“He’s finally gone. From now on, this smithy belongs to me. Lily, if you’re willing to stay with me, I promise you’ll never be mistreated!”

“Master has already sold the smithy to Mr. Brooks.”

“What! The smithy’s been sold? Then what did he leave for me?”

“The things he left for you are in your room.”

A moment later, angry curses from Jack Reed came from upstairs:

“Only fifty taels of silver? I worked for him all these years, and all I get is fifty taels?”

“You got paid every month. This fifty taels is extra from Master—it’s enough for you to open a new smithy.”

“Old bastard! Old scoundrel!” Jack Reed kept cursing, but suddenly a sinister grin appeared on his face.

“That old fool probably died never knowing it was me who signed him up.”

William Thompson was furious. He strode forward, grabbed Jack Reed, and threw him to the ground. Then his hard fists rained down on Jack Reed’s body and face. Though Jack Reed was burly, he was no match for the youthful strength of William Thompson, and soon he was rolling on the ground, wailing in pain.

“You’re an orphan. Master raised you from childhood. You knew his leg was bad, yet you pushed him into the fire pit just to get his property.”

William Thompson simply dragged him to the furnace, hung him upside down over the still-glowing coals, and before long, Jack Reed was screaming like a slaughtered pig.

“Brother! Spare me! I’ll never dare again!”

William Thompson yanked his hair and said coldly, “Do you remember what happened five years ago?”

Jack Reed’s pupils suddenly dilated, and memories of his wanton bullying of William Thompson flashed through his mind. Fear appeared on his face.

But William Thompson shook his head and said, “You’re mistaken. I didn’t care about your constant bullying before. But that night five years ago, I swore a deadly oath: anyone who insulted Miss Carter, I would never let go. Today, you’re the first. I, William Thompson, distinguish clearly between kindness and enmity, and always repay my grudges!”

With that, he punched Jack Reed in the mouth, making it swell and bruised. Several bloody broken teeth rolled out of his mouth.

Jack Reed let out a miserable scream.

William Thompson grabbed him by the hair and dragged him outside the main gate. Just then, a patrol of soldiers passed by.

“Officer!” William Thompson shouted loudly.

“What’s going on?” a military officer barked.

“There’s a deserter here, hiding in the smithy. I’ve caught him.”

The officer was furious. With a wave of his hand, several soldiers seized Jack Reed. Jack Reed struggled and shouted, but couldn’t utter a single coherent word.

※※※

The steward from The Brooks Estate soon arrived to take over the shop, and William Thompson naturally went along.

The master, Charles Brooks, was a merchant in his fifties, extremely fat, with a huge nose. As he spoke, the fat on his cheeks quivered constantly. Only the occasional sharp glint from his half-closed eyes revealed his shrewdness.

He sized up William Thompson, his gaze as if stripping William Thompson bare, making him feel extremely uncomfortable. Suddenly, Charles Brooks snapped, “Why don’t you kneel when you see me?” At his words, two quick-witted servants rushed over and forced William Thompson to kneel.

William Thompson was filled with hatred and thought, “I kneel only to heaven, earth, and my parents. Why would I kneel to this fat pig?” He shook off the two servants and said, “Master, I broke my leg recently and it hasn’t fully healed yet. Please forgive me!”

Charles Brooks sneered, “Doesn’t look like it to me. Someone! Throw him out.”

At that moment, a man stepped forward, half-kneeling, and said, “Master! This brother comes from a humble background and doesn’t know proper etiquette. Please leave him to me—I’ll teach him well.”

Charles Brooks looked at him in surprise, then nodded, “Fine! Since you’re pleading for him, I’ll let him off this time. From now on, he’s your responsibility.”

William Thompson looked back and saw the man had a dark complexion and stood ramrod straight. As he stood up, he gave William Thompson a slight smile. William Thompson suddenly felt a wave of warmth—he knew this man understood why he refused to kneel. William Thompson followed him outside, and the man smiled and said, “A man’s knees are as precious as gold. I was just like you back then. But you’re more flexible than I was. I stubbornly refused to kneel and got my leg broken—took months to heal!”

William Thompson nodded silently, then asked, “What does Mr. Brooks do?”

“Our master mainly trades between the Song and Jin kingdoms. He has big business in Jingzhao. By the way, my name is Edward Grant, I’m Khitan, the leader of his caravan. I’m more than ten years older than you, so just call me Brother Grant!”

“Brother Grant!” William Thompson was touched by his protection.

“Good! Younger Brother Thompson.” Edward Grant patted his shoulder and burst out laughing.

He led William Thompson through several long corridors to a separate courtyard. Along the walls were rows of single-story rooms, and in the middle was an open space about five mu in size.

“There are about fifty attendants living here, just like you. Your status is special, so speak less. This is your room.” As they walked, Edward Grant gave him careful instructions, and William Thompson nodded repeatedly.