“I am the Deputy Commander of the Far East Army. In terms of the system, my direct superior should be George Evans.” Paul Smith said kindly, “Commander Evans has always asked me to look after you.”

David Thompson recalled the care and concern Paul Smith had shown him over the past six years, and a surge of warmth filled his heart. He bowed deeply to the elderly man before him: “David Thompson, with my humble self, have received such care from Commander George Evans and you, my lord… This kindness and affection, I can hardly repay in this lifetime! Should you have any orders, David Thompson will devote himself wholeheartedly, sparing no effort or regard for my own life!”

Paul Smith stood up with authority: “At present, President Emily Harris is arrogant and overbearing, with no one able to restrain him, and he already harbors the heart of a traitor! Deputy Commander David Thompson, as a senior of the family, I order you: do whatever it takes to protect Miss Olivia Thompson! She is the only blood descendant left by Lord Yuanxing.”

He bowed to David Thompson: “Dave, I’m counting on you!”

David Thompson raised his head and replied: “Yes, sir! As long as David Thompson draws breath, I will never let any harm come to the young lady! Please rest assured!” He returned the bow deeply, feeling a surge of heroic passion in his chest.

“Oh, there’s one more thing. Didn’t you just say you’d repay me with your life? Then what about my wine…”

David Thompson replied just as firmly: “No way! I was just saying that… Three bottles of century-old wine and a bottle of royal brandy together are worth more than my life! Even if you kill me, I won’t give them back!”

In the most upscale, finest, and also most expensive Tianmeng Restaurant in Valen City, Roger Smith, Henry Clark, and Ethan Foster, the three newly promoted bannermen, jointly hosted a farewell banquet for their superior, Deputy Commander David, who was being transferred to the imperial capital!

Henry Clark glanced at the menu, feeling a bit shocked: So expensive!

She whispered to Roger Smith, “Are you sure you really brought enough money?”

Roger Smith pulled a long face (whispering): “Worst case, I’ll just pawn you. Why did Lord David have to pick this place? Tonight’s meal will cost me half a year’s salary, and that’s with the three of us splitting it.”

Henry Clark (whispering): “I suspect that idiot is making things hard for us on purpose. Look at what he ordered: golden roast suckling pig, golden roast lobster, golden roast chicken, golden roast duck, golden fruit pie, golden candied vegetables, golden brandy… Eating so much gold, I hope he gets constipated and dies!”

Roger Smith (whispering): “Shh! Keep your voice down! I think he just gave you a weird look—I suspect he heard you. Oh no, he’s calling for more dishes again—deluxe golden imperial eight treasures! That’s it, there goes next year’s salary too!”

David Thompson was happily chatting with Ethan Foster when he suddenly turned and asked, “Henry Clark, Roger Smith, what are you two whispering about over there?”

Henry Clark: “My lord, you’re being transferred and won’t be our superior anymore. We’re all really reluctant to see you go, and it’s making us so sad.”

David Thompson: “Oh, hearing you say that makes me sad too, but judging by your expressions, you don’t look all that sad—in fact, you look more like… prisoners who’ve just been released.”

Henry Clark: “Oh, we’re smiling on the outside, but crying on the inside!”

Roger Smith and Ethan Foster both chimed in, expressing agreement: crying on the inside—their hearts were weeping for their wallets, silently…

David Thompson rubbed his eyes, as if deeply moved: “Having such good subordinates as you is truly my good fortune! I almost don’t want to leave…”

“Please don’t!” The three shouted in unison!

“My lord, we couldn’t bear to hold back your bright future!” (Go, go, go make trouble for the people in the capital!)

“Yes, my lord, just come back to visit us when you have time!” (Or better yet, don’t come back at all!)

“We just worry that when you get promoted, you won’t recognize us little people anymore…” (Whether you do or not, I’m not recognizing you again anyway.)

Looking at David Thompson, he seemed so moved he was about to cry, choking up as he said, “We’ve been through life and death together, shared hardships, true friends can never forget each other! Come, let’s drink heartily to our friendship! Oh, miss, bring five more bottles of royal brandy, and add a golden roast whole lamb!”

……

When everyone was full and tipsy, contentedly (or pretending to be contentedly) rubbing their bellies and resting, David Thompson suddenly remembered something: “Look at my memory! There’s official business I forgot to tell you.”

He pulled an official document from his pocket: “Signed by Deputy Commander Paul Smith, your new appointments as bannermen. Roger Smith, you take it and read for yourself.”

Henry Clark felt a sense of foreboding, but quickly comforted herself: No matter how bad it is, it can’t be worse than things are now, right?

Roger Smith took it, opened it, and after just one glance, this fearless warrior who had faced tens of thousands of demons without flinching, fainted on the spot.

Ethan Foster snatched it up: “So useless! At worst, it’s just sending us to attack the Great Demon Fortress, no need to be so scared, how spineless!”

After saying that, he took a look—and fainted as well.

Henry Clark picked up the appointment letter from the floor with trembling hands. David Thompson was looking at her with a very sympathetic expression, suggesting, “Want some wine to calm your nerves?”

Henry Clark opened it in one breath. The order was simple, just one sentence: “Hereby assign bannermen Roger Smith, Ethan Foster, and Henry Clark to serve under Deputy Commander David Thompson, and return together to the imperial capital on official duty. Chief of Staff of the Far East Army, Paul Smith, Imperial Calendar Year 778.”