Chris Clark goes without saying—he’s lived for over thirty years and has hardly ever left Zhongyang Mountain. In Chris Clark’s eyes, Ryan Clark is innately filial; in William Harris’s view, he’s bold and meticulous. A thirteen-year-old child, able to sneak into someone else’s residence without anyone noticing, take a life, and then leave quietly... Such composure, such a keen mind, is by no means something ordinary people can compare to.

And it’s people like this who are destined for great things!

After daybreak, both families had already left the bounds of Zhongyang Mountain.

Originally, traveling west from Zhongyang Town to Jiyang would take less than five days.

But Ryan Clark thought that heading west would make it too easy for pursuers to catch up. Besides, the five of them were traveling on foot, while if the Wuyin county authorities gave chase, they would surely be on horseback. Two legs can never outrun four. Since that’s the case, arrangements had to be made in advance.

So Ryan Clark suggested heading south first; after about a day, they would enter the jurisdiction of Biyang County.

And Biyang County was already under Liu Biao’s control.

Even if the Wuyin county authorities discovered their trail, they would have to proceed with caution.

After that, traveling west from Biyang County, it would take about five or six days to reach Jiyang County... In terms of time, it seemed like it would take two or three days longer, but in terms of safety, it was undoubtedly much safer than heading straight to Jiyang.

“Father, Mother, Uncle...”

While resting along the way, Ryan Clark explained, “Actually, taking the route from Biyang to Jiyang County might not take more time.”

William Harris was very interested in Ryan Clark, and couldn’t help but ask, “Frank, what do you mean by that? If we go through Biyang, the journey is at least a third longer—how could it not take more time?”

“Biyang is under Liu Jingzhou’s rule, and it’s said to have been quite peaceful these past years.

Once we enter Biyang, we can try to buy an ox cart... Traveling by cart is always much easier than walking on foot.”

“Buy an ox cart?”

Chris Clark immediately cried out when he heard this.

“You child, that’s just wishful thinking... Do you know how much an ox cart costs? We don’t have much money, and we’ll need to spend more once we settle down with your sister. If you buy an ox cart, do you expect your sister to pay for it once we reach Jiyang?”

After the Yellow Turban Rebellion, draft oxen were scarce.

The cost of an ox cart was not low, and Chris Clark was naturally reluctant to spend such unnecessary money.

Ryan Clark sighed, “Father, buying an ox cart isn’t just for convenience—there’s also an issue of appearances.”

William Harris waved his hand to signal Chris Clark not to speak, and curiously asked, “Frank, tell your uncle, what other benefits are there to buying an ox cart?”

“Father, Uncle... We’re going to join my sister, but we’re not refugees.

Brother-in-law in Jiyang is a man of some standing. If we arrive looking too shabby, even if he doesn’t mind, the Deng clan might. But if we show up in an ox cart, at least on the surface, it looks respectable. Brother-in-law will save face, and even if the Deng clan is dissatisfied, they won’t make things too difficult.

Father, it’s like when you visit relatives—no matter how close you are, if you show up empty-handed versus arriving in a fine carriage, the treatment is definitely different. Besides, if we go in an ox cart, even if we don’t want it later, we can sell it in Jiyang County.

With brother-in-law there, are you really afraid we’ll lose out?”

As the saying goes, “The poor are ignored in a bustling city, the rich have distant relatives even in deep mountains.”

In ancient times, a carriage was like a car in modern days. Even driving a basic Santana would earn you some respect.

William Harris nodded repeatedly and praised, “Brother, Frank is more thoughtful than us. In my opinion, we should buy an ox cart.”

The Bolton Family felt even more for her son!

After traveling all night, Ryan Clark’s little face was sallow and he looked very tired.

Plus, with the five strings of cash from Chengji, she felt a bit more secure. So after William Harris voiced his support, The Bolton Family immediately agreed as well.

“You blockhead, just listen to Little Ryan’s idea.

Little Ryan is educated and literate—he’s bound to be more thorough than you.

He’s right. We may be going to join Ethan, but we’re not refugees. If nothing else, for Ethan’s reputation, we must preserve it and not let her be looked down upon by the clan.”

Chris Clark was not a very opinionated person. If it were just Ryan Clark, he might still have disagreed.

But since even William Harris said so, Chris Clark had to take it seriously. He had always respected William Harris, thinking him knowledgeable and capable. And this time, since William Harris was implicated because of his own family, William Harris’s opinion became especially important... Yes, they couldn’t let Ethan be looked down upon!

“All right, it’s decided.”

After giving his suggestion, Ryan Clark went off to rest.

With his current status, all he could do was offer advice. As for whether it would be adopted? He believed that with William Harris’s insight, he would see the reasoning.

He and Matthew Harris each took a piece of flatbread and began eating heartily.

“Frank, what are your plans for the future?”

“The future?”

Matthew Harris swallowed his bread, wiped his hand on his clothes, glanced at the adults discussing matters nearby, and whispered, “I mean, after we settle down with Sister Ethan, what do you want to do?”

“What about you?”