Thomas Johnson’s fingers touched Kevin Bolton’s body and immediately felt all his muscles trembling—his earlier cheerful demeanor had been pure bravado. After fighting desperately against more than a dozen people, and then facing off with Charles Walker for so long, no one is made of iron! The fact that Kevin Bolton could hold out until now was truly remarkable!

　　His handsome face radiated a man’s determination, and the rising sun cast a golden glow over his body, making him look tall and striking. For a moment, it was as if he saw the shadow of his own elder brother.

　　“Good lad, my big brother finally has a worthy successor!” Thomas Johnson was so moved that his eyes turned red.

　　Supporting the now motionless Andrew Walker, they had only taken a couple of steps when Charles Walker rushed over with his men. He grabbed his son and examined him carefully—aside from a thin cut on his neck, he was otherwise unharmed.

　　“Take the young master home. I’ll settle accounts with this unfilial son later!” Several servants hurriedly took Andrew Walker away, and some of the other thugs were dragged off as well.

　　Charles Walker took a deep breath, suddenly gripped the hilt of his sword, and strode step by step toward Kevin Bolton. A grim expression twisted his lips, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked! His gaze was like a dagger, stabbing straight at Kevin Bolton.

　　Kevin Bolton, enduring the pain in his body, stood tall and proud, glancing sidelong at Charles Walker without a trace of fear.

　　“Zhang Erlang, in all these years, no one has ever dared to embarrass me like this. You’re the first. I won’t make things hard for you—kneel down and kowtow three times, and I’ll let you go.”

　　His voice wasn’t loud, but it completely enraged everyone present. He had just signed the agreement and now immediately went back on his word—how could Charles Walker be so shameless? His skin was thicker than the sole of a foot!

　　Thomas Johnson, beside himself with anger, demanded, “Charles Walker, have you no shame?”

　　“Hahaha, I agreed to extend the repayment date, and not to pursue the matter of injuries, but I never agreed to let the offense go unpunished. I, for one, am a sixth-rank commander of a hundred households, in charge of many men—if everyone disregards my authority, what law and order is left?”

　　Charles Walker gritted his back teeth and said, “Zhang Erlang, kneel and kowtow three times, and I’ll let you go. Otherwise—heh!” The old man’s hand pressed down on his sword hilt, ready to draw it at any second.

　　With a ferocious look, the old man growled again, “Kneel!”

　　Kevin Bolton hadn’t expected the old man to be so shameless in front of everyone.

　　To kneel before someone so treacherous—he’d rather die! Kevin Bolton gripped his knife tightly, gathering every last ounce of strength in his right hand.

　　All the onlookers stared unblinkingly. This young man had already shocked them deeply; in their hearts, none wanted to see him kneel. But now that the hostage was gone, how could he possibly stand up to the mighty commander Charles Walker?

　　Give in? When you live under a low eave, you have to bow your head. Ordinary people are like wild grass, trampled by thousands, and that’s just how life is!

　　“Pah!” A mouthful of thick spit landed right in Charles Walker’s left eye. Kevin Bolton sneered, “I’ll kneel to heaven, kneel to earth, kneel to my parents and elders—but never to an old beast like you!”

　　“Good boy, you dare insult me? I’ll kill you!”

　　“Kill me if you want! Even if I die, I’ll never be a spineless coward!”

　　Kevin Bolton’s muscles tensed—an injured beast is even more dangerous! His life was already a bonus; at worst, they’d perish together. If they thought he’d kneel and kowtow, they were dreaming!

　　As soon as Charles Walker took another step forward, Kevin Bolton was ready to fight to the death! Suddenly, someone in the crowd shouted, “A man of his word—no going back on it!”

　　The surrounding townsfolk seemed to snap awake and shouted in unison, “A man of his word—no going back on it!”

Chapter Five: Adversity Breeds Change

　　Charles Walker had only wanted to save a bit of face, but instead he enraged everyone—ordinary people looked at him with utter contempt. The furious Thomas Johnson gripped his axe tightly, like an enraged tiger, eyes locked on him.

　　The Qiao family was poor too, but Thomas Johnson had two sons, and all three were skilled fighters. Just one Zhang Erlang fighting desperately was already this much trouble—if he provoked the Qiao family into fighting to the death, it would be a disaster.

　　Charles Walker hesitated inwardly, unable to resist glancing at Kevin Bolton, who still held his chin high, so arrogant he couldn’t even be bothered to look at him. For a dignified commander, he seemed nothing but a disgusting lump, not worth mentioning!

　　The youth stood straight as a sword, proud as green bamboo, knowing nothing of submission! Charles Walker’s anger boiled, his grip tightening on the sword hilt, teeth clenched, wishing he could cut down this infuriating boy.

　　The air was frozen; everyone watched, wondering if blood would be shed.

　　“Brother Wan, what a lively scene! If there’s anything going on, why not tell my little brother about it?”

　　Everyone looked up in surprise to see a thin, middle-aged man in his thirties walk in. He wore a blue cotton robe and a dogskin hat, his black, bright eyes especially spirited.

　　Almost everyone present recognized him—he was the town constable of Daqing Fort, Peter Harris. The constable and the commander of a hundred households were both sixth-rank officials, in charge of criminal cases and leading troops. If the commander’s post was vacant, the constable would take over.

　　In Daqing Fort, Peter Harris was considered a big figure. His sudden appearance surprised everyone present.

　　“What are you doing here? Want to see me make a fool of myself?”

　　“Hahaha, Brother Wan, self-respect and dignity are your own business, whether you’re embarrassed or not.”