the affairs in the county town. I won’t short you on your monthly expenses. In another couple of years, when you’ve achieved something in your studies, I’ll find another path for you… In short, just stay at home and observe mourning in peace.”

　　Robert Harris’s words carried a hidden meaning.

　　William Harris looked at him in astonishment, realizing that Robert Harris was telling him to continue pretending to be mad and foolish, not to attract attention.

　　As for “another path”...

　　What path could that be?

　　Why pretend to be mad and foolish? Why keep a low profile?

　　William Harris suddenly realized that things might not be as simple as he had imagined!

　　However, since Robert Harris was unwilling to say more, he did not press further. He simply agreed respectfully and accompanied Robert Harris out of the mourning hall.

　　“Father, is there any progress regarding the corpse at the village entrance?”

　　Robert Harris glanced at him, frowning, seeming a bit impatient.

　　“This place is at the junction of Juyong Pass, Guzhu, and Changping. People come and go every day—it’s impossible to investigate clearly. Besides, the ‘Liaozi’ are rough and like to fight for dominance. Killings happen often. Don’t ask about it anymore.”

　　“But that person wasn’t a ‘Liaozi.’”

　　‘Liaozi’ was a term Han people used for Khitans, Turks, Xi, and other nomads.

　　Robert Harris glared at him. “And how do you know that?”

　　William Harris gave a wry smile. “Father, don’t think I’m still as dull as before, unable to tell a ‘Liaozi’ from a Han. That man had the hairstyle of a ‘Liaozi,’ but his eyebrows were clearly Han—this is very obvious.

　　Before you arrived, I carefully examined the corpse.

　　His hands were rough, with large knuckles—at first glance, he looked like a farmer. But between his legs, there was clearly old callus, obviously from long-term horseback riding. Someone who lives on horseback all year can’t possibly be a farmer. Also, he had many wounds—though deformed from being soaked in rain, they were still clearly sword and knife wounds. After careful observation, I believe he was no ordinary man in life, but a highly skilled warrior.”

　　Robert Harris narrowed his eyes, looking at William Harris in silence for a long time.

　　To be honest, he never expected William Harris to achieve much; a peaceful life would be enough.

　　As for the reason, he didn’t want to say, nor could he.

　　But unexpectedly, William Harris’s powers of observation were so keen, and he could see so much just after regaining his senses.

　　Robert Harris suddenly felt a strong curiosity. After hesitating for a long time, he softly asked, “What else did you notice?”

　　William Harris thought for a moment, then continued, “This person was probably killed last night and fought with three or four people before dying.”

　　“How can you tell?”

　　“He had knife wounds and sword wounds, but the fatal one was from an arrow.

　　So, I think there were at least three, maybe even four people attacking him. Also, the area where the body was found was too clean and tidy—not like a place where a fight happened. After examining the body, I felt he must have been dumped there… With such heavy rain yesterday, the killer couldn’t have dumped the body far. So I followed the mountain path into the hills and found clear signs of a fight at Yangweiba. That’s probably the real scene.”

　　“Yangweiba?”

　　Robert Harris nodded slightly upon hearing this.

　　“How do you know it was Yangweiba and not the main road?”