“No need.” Without putting on a smiling face, this young master gave a deep smile and said, “I’m going to pay my respects to a few gentlemen, so I won’t be coming!”

The shopkeeper felt relieved and replied, “Of course, please come again another time.”

This young man with a sullen face was David Bolton, the third son of the county deputy, a local ruffian in this county. But since he was born into an official family, no one dared to call him that.

In this world, the feudal lords have divided the land, the emperor’s power has waned, and county magistrates are directly appointed and dispatched by the lords.

This Yunya County was appointed and approved by Lord Wei, and the county deputy, being of the eighth rank, was clearly someone who could speak directly with Lord Wei.

The servants behind him saw their young master’s gloomy face and couldn’t help but secretly lament. This isn’t going to visit guests… This young master is obsessed with women, just like the river god of Yishui. He’s already tired of all the top courtesans in the brothels. Ever since he went hunting on Yunya Mountain a few months ago and happened to encounter Alice Bennett out and about, he became fixated—he’s obsessed with women, but has never played with a Taoist nun before. So he set his mind on her, and for the past few months has been sending gifts, all of which Alice Bennett has refused.

Just recently, the gifts he sent out a few days ago were returned untouched today. She wouldn’t accept them, so in a foul mood, he went out riding.

Suddenly, one of the servants’ eyes lit up, and he hurried over to say, “Young master, young master, look! Isn’t that the Taoist nun from Dayan Temple? Why did she go to the pawnshop?”

David Bolton looked over and saw someone talking at a pawnshop not far away. Looking closely, it was indeed Alice Bennett. Because of their position, Alice Bennett couldn’t see them, and he was overjoyed.

He cracked his riding whip in the air and laughed, “Lucky, go into the pawnshop and chat with the shopkeeper. See what she’s pawning.”

With that, he dismounted and headed into the teahouse where the shopkeeper was. The shopkeeper cursed inwardly but had no choice but to force a smile and greet him.

The sharp-eyed servant who had just reported loudly replied, “I’ll go right away, young master! Please wait!”

He quickly ran to the back door of the pawnshop and knocked hard. Soon, the door opened. The clerk who answered couldn’t help but twitch his face and curse inwardly, “Should’ve checked the almanac before going out today—ran into this troublemaker.”

But fearing David Bolton, he dared not stop him and quickly let him in.

At this time, David Bolton swaggered into the teahouse. It was a bit dim inside. As he entered, the shopkeeper hurriedly brewed tea and brought it over. The three attendants stood by with their hands at their sides, silent.

Although David Bolton was the third young master, the family rules were strict, and these attendants dared not act out of line.

David Bolton sat leisurely. Seeing the watermelon, he thought it was too cold and didn’t touch it. He sipped his tea, looking calm, silently pondering why she had come to pawn something.

Although David Bolton was lecherous, he was not stupid; otherwise, he wouldn’t have run rampant for years without trouble.

Part of it was thanks to his father, but some things can’t be settled just by having connections. The fact that he’s been arrogant for years and still lives well says a lot.

This time was no different. He had already investigated Alice Bennett’s background and knew that although Dayan Temple had fallen on hard times, it wasn’t to this extent. If it was just for a living, it wouldn’t have come to this.

Soon, the servant Lucky came running out the back door of the pawnshop and hurried over, whispering, “Young master, I found out. She came with an old man and pawned a fine gold bracelet and a few pieces of jewelry, totaling one hundred and twenty taels of silver.”

After speaking, he added eagerly, “I took a look—this Taoist nun is really beautiful. Young master, you have great taste.”

David Bolton, who had been silently pondering, was suddenly struck by inspiration at these words. He immediately understood and said, “Idiot! Is she someone you can look at? Slap yourself ten times.”

The servant Lucky regretted trying to flatter the wrong way, but dared not disobey. He immediately slapped himself left and right: “Yes, I’m an idiot. The young master is right.”

With a few crisp smacks, he really hit himself, and his face swelled up at once.

David Bolton fanned himself with a folding fan, listening to the slaps. After a moment, he figured it out, lifted his face, and stared coldly outside, a cruel smile on his lips, and said slowly, “Heh, I’ve got it all figured out.”

“This fine gold bracelet and jewelry—I’ve never seen her wear them. They must be her dowry. If she’s pawning her dowry, it’s obviously to save her senior brother.”

He glanced at Lucky and said, “Listen up, all of you. Split up immediately. I’ll take one person to the registrar’s house. Lucky, you take some men to Head Constable Zhang’s house, and you, go to the Li family.”

At this, David Bolton took his whip and cracked it in the air, making a loud snapping sound, and grinned viciously: “Spread the word—if the Taoist nun from Dayan Temple tries to use the back door or loopholes to get out of Lord Wei’s forced conscription order, no one is to help! If anyone helps, they’re going against me, David Bolton, and disgracing the Zhang family. If they do as I say, I’ll owe them a favor!”

“And keep an eye on the other old friends of these Taoists. Spread the word—let’s see who dares to make a move in Yunya County!”

With that, he mounted his horse, cracked his whip in the air, and the horse’s hooves kicked up a cloud of dust.

At this time, William Clark, being a bit unfamiliar, had just arrived at the county seat. The city gate towered five zhang high, with large characters hanging above the gate: “Yunya County.”

These three characters were written by the calligraphy master Zhang Zezhong. William Clark looked at them and was impressed.

William Clark entered the city through a side gate.

“Entry fee, ten wen per person.”

The city guard said this in a routine manner, his attitude just ordinary.