However, despite being such a tough character who could lord over all the kids in Datian Town, he was deeply afraid of Henry Sullivan alone. Last year, he was severely beaten by Henry Sullivan, breaking four ribs and spending three months bedridden before recovering. Since then, he never dared to offend Henry Sullivan again.

Henry Sullivan’s voice was like an invisible shackle, forcing Jason Bolton to abruptly pull back the foot he was about to kick out. He looked at Henry Sullivan, and though he wished he could tear him to pieces, he dared not show a trace of it on his face.

He knew that Henry Sullivan always meant what he said. If he really landed that kick, and Henry Sullivan said he’d tie him up and throw him to the wolves in the mountains, he would definitely do it!

With resentment boiling in his heart, Jason Bolton’s expression shifted, though a trace of coldness still lingered at the corner of his brow. “You with the surname Qin, these two broke my rules. Shouldn’t they be taught a lesson?”

Henry Sullivan only sneered inwardly. Since when did bullying and plundering become rules? He couldn’t be bothered to say more to Jason Bolton, and squeezed out a single word: “Scram.”

Jason Bolton’s face turned ugly at this, but he knew that turning hostile would only end badly for him. In his heart, he cursed Henry Sullivan a thousand times over. He couldn’t understand what Henry Sullivan was thinking. Someone who grew up studying should know the meaning of “profit and loss” and, by joining forces with him, could dominate the whole town. Why did he always have to go against him in everything?

Henry Sullivan saw the foul look on Jason Bolton’s face and knew what he was thinking. He could only sigh inwardly and mutter to himself: Henry Sullivan, oh Henry Sullivan, you’ve studied since childhood and should understand the meaning of “profit and loss.” You should know to stay away from such villains, so why can’t you hold back when things like this happen?

Thinking of this, Henry Sullivan gave a wry smile. Though his studies had made him reasonable, they had also given him some of a scholar’s stubbornness. He knew that sometimes, if you minded your own business, you could avoid a lot of trouble, but he just couldn’t ignore his sense of justice.

Someone sharp-eyed noticed that there seemed to be something in Henry Sullivan’s tightly clenched fist, emitting a faint, refreshing medicinal fragrance, and said, “Mmm… that smells great! Brother Sullivan, what good stuff did you get today? Are you heading to Brooks Pharmacy to sell it?”

“Nonsense, when has anything Brother Sullivan brought out ever been anything but top quality?” Before Henry Sullivan could reply, a young man jumped in, flattering him, quickly winning a chorus of agreement.

“Brother Sullivan, I heard that today two out-of-towners bought up all the valuable herbs at Brooks Pharmacy, and even said that if anyone else has rare herbs, they’ll pay much higher prices than Brooks Pharmacy!”

“Yeah, I heard that too. Brother Sullivan, you always have good stuff. If they like what you have, you might make a fortune!”

Henry Sullivan’s heart stirred, feeling lucky, and he cheerfully promised, “Let’s see. If the price is good, drinks are on me.”

Amid cheers, Henry Sullivan was surrounded by a crowd of youths as they headed toward Brooks Pharmacy.

As soon as Henry Sullivan appeared, he drew all eyes. Jason Bolton, now left with only a few die-hard followers, gnashed his teeth and said, “Soon it’ll be the day when the mountain immortals come to choose disciples. I must be chosen by an immortal and get my revenge!”

Chapter 0002: The Mountain Immortals Select Their Disciples

Brooks Pharmacy was famous throughout Datian Town. Injuries and poisonings were inevitable when hunting in the mountains, but Old Brooks could always cure them with his medicine, earning him a stellar reputation in town.

On North Street, in a rather unremarkable little shop, a large sign with the character “药” (medicine) hung high. Old Brooks’s apprentices were busy cutting and preparing herbs, and a fragrant herbal aroma filled the air.

Although business was good, Old Brooks, who left everything to his apprentices, was quite at ease. He often sat in a rattan chair in the shop’s inner courtyard, sipping tea and reading, thoroughly enjoying himself. Unless his apprentices encountered a particularly tricky case or needed to buy especially rare herbs and didn’t dare decide on their own, he no longer involved himself in ordinary matters.

Surrounded by a crowd of youths, Henry Sullivan arrived in grand fashion at Brooks Pharmacy, attracting plenty of attention.

Everyone in town knew that Henry Sullivan must be here to sell herbs again, and with such a big group, it was probably something valuable!

Besides some injured hunters and a few scattered herb gatherers selling their finds, there were only two unfamiliar faces in Brooks Pharmacy.

It was rare to see two strangers in Datian Town. These two were being eagerly shown rare herbs by Old Brooks’s usually haughty apprentices. Judging by the almost obsequious smiles on the apprentices’ faces, the two must have already bought quite a lot—surely the wealthy out-of-town buyers everyone was talking about.

As Henry Sullivan reached the entrance of Brooks Pharmacy, the faint, refreshing scent of polygonatum in his hand stood out even among the strong herbal aromas, immediately drawing the attention of the two strangers.

“Young man, are you here to sell herbs?” One of them, a man in a blue robe with a small goatee, walked up to Henry Sullivan. “Does this little village really have such fine polygonatum?”

Before Henry Sullivan could reply, a young man had already jumped in ahead of him and said, “I don’t know about polygonatum or not, but nothing Brother Sullivan brings out is ever second-rate!”