These Edward Smith and Henry Cooper were also captains of Dongcheng, but this person did not immediately greet them cheerfully. Instead, his expression turned serious, and he gripped the hilt of his sword at his waist, shouting, “Captain Smith, Captain Cooper, the commander is looking for you…”

Edward Smith immediately stepped forward and bowed, saying, “The three of us brothers were just about to pay our respects to Commander Harris.”

The man did not hesitate and quickly went inside to report.

A moment later, he returned, glared at the three of Edward Smith, and said, “Watch your words. The commander is in a bad mood. Otherwise, you’ll be in serious trouble.” Then he added, “Has James Bolton arrived?”

James Bolton felt quite excited inside—he hadn’t expected to be so well-known.

So he stepped forward and, imitating Edward Smith’s earlier gesture, saluted: “That’s me.”

The man looked James Bolton up and down, then showed a look of disdain: “The deputy commander is in trouble, and yet you seem so carefree, huh…”

James Bolton: “……”

Edward Smith smoothed things over, and the three of them entered the main hall.

There, they saw Commander John Harris already sitting steadily in his seat. He clearly recognized James Bolton, and after just a glance at him, his anger flared up. He sneered, “James Bolton…”

“Uncle Liu…” James Bolton, who had started his career in project management, put on a professional smile and stepped forward, grinning: “Nephew greets Uncle Harris. Oh…isn’t Uncle Harris the same age as my father? How come you look as young as I do… That’s really surprising…”

John Harris’s face instantly darkened, and he looked furious, but subconsciously he pinched his own cheek—was his complexion really that good?

“How dare you! You’re the son of a criminal official, yet you still dare to wander around the capital! Your father’s life hangs by a thread, and you’re just walking into the trap? A disobedient son like you, with death at your doorstep, still dares to talk nonsense here! Guards, seize him, tie him up, and send him out of the capital.”

John Harris felt quite satisfied with his own decision—decisive and efficient. With this kid’s temperament, staying in the capital was courting death, so better to send him away quickly.

Although he looked furious, after speaking, his heart softened a little. He had wanted to say he’d prepare some silver for him, so that even outside the capital, he could make a living.

But before he could say it—

He saw that James Bolton was unmoved, and instead said, “Who says I’m the son of a criminal official?”

With these words, John Harris’s good intentions were completely shattered. He frowned and said, “What nonsense are you up to now?”

He felt he’d seen it all now. He’d long heard that James Bolton was an incorrigible scoundrel, and today he finally witnessed it.

James Bolton stood tall and proud, fearless, and said, “May I ask, what crime has my father committed?”

John Harris thought to himself, You still remember you have a father? If your father knew what his son was like, he’d be heartbroken!

So he said coldly, “He failed in his duties. The Eastern Depot is investigating, and it’s been reported to His Majesty. His Majesty is furious and wants to make an example of him.”

James Bolton immediately followed up, “Failed in what duties?”

“Naturally, in failing to track down the traitor Zhao.”

“But…” James Bolton actually smiled.

He was still smiling—this little brat…

This scene left John Harris dumbfounded.

Your father’s in this situation, and you can still smile?

The next moment, James Bolton said something shocking: “But the traitor Zhao has already been executed.”

“Executed…” John Harris was momentarily stunned, his mind thrown into confusion.

James Bolton continued, “Since the traitor Zhao has been executed, then my father is innocent.”

“Enough!” John Harris was furious.

Originally, out of consideration for an old friend’s son, John Harris felt some pity and wanted to help a little, but making a joke out of this was no laughing matter.

So John Harris said coldly, “Stop talking nonsense. The traitor Zhao is extremely cunning—how could he be executed so easily? Your father’s duty was to track his whereabouts, and for over half a year, he couldn’t even find a trace of him, let alone help the officers and soldiers surround him. And you, just a…”

At this point—

Henry Cooper, standing to the side, shook out a bundle, and then… a human head rolled out!

The head hit the ground, immediately turning the faces of the nearby captains ashen. They all gripped the hilts of their swords, ready to draw at any moment.

James Bolton immediately seized the opportunity and said, “Uncle Harris, this is the head of the traitor Zhao!”

John Harris was utterly stunned.

He instinctively looked at the head. Its owner had a fierce and menacing look—even in death, he still looked like an angry guardian, making people’s hearts race.

There was a bright red scar on his face, which resembled the traitor Zhao described in the rumors.

So John Harris asked, “How can you prove this is Zhao?”

John Harris’s first thought was that the Zhang family, desperate to save Zhang Tianlun, had killed an innocent man and claimed the credit!

Yes… that was very possible!

James Bolton immediately took off a sword from his waist.

Only then did John Harris notice the sword at James Bolton’s waist, and his heart skipped a beat.

Because this sword clearly shouldn’t be in the possession of a youth like James Bolton.

James Bolton then held up the sword and said, “This sword was taken from the traitor Zhao. Commander Harris, take a look—do you recognize it?”