Today, in front of Brian Walker, Gregory Dean still put on airs and asked:

“In broad daylight, there are actually bandits robbing travelers—how audacious! Do they take our Huaiyuan Inspectorate for nothing? James Smith, did you manage to catch these brazen criminals?!”

“The horse bandits are quick; perhaps they’ve even heard of Mr. Dean’s reputation. When we gave chase, they’d already vanished without a trace—how could we possibly catch up?” James Smith said. “But who would have thought that just a few petty horse bandits would alarm Mr. Dean enough to take action personally!”

“The horse bandits offended the Censor-in-Chief Brian Walker—Sir Walker—how could I dare be negligent? But you lot were the ones who tried to shirk your duties, unwilling to put in the effort to catch the bandits, and let them go so easily. Do you really think I wouldn’t dare punish you?” Gregory Dean fixed his gaze on James Smith and asked, his tone suddenly turning stern.

“……” James Smith stood there dumbfounded, unable to figure out what Gregory Dean meant.

Just now, James Smith had rushed to rescue Henry Smith and hadn’t asked about the background of Brian Walker and the others, assuming they were just ordinary travelers.

At this moment, he glanced at Brian Walker, who wore a plain blue robe with patches at the cuffs and sleeves. He thought to himself, could this grandfather and grandson, accompanied only by a maidservant and an elderly attendant with graying temples, really be the Censor-in-Chief Brian Walker of the Censorate?

Moreover, if such a figure had arrived at Tongbai Mountain, where were all the local officials who would be scrambling to curry favor?

At this point, Brian Walker spoke up to excuse James Smith and the others: “It’s enough that you managed to drive off the horse bandits and everyone returned safely!”

At a time like this, being able to escape unharmed was already a blessing—why stir up more trouble by mentioning the assassination attempt?

James Smith was still in the dark, but Gregory Dean, being an official of some standing, had heard from colleagues that Brian Walker had offended someone powerful and been demoted to Tangzhou.

However, he also knew that Brian Walker had a stellar reputation and might well make a comeback. His earlier words were just to avoid leaving any handle for gossip.

Now, seeing Brian Walker speak up for James Smith and the others, Gregory Dean decided to let it go and scolded James Smith: “Sir Walker is being considerate and won’t pursue your dereliction of duty. Aren’t you going to come over and thank Sir Walker?”

“Brian Walker is a disgraced official, banished to Tangzhou, and does not dare accept such courtesy from you brave men!” Seeing James Smith and the others come over to pay their respects, Brian Walker quickly returned the gesture.

Only then did James Smith realize that Brian Walker was actually the Censor-in-Chief who had been exiled from the capital, and he stood to the side, hand on his sword.

Gregory Dean then apologized to Brian Walker: “As per routine, I must patrol the southern villages today. Military duties call, so I cannot remain in Huaiyuan Town. Today, James Smith will host you on my behalf, and tomorrow he will select a squad of soldiers to escort you to Biyang…”

Gregory Dean then put on a stern face and warned James Smith, who was looking for an excuse to shirk: “Don’t let Master Walker be troubled by bandits again. If you slack off, just wait until I return to deal with you!”

James Smith had no choice but to accept the assignment.

……

……

Henry Smith watched as Inspector Gregory Dean quickly led his team off into the distant wild forest, thinking to himself that he must have realized there was more to Brian Walker’s encounter with the bandits.

But regardless of Gregory Dean, at this moment Henry Smith was more preoccupied with the look of the assassins as they left, thinking they surely wouldn’t give up so easily—or rather, that the mastermind behind them wouldn’t let Brian Walker off.

Henry Smith guessed that the three assassins probably hadn’t seen his face clearly, and as long as Brian Walker didn’t mention him, even if the assassins returned, it was unlikely they’d come after him. Still, though he thought this, a strange feeling welled up inside him, making him feel he shouldn’t just stand by and do nothing.

He couldn’t help but give a wry smile: who did he think he was, anyway?

He’d gotten involved before by accident, just wanting to verify the memory of those words that had flashed through his mind. But now, if he didn’t hurry to distance himself, was he just tired of living?

Brian Walker’s eyesight was poor with age, and when he’d looked up from the foot of the cliff earlier, he hadn’t seen Henry Smith’s face clearly. Once Gregory Dean had left with his squad of soldiers, he quietly asked Luke Lewis, “Was it that young man on the cliff who stopped the assassins just now?”

“Mm!” Luke Lewis nodded and replied in a low voice, “That young man seems to know this officer under Gregory Dean—they might be from the same clan…”

“I heard Gregory Dean say that James Smith was recommended from among the local Xu clan. That young man might even be a younger relative of your old friend William Smith. But now that you’re involved, there’s no remedy, and we can’t drag more people in,” Brian Walker said quietly. “After you escort me and Xuan’er to Biyang, leave immediately—don’t go looking for William Smith…”

“I won’t look for William Smith, but I’ll stay in Biyang. From now on, you’ll have an old servant without a name to lead horses and drive the carriage at your side,” Luke Lewis said hoarsely. “Please don’t send Luke Lewis away, sir—if it turns out I’m just being paranoid, after I see you safely to Biyang, I still want to go see the iron cavalry of the Chihu people on the northern steppe. But judging by today, Cai Ting surely won’t let this go. How could I possibly leave you? Just think of me as retiring in Biyang—being able to stay by your side every day would be a great joy in life.”

“For your kindness, Brother Lewis, Brian Walker can never repay you.” Seeing Luke Lewis’s resolve, and noticing James Smith walking over, Brian Walker sighed, cupped his hands to Luke Lewis, and said no more.

“You blockhead, hurry over and thank Sir Walker for warning us!” James Smith called Henry Smith over to thank Brian Walker together.

“Thank you, Sir Walker, for your warning.” Henry Smith feigned ignorance as he stepped forward to express his gratitude.