David Thompson hugged his daughter, scolded the little girl once more, thanked the people around, and only then took her hand to head home. On the way, he kept discussing with his wife how they should thank Young Master Carter—whether they should give a gift or a consultation fee, and so on.

As for whether it should be a betrothal gift, a bride price, or a four-color gift, this woodcutter who only knew how to swing an axe and chop wood was completely clueless.

When the crowd saw that David Thompson's family had left, the excitement naturally dispersed, and before long, everyone was gone.

Only one man with a gloomy expression glanced toward the southern street, his eyes flashing. Remembering that bag of silver, a ruthless look appeared on his face as he chased in the direction Henry Carter had gone.

It was already near noon, and the sunlight was quite intense, beating down on the stone streets and making the heat oppressive. A few children ran by barefoot, feeling the stones burn their feet.

While watching the commotion, the crowd had already been packed together and sweating profusely. Now that they dispersed, they finally felt cool and refreshed.

Henry Carter also felt the coolness, and his heart was somewhat at ease. However, he knew that his earlier impulsive display of wealth was unwise, so he thought it best to leave quickly. He hurried toward a shop that specialized in incense and candles.

Suddenly, he sensed something was off. He frowned slightly and glanced to the side, only to see a small alley, completely empty.

“Is someone watching me?”

Henry Carter withdrew his gaze, assuming it was just his imagination, and left.

“Who was that young man just now?”

Deep in the alley, two people stood.

The speaker was a man in pale yellow clothes, about thirty-eight or thirty-nine, not yet forty. His pale yellow robe was almost white, and a slender treasured sword hung at his waist. Looking closely, his eyes were bright and piercing, his temples bulged, and his hands were covered in calluses—clearly a man skilled in martial arts.

Behind him stood a servant.

The servant bowed his head low, and even bent his waist, speaking very respectfully: “Commander Foster, that young Taoist is the child of The Carter Family's famous doctor, named Henry Carter. It's said he apprenticed under an old Taoist who knew pharmacology. Two years ago, when Divine Doctor Carter and his wife fell ill, that old Taoist died not long after. This young man has been alone ever since, and for the past two years seems to have survived by gathering herbs.”

Commander Foster nodded slightly, pondering, “Judging by his medical skills just now, he seems quite accomplished.”

The servant shook his head slightly and said, “Actually, after Divine Doctor Carter fell ill, the reputation of the The Carter Family medical family plummeted, and even Divine Doctor Carter's skills became controversial. Whether this young man has any medical ability is unclear, since no one has ever sought his treatment. In my opinion, this time was just a fluke. If he truly had profound medical skills, why would he have to live by gathering herbs?”

Commander Foster was silent for a moment before saying, “Have someone investigate him.”

The servant was startled. “You mean...?”

Commander Foster frowned. “Just do as I say.”

The servant nodded helplessly, then glanced at the already closed Da De Pharmacy, hesitating, “And what about this Doctor Howard...”

“Never mind his lack of medical ethics—just look at his skills, isn't it obvious?” Commander Foster snorted coldly. “If this Henry Carter can save people, why couldn't he? Quack!”

“And the young lady's illness...”

“Go find Mr. Grant, who just returned from the capital. He was once an imperial physician. Although he no longer practices, as the daughter of the prefect, he should at least show some respect. If there were any other way, we wouldn't have to turn to that stubborn old man.”

After speaking, Commander Foster turned to leave, then paused and added, “Don't forget to investigate this Henry Carter.”

The servant quickly agreed.

“And also, look into this quack Doctor Howard. If there's anything illegal, shut down his pharmacy.”

Chapter 009: Coldyear Herb

The incense and candle shop sold all kinds of incense, lamps, candles, gold and silver paper—items for worshipping gods and Buddha. There were also images of deities, porcelain, and golden statues.

Back in the day, the old Taoist was a regular customer here, since he needed to worship the Daoist statues in the temple, and daily incense was a must. As for Henry Carter, though he was the old Taoist's disciple, he only knew a little about such things. What he truly learned from the old Taoist was the skill of identifying herbs, not the rituals of burning incense and worship.

Although Henry Carter lived in the temple, he did not worship gods or Buddha. So, ever since the old Taoist passed away, the incense shop lost a major customer.

Seeing Henry Carter, the little Taoist who didn't worship the Daoist statues, the shopkeeper immediately remembered how business had been slow these years, and that he had lost such a big incense-burning customer. He blamed this guy for not worshipping the gods, and so didn't show much friendliness.

Henry Carter secretly found it amusing, but didn't buy much—just grabbed over twenty sticks of incense and a candle, tossed down a few dozen coins, and left.

Selling over twenty sticks of incense was actually a decent sale, not a small one, but the shopkeeper still felt that this little Taoist probably wasn't buying them for worship. He still felt a bit aggrieved, wondering why the old Taoist had to pass away, and why his disciple wouldn't worship the gods.

After leaving the shop, Henry Carter brushed past a sturdy young man.

“William King?”

Henry Carter paused slightly, turned to look, and recognized the sturdy youth as a fellow villager of David Thompson. Though he looked strong, he was actually not yet eighteen.