Everyone entered the willow forest and each found a spot to drink water and rest. Suddenly, a great cloud of dust rose on the road ahead, as if cavalry were galloping this way. Everyone immediately stood up, nervously staring forward.

"It's the Mongols!"

The lookout rushed into the forest shouting, "It's Mongol cavalry!"

The forest instantly fell into chaos. Everyone hurried to mount their horses, and, intimidated by the might of the Mongol cavalry, for a moment no one knew what to do.

"Don't panic! The rest of you escort the master and leave first. Warriors, follow me to intercept them!" Edward Grant shouted loudly.

After all, this wasn't the first time they'd encountered such a situation. After a brief panic, everyone began to play their roles. William Thompson immediately loaded the two money chests onto a horse and followed behind Charles Brooks's carriage, fleeing south.

The newcomers were a squad of Mongol cavalry scouts, about a hundred riders. They had come south from Taiyuan Prefecture, passing through the Jin army's defenses to scout the Jin troops' deployments in western Henan. Over twenty warriors, led by Edward Grant, hid in the woods. Edward Grant suddenly noticed that Commander Walker was missing from the group, and his heart skipped a beat, a sense of foreboding arising. At that moment, the Mongol cavalry also noticed the ambush in the woods ahead, reined in their horses, and did not advance. The leading centurion shouted a few commands and led the hundred riders to take a detour.

The mountain road was rough, and William Thompson's horse gradually fell behind. Charles Brooks's carriage turned onto another side path. Just as William Thompson was about to follow, his mount suddenly neighed loudly and bolted straight ahead with William Thompson on its back. When William Thompson looked back, he saw a short arrow stuck in the horse's rump, and a lone rider was chasing from afar. As the rider drew near, William Thompson saw it was Commander Walker, grinning viciously. Realizing the truth, William Thompson was terrified and spurred his horse desperately to escape, but before he had gone three li, Commander Walker caught up.

"Abandon your horse! I'll spare your life."

"Never!"

William Thompson drew his bow and shot an arrow, but Commander Walker blocked it with his sword, splitting the arrow in two.

"Don't I know your meager skills? Hand over the money chests now, and maybe I'll let you live."

William Thompson didn't reply, drew another arrow and shot, but pulled too hard and snapped the bowstring. He threw away the bow, yanked the reins, and turned his horse toward the woods at the side.

"Damn it! Refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit—let me show you what I can do!"

An arrow flew, striking the horse's hind leg. The horse neighed and fell, throwing William Thompson more than ten meters away. William Thompson felt as if his body had split into seven or eight pieces, the pain nearly making him faint. As he opened his eyes, a sword whistled down toward his head. In terror, William Thompson rolled aside, dodging the blow, but the sword followed like a viper, stabbing straight at his chest.

There was nowhere left to dodge. William Thompson closed his eyes, waiting for death. Unexpectedly, with a 'ding', the sword was deflected and did not pierce him. Commander Walker was surprised and slashed at his neck with a backhanded stroke. At this critical moment, there was a "whoosh!" Commander Walker's eyes widened in disbelief as he looked back, then slowly fell forward—a crossbow bolt had pierced his neck. Not far behind him sat a rider: it was Edward Grant, who had come searching for William Thompson.

"Are you alright?" Edward Grant reached out a hand and pulled William Thompson up.

William Thompson shook his head, still shaken. He had just made a round trip to the underworld and hadn't recovered yet. Suddenly remembering something, he reached into his clothes and pulled out a silver mirror—it was this that had blocked the fatal sword strike.

※※※

"You thought I didn't see through your plot for my money?" Charles Brooks coldly eyed Commander Walker's corpse.

"Edward Grant, open the chests and show everyone."

Edward Grant opened the two large money chests, and only then did everyone discover that each chest contained only a dozen iron bars—there wasn't a single coin in sight.

William Thompson silently stared at the two 'money chests' that had nearly cost him his life, his eyes fixed on a certain spot, standing motionless. Everyone cast mocking glances at him; a few couldn't resist the urge to sneer, but seeing his silence and stillness, they felt something intimidating about him. Even the most caustic deputy leader, Harris Black, shivered and dared not act rashly.

At this moment, Charles Brooks walked over, patted him on the shoulder, and said:

"You are very loyal! I was right about you."

William Thompson ignored him, only turning to cast a grateful look at Edward Grant, who was just leaving.

After passing Dengzhou, an escort agency of a hundred men joined the caravan. The chief escort was a Han man surnamed Jiang, in his fifties, with an exceptionally loud voice. He and Charles Brooks had long known each other, and within half a day he had become fast friends with everyone. Later, upon hearing that William Thompson had a treasured saber, he asked to borrow it for a try and became quite taken with it.

Since the 'money chest' incident, William Thompson had once again become one of Charles Brooks's personal attendants. At this time, a young girl also joined them. She was about fifteen or sixteen, wearing a pointed hat adorned with pearl rings and emeralds, her veil hanging low, covering her neck. Only when the breeze blew could one occasionally glimpse her skin, white and smooth as cream. Though young, Charles Brooks always treated her with great respect. Everyone speculated about her identity, but no one knew who she was.