The bald man, Ellis, was not some no-name street thug—he was well-known in Blumedale. Among Mosby's apprentices, he was one of the rare few with zero talent in medicine but exceptional prowess in martial arts.

Insiders knew the truth—Mosby had not taken Ellis in to pass on his medical legacy or help heal the sick. He wanted muscle, someone who could handle the dirty work behind closed doors.

The whispers began almost instantly among the growing crowd. "This is bad. That's Mosby's third apprentice—trained under the monks at Silverthorn Monastery. I heard he's so powerful he can crack stone with his bare hands."

Another chimed in, "Genesis Dispensary isn't the kind of place you just stroll into looking for trouble. That young guy's finished."

"Well… I don't know. Judging from what I saw earlier, the guy's no amateur either."

"Amateur? My ass. Ellis doesn't hold back. People have died under his fists before. That punk’s either going to be crippled or dead in minutes…"

More and more onlookers gathered outside Genesis Dispensary, drawn by the tension.

Most watched Andrew with mocking eyes and thinly veiled schadenfreude, certain he was out of his depth. To them, anyone crazy enough to pick a fight with Genesis Dispensary must have had a death wish.

Janice clutched Andrew’s arm in fear. “Andrew, please, you can’t fight him! Ellis is not someone we can mess with! Even Grandpa always told me—we have to endure. Let’s just leave while we still can!”

Andrew understood where she was coming from—she was timid and cautious, and with good reason.

Genesis Dispensary was not just backed by Mosby; Mosby himself was treated like a living legend in the city.

Ronan, by contrast, was just a humble healer who relied on skill and hard work to survive. Compared to someone like Mosby, who used medicine to cozy up to the elite, Ronan did not stand a chance in a power struggle.

However, Andrew’s expression remained calm. “Janice, I gave you my word. I said I’d make things right for your grandpa and Oak Apothecary—and I will.”

He turned back to Ellis, regarding him as if he were nothing more than background noise.

Ellis licked his lips and grinned. “Interesting. Most people would be pissing themselves in front of me. You? You’re not even flinching. I won’t say you’re the bravest, but you might be the dumbest I’ve seen in a long time.”

Old Hayface bared his teeth, pointing at Andrew with a furious glare. “Ellis, don’t waste your time talking to him! This bastard dared to come to Genesis Dispensary and make trouble! And he’s insulted Mr. Lake over and over! Kill him already! Give Mr. Lake some justice!”

But instead of agreeing, Ellis turned and spat a thick glob of phlegm straight onto Old Hayface’s face. “Get lost, you useless sack of garbage. Do you really think you’re worthy of being so friendly with me? You’re the reason Mr. Lake’s reputation is going down the drain. You’re a disgrace. Pathetic.”

Gasps rippled through the crowd. No one had expected Ellis to treat his fellow apprentice with such contempt.

Old Hayface wiped the spit off his face in silence, not daring to say a word. Yet, in his eyes, the hatred burned brighter than ever. And all of it was directed at one man—Andrew.

He could not challenge Ellis, so he focused all his humiliation and resentment on Andrew instead.

Andrew clicked his tongue. “Wow. Mosby’s disciples really are close, huh? Real brotherly love.”

Ellis let out a dry chuckle and shrugged. “I know you’re mocking me. I don’t care. Honestly, I’ve always hated that idiot. Watching you smack the teeth out of him? That was pretty satisfying.”

Andrew smiled. “Don’t worry. You’ll be joining him soon. That way, your whole little family can be reunited in one nice, broken heap.”

Ellis’s face darkened. His smile vanished as a cold sneer curled on his lips. “Andrew, you’re not just suicidal—you’ve got a filthy mouth too. I’ve made up my mind. I’m not only going to break your arms and legs. I’m going to rip that tongue right out of your head.”

The crowd collectively cringed.

Even now, even on the edge of getting destroyed, this guy Andrew still had the nerve to talk trash?