In fact, he couldn’t guarantee whether Adam Cooper would survive. After all, with such extensive sulfuric acid burns, only a massive amount of antibiotics could prevent death from infection, and with the current level of medical care, the odds were slim.

Adam Cooper’s eyes flickered with panic, and he hurriedly signaled to Henry Foster, who quickly left to prepare things for Eric Bennett. By now, more and more consorts, princes, and nobles had heard the news and rushed over, but it wasn’t until more than half an hour later that the crown prince James Walker arrived in a hurry. However, by then, there was nothing left for him to do—Eric Bennett had forbidden any idle people from entering, so he and the others had to stand outside the main hall.

“I want to see the Emperor!”

James Walker shouted, his filial piety shining as bright as the sun and moon.

“Your Highness, keep your voice down. Look, my hands are shaking. If I shake one more time, you’ll be inheriting the throne.”

Eric Bennett said with clear displeasure.

Beneath the tip of his sword was Adam Cooper...

At this point, it was impossible to tell what expression Adam Cooper had. In fact, Brother Cooper’s face was now beyond recognition.

James Walker, who had already rushed halfway through the door, broke out in a cold sweat and quickly retreated.

At this moment, Henry Foster arrived with a single-horse carriage and Little Grace. As per Eric Bennett’s request, there was even a young girl acting as the driver—no one knew how he’d found her.

“Brother Cooper, get up and see your brother off!”

Eric Bennett said to Adam Cooper.

Adam Cooper shot him a venomous glare, then, under the threat of the sword, slowly stood up and, with pus and blood already oozing from his face, walked outside. Eric Bennett pressed the sword to his neck and carefully escorted him out. The ministers and guards outside cooperatively made way, allowing him to walk straight to the carriage.

“Master!”

Little Grace called out in delight.

“Go, sit up front and keep an eye on the driver!”

Eric Bennett said.

Little Grace obediently sat in the front.

“Brother Cooper, don’t worry. I’ll let you go once I’m out of the city. Killing you does me no good, but tell your people not to do anything stupid. If anything goes wrong, it’ll be bad for both of us. Have all soldiers from here to Zhengyang Gate withdraw a thousand paces—I don’t want to see a single soldier in my line of sight. Clear out all bystanders along the way as well; not one is to remain.”

As he carefully climbed into the carriage, Eric Bennett spoke to Adam Cooper.

“Do as he says!”

Adam Cooper said grimly to Henry Foster.

The latter knelt in acknowledgment, hurriedly summoned several guards, and quickly went to deliver the order to clear the streets.

“Head south, to Zhengyang Gate!”

Eric Bennett then said to Little Grace.

The carriage immediately set off, slowly making its way toward Zhengyang Gate.

Nothing unexpected happened along the way. All the Qing soldiers had disappeared, and even those on the city walls had retreated a thousand paces. The large group of guards led by Henry Foster followed closely a thousand paces behind. They knew Eric Bennett just wanted to escape and wouldn’t really kill the emperor—after all, there was no benefit in doing so. But if they acted rashly, they might force Eric Bennett into a corner, so the safest option was to follow at a distance.

The problem was, by following like this, it was impossible to predict when Eric Bennett would release his hostage. After all, once he did, he’d face the pursuit of the entire nation.

Soon, Eric Bennett’s carriage passed through the Meridian Gate, then Tiananmen, and then, without obstruction, exited Zhengyang Gate into the outer city. This was the Han residential area. Although the streets had also been cleared, many commoners still hid in the buildings on either side to watch the spectacle. Such a grand scene was certainly eye-catching: a solitary carriage, a dense crowd of yellow-robed guards behind, and in the carriage, Eric Bennett sitting with his sword at Adam Cooper’s neck—any imperial image was now completely shattered.

Especially when they saw Adam Cooper’s face, oozing pus and blood like a demon, it was enough to completely destroy anyone’s worldview, values, and outlook on life. Even though people no longer recognized Cooper, the dragon robe and hat he wore were unmistakable.

And so, in this worldview-shattering parade, Eric Bennett held Adam Cooper hostage through the outer city, then, again without obstruction, exited Yongding Gate. Of course, he wouldn’t release his hostage after leaving the city—if he did, the soldiers from the Fengtai and Tongzhou camps would chop him into dumpling filling. The carriage then turned west, exited Wanping, and crossed Lugou Bridge. By the time they reached Fangshan, it was already dark. The wounds on Adam Cooper’s face had become infected and were festering, and he was even running a high fever, but he still couldn’t be released. Eric Bennett simply had the young palace maid in front drive the carriage out of Fangshan, while Henry Foster and a group of princes and ministers followed helplessly with their army a thousand paces behind.

In a forest between Fangshan and Zhuozhou, Eric Bennett suddenly shouted, “Stop the carriage!”

Chapter 5: Escape from Death

“Hey!”

With a long howl, Eric Bennett suddenly pulled a celestial beast out of thin air, startling Little Grace into an instinctive cry.

“Get on!”

Eric Bennett swung himself onto the beast, patted the back, and called out.

Little Grace looked on in confusion, grabbed his outstretched hand, stepped onto a strange stirrup, and clumsily climbed up, looking helplessly down. At that moment, the beast’s eyes flashed with a dazzling light, illuminating the road ahead as if it were daylight, and then it let out a deep roar.

“Hold on to my waist!”