Jack Hughes was a seasoned quick-hand of the fast squad and had no desire to get involved in more trouble in this Songming Mountain Village. Therefore, he was quite displeased with Michael Lewis's self-important chatter. But since the other was Simon Lewis's nephew, he didn't want to make things awkward. Assassin—he hurriedly stepped forward to smooth things over, cupping his hands in greeting. Once he confirmed that the visitor was indeed sent by the very family he dreaded most, his unease only deepened.

For days, the city of Huizhou had been in turmoil. On the surface, it seemed like just a minor commotion stirred up by a young scholar, but those truly in the know understood it was far from that simple!

James Gold stood behind Frank Warren, and at this moment, seeing that the most respected elder of the village had sent someone to escort them, he was instantly both excited and delighted. He whispered, “Father really has a way—he actually managed to get Mister Nanming to back us up.”

Don’t praise me, I’m still confused myself!

Frank Warren's lips twitched. He thought to himself that he wasn’t worried about meeting the grand master in Huizhou City, but rather feared something might go wrong on the twenty-li mountain road from Songming Mountain Village to Huizhou. After all, hadn’t he nearly died from being beaten by sedan bearers before? So, over the past few days, he had befriended a few warm-hearted and easygoing villagers, asking them to help escort him for a stretch. But how could he possibly have the means to reach out to the legendary Mister Nanming? Why would that person take the initiative to help?

Could it be that, because of shared bloodlines, they didn’t mind how reclusive he and his son were, and so lent a helping hand?

He decided not to dwell on what he couldn’t figure out. After hesitating only a moment, he immediately stepped forward to express his thanks, but didn’t rashly inquire about the reason behind it all. Once he was seated comfortably in the bamboo sedan, and the two strong porters easily lifted him up, he waved to his tearful second wife and little sister, then turned his gaze forward.

The goal: Huizhou City! The battle to defend his scholarly honor was about to begin!

Chapter 9: The Young Scholar Enters the City

The bamboo sedan was the most stable way to travel mountain roads, but the gentle swaying along the way made one drowsy. Unconsciously, Frank Warren fell asleep.

He slept soundly, but among the three fast squad members, Jack Hughes rode a mediocre horse, while Mark Mason and Michael Lewis each rode a mule. Jack Hughes and Mark Mason managed well enough, but Michael Lewis, bouncing on the back of a skinny mule, felt pain in his legs, back, and even his teeth—everything hurt. In his heart, he cursed Frank Warren a thousand times over. Running back and forth for forty li of mountain road, only to earn thirty-seven wen! And the one being carried sat comfortably in the sedan, dozing off, while he, a proper quick-hand, nearly broke his legs—how was that fair?

“Just wait till you lose your scholarly title—let’s see if anyone will still protect you then!”

James Gold followed alongside the sedan the whole way. When they stopped for a short rest halfway, he busied himself pouring water for Frank Warren to quench his thirst, and repeatedly asked, “Father, are you tired? Since we have to reach Huizhou City before dusk, we have to hurry a bit. If you feel dizzy, I brought some medicated oil—just rub some on and you’ll feel better.”

“If the one sitting in the sedan dares complain about hardship or fatigue, how could I face the porters carrying me and you walking alongside?”

Frank Warren truly felt it along the way. The sedan he sat in was made from carefully selected mountain bamboo—sturdy, smoothly polished, and with a cleverly curved backrest that supported his entire back and waist. There was even a soft cushion, and the two porters walked with remarkable steadiness. He had just slept the whole way while others did all the work!

He had already calculated the time and his response. Although the three quick-hands had arrived unexpectedly, he had long since dug out the lucky money the former Frank Warren had saved over the years—small silver ingots, which he had secretly cut and weighed for emergencies. So he didn’t plan to use the money his second wife had stuffed into his hands. At this point, he rewarded the two sedan porters and the two villagers who accompanied him with about one qian of silver, and said, “Thank you all for your hard work today.”

The four happily accepted the money. One of the porters laughed and said, “Young master, you’re too polite. Never mind the old master’s orders—just the fact that you’re the youngest scholar in Songming Mountain in years is worth our effort.”

Seeing how straightforward they were, Frank Warren personally thanked the other three villagers who had volunteered to accompany him to Huizhou, giving them steamed cakes from home and promising further thanks upon his return. Only then did he go to greet the three quick-hands. Jack Hughes and Mark Mason exchanged polite words, but Michael Lewis just gave a sinister chuckle and didn’t respond.

He couldn’t be bothered to deal with this gloomy fellow. Turning around, he happened to notice James Gold limping a bit as he packed up and walked, so he went over, glanced at the boy’s feet, and said casually, “Take off your shoes and let me see.”

“Father, it’s nothing. I’ve been used to hardship since I was little—a few steps on the mountain road are nothing.” James Gold said this, but seeing that Frank Warren had no intention of taking back his words, he finally muttered, “It’s just that the soles of my feet are blistered, really it’s nothing. Just now Uncle Kang from Mister Nanming’s household said we’re already halfway to Huizhou…”

“When I tell you to take them off, you take them off!”

Frank Warren’s tone hardened, and only then did James Gold hesitantly remove his shoes. Sure enough, his bare soles were covered in blood blisters, and Frank Warren immediately frowned deeply.

“Father, it’s really nothing. I used to wear straw sandals, but a few days ago Second Mother had someone make me new shoes—maybe they’re just a bit uncomfortable…”