29: Black Market Doctor (Thanks to our Yakumo Yukari 2017…1086 monthly ticket))

After dodging a flying pair of pliers, Arthur lunged forward, embraced the Black Market Doctor, and then kissed her.

Initially, the doctor struggled fiercely. However, not long after, her body gradually went limp, and she stopped resisting.

After a long kiss, the two slowly separated.

The Black Market Doctor feigned anger, saying, "Do you know who he is?"

"Of course, otherwise I wouldn't have brought him to you."

The doctor frowned and pushed the noble young master away: "If anyone knew he was here, my place would be completely ruined."

"I can't think of a better place to hide a criminal in Wolf Den City than here," Arthur said with a playful grin, "Your place is an outright den of thieves, even the local gangs hold you in awe."

"That's only because the benefits aren't tempting enough. But that person is different; he can not only make commoners become nobles overnight, but also bring in wealth that an ordinary person couldn't spend in a lifetime."

"I'm going to Qingfeng Valley."

Arthur's abrupt statement left the doctor momentarily bewildered.

"What?" Jessica frowned tightly, "Wait, when was this... when was this decided..."

Arthur raised his hand to interrupt her questioning, "I'm not here for comfort."

"You've always liked that small building in the Upper City. Anyway, I'm leaving, so I'll leave that building to you for a clinic."

"A real clinic, not this pigsty in the mud pit. That way, those children can get better treatment."

"The price is for me to help you treat this person?" The doctor turned her head to look at the wanted criminal being lifted onto the Hospital Beds.

The next second, her face suddenly darkened, and she rushed into the treatment room, shouting, "Hey, don't you dare touch my things."

"You dirty rabbit... Wait, are you?"

"Little girl, where is the camellia root?" Old Hutu asked, engrossed in his own thoughts.

"Baeshun? You are Master Baeshun, aren't you?" Jessica leaned closer, excitedly saying, "I attended your lectures at Candlekeep back then. Later, I heard you went to Chult..."

The rabbit-man's hand trembled slightly, then he asked in confusion, "Baeshun? What Baeshun? Who is that?"

"I don't know this person. Quickly tell me, where did you put the camellia root?"

The Black Market Doctor thought she had mistaken him for someone else, but she quickly confirmed that she had not.

After all, rabbit-men were extremely rare on Faerûn, let alone this highly reputable rabbit-man doctor.

She walked to another medicine cabinet, took out a small jar, and handed it to the rabbit-man.

Old Hutu snatched the jar, opened it, sniffed it, and after confirming it was camellia root, he instructed the Black Market Doctor, "Prepare some dried centipedes and zombie worms, in case he has another seizure."

Jessica did as she was told.

The two doctors began to busy themselves.

Arthur, now free, called Airo over and said, "Olaf invited me to dinner on the Barracuda tomorrow night."

"He said the captain hired a good chef from Waterdeep, and he guaranteed I'd have a feast."

"But I think he wants to broker a deal between me and the captain."

Airo was relieved that Arthur initiated conversation with her. She asked in a low voice, "A deal? What kind of deal?"

"There's a batch of smuggled goods on board."

Airo did not press Arthur on how he knew the Barracuda was smuggling.

She asked again, "Do you want me to go to the ship first to scout the situation?"

"Exactly."

The female thief thought for a moment and asked, "I remember that ship is docked on the Nu River?"

"Yes, you'll need to prepare a small boat."

"No need." Airo shook her head, "I don't need that. I'll go now."

Arthur stopped Airo, signaling her not to rush, "Wait, how are Olaf and the others?"

"Drunk as dead men." Airo's throat moved, "I don't even have to be too careful when I'm feeding."

"Good, go discuss the reconnaissance with the others, pick a few people, they'll be happy to go with you."

"I can handle this kind of thing alone."

Arthur slowly exhaled, patiently explaining, "One arrow is easily broken, but three are not so easy. You have to learn to cooperate with people."

Airo lowered her head and thought for a while, then asked, "Is that why you asked for other people's opinions in the warehouse just now?"

"You didn't have to consider other people's thoughts at all; you could have decided whether to save Jessica yourself, but you still asked for their opinions."

Arthur nodded, stating frankly, "Of course I can use authority to force others to obey me. How long do you think such a relationship would last?"

"You have to give them basic respect and make them feel involved."

"We are a new team, and there are still gaps between us. Many aspects need to be ironed out."

"It's a rare opportunity like this; we can't waste it."

After listening to Arthur, Airo had an epiphany and understood why he insisted on her taking people to scout.

After Airo left, Jessica's treatment was also nearing its end.

The medication had taken effect, and he finally calmed down.

The Black Market Doctor wiped her hands and came to Arthur's side, asking, "When are you leaving?"

"After the inauguration ceremony of the New Temple."

The doctor calculated and said, "So that means there are five days left?"

"Exactly, five days left. How is our number one wanted criminal doing?"

"He'll make it, thanks to Master Baeshun. I've never seen the medicine he formulated before, but the effect is surprisingly good."

"You know him?"

Jessica nodded, then looked back at the somewhat deranged rabbit-man and said, "He used to teach medicine, naturalism, and biology at Candlekeep."

"I was fortunate enough to audit his classes for half a year, and then he left."

"I heard from others that he went to the Chult jungle with Amn's colonial ships."

"I never dreamed I'd see him again. The teachers and students at Candlekeep all thought he had long been devoured by the dinosaurs of Chult."

Arthur silently noted this information, then asked, "Recently, quite a few craftsmen have died of heart attacks?"

The Black Market Doctor looked curious: "When did you start caring about the lives of us common people?"

Arthur ignored her sarcasm and continued, "I heard that a woman has been buying a large amount of Purple Nightdew in the Black Market recently. Do you have any impression?"

Jessica shrugged: "No, besides you, very few people come to me for medicine. After all, it's too easy to attract attention, isn't it?"

"Indeed." Arthur agreed.

"However, I have heard some stranger rumors. Many people in the Upper City are talking about a hairy assassin."

"A hairy assassin?"

"Exactly, sounds strange, doesn't it? But some people have indeed witnessed that monster firsthand."

"They say it always appears late at night, elusive, and those craftsmen died at its hands."

"Interesting, have you told the Sheriff about this?"

"Your aunt?" Jessica raised an eyebrow, "She's a proud person."

Arthur understood the doctor's implication: "Yes, she's very stubborn."

"Do you have a place to hide him?" He pointed at Jessica and asked again, "It's too dangerous to let him wander around outside."

"He can go to the basement, but you'd better send someone to watch him. I don't have time to be a babysitter."

"Thank you, dear." Arthur took out two more gold coins and placed them on the table, "This is the consultation fee. I'll take care of the house matter as soon as possible."

Jessica unceremoniously accepted the gold coins. Compared to the risks she took, these two gold coins were insignificant.

"Are you really going to give me that small building?" she asked again.

"It was given to me by someone else anyway, and besides, after I leave, no one will look after that house. Rather than letting it go to waste, it's better to give it to you."

With that, Arthur got up, preparing to leave.

"Hey, wait." Jessica called out to him. She walked to the workbench, took a small bag, and handed it to him, "Take this with you. It repels insects, you might need it on your journey."