Thomas Brooks is the minor leader responsible for managing the dozen or so servants under him. Of course, although he is called a minor leader, he is still a servant himself, and his status within the Chu family is very low—otherwise, he wouldn’t have been sent to follow John Bennett.

In John Bennett’s memory, this Thomas Brooks was mediocre in ability. He came to the Chu family as a servant in his early teens and had always done odd jobs. Although he wasn’t good at currying favor, he was diligent and conscientious. It took him nearly ten years before he was taught some basic martial arts, reaching the Body Tempering stage, and he had accompanied the merchant caravans a few times for experience, but within the Chu family, he remained obscure.

A year ago, John Bennett was framed by his third brother and committed a grave mistake, resulting in his demotion to the Nanshan mining district. However, he was still the second young master of the Chu family. Even if he was no longer valued, he still needed some reliable servants. So, the ever-diligent Thomas Brooks was assigned to John Bennett’s side.

However, he was an honest man and had no complaints. Over the past year at John Bennett’s side, things were much the same as they had been in the Chu household.

“Young master, you wanted to see me?”

Thomas Brooks walked in cautiously, looking at John Bennett. There was a trace of fear in his eyes, clearly still shaken by what had happened earlier that day.

John Bennett looked at Thomas Brooks and said calmly, “Thomas Brooks, you’ve been in the Chu family for over ten years, working diligently, yet you’re still a servant, earning two taels of silver a month—just a bit more than those who sweep the floors. The people who entered the Chu family with you have either been transferred to the merchant caravans, become shopkeepers, or even stewards within the Chu family. Don’t you feel any resentment?”

Thomas Brooks pursed his lips. He wasn’t truly stupid. Seeing his peers who joined the Chu family with him all surpass him, while he remained at the bottom because he was the slowest, not good at flattery, and always offending people, of course he felt uncomfortable.

But Thomas Brooks’s only merit was self-awareness. He gave John Bennett a bitter smile and said, “Young master, I, Thomas Brooks, am clumsy of speech and slow-witted. All these years, the Chu family hasn’t kicked me out, and even let me go from a menial servant to serving the second young master as a guard. I’m already content.”

John Bennett looked straight into Thomas Brooks’s eyes and said, “No, you’re not content. Even a mongrel, if you feed it prime meat for a year, won’t want to go back to eating leftovers. If even a dog is like that, how much more so for a person? People are never truly content.”

John Bennett’s gaze seemed to pierce through his eyes and into his heart, making Thomas Brooks involuntarily take a step back. He opened his mouth, but didn’t know what to say.

Withdrawing his gaze, John Bennett continued slowly, “You know my status in the Chu family. Since you were assigned to me, our fates are tied together—for better or worse.”

Thomas Brooks quickly said, “I understand, young master.”

John Bennett shook his head. “No, you don’t understand. Life and death are up to fate, wealth and honor are in the hands of heaven. Everything must be fought for and seized by oneself. Of the servants who entered the Chu family with you, some became shopkeepers, some became stewards, but even more died with the merchant caravans or in the Chu family’s struggles with other clans.”

At this point, John Bennett’s tone grew deeper: “Prospects, wealth—these are things you have to risk your life for. Before, you didn’t even have the chance to risk your life! Now I’m giving you a chance: go to Shangmang Mountain outside Yuanbao Town, find the bandit leader there, and deliver a message for me. If you succeed, one hundred taels of silver are yours, and from now on, you, Thomas Brooks, will be my trusted aide.”

As he spoke, John Bennett placed a banknote for one hundred taels of silver on the table and said calmly, “With your monthly pay from the Chu family, even if you didn’t eat or drink, how much could you save in a year? I remember, your parents are both gone, but you have a younger brother entrusted to your uncle’s family. He should be of age by now, right? If he wants to find a wife in Tongzhou Prefecture, the price isn’t cheap.”

A trace of struggle flashed across Thomas Brooks’s face. Shangmang Mountain outside Yuanbao Town was no good place—just barren hills with no main roads, crawling with bandits who would kill at the slightest provocation. And now the second young master wanted him to go find them?

But the price John Bennett offered was simply irresistible.

He was an honest man, but it was precisely because of his honesty that he saw no hope or opportunity for advancement in this life.

Now John Bennett was offering him a chance. Even if it meant risking his life, Thomas Brooks was unwilling to let it slip by.

In the end, he gritted his teeth and took the banknote for one hundred taels of silver.

If it had been the old John Bennett, Thomas Brooks would never have agreed, but after witnessing John Bennett’s ruthless side today, he felt both fear and respect, and dared not refuse.

John Bennett nodded in satisfaction. He called Thomas Brooks over, whispered a few instructions in his ear, and then had him set out immediately that night.

Watching Thomas Brooks’s departing figure, a glint of cunning flashed in John Bennett’s eyes. He wasn’t worried about just letting Thomas Brooks take the money and run.

He could afford to lose one hundred taels of silver. After all, he was once the Chu family’s second young master and the manager of the Nanshan mining district, receiving several hundred taels of silver in monthly pay from the Chu family.

Besides, he was certain Thomas Brooks wouldn’t dare.