Stephen Wood is dead. Can he still go to Jingzhou? Although the body is still his, without Stephen Wood's recommendation, will William Lewis still trust him? Maybe he will, maybe he won't—everything is unknown. If he doesn't go to Jingzhou, where else can he go?

“Mr. Chris, you should still go to Jingzhou!”

Richard Scott smiled slightly at the side and said, “You are William Lewis's nephew. Whether Stephen Wood is here or not, that fact does not change.”

Richard Scott sighed softly again. “Mr. Chris, your journey to Jingzhou is not about relying on William Lewis's support, but about seeking an opportunity to showcase your own talents. After this night, I, Richard Scott, have seen a person of integrity, loyalty, gratitude, and unwavering commitment. I respect you, and I also hope you can find a good place to belong.”

Richard Scott's words made Chris Lewis's heart flush with the colors of the morning glow. He gazed at the sunrise bursting forth, and a surge of heroic spirit—of a true man standing between heaven and earth—rose in his chest.

Yes! Maybe there is some risk, but what in life is without risk? The greater the risk, the greater the reward. Marquis of Jinping Pavilion, nephew of the Governor of Jingzhou, William Lewis—compared to the benefits that could be gained, a little risk is truly nothing to worry about.

If a real man can't even bear this bit of risk, what else can he do? Isn't going to Jingzhou a good idea? He could strive for William Lewis's family estate, establish his own achievements, and it would not be in vain that he traveled through the Three Kingdoms.

Thinking of this, Chris Lewis turned back and smiled at Richard Scott: “If one day, Brother Richard also gets the chance to display his talents and make his mark, would you seize that opportunity?”

Richard Scott smiled faintly. He understood Chris Lewis's deeper meaning. He was not foolish; the words Stephen Wood spoke before his death had made everything clear to him.

After a moment, he replied calmly, “I will not betray my lord. Just as Mister has never abandoned me, I will never abandon him. My lord is now suffering setbacks and is at his most difficult time—how could I possibly leave him now?”

Richard Scott's answer left Chris Lewis a little disappointed, but then he understood. If Richard Scott really betrayed Abraham Lewis, then he would not be the famed Richard Scott of Changshan.

More importantly, he was thinking too far ahead. Now was not yet the time for his grand ambitions. What he needed to do was find a way for William Lewis to acknowledge him, then establish himself in Jingzhou. That was the problem he should be considering right now.

Chris Lewis's mood gradually calmed, and his reason returned. He smiled and said, “Actually, my greatest wish is to master martial arts like Brother Richard, but unfortunately, I haven't had that opportunity.”

Richard Scott fell silent. After a moment, he looked at Chris Lewis and said quietly, “You will have it.”

Chris Lewis was just speaking casually. At this moment, he thought of something else and said, “I also want to go to Xiangyang. Maybe I'll meet Uncle Lewis. If I really do, for the sake of Brother Richard's loyalty and righteousness, I am willing to do my part to help him stay in Jingzhou.”

Richard Scott was overjoyed. If Chris Lewis could persuade William Lewis to keep his lord, then his lord would not be driven to a dead end, and there would be a new turning point.

“Thank you, Mr. Chris, for your righteousness.”

Chris Lewis nodded. He noticed that Richard Scott's tone was no longer as weak as it had been the night before and had clearly improved, so he smiled and said, “That bastard's hidden medicine for wounds was pretty good. It's a pity it's all gone. I wonder if there are any herbs nearby?”

He stood up and looked around. At that moment, he saw in the distance a Little Hermit carrying a bamboo basket walking toward them. Chris Lewis was overjoyed—he had just been worrying about not finding the way!

He immediately went forward to greet him, bowed, and said, “Daoist, please wait!”

The Little Hermit was about fourteen or fifteen years old, of medium build, with thick lips and a flat nose, looking honest and simple, holding a medicine hoe in his hand.

Suddenly encountering two soldiers in the wild mountains, he was startled and quickly put his palms together in greeting, “Boundless Heavenly Honored One! Where do you two benefactors come from?”

“We are subordinates of Uncle Lewis. Our group was scattered by Cao's army, and we escaped over mountains and ridges. My companion is seriously wounded. I wonder if you could help us.”

He and Richard Scott were both wearing Cao army armor and could not hide it, so they could only take a chance. Since Abraham Lewis's reputation for benevolence and righteousness was known throughout the land, it depended on whether this Little Hermit would be sympathetic.

Chapter 16: Meeting the Lord

When the Little Hermit heard they were subordinates of Uncle Lewis, he immediately became respectful and bowed, “So you are followers of Uncle Lewis. I, Little Hermit, will do my best to help. Please come with me to the Daoist temple at the foot of the mountain. My master can treat wounds.”

Chris Lewis cursed inwardly, “Big-Eared Lewis's reputation really is something. No wonder he's welcomed everywhere.”

He and the Little Hermit supported Richard Scott and slowly made their way down the mountain.

At the foot of the mountain was a Daoist temple called Tianxuan Temple, with about twenty Daoists. Usually, everyone gathered herbs and farmed, self-sufficient and living peaceful, worry-free lives, unaffected by the turmoil at the end of the Han dynasty.

The abbot was an Old Hermit known as Hermit of the Hills. He was originally a famous physician and craftsman. Though he could heal others, he could not heal himself. After his wife and children died of typhoid, he became a Daoist, wandering the land, and finally settled in Rangshan. He usually treated the villagers around for free and gave out medicine, earning a great reputation.

Hermit of the Hills had also long heard that Abraham Lewis was a benevolent and righteous elder. Upon hearing that Abraham Lewis's followers were in trouble, he immediately ordered a quiet room to be prepared and personally treated Richard Scott's wounds. Although the arrow poison was severe, fortunately the arrowhead had not damaged the tendons or bones, and with Chris Lewis's timely treatment stabilizing the poison, Richard Scott's condition was not serious. As long as he rested for a month, he would fully recover.