the blue-robed scholar seemed not to notice the subtle change in the coachman's expression. His somewhat clouded eyes gazed at the vast, distant mountains and forests, and he spoke leisurely:

"I once served in the Jing Sheng Army. Although it wasn't for long, I can still be considered an old hand there. How could I not know the commander of the personal guards under Charles Walker, William Smith? I remember he wasn't tall, but his arms had the strength to subdue a tiger. He was a renowned warrior in the Jing Sheng Army! So, he didn't stay in the army afterward?"

"Marshal Walker died in Jingzhou, and the court ceded Jingzhou and other territories to the Tangut. The hearts of the Jing Sheng Army scattered—fearing the soldiers would long for their old commander, the court dispersed the original troops and stationed them elsewhere, recruiting new soldiers to fill the ranks. William Smith returned to his hometown in Huai at that time. I never thought that after parting with him in Jingzhou, more than ten years would pass."

After a moment, {the coachman} composed himself and said to the blue-robed scholar,

"I've heard that the The Smith Family is a prominent clan in the Tongbai Mountains. When William Smith was in the Jing Sheng Army, he always admired you, sir. If you stay a few more days in Huaiyuan, William Smith will surely treat you with great hospitality."

"I have left the court as a disgraced man. How could I not know to avoid suspicion and refrain from associating with local powerful families?" the blue-robed scholar sighed, "Leaving Bianjing, having your escort all the way, Brian Walker is deeply grateful—it's only a day or two's journey from Huaiyuan to Biyang; since you wish to meet friends in Huai, let us part ways here!"

"If you are in a hurry to travel, sir, I can always visit William Smith on my return trip. After all, it's been over ten years without news; a few more days won't matter," {the coachman} insisted, "But Travis Carter is not a broad-minded man. The Censor Ethan Brooks and the Ministry of War official Eric Bolton offended him, were exiled from court, and both were killed by bandits on the road..."

"There's no evidence for those matters; the talk of assassination is just rumors and speculation. Lewis, you shouldn't dwell on it," the blue-robed scholar didn't want {the coachman} to have too poor an impression of the court officials, and explained, "But it is true that people's livelihoods are withering, and there are more bandits in the wilds than in previous years."

"The deaths of Ethan Brooks and Eric Bolton, though there's no evidence that Travis Carter sent assassins, still, unless I see you safely to Biyang, Luke Lewis won't be at ease," {the coachman} still felt that the deaths of Ethan Brooks, Eric Bolton, and others were related to Travis Carter, who now held the Privy Council. He secretly sensed that even after reaching Biyang, Travis Carter might not let go, and advised, "You, sir, may not fear offending Travis Carter and his ilk, nor fear life and death, but you must care for the safety of Miss Evans."

"I am already a disgraced man, and my actions no longer threaten Travis Carter and the others, so there's nothing to worry about," the middle-aged man tried to smile calmly, but couldn't suppress the sorrow in his heart, and finally sighed, "What I truly fear is that Travis Carter and the other officials, greedy for merit, might rashly provoke the Khitan without full preparation, leaving behind a disaster that cannot be resolved!"

"Travis Carter, that villain, was already currying favor with superiors and bullying subordinates when he was in the Western Army, often stealing others' achievements as his own. I understand why you, sir, opposed him leading the army against Yan. However, the Chihu people have risen in the north of the desert, repeatedly defeating the Khitan cavalry at Yinshan, which does show that the Khitan have grown weak. The officials at court all believe this is a great opportunity for our dynasty to recover the lost Yan-Yun lands from the Khitan. What do you think, sir?" {the coachman} asked.

{The blue-robed scholar} said, "The Chihu have indeed risen between the north and south of Yinshan, and have repeatedly defeated the Khitan cavalry, making the Khitan seem no longer a threat in the north. Because of this, many at court advocate allying with the Chihu to attack Northern Yan, seeing the benefit of using a tiger to drive out a wolf. But what happens after the fierce tiger devours the wolf? Our dynasty will have to face the fierce tiger directly in the north! The Khitan are in decline, their nobles and officials greedy for pleasure and exploiting the people, and their army is badly decayed. By comparison, our situation is somewhat better, but not without worries. You've served in the army for years and visited many garrisons, but aside from a few elite units in the Western Army, how many of the other imperial and provincial troops do you think are truly battle-worthy? And for over a hundred years, our dynasty has suffered from bloated bureaucracy, overstaffed armies, and excessive expenditures—have these problems been eradicated? I'm not against seizing this opportunity to recover the Yan-Yun lands, but the plans of Travis Carter and the others are simply too hasty..."

The coachman had lived a life of hardship and could recognize the dangers of the world, but was not well-versed in military or state affairs.

He had always admired the blue-robed scholar's character and integrity, and worried that the grandfather and granddaughter, accompanied only by a maid, might face danger on their way to exile in Tangzhou. That was why he had traveled so far to escort them. Yet, hearing the blue-robed scholar's words now, he wanted to offer some comfort, but didn't know where to begin.

After a moment, the blue-robed scholar gave a self-deprecating smile and said, "Alas, I am no longer in office; thinking too much is useless—"

The girl had lost her parents at a young age and was raised by her grandfather. Though she had grown up hearing such matters, she was still young and only half-understood affairs of state and war. At this moment, she teased her grandfather, "Maybe you're just worrying too much, Grandpa, and in the end, you'll only be mocked by the likes of Travis Carter..."

"Let it be so!" the blue-robed scholar waved his hand, as if to scatter the endless worries and troubles from his heart.

"Sir, you and Miss Evans should get into the carriage!" {the coachman} suddenly said.

"What's wrong?" the blue-robed scholar saw {the coachman} reach under the carriage shaft and take out the sword wrapped in a bundle cloth, placing it by his side. Startled, he asked.

"There is someone on the cliff ahead!" {the coachman} slightly lifted his bamboo hat, signaling the blue-robed scholar to look toward a stone cliff up ahead.