The latter was actually about the same age as him, considered a young hero, and was also a straightforward person. He took the hilt, smiled, and sheathed the blade. However, the surrounding soldiers still remained vigilant. Abraham Lincoln waved his hand to signal them to step back. Of course, only those holding swords retreated; the group of soldiers behind him, holding matchlock guns, still had their fuses burning.

"You are pardoned!"

He immediately said this to Brian Carter.

"Your humble servant Brian Carter pays respects to Your Majesty!"

Brian Carter quickly knelt down to show his submission.

"Are you willing to follow me?"

Abraham Lincoln said very directly.

"Uh, not willing at the moment."

Brian Carter replied just as directly.

"Why?"

Abraham Lincoln said, his expression unchanged.

"Although I am merely a captain of the Jinyiwei, I have received the salary of the Ming dynasty. Even though, with my meager abilities, I am fortunate to have Your Majesty's favor and be spared from punishment, my former lord's fate is still unknown. How could I betray my master for wealth and rank? If the Ming Emperor is fortunately still alive and Your Majesty treats him kindly, I will, of course, pledge my life to follow Your Majesty."

Brian Carter said.

He had no time to waste words with Abraham Lincoln; the most important thing now was to hurry back and treat Princess Kunxing's injuries.

"You are indeed a loyal and righteous man, far better than those grand secretaries and ministers. With your ability and loyalty, it's surprising that you are only a Jinyiwei captain. No wonder Chongzhen lost his throne. Very well, then stay here in the capital. Benjamin, escort him home and assign people to protect him. No one is to disturb him!"

Abraham Lincoln said.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness!"

Brian Carter quickly replied.

Abraham Lincoln said nothing more and turned to leave the small courtyard.

The young general, who was his grandnephew Benjamin Thompson, smiled and glanced at Brian Carter.

Brian Carter also smiled back at him...

"Please, Brother Carter!"

Benjamin Thompson said.

Chapter Six Emily Brooks

It was obvious that Abraham Lincoln had no real intention of letting him go.

Brian Carter left the courtyard under the so-called "escort" of Benjamin Thompson, but in reality, it was more like being escorted under guard. As they exited, he shot a sinister look at the Jinyiwei.

The latter was also watching him.

Immediately after, this fellow turned his head and obsequiously said something to a Shun army officer, even pointing in their direction. That officer immediately turned his sharp gaze toward Brian Carter. Brian Carter pretended nothing was amiss, smiling as he took the reins handed to him by one of Benjamin Thompson's men. The officer then gestured, bringing over a dozen soldiers with him.

"General Thompson, thank you for your trouble!"

Brian Carter ignored them, gripping the saddle with both hands as if to mount the horse, while smiling at Benjamin Thompson.

"It's nothing. Let's have a contest on horseback another day."

Benjamin Thompson said with a friendly smile.

"Then, until we meet again!"

Brian Carter called out, and almost at the same moment, he pressed down hard on the horse's back with both hands. Amid the horse's anguished neighing under the sudden weight, he leapt onto the horse's back like a springing frog—awkward but sudden. Before Benjamin Thompson could react, he jumped again from the horse's back. As the horse collapsed with a mournful cry, he vaulted over the courtyard wall and landed back in the courtyard they had just left...

"Stop him! He's the one who rescued that dog emperor!"

The officer's shout rang out suddenly.

Having landed, Brian Carter ignored everything else and charged straight into the main hall, then into the adjacent inner room, crashed through the window, and leapt out the back. Amid Benjamin Thompson's furious roars behind him, he darted through the large courtyard like a wildcat, quickly reaching the rear garden. He jumped directly onto the courtyard wall, and amid a maid's shriek, landed in another residence. He dashed to a small building, leapt up to grab the railing, swung himself up, and flipped into the second floor of the embroidered tower. Seeing a chubby maid's stunned expression, he pushed her away from the window, looked down in the direction he had come to check the pursuers' position, then casually grabbed a pork knuckle from the table.

"Young ladies shouldn't eat this!"

He said righteously to the chubby maid.

With that, and accompanied by her angry roar, he jumped straight out the window. As soon as he landed, he bounced up like a rubber ball, jumped onto the courtyard wall ahead, then leapt again over the alley outside, landing in another courtyard.

He moved forward like he was parkouring, constantly leaping over courtyard walls and alleys, even dashing across wide streets to the astonishment of passersby. He traversed this ancient and vast city tirelessly, causing chaos wherever he went. As for Benjamin Thompson's furious pursuit, he could completely ignore it. Not to mention those who had just entered the city less than a day ago—even if the Five City Garrison and the Jinyiwei joined forces, they might not be able to catch him. Although he himself had only been in this city for less than a day, for some reason, his mind felt incredibly familiar with the surroundings—perhaps a remnant of this body's own memories!

In fact, up to now, all he knew about this body was that it was a Jinyiwei captain; he knew nothing else.

He didn't even know the name.

But there was no time to worry about such trivial matters.