"Your accent is a bit like that of the Taishan region. Although there are some differences, it's not a big problem. You can say you've been studying in Taishan all along. I know there are quite a few schools over there. Plus, with me covering for you, we should be able to get by."

"I understand! But I still have a few questions."

"No problem, just ask. We need to consider every detail thoroughly so nothing goes wrong. Oh, and don't forget all the etiquette and forms of address I taught you last night."

The two of them talked as they headed north. At this point, they were still within the borders of Runan Commandery. After passing through Rang Mountain and traveling another hundred li or so, they would enter the territory of Jingzhou.

The seat of Runan Commandery was in Ancheng County. About two hundred li north of Ancheng County, there was a hilly area with undulating mountains about a hundred zhang high. This stretch of hills, spanning dozens of li, was called Rang Mountain.

Chris Lewis and Stephen Wood had no mounts and were not moving quickly. They hadn't eaten for a whole day and night, and were so hungry they felt dizzy and faint. To make matters worse, the area around them was a vast wilderness, and they couldn't even find a wild rabbit.

It wasn't until dusk that they finally saw Rang Mountain in the distance. By then, it was almost dark. The two had just entered a hill, preparing to find a place to eat and spend the night, when suddenly, a whistling arrow flew over their heads with a sharp sound—"whoosh!"

"Seize them!"

Chapter 6: In Trouble Again

Nearly a hundred Yellow Turban soldiers, who had been lying in ambush on both sides of the road, charged out from all directions. Before they could react, the two were surrounded. Dozens of bows were drawn and aimed at them.

Stephen Wood, who had some experience, quickly raised his hands and shouted, "We're just ordinary people, please don't hurt us!"

"Nonsense!"

A company commander strode out, pointed his broadsword at the two of them, and shouted sternly, "You must be spies from Cao's army. Arrest them!"

At this moment, Chris Lewis calmly said, "Is Lord Liu here? I am his clan nephew, and I wish to see him!"

Several Yellow Turban soldiers who were about to pounce stopped in their tracks and turned to look at the company commander. The commander was taken aback—so this was a clan nephew of the imperial Liu family. He hesitated for a moment, then quickly whispered instructions to a soldier, who immediately ran off.

Stephen Wood was surprised. Is Liu Bei really here? He had come from Shanyang Commandery and was just passing through Runan, unaware that Liu Bei had returned to Runan. He never expected Liu Bei to be here. If Liu Bei was indeed here, things would be much easier.

But Chris Lewis sneered inwardly. If Liu Bei really was here, things would be troublesome—they would surely become a key target for Cao's army. He claimed to be Liu Bei's nephew only to avoid being tied up and humiliated.

At that moment, a general galloped over on horseback. He was about seven and a half feet tall, nearly forty years old, with a full beard. His arrival made the soldiers respectfully make way.

This was the main general of the Runan Yellow Turbans, Brian Lewis. After being scattered by Cao's army, he had led over four thousand remnants here, planning to look for Liu Bei again, when he received news that Liu Bei's nephew had arrived.

He thought it was Guan Ping, sent by Liu Bei to find them, so he rushed over on horseback. But to his surprise, it was two strangers. Brian Lewis was instantly furious. He swung his broadsword, the gleaming tip pressing against Chris Lewis's throat. "Who are you, daring to impersonate the imperial uncle's nephew? Are you tired of living?"

"How do you know I'm not the imperial uncle's nephew?" Chris Lewis showed no fear, meeting Brian Lewis's gaze.

Brian Lewis had joined the Yellow Turban uprising in the first year of Zhongping and had fought all over the land for more than a decade, meeting countless people and gaining rich life experience. Although he didn't know if Liu Bei had any nephews, he could read people. In Chris Lewis's eyes, he saw confidence and a calm composure different from ordinary people—something impostors rarely possessed.

"How can you prove you are the imperial uncle's nephew?"

"The imperial uncle studied under Lu Zhi and is friends with Gongsun Zan. In the early years of Zhongping, the imperial uncle and his sworn brothers Guan and Zhang raised troops in Zhuo Commandery to resist the Yellow Turbans, achieving many military successes. Yet he was disliked by the eunuchs, so his merits went unrewarded, leaving him wandering without a home. He held Pingyuan, rescued Xuzhou, resisted Cao the traitor, and was appointed imperial uncle and Left General by the Han emperor. He conspired with Dong Cheng and others on the Edict in the Girdle to eliminate traitors. Can these serve as proof?"

Brian Lewis stared at Chris Lewis for a long time, then slowly withdrew his broadsword and said coldly, "If you dare to impersonate, I will have you cut to pieces!"

Chris Lewis smiled faintly. "The imperial uncle is beset by Cao's army, surrounded on all sides. What good would it do me to impersonate his nephew at a time like this?"

"There would certainly be benefits!"

Brian Lewis saw that they were exhausted and waved his hand, ordering, "Prepare a small tent for them, and give them a meal with meat!"

"Young master, you really have a way. You actually fooled them! If they'd suspected us of being Cao's spies, we'd be in for a world of pain—no way we'd be getting meat with our meal!" Stephen Wood, cold and hungry, praised Chris Lewis with his mouth full as he wolfed down the meat and millet porridge.

But Chris Lewis seemed preoccupied. He had pretended to be Liu Bei's nephew partly to get a meal, but also to avoid being treated as a Cao army spy, tortured, and finally tied up. He needed to keep his freedom so he could escape at any time.

He lowered his voice and said, "Once we're full, let's escape under cover of night!"

"Why?" Stephen Wood asked in astonishment.