Although Henry Webb had never been there even once, the reason he was so enthusiastic about it was probably more due to a subtle sense of showing off.

After all, in these times, those who could still go listen to operas were certainly not poor commoners.

“Not going. Third Senior Brother, the thing I asked you to look into—any news yet?” Henry Webb took a break, then picked up another stone and continued practicing.

Chapter 5: Variables (Part 1)

“You mean the Blackwater Gang? A few days ago, the Blackwater Gang was swallowed up by a group called the Horned Serpent Gang. Now…” Samuel Hayes shook his head, indicating he was powerless to help.

“As for the other one, that thug named William Brooks, I did hear something from my cousin.”

Samuel Hayes's family was prosperous and well-connected. In the towns around Feiye City, he was considered a notable figure.

Plus, he himself liked to help others and was generous, so he had many friends.

That’s why he had connections with all sorts of people, and you could hear all kinds of news from him.

“What is it?” Henry Webb asked in a low voice.

“It’s just that some thugs from Rat Alley have all joined that newly rising Horned Serpent Gang. Now they’re expanding their turf everywhere, fighting and causing a ruckus—it’s quite lively.

But why are you asking about a thug? What’s up? Do you have a grudge with this guy?” Samuel Hayes glanced at Henry Webb.

“It’s nothing. Thanks. If you can help me keep an eye on William Brooks, I’ll finish last time’s homework for you.”

Henry Webb started bargaining.

The reason he was able to get close to Samuel Hayes was also because this guy always had trouble with his schoolwork at home.

His father had hired a tutor for one-on-one lessons, and every few days there would be homework assigned.

This gave Samuel Hayes quite a headache.

He was the playful type who liked excitement and making friends, not someone who could sit still and study.

So after discovering that Henry Webb could do his homework for him, he immediately asked for help.

He let Henry Webb give it a try.

Unexpectedly, the homework Henry Webb did for him turned out very well and received much praise from the tutor.

Even though the praise was only for the neat and strong handwriting, it was still much better than what he could do himself.

So the two often helped each other out, each getting what they needed.

“That’s great! I was waiting for you to say that. No problem, William Brooks, right? I’ll keep a close watch on him for you!” Samuel Hayes patted his chest and promised.

“Thank you, Third Senior Brother.” Henry Webb nodded.

“Henry Webb, Master wants to see you.” Suddenly, a short boy ran out from the inner room of the courtyard and called over.

“Got it.” Henry Webb put down the stone and quickly went inside.

Inside the room, Old Man Grant was bare-chested, with an old apothecary applying a medicinal plaster to his back.

The room was filled with a strong smell of Chinese medicine.

When he saw Henry Webb come in, Old Man Grant didn’t even look up, just glanced with his eyes. “Go buy me five taels of sappanwood, five taels of angelica dahurica, white peony root, and six qian of scrophularia. You pay first, I’ll reimburse you when you get back.”

“Yes, sir.”

Because Henry Webb was literate and good at arithmetic, after Old Man Grant found out, he was often sent to do these kinds of errands.

Taking the cloth bag for medicine, Henry Webb left through the side door and walked along the street toward another town.

The town where Huishan Fist Grant was located was close to the inner city, already a very prosperous area, while the pharmacy he needed to visit was in a town near the outer city.

There were more than a dozen towns in Feiye City, each one like a self-sufficient village.

Each had residents, shopping streets, and all kinds of unique features, all quite different.

All the towns surrounded the central large plaza, each with a connection to it.

The inner city was just past the plaza, at the very center.

At this time, dawn was just breaking.

Henry Webb walked quickly through street after street.

The shops and stalls along the street were all still closed, with only a few bun shops half-opening their wooden doors, people faintly seen moving things inside.

Crossing a stone bridge between two towns, Henry Webb soon arrived at a shabby-looking herbal medicine shop.

Zhao’s Pharmacy.

The signboard above had four characters.

He was just about to knock when suddenly, from the street to the right, came a burst of OO@@ sounds.

“Rebirth in ultimate bliss, cross the sea by fragrance.”

“Rebirth in ultimate bliss, cross the sea by fragrance…”

Someone was chanting softly, seemingly the leader.

Immediately after, a large crowd of voices followed, chanting together.

Henry Webb felt a jolt in his heart and hurriedly knocked on the door.

Knock, knock, knock.

The pharmacy went quiet for a moment. Soon, the wooden door half-opened, and a middle-aged man wearing a black round cap quickly pulled him inside.

“Get in quick! The people from the Xiangqu Sect are here again!”

The shop was pitch dark, with only a little light coming in through the cracks in the door and window.

Henry Webb and the middle-aged man said nothing, standing by the door waiting.

They waited until the chanting outside, like a scripture recitation, slowly faded away and finally disappeared.

Only then did the two of them breathe a little easier.

“These Xiangqu guys are getting more and more frequent lately. Who knows when it’ll end.” The middle-aged man let out a long sigh.

“Manager Qian, do you know who those people just now were…” Henry Webb had seen those mysterious processions before. Although running into them suddenly was a bit scary, they didn’t seem to cause any trouble.