David Harris's words immediately shut the mouth of Robert Harris, who had wanted to plead for Ryan Harris. Although Robert Harris later taught Ryan Harris some martial arts, in Ryan Harris's eyes, no matter how hard he trained, he could never compare to William Harris. As a result, Ryan Harris became half-hearted about practicing martial arts, losing his enthusiasm, and grew very resentful of William Harris.

This was also the reason why Ryan Harris framed William Harris last year.

On one hand, he disliked William Harris, but at the same time, he longed for Robert Harris's attention.

What's the use of being good at martial arts? The one working by father's side is me. In the eyes of outsiders, I am father's son.

But now...

"Big brother, wait for me, I'm coming too."

Seeing William Harris walk onto the wooden bridge, Ryan Harris gritted his teeth and followed.

Inside, he felt a bit afraid of William Harris, but also somewhat curious.

Ryan Harris knew that William Harris had been a fool for seventeen years. But he hadn't expected that after regaining his senses, William Harris would seem to know everything.

Not only could William Harris figure out what father was thinking, he even guessed the origin of that nursery rhyme.

He was very bold, and also seemed to know how to make money.

What exactly had he been doing for those seventeen years? Ryan Harris was very puzzled. Logically, how could someone who had been foolish for seventeen years suddenly know so much after waking up? Moreover, William Harris's eloquence also surprised Ryan Harris.

The mountain path was rugged, but for William Harris, who often walked it, there was no problem at all.

He held a spear in one hand and pulled Ryan Harris along with the other. After walking along the mountain path for nearly an hour, they saw mist ahead...

Passing through the thin mist, they could vaguely see a temple at the mountain's peak.

William Harris took a deep breath, took the water pouch from his waist, drank a mouthful, then handed it to Ryan Harris.

"Just a bit more effort, we're almost there."

Ryan Harris took several big gulps, finally catching his breath.

Nearly two hours of mountain road was definitely not easy for the thirteen-year-old Ryan Harris. If it weren't for William Harris's care along the way, he might have given up halfway. Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Ryan Harris asked, "Big brother, it's so late, the monks are probably already asleep. How are we going to get in? Do we have to climb over the wall?"

William Harris glanced at him and couldn't help but laugh, "Why would we climb over the wall?"

"Huh?"

"We're here to investigate a case, and you're the second son of the dignified county constable of Changping. Of course, we should go up and knock on the door openly. We're not here to steal anything, so why climb over the wall? Besides, with monks accompanying us, it's safer."

Ryan Harris chuckled, "Big brother, you're right. I was overthinking it."

"Let's go!"

After regaining some strength, William Harris pulled Ryan Harris along and strode forward.

The two of them passed through the mist and soon arrived at the temple gate.

In the moonlight, they saw the temple's mountain gate tightly closed, with a black horizontal plaque above the door inscribed with 'Great Maitreya Temple'.

The history of this temple wasn't long; it was built about seven years ago. At that time, the Holy Mother Divine Empress had just changed the country's name to Great Zhou. Someone presented an auspicious omen, claiming the Holy Mother Divine Empress was the reincarnation of Maitreya. At that critical moment, Wu Zhao immediately endorsed this claim, ordered the compilation of the Great Maitreya Sutra, and had Maitreya Temples built all over the country to promote her legitimacy.

In Changping County alone, two Maitreya Temples were built.

One was in the county seat, built by the government; the one on Tiger Valley Mountain was built by the local gentry of Changping County.

"Er Lang, knock on the door."

William Harris glanced at Ryan Harris, who immediately nodded, puffed out his chest, walked up the steps, grabbed the door knocker, and knocked on the door.

"Who is it, knocking at this hour of the night?"

After a while, a muffled voice came from inside the gate, and a faint light flickered.

Soon after, the gate opened, and a bald head poked out.

He squinted sleepily, his tone tinged with annoyance, "Who's knocking in the middle of the night? Can't you wait until morning to burn incense?"

No wonder—by now, it was already past midnight.

For the monks on the mountain, with little to do, they naturally rested early.

"I am the attendant of the Changping County constable, ordered by the constable to come here overnight to investigate something. Master, please grant us entry."

"Changping attendant?"

The monk looked at Ryan Harris with some suspicion.

No wonder—although Ryan Harris tried to act mature, he was still just a child.

He was only about 160 centimeters tall, much shorter than the monk, and looked rather unreliable.

Ryan Harris was used to such looks from monks.

He took a wooden badge from his waist and handed it to the monk.

It was his waist token, with his name, identity, and age on it.

The monk opened the gate a crack, took the token, and examined it under the candlelight.

William Harris stood to the side. Suddenly, a strange sense of unease surged in his heart. He spun around, raising his spear in front of him.

Chapter Twelve: Night Visit to Maitreya Temple (Part Two)

Outside, it was pitch black and silent.

"Big brother, what's wrong?"

William Harris raised his eyebrows, then turned and said, "It's nothing. So, can we go in?"