Grace replied obediently, “Hello, uncle.”

　　Richard Howard's face instantly darkened. Heaven knows, he had just turned thirty today—how did he become an uncle already?

　　Besides, he called Edward Sutton boss, but Edward Sutton's little sister called him uncle. How did he suddenly become a generation lower for no reason?

　　“Call him big brother.” Edward Sutton smiled gently.

　　“Oh, hello, Brother Huang.” Grace Sutton looked doubtfully at Richard Howard's obviously prematurely aged face, but still obediently called him big brother.

　　Edward Sutton patted Grace's head and said to Richard Howard, “Find a few brothers and come with me to Wang's Pharmacy.”

　　“If you need any medicine, just let me know and I'll have them buy it.”

　　A cold glint flashed in Edward Sutton's eyes. “It's not about buying medicine. We're going to get something back from someone!”

Chapter 8: Killing is too cruel, just cripple him

　　There was only one pharmacy in the entire Changle Ward, right next to the Happy Forest.

　　Everyone else thought Changle Ward was a slum with no profit to be made, so they were unwilling to open a pharmacy here.

　　Happy Forest was wealthy, but how many people on one street could get sick? Opening a pharmacy here would only lose money.

　　But the manager of Wang's Pharmacy had a much longer-term vision than the others.

　　The poor couldn't afford to see a doctor. For minor illnesses, they just toughed it out, and only came to the pharmacy to find a physician when they couldn't bear it anymore.

　　By that time, he could charge exorbitant prices and fleece them hard.

　　Even a broken ship has three pounds of nails; no matter how poor the people of Changle Ward were, there was still some profit to be squeezed out.

　　So not only was Wang's Pharmacy's business not bad, it actually made more money than some pharmacies in the bustling wards.

　　The Mr. Walker of Wang's Pharmacy was about sixty, covered in fat, looking more like a butcher than a doctor.

　　At this moment, Mr. Walker was admiring a jade-green bracelet.

　　The jade bracelet was as clear as water, with some hollowed-out patterns engraved on it, looking quite extraordinary.

　　“What a pity, there's only one bracelet. If there were a pair, the price would be several times higher.

　　I just don't know which family that little girl was from last time. Otherwise, with a little effort, maybe I could get the other bracelet too.”

　　Mr. Walker shook his head regretfully, put the bracelet back in the box, and planned to go to the pawnshop when he had time to exchange it for silver.

　　“All of you, get moving! No slacking off! Or I'll dock all your wages this month!”

　　Mr. Walker shouted at the pharmacy clerks. Just as he was about to get up, he saw a handsome young man leading a little girl inside.

　　When he saw the little girl, Mr. Walker's eyes lit up. Wasn't this the little girl who came to his pharmacy to steal medicine a few days ago?

　　“Ha! You little brat, you actually dare to come back! After ruining so many of my herbs last time, one bracelet isn't enough to pay for it! Hand over the other one, now!”

　　Grace was startled by Mr. Walker, clutching tightly to Edward Sutton's clothes, and said aggrievedly, “But I already returned the medicine.”

　　“Hmph! Medicine that's been touched by your dirty hands—who would use it?” Mr. Walker snorted coldly, his face full of disdain.

　　Edward Sutton patted Grace's little head and looked at Mr. Walker indifferently. “What kind of medicine needs two jade bracelets as compensation?”

　　Only then did Mr. Walker notice Edward Sutton, and sneered, “You're this little girl's family, right? Listen up, what she took last time was genuine Liaodong ginseng, all shipped from the Eastern Jin.

　　From the Eastern Jin to our Great Zhou, that's tens of thousands of miles. Each ginseng root is worth over a hundred taels! She ruined seven or eight at once—can you afford to pay for that?”

　　Mr. Walker even took out a box of ginseng wrapped in red cloth and placed it in front of them, looking as if he had them completely in his grasp.

　　“Liar! You're lying! What I took last time wasn't this at all!” Grace Sutton clenched her little fists and shouted in grievance.

　　“Hmph! If I say it is, then it is!” Mr. Walker looked at Edward Sutton and sneered, “Boy, hand over the other jade bracelet right now, or I'll report you to the authorities and you can look forward to eating prison food!”

　　Dealing with commoners like Edward Sutton, Mr. Walker was most experienced.

　　As long as he threatened them with the authorities, they would definitely give in obediently.

　　The yamen's doors open to the south; if you have a case but no money, don't bother coming in.

　　Since ancient times, the authorities were never meant for the poor.

　　But to Mr. Walker's surprise, he didn't see a trace of panic in Edward Sutton's eyes. This young man remained calm throughout.

　　After a moment of silence, Edward Sutton finally spoke: “I've never eaten prison food, but I believe you won't be eating any food soon.”

　　“You dare threaten me, boy?” Mr. Walker sneered. “You know the Flying Eagle Gang? I pay them dozens of taels in protection money every month. Believe it or not, with just one word from me, the Flying Eagle Gang will break your legs and throw you out!”

　　“Old Huang, you guys come in.” Edward Sutton called softly.

　　Hearing Edward Sutton's words, Richard Howard immediately led eight gang members inside.

　　“Well! Master Huang, what brings you here?” Seeing Richard Howard enter, Mr. Walker immediately waddled over on his short, fat legs to greet him.

　　Richard Howard had been mixing in the Flying Eagle Gang for over ten years.