Gregory Dean, as this patrol inspector, usually works at the Huaiyuan Patrol Office, under the jurisdiction of Tangzhou and Biyang County, but the selection and promotion of all patrol inspectors and chief patrol inspectors nationwide are directly controlled by the Privy Council.

In other words, under normal circumstances, Gregory Dean would have nothing to do with people like Travis Carter, but if, because of his closeness to Brian Walker, he catches Travis Carter's attention, with just a stroke of the pen, Gregory Dean could be transferred to some remote, dangerous place plagued by bandits or border troubles, making his life a living hell.

Gregory Dean hurriedly left because he didn't want to have any entanglement with Brian Walker.

In contrast, Ethan Clark, as the postmaster, is an official of Biyang County and does not belong to the Privy Council system. He respects Brian Walker's character and is generous in his hospitality.

"Why hasn't Seventeenth Uncle come yet?"

At this moment, Andrew Smith walked over from the side courtyard and, seeing Henry Smith, asked in confusion.

Henry Smith shrugged, indicating he had no idea.

How could there be a girl in Huaiyuan Town as stunningly beautiful and ethereal as Emily Walker?

Henry Smith could tell that Andrew Smith was somewhat smitten, but now, unable to find an excuse to stay here, he was anxious to ask about James Smith's whereabouts, wasn't he?

Henry Smith shrugged again, but Andrew Smith didn't expect him to answer anyway, and complained, "Mr. Dean already told us to entertain Sir Walker and the others well, so why is Seventeenth Uncle nowhere to be found?" He dragged Henry Smith back to the patrol office to look for James Smith...

Chapter Six: Roughness Is Not True Nature

James Smith, as a squad leader recommended by the local clan, is a low-ranking officer at the patrol office, with little status. But aside from the fact that his Smith family is a prominent clan in the Tongbai Mountains, he himself is strong and skilled, well-known in the local area.

The squad led by James Smith is mainly composed of Smith clan members and non-clan retainers from Lutai Village.

Gregory Dean usually treats him quite well.

James Smith lives in a separate small courtyard north of the patrol office; after his mother passed away, Henry Smith has been hanging around with James Smith for the past two years, and he and Andrew Smith, as his followers, also live in that courtyard.

Aside from Gregory Dean, the two captains and six squad leaders at the patrol office each have two or three trusted attendants living and eating with them. Over the years, these people have been drawing military pay at the patrol office, taking up about a third of the total troop quota.

Henry Smith is not yet of age and is not considered an official soldier of the patrol office, but James Smith still collects a share of the pay for him, saving it up for him to use when he gets married in the future.

Henry Smith followed Andrew Smith back to their residence, where James Smith, having taken off his armor, was standing under the porch wiping his face with a sweat towel.

James Smith's wife, Olivia, is a nimble woman—not a great beauty, but graceful and pleasant. At this moment, she came out of the side room, saw Henry Smith, and scolded, "You fool, why did you go hang around at Eagle's Mouth again? If those horse bandits had killed you today, how would I explain to your dead parents!"

She took the sweat towel from James Smith's hand and, exasperated, swung it at Henry Smith.

Even if it hit, it wouldn't hurt, so Henry Smith didn't bother to dodge.

Henry Smith had always been muddle-headed and didn't know much about his own family. He only knew that his father, William Smith, was a military officer in the imperial guard in his early years. Fifteen years ago, after leaving the army, he met the refugee family of Olivia Scott on his way south, helped them settle at Yuhuang Ridge where the Smith clan lived together.

Henry Smith's father died within two years of returning home, and for more than ten years, his mother raised him together with Olivia Scott's family. Three years ago, a plague hit Biyang County, and both his mother and James Smith's wife died of illness. Olivia Scott then married James Smith as his second wife, becoming Henry Smith's "Seventeenth Aunt."

James Smith took him in mainly because Olivia Scott was worried that, being clumsy, he wouldn't be able to support himself on just a few acres of poor land.

Henry Smith felt that, if there was anyone in this world who truly cared about him, it was Olivia Scott.

The sweat towel struck Henry Smith's neck with a "smack," leaving a faint red mark. Olivia immediately felt sorry, grabbed his shoulder to check the mark, and scolded, "You fool, you don't even know to dodge. Did it hurt?"

"Henry Smith hasn't made much progress in martial arts, but with that tough, knotted body of his, like iron and stone, even if you hit him with an iron rod, he might not cry out in pain!" James Smith laughed.

"Have you eaten yet?" Olivia asked, then ran to the kitchen to prepare food for Henry Smith.

James Smith called Henry Smith and Andrew Smith into the east wing to question them:

"Was it really as Old Master Walker said today, that a few horse bandits came to the vicinity of Huaiyuan Town to rob people?"

If James Smith had asked him on the way, he really wouldn't have known how to answer, but now he decided to hide the truth for the time being and replied in a muffled voice, "I suppose so. I didn't see it too clearly."

If he didn't say that, could he admit that he had already foreseen Brian Walker would be in danger at Eagle's Mouth today?

Could he say that, at Eagle's Mouth, he had already realized those three horse bandits were actually assassins after Brian Walker?

Could he say that these three assassins were most likely sent by the current Privy Envoy Travis Carter?

He couldn't even figure out what had really happened—how could he possibly explain it all?

James Smith saw Henry Smith spacing out again, and walked to the window, muttering to himself: