Andrew Bennett thought of something that made him happy, and couldn't help but swallow his saliva. Then he looked up and saw a stern face ahead.

This man had jet-black beard and fair skin, appearing to be in his forties, with an imposing presence that commanded respect without anger.

Andrew Bennett stood up and cupped his hands, "Greetings, Old Sir." As he cupped his hands, he realized that this man was wearing an official's robe, and his heart skipped a beat.

The man glanced at him, took a step back, clenched his right hand, and a Buddha statue could be vaguely seen. He asked, "Is it true that nothing happens beyond three steps?"

He was accompanied by two burly men, with the village chief Brian Clark at his side. The group was at least six steps away from Andrew Bennett.

Brian Clark respectfully said, "My lord, this was said by a renowned monk in Huazhou, who is known for his spiritual efficacy. He said that as long as there is no old grudge, being close is actually fine."

My lord?

Andrew Bennett shivered and immediately realized trouble was coming.

In the Tang Dynasty, "my lord" was basically the title for a prefect, and it was said that the prefect of Huazhou, William Reed, had been seriously ill a few days ago. Could this be the new prefect?

The new prefect had just arrived in Huazhou and immediately came to The Clark Estate. What was he planning?

Andrew Bennett looked at the two burly men behind the new prefect, his legs feeling weak, wanting to run.

But the fort had walls! How could he escape? If someone shouted, he wouldn't be able to fly away even with wings.

"Old grudge?" The man stood with his hands behind his back and said indifferently, "If you speak of old grudges, I have already investigated his whereabouts. In these fourteen years, he has mostly lived in The Clark Estate, studied for a few years at the village school, and caused the teacher's death before returning home. Who could have an old grudge with him?"

As he spoke, the man fixed his gaze on Andrew Bennett, his dark eyes full of undisguised wariness.

Andrew Bennett cupped his hands, "Greetings, my lord."

He wasn't worried about being killed. After all, the nobles in Chang'an were afraid that if the jinx died, someone else would be cursed, so the most likely outcome was being put under house arrest, and then dozens of monks and Taoists would be invited to suppress him.

Thinking about living in a temple in the future, with countless people chanting scriptures outside every day, Andrew Bennett somehow thought of Xu Xian.

But where is my white snake?

The man squinted and said, "Do you know your crime?"

This was just a prelude; next would surely be some means of coercion.

Andrew Bennett was a bit flustered, but still maintained a calm demeanor. "This student does not know."

He was a scholar, so he could refer to himself as "student."

The man sneered, "I see a baleful aura on your face, clearly born a jinx. In that case, you should go cultivate with a high monk. If you can avoid harming others, perhaps you may have a good end."

So-called cultivation with a high monk was actually house arrest, plus suppression with Buddhist rituals.

This was one of the possibilities Andrew Bennett had imagined earlier. At this moment, he was extremely panicked, but gradually calmed down. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Then please allow this student to settle family affairs before going."

Brian Clark sighed, "My lord, this person is actually quite well-behaved in the village."

The man nodded, his face icy cold. "I will just send someone to consult the high monk and make arrangements. In that case, I will return tomorrow."

After they left, David Clark, who had rushed over after hearing the news, knelt on the ground and wailed, "Aunt, I failed to look after Andrew. Aunt, I deserve to die a thousand times!"

He was sobbing, pounding the ground with both hands.

The villagers in the distance shook their heads and sighed, but some looked happy, probably thinking that the jinx was leaving and they no longer had to live in fear.

Andrew Bennett thought that living in a temple wasn't so bad. Wasn't that Wu Meimei also in... Gan Ye Temple? Maybe she'd come out someday.

"That traitor, that great traitor, I will kill him!" David Clark remembered his aunt's dying words to take care of his cousin. Now his cousin was going to be put under house arrest in a temple—what was this? So he hated the new prefect to the bone, even blurting out such taboo words.

"Traitor?" Andrew Bennett was taken aback.

There weren't many traitors in the Tang Dynasty, and this was Huazhou, one of the gateways to Chang'an. Who would dare use a traitor to guard it?

David Clark looked up, his tear-filled eyes blurry. "A traitor indeed. That Samuel Foster once knelt and begged for mercy—shameful. He even laughed loudly at the funeral..."

Samuel Foster?

No way!

Andrew Bennett couldn't help but feel a burst of joy.

So Old Foster has come?

At the beginning of the Tang Dynasty, famous ministers gathered. When Li Shimin established his own office, he once gathered some scholars, known as the Eighteen Scholars, and Old Foster was one of them.

But Samuel Foster was too eccentric, often doing things that made {the boss} want to cry, and he was also foolish—foolishly cute, even. His only strength was probably his loyal dog nature, plus his efficiency. The boss would have him do whatever needed to be done, no matter who he offended.

Most officials of this era had their own ideas; being a loyal dog was impossible, which made people like Samuel Foster seem so odd.

Now that he was here, Andrew Bennett felt his own opportunity had come. If he played his cards right, maybe the jinx crisis could be resolved.

Chapter 9: Speak Astonishing Words or Die Trying

Samuel Foster returned to the prefectural office and first stayed in his own room for a while.

"Where is my lord?" Chief secretary Edward Reed came to see him, but Samuel Foster's attendant stopped him. "My lord is writing a memorial."