He continued to hear some more information, bit by bit.

He didn’t want to get involved in this kind of thing, nor did he have the ability to, but just as he was about to turn and leave, suddenly a name drilled into his ears.

Emily Shaw!

Brian Bolton stopped in his tracks, his eyes flickering uncertainly.

After a pause, he retreated a bit further, then deliberately started humming a Daoist scripture, straightening his clothes as he walked forward.

His voice drifted far ahead, and soon after he reached the spot from before, he indeed heard no more voices.

Clearly, the two people in secret discussion had heard him approaching and left early.

Brian Bolton hurried along the road, calculating in his mind.

He didn’t know who was speaking, but he remembered that voice.

Also, the conversation mentioned drugging someone during a trip to town for supplies. It seemed that Emily Shaw would likely be targeted on one of her trips to town.

So as long as he could find out when she was going, he could secretly warn her.

After warning her, if anything happened, on one hand he could repay the favor Emily Shaw had done for him last time, and on the other hand, perhaps he could also... Brian Bolton kept his expression unchanged, went as usual to the drying yard, and with another disciple hung all the clothes on the drying rods, pulling and patting them into neat rows.

He didn’t go to report immediately, but continued to watch over the drying yard, eating the black steamed bun he’d brought for lunch, and only after the sun set in the afternoon did he gather the clothes and head back.

After a busy day, it wasn’t until he finished his evening lessons, just as the evening drum was about to sound.

Brian Bolton quickly got up from the Daoist hall and walked toward Helen Shaw, who was preparing to leave.

Helen Shaw was the transmission Daoist responsible for all the chores disciples’ lessons. His status was higher than that of ordinary cultivation disciples, equivalent to a steward in Qinghe Palace.

He was only below the palace master, the supervisor, and the hall master.

At the same time, he was also Emily Shaw’s biological father.

Helen Shaw had a full beard and always carried a wine gourd, though there was rarely much wine in it.

Rumor had it he was a true drunkard, but few had ever seen him actually drink.

At this moment, Helen Shaw saw a chores disciple in the Daoist hall get up and hurry toward him.

Seeing the quick steps, he paused and waited.

“Is something the matter?”

Brian Bolton respectfully cupped his fists in salute, then bowed and said, “Disciple Brian Bolton, greets Master Mingguang.”

“Speak, the drum is about to sound.”

Helen Shaw had a gentle temperament and held no prejudice against chores disciples.

His Daoist name was also Mingguang, and he had an officially recognized master’s title, so he was generally addressed as Master Mingguang.

“It’s like this. Earlier today, when I went to the back mountain to dry clothes—” Brian Bolton didn’t hide a single detail, truthfully recounting everything he had heard.

As for how to judge the matter, he believed Helen Shaw would have his own assessment.

As he spoke bit by bit, Helen Shaw’s initially casual expression gradually became grave.

When Brian Bolton finished, Helen Shaw thought for a moment, glanced at the chores disciples who had already dispersed, and waved his hand.

“You’re sure you didn’t mishear?”

“I’m sure!”

Brian Bolton nodded solemnly.

“If you heard the voice from this morning again, could you recognize it?”

Helen Shaw asked.

“I think I could!

But I can’t be certain.”

Brian Bolton nodded.

Helen Shaw looked thoughtful.

Then he carefully sized up the reporting disciple before him.

“This is a serious matter. Think carefully—if you falsely accuse another disciple, you’ll be punished with fifty strokes. With your build, you’d hardly survive it.”

He spoke again.

“I wouldn’t dare utter a single false word.”

Brian Bolton said solemnly, “In fact, previously, Senior Sister Emily Shaw once helped me in the alley beside the Xuanxin Hall.

I have always remembered her kindness.

Normally, if it were someone else, I wouldn’t and wouldn’t dare to come forward with a warning, but since it concerns Senior Sister Xiao, I absolutely cannot ignore it.”

Brian Bolton’s expression was sincere and forthright. Whether in his past life or now, he had always been this way—clear about gratitude and grudges.

He always repaid kindness.

So these words came from the heart, spoken with conviction.

Hearing this, Helen Shaw’s eyes showed a trace of emotion. The background of chores disciples was generally not good, and it was rare to find someone like this—articulate, clear-minded, and loyal.

Most chores disciples were abandoned children sent by families from nearby towns to occupy a Daoist registry.

Many had been trained in servitude before coming, but as for being literate, articulate, and clear-minded, there were not many.

These days, not everyone had the right to study and read. Even if wealthy farmers had the money, they also needed the time and energy.

Let alone someone with such a sense of gratitude.

Chapter 4: Situation (Part 2)

“What is your clan?”

Helen Shaw suddenly asked.

“Master, I am of the barbarian clan.”

Brian Bolton answered truthfully.

“Your ancestors?”

“My ancestors were Confucian households.”

Helen Shaw immediately looked regretful.

“In that case... go back for now, act as usual. After I secretly verify the truth, I’ll summon you again.”

“Yes.”

Brian Bolton’s expression didn’t change. He saluted, bowed, and withdrew.