Some people prefer purity—seeing that the old man performed better, they threw their money and other things to him; others felt that the middle-aged performer had reason on his side, and since he spoke so pleasantly, they had a good impression of him from the start. Now, seeing him bullied and wronged, they couldn’t help but feel sympathy and indignation on his behalf, so they threw more money and items toward the middle-aged performer.

There were also those who just wanted to join the fun and tossed things to both sides, or those who were stingy and didn’t give a single coin.

But Henry Walton gradually noticed something was off—

At first, when this troupe of performers was putting on their act, the people in the back would beat gongs and drums and clash cymbals, which was normal. But since the two sides were clearly rivals, why was it that when the old man performed, those people in the back were still beating gongs and drums to set the mood?

Could it be that the competition between the two sides was really so gentlemanly?

This continued until mid-afternoon, when the performers were all exhausted, and some of the audience began to head home. Only then did the performers announce that they were done for the day and started to pack up.

The old man, beaming as if he had won the contest, bent down to pick up the money on his side, then made a grand gesture and generously gave all the remaining items to the middle-aged performer before strolling away at his leisure. The middle-aged performer, both angry and forced to keep up appearances, cupped his hands in thanks, his face still sour, but politely saw the audience off, telling them the time and place for tomorrow and inviting them to come again if they had time.

Henry Walton couldn’t help but feel disappointed.

He hadn’t seen more magic.

The old man’s severed hand trick at the end was certainly amazing, and it was the one Henry Walton was most certain about—most likely a trick that could be considered magic—but he hadn’t felt that strange sensation.

He could only guess, unable to be sure of the reason.

He wondered if there was any mention of this in the ancient books.

It was only then that he suddenly remembered he had agreed to meet his cousin on the street behind the Luoxian Temple.

That cousin was quite honest and straightforward, only sixteen or seventeen years old. If he’d been waiting this long and still hadn’t seen Henry Walton, would he think something had happened?

“Oh no!”

Henry Walton hurried in that direction.

He made his way through streets and alleys.

Several times he wanted to stop, take off his basket, and pull out the ancient book from his chest for a look, but he forced himself to resist.

He didn’t stop until he reached the designated spot.

Sure enough, his cousin wasn’t there.

Henry Walton had no idea where he’d gone and didn’t dare to go looking randomly, so he could only stand there and wait.

Fortunately, it wasn’t long before a dark-skinned youth with a large basket on his back came over. From the way the basket swayed, it was clear it was empty.

When he saw Henry Walton, he hurried over.

“How long have you been here?”

“I… just got here.”

“Just got here? Did you go for a walk? Did you see the magic show?” His cousin’s eyes widened.

“I did…”

Facing his cousin’s clear gaze, Henry Walton felt a little guilty.

“Whew…”

But his cousin couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief.

“As long as you walked around. As long as you saw it. There were too many people selling bamboo shoots today, and a lot of them were little kids about this tall.” His cousin gestured to about chest height. “Luckily, I did what you said last time and went to the gates of the wealthy in the city. As soon as they saw the shoots were good, they bought them all.”

“This?”

“I almost made you wait for me for ages. Good thing you’re smart.”

“Hm?”

“How did you know I wouldn’t be able to sell them?”

“I…”

“Never mind if you don’t want to say! Have you eaten? The food’s still with me. Let’s eat, then walk around some more, pay our respects at Luoxian Temple, and head back before dark.” His cousin took out two pieces of ta guo from the basket, handing one to him first.

“It’s best to get back before dark.” Henry Walton thought of the ghostly shadows he’d seen in the bamboo forest that morning.

“We’ll make it. Worst case, we run for a bit.”

“Mm…”

Henry Walton took the ta guo and started eating.

Ta guo are thin pancakes baked until done, some big, some small. The ones made by the aunties are as big as a face, filled with dried plums or diced dried bamboo shoots. They’re very dry and easy to carry, a staple for local merchants on the road.

“Did you buy the medicine?”

“I did.”

“How much cheaper was it?”

“About two thousand coins less per month than last time.”

“Let me see…”

The two of them walked and ate, chatting idly.

But Henry Walton was a bit distracted.

After eating, they paid their respects at Luoxian Temple and wandered around again, but unfortunately didn’t see anything extraordinary. Even when they passed witches or sorcerers on the road, none displayed any unusual skills in public. They saw a disabled Taoist telling fortunes under a bridge, but neither of them could afford a reading.

It wasn’t until the sun slanted further west that they headed out of the city.

As they were about to leave the city, passing through a small alley, Henry Walton happened to look up and was taken aback.

Up ahead in the alley was that troupe of performers.

Looking closely, not only was the original group led by the middle-aged performer there, but the old man was too, along with several of the onlookers who had joined in the fun earlier. They were all gathered together, eating dry rations.

The old man was even sitting on a wooden box, sitting the highest.

He really looked like the leader.

When he turned and saw Henry Walton, and noticed Henry Walton looking at him, he was surprised, put down the steamed bun in his hand, and said with a smile, “Young sir, you’re not here to make me pay for your hair, are you?”

“Of course not.”

Henry Walton followed behind his cousin and walked toward them.