Second Brother said that in another two months, I will have worked at the yamen for a full year. My salary will increase by thirty percent, and there will be other bonuses as well. By then, Mother won’t have to worry anymore and can just enjoy a comfortable life at home.”

A look of relief appeared on Miss Lane’s face.

She nodded and said softly, “If your father were still alive, seeing Amy Chandler so capable, he would surely be very happy.”

“Mm!”

David Sutton responded, but didn’t say anything more.

He picked up his broadsword and slowly wiped the blade with a dry cloth.

Suddenly, he stopped what he was doing and said, “Mother Chandler, who did you rent the house to? Do you want me to check it out?”

“No need to check. It’s a student from the Imperial Academy.”

“The same student who came to see the house last month and then disappeared?”

“He introduced someone—a new student at the Imperial Academy who just arrived in Chang’an.

What was his name again? My memory really isn’t what it used to be… Wait a moment, I’ll get the paperwork for you.”

Miss Lane put down her needlework and went to the right wing.

A moment later, she came out holding the document and handed it to David Sutton, saying, “He’s a student from Taiyuan, very well-mannered and straightforward.”

“Taiyuan, John Adams?”

David Sutton was stunned when he saw the signature on the contract. He looked up and said, “The person renting our house is John Adams?”

“Yes, his name is John Adams.”

Miss Lane looked at David Sutton in surprise. “Amy Chandler, do you know him?”

“No, I don’t.”

David Sutton quickly shook his head and said with a smile, “He’s a student from Taiyuan. I’ve lived in Chang’an all my life, how could I know him? I just think his name sounds impressive. He must be quite a remarkable person. If I get the chance, I’d like to meet him.”

“This child…” Miss Lane laughed. “He’ll be moving in tomorrow, so you’ll naturally meet him then.”

“That’s true!”

As David Sutton spoke, a simple, honest smile appeared on his face.

He sheathed his broadsword, stood up, and said, “Mother, I’m a bit tired today. I’ll go to bed first.”

“Go ahead. Once I finish mending this piece of clothing, I’ll go to bed too.”

“Don’t stay up too late, Mother. Get some rest early.”

David Sutton and Miss Lane said goodnight to each other, then he went straight into the left wing and closed the door behind him.

He placed the broadsword on the rack, then walked to the window and pushed it open.

The late spring breeze was gentle, still carrying a hint of chill.

Outside, the black dog, Black Sanlang, lying under the eaves, heard the noise and immediately raised its head, looking over warily.

Seeing it was David Sutton, it lowered its head again and lay motionless on the ground.

This black dog is getting more and more alert!

David Sutton sat by the table, lost in thought.

After a long while, he took out a sheet of paper, spread it out, and dipped a homemade goose quill pen in ink.

Today is the two hundred and seventy-third day since I came to this world, but I still haven’t figured out what kind of world this really is.

Last May, Emperor Taizong Li Shimin passed away, and I arrived in this world, becoming David Sutton.

After that, Li Jing and Li Yaoshi died, and Crown Prince Li Zhi ascended the throne—the one known in history as Emperor Gaozong of Tang.

This is exactly the same as the history I know.

But where does the “strangeness” come from?

Second Brother said that after the night curfew in Chang’an, strange things run rampant.

The “strangeness” he spoke of should be the so-called “demons and monsters” of legend.

If that’s the case, this should be a magical world where humans and demons coexist. But why don’t I feel anything special?

Everyone is deeply wary of the strange.

But everyone is also very clear that the strange truly exists.

Today, I encountered the strange again—a kind I don’t even know the name of.

Fortunately, the strange within my body devoured that one, and I also learned that the strange inside me is called the Eye of Tenggen.

But what exactly is the Eye of Tenggen? Why is it inside me, and what kind of effect will it have on me?

All of this is still a mystery!

But I clearly remember that on the day I transmigrated, I saw a golden dragon.

I don’t know what the golden dragon means, but I think it’s precisely its existence that allows Chang’an to remain peaceful.

Also, Mother told me that our house has been rented out.

The tenant’s name is John Adams… That’s right, it should be that John Adams, Taiyuan’s John Adams.

If one day I can travel back and tell the people around me that John Adams is my tenant, I bet no one would believe it.

That’s all for today. I will continue to explore.

David Sutton filled the entire page with writing, then rolled it up and lit it on the oil lamp.

Watching the page full of his heartfelt words turn to ash in the firelight, he finally let out a long sigh of relief.

He is not David Sutton.

But right now, he is David Sutton.

On the jisi day of last May, Emperor Taizong Li Shimin passed away in the Hanfeng Hall.