Chapter 55: The Caravan's Astonishment

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Chapter 55: The Caravan's Astonishment

The warm breeze, carrying a hint of earth, woke Tom from his nap. He wiped the drool from the corner of his mouth and groggily opened his eyes.

The scent of cooking food wafted through the air, making Tom instinctively swallow. He mumbled sleepily:

"Huh? Is it time to eat?"

Giggling non-stop, the adorable Xiao jixiang approached, carrying a bowl full of food.

She handed Tom a piece of black bread, her mouth already stuffed full. Chewing as she spoke with muffled words:

"Brother Tom, it's time to eat, hehe."

With a goofy smile, Tom grabbed the bread and stuffed it into his mouth, finishing it in two bites before happily taking a sip of water. He curiously glanced around:

"Where did Jifan run off to?"

"Brother went ahead with a rogue uncle to scout the road. I heard we're almost at Bay Village."

Xiao jixiang, being sensible, explained slowly, though there was a hint of worry in her eyes.

Traveling with the caravan had been the happiest time in Xiao jixiang's memory.

She could eat three meals a day, and as much as she wanted, with meat in at least one meal daily.

Though sometimes the nights were frightening, with swamp creatures occasionally emerging from the fog, croaking loudly, Xiao jixiang felt that these were the best days she had ever known.

She secretly hoped this journey would never end—being full every day was her greatest wish.

But every journey has an end, no matter how long.

As Xiao jixiang stared blankly at the vast plains ahead, she suddenly spotted her brother running back. Her worries melted away as she joyfully sprinted toward Jifan, with everyone smiling slightly at the scene.

From atop his carriage, Adam Smith carefully observed the group of soldiers returning with Jifan.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

A team of ten soldiers jogged forward.

Their polished new boots, which many of the cart-pushers envied, struck the uneven dirt road in unison.

Every soldier wore a serious expression, their sharp gazes making many avert their eyes instinctively.

"So elite? Are these Lord Matthew's personal guards?"

"No, wait—some of those lads are from Bay Village. I even hired them before..."

Adam Smith, with his excellent memory, recognized a few of the soldiers.

Having seen much in his time, Adam Smith even sensed a faint aura of danger emanating from some of the soldiers.

This meant they were not only professionals but had likely taken lives recently.

He never would have imagined that in just a few days, these soldiers would undergo such a dramatic change.

Before Adam Smith could make sense of it, Leon, the squad leader, approached and asked matter-of-factly:

"Are you from the Pearl Merchant Company? Are you Mr. Adam Smith?"

With a smile immediately plastered on his face, Adam Smith hopped off his carriage and warmly stood next to Leon, nodding in response:

"Yes, by Lord Matthew's order, I've returned with the goods..."

Placing a hand on Adam Smith's wrist, which held a gold coin, Leon shook his head. In Adam Smith's astonished gaze, Leon calmly said:

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