“ But Jack had wanted to save Grace for a long time, and even asked us for help. Unfortunately...” Bruce Smith said sullenly. If his older brother hadn’t stopped him back then, he would have become a “young hero” of Wildwood Town together with Jack. Everyone around had already eaten and drunk their fill; only he was still holding the last half of a huge, fat river clam, forcing himself to swallow it down—he would never waste food. As he chewed, he asked, “Jack, what made you want to save Grace?”

　　Baldy jumped in, “Because Grace is Jack’s wife.”

　　Grace buried her whole face in her palms, and Jack hurriedly shook his head, “No, no, I... it’s not like that.”

　　“Huh, then why? Was it for chivalry, to help the weak?” Baldy pressed.

　　Jack was even more unwilling to speak, shaking his head vigorously. But when Grace peeked out from behind her hands with a look full of curiosity, he hesitated, uneasily took off his brimless straw hat, and fanned himself twice in front of his chest. “It’s really hot.”

　　“Jack had a dream,” Brian Smith couldn’t wait any longer—he was the only one who knew the truth. “He dreamed that Grace was asking him for help.”

　　The boys all made strange noises at once. Their understanding of romance was vague at best; it was more funny to them than enviable. Jack blushed furiously, grabbed a clam shell, and threw it over. “Big mouth!”

　　Brian Smith dodged with a laugh, and as he straightened up, a thought popped into his head. He shouted, “Let’s have Jack and Grace get married!”

　　The boys, full and restless, were eager to do something to burn off their excess energy. They all joined in, cheering and making a racket. Grace hid her face behind her hands again; surrounded by a group of boys, she felt even more isolated and rarely spoke.

　　Jack shook his head even harder. “No, no, I... anyway, it’s not happening.”

　　Brian Smith and Bruce Smith, the brothers, took the lead. Several boys rushed forward, hoisting Jack and pushing him toward Grace, while the others shouted and egged them on, startling flocks of roosting birds into flight in the forest.

　　Jack struggled desperately, but in the end, it was Eric who saved him.

　　Eric stopped the rowdy crowd. “Alright, alright, that’s enough. Listen to me.” The others let go. Eric, acting like an adult, placed a hand on Jack’s shoulder and said, “No need to rush. You’ll marry Grace sooner or later.”

　　“I’m not in a rush,” Jack shook off his hand. “No, that’s not it. I didn’t save Grace just to marry her.”

　　No one believed Jack’s explanation, least of all Eric. “When we get to Xijie City, I’ll have my uncle arrange it and host your wedding. Then it’ll be official.”

　　“What about your dad? Will he agree?” Baldy asked worriedly.

　　“It’s fine. My uncle and my dad don’t get along anyway.” Eric was determined to make this happen, wanting to become the leader of the Wildwood Town boys, even if it meant offending his father.

　　The boys’ excitement flared up and faded just as quickly. Since Eric had spoken, no one insisted further, and they sat around the campfire chatting.

　　“The Xuanfu Army is here!” a voice shouted from behind a tree. Jack and Eric jumped up almost at the same time, looking around nervously.

　　It was Lance who came running out—he’d gone behind the tree to relieve himself and decided to play a prank on everyone.

　　“You’re not the Xuanfu Army, you’re a barbarian monster!” Once the truth was out, Eric lunged at him at full speed. “I’m the Xuanfu Army!”

　　In no time, the well-fed boys all joined the fray, pairing off to wrestle and fight. The youngest, Baldy, danced around the edge, cheering everyone on, while Grace covered her mouth, laughing so hard she nearly doubled over.

　　This was a favorite game among the Wildwood Town boys—simple and rough, perfect for burning off excess energy. After a quarter of an hour, the boys collapsed in a heap and fell asleep, while Jack and Eric were still arguing over who deserved to be the Xuanfu Army.

　　No one had brought bedding; only Grace used the bundle prepared by Granny Wind as a pillow, sleeping alone on the other side of the fire. Only after she was fully asleep did her hands slip away from her mouth.

　　Two days of travel had disrupted Jack’s sleep schedule. He didn’t wake up naturally before sunrise, but was instead woken by something tapping him. He opened his eyes to find it was already light, birds chirping all around, and a tall figure standing before him.

　　Jack scrambled up, instantly wide awake, staring in shock.

　　A soldier, fully encased in armor, was looking down at him. The thing that had tapped him was a pitch-black sword scabbard.

　　This was a real Xuanfu Army soldier.

　　Jack felt as if he were looking up at a giant tree—except this tree had no trace of green, only black metal all over, even its eyes hidden within, with no way to tell how it saw the outside world.

　　Strange patterns were engraved on the black armor, looking like writing or perhaps swirling clouds. Jack had seen Xuanfu Army soldiers from afar before, but only as a mass of black. This was his first time seeing the designs up close, and he was stunned, mouth agape, unable to say a word.

　　Jack was the first to wake; the other boys were roused one after another by being tapped awake, all of them terrified. Eric, still half-asleep, tried to run, but a soldier grabbed him with one hand and tossed him hard to the ground. After that, no one dared resist.

　　Eleven Xuanfu Army soldiers, eleven warhorses, completely surrounded the fugitive boys.