It was only at this moment that Ethan Brooks finally had the chance to carefully observe his current mother.

Her hair was still damp, her face pale, yet her features were quite delicate. The dye of her coarse linen clothes was not very fast, leaving some faint blue marks on her neck.

Ethan Brooks reached out his hand, caressing her face, his heavy head resting on her neck, inhaling deeply the scent of his mother.

It was this woman who had led him through the most perilous stretch of the road.

Now, it seemed this road had come to an end, yet Ethan Brooks felt not a trace of resentment, only overwhelming gratitude.

There was a small hole in the high wall, meant for drainage, but now it had dried up or perhaps been diverted, for even with such heavy rain, little water flowed out.

Heavy footsteps approached from afar, and the onlooking vagrants instantly retreated even further, though their gloating gazes still stabbed relentlessly at Ethan Brooks.

He pointed at the fox, babbling, hoping it could escape this calamity. He himself could not fit through that small hole, but the little fox should have no problem getting in.

Seeing Ethan Brooks reach out his hand, the little fox abandoned the flatbread and, with a few quick leaps, came to his side and bit his finger, while Ethan Brooks let his hand fall limply...

A towering, mountain-like figure blocked the gap ahead.

Ethan Brooks saw clearly that this must be a military general. It was his first time seeing an ancient general, and likely the last time he would witness such a scene.

He rode a tall steed, and the warhorse was so high that, with the man in full armor atop it, he appeared even more imposing.

Ancient armor was always heavy, and this man was clad in it from head to toe. Even his helmet was fully sealed, with only a pair of cold eyes shooting out from behind the visor, as if they were tangible.

A long lance pointed at the just-awakened Grace Walker. When the sharp boning knife slipped from Grace Walker's sleeve, the knight slowly urged his warhorse forward, the lance aimed at Grace Walker as if to pin her to the wall.

Ethan Brooks sighed inwardly, hugging the terrified and stupefied Grace Walker and began to wail, at the same time shielding his mother with his own body.

He knew his small, lump-like body could never block that sharp lance, and just as the lance was about to reach them, Grace Walker suddenly went mad, hiding Ethan Brooks behind her, her eyes wide as she stared at the knight and cried, "Do not harm my son!"

Whether it was Ethan Brooks's cries or Grace Walker's shouts that startled this walking statue, a cold voice came from behind the helmet's visor.

"Anyone who approaches within ten paces of the imperial city without cause shall die!"

Facing this statue, Grace Walker's teeth chattered as she said, "This humble woman did not know!"

"His Majesty's carriage is here. I have no reason to spare you. The child is ignorant and will be sent to the orphanage, but as for you, the law is merciless—prepare to die!"

With a flick, the knight's lance knocked the swaddling cloth from Grace Walker's hands. He caught Ethan Brooks in the swaddle with his left hand, and with the lance in his right, prepared to strike again.

In despair, Grace Walker simply looked at her wailing son and slowly closed her eyes.

Chapter Four: I Have Arrived

From the crowd blocking the gap stepped out an official, dark-skinned like an old farmer, who stopped the general's lance.

The man on horseback, who looked like a war god, seemed unable to even straighten his back before this official. Standing before the horse, the official scolded the general, "Foolish!"

The general, holding Ethan Brooks, jumped down from his horse and bowed, saying, "This peasant woman has indeed committed a capital offense!"

The dark-faced official glanced at the general, then pointed coldly at the distant, crowded onlookers. "If she has broken the law, she should of course be punished. But this peasant woman is not a soldier under your command. Even if she holds a sharp knife, there must be another reason. You are a military officer—what right do you have to judge the common people?"

The general returned Ethan Brooks to the just-hopeful Grace Walker, scratching his head. "Whether it's the Criminal Division or the Kaifeng Prefecture that tries the case, isn't it a dead end either way? I don't believe, Uncle, that you would show mercy."

The black-faced civil official grunted, "Once the law is established, it must be enforced. Though there is always room for compassion, imperial authority cannot be challenged—this is an iron rule. Emily, you are young and impulsive. Never act so rashly again. Your father is now the Defender of Fengzhou, and many are watching, hoping for his downfall. You serve as a Dragon Guard in His Majesty's personal army; you must never give others a handle to use against you, or it will implicate your father. This woman has indeed committed a capital crime, but she and her child are truly pitiful. Killing her in the street will greatly damage your reputation as an official!"

The young general bowed and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Uncle Parker. I will remember it."

Grace Walker was still dazed, not understanding what had just happened, but Ethan Brooks heard everything clearly. Seeing the soldiers' banners marked "Song," and hearing the way these two addressed each other, Ethan Brooks, who was intimately familiar with the history books, could hardly fail to guess their identities.