One Hall, Two Gangs, Qiankun Two Rats

"Senior Brother Shen, how could a dignified county magistrate have dealings with a Daoist?"

After leaving the County Yamen, Feng Hao could not help asking.

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Shen Han found it strange as well. Judging solely by the aura emanating from Daoist Xuanyang, the man was plainly, without a doubt, a martial artist—and his cultivation was only high, not low!

"We physicians shouldn't concern ourselves with so much."

Shen Han waved a hand and pulled out five taels of silver. "Here, Brother Feng Hao, this is your share."

Feng Hao was startled. "So much?"

According to Hanging Pot Medical Hall's rules, physicians could keep half the fees they collected when making house calls. Magistrate He had paid twenty taels of silver; ten taels went to the medical hall, and the two of them divided the remaining ten.

Feng Hao had never imagined that Shen Han would split the money right down the middle! Five taels of silver was equal to two and a half months of wages for an apprentice like him!

"Just take it. You deserve it."

"I..."

Feng Hao gritted his teeth.

Having accepted the silver, he had already resolved in his heart to be utterly devoted to Shen Han!

When they returned to the medical hall, it was not long before work ended.

Shen Han went to the accounts room to collect his monthly wage of twenty taels as a physician. Added to the five taels he already had on him, he could now be considered a man of means, carrying twenty-five taels of silver.

Half a month ago, that would have been utterly unimaginable.

"Doctor Shen!"

Just as he was about to head to the guard unit, Zhan Chaoyang came looking for him.

Zhan Chaoyang threw an arm around Shen Han's shoulders. "Come on, we got paid today. I'll treat you to a feast at Heavenly Fragrance Restaurant."

Heavenly Fragrance Restaurant was one of the finest restaurants in Three Rivers County.

The two entered a private room.

Zhan Chaoyang was an excellent host and ordered a table overflowing with fine wine and delicacies.

"Doctor Shen, come. This cup is to you."

Zhan Chaoyang raised his wine cup. "Last time, you saved my uncle, and I never had a chance to thank you. I hope you won't take offense."

He was referring to how Shen Han had healed Chi Qingshan with silver needles.

"Guard Zhan, you're too courteous."

Shen Han hurriedly said, "I merely happened to read about a similar case in a medical book, so I knew how to treat it."

But Zhan Chaoyang said, "No, no, you can't put it that way. These past few days, Clinic No. 13 has been packed to the rafters.

"The people's eyes are bright as snow. Stop being so modest.

"By the way, Doctor Shen, it's been nearly a month. How has your Breathing Technique been progressing?"

That was precisely what Shen Han had wanted to bring up.

Hearing this, Shen Han set down his chopsticks, reached into his robes, and took out the secret manual, Breathing Technique. "I have no talent for martial arts. I should return this manual to you, Guard Zhan."

"It's fine, it's fine. The martial path is difficult by nature. It has nothing to do with effort; failing to cultivate it is what's normal."

Zhan Chaoyang sighed inwardly. Just as he had expected.

Shen Han continued, "Guard Zhan, since we've come this far, I'd like to ask you something."

"What is it?"

"If someone kept cultivating the Breathing Technique, could their cultivation continue rising all the way to the Flesh Refining Realm?"

"That's impossible!"

"Why?"

Shen Han refilled Zhan Chaoyang's wine cup.

Zhan Chaoyang said seriously, "Cultivation manuals are divided into ranks. Low-rank techniques cannot cultivate one to high levels.

"Take this Breathing Technique, for example. Cultivating with it can at most reach the Skin Refining Realm.

"If you want to break through to Flesh Refining, you must switch to a better technique."

So that was where the problem lay. No wonder the duplicate had cultivated the Breathing Technique for ten whole days without any effect... Shen Han thought.

Since manuals had ranks, medicinal soups should work similarly.

Blood-Qi Soup was only suitable for drinking before reaching the Skin Refining Realm. Once one entered the Skin Refining Realm, Blood-Qi Soup would have almost no effect.

In that case, not only did he need to change techniques, he also needed to change medicinal soups.

There was no need to buy the ingredients for Blood-Qi Soup anymore!

Shen Han quietly made his decision.

"Doctor Shen, to be honest, my cultivation has always been stuck at the Skin Refining Realm because I lack a suitable technique."

"Guard Zhan, don't you have any other cultivation manuals?"

"Of course not..."

Zhan Chaoyang patiently explained once again.

Because cultivation growth was closely tied to techniques, cultivation manuals had always been treasured possessions of major sects and powerful factions. They rarely circulated on the market.

High-rank cultivation manuals in particular were priceless treasures.

"Doctor Shen, focus on studying medicine properly. Your future is certain to be brighter than mine!"

Zhan Chaoyang raised his cup and drained it in one gulp.

The meal lasted until late into the night.

During the meal, Zhan Chaoyang truly opened up, telling Shen Han many interesting tales and curious rumors about Three Rivers County.

Shen Han silently committed to memory those related to the martial world in particular.

That Black Wind Stronghold could actually only be considered a middling force.

The ones truly dividing up the county's territory were the three great powers known as "one hall, two gangs."

One hall: Iron Fist Martial Hall within the county seat.

Two gangs: the Black Dragon Gang and the Green Garment Gang outside the county seat.

The leaders of the three great powers had all reached the Bone Refining Realm. They were absolute behemoths within the county, and no one dared provoke them. As for sects like Black Wind Stronghold, they could barely lift their heads before the three great powers.

Looks like I need to find a way to obtain a new technique...

After leaving Heavenly Fragrance Restaurant, Shen Han walked beneath the night sky.

*At present, never mind the three great powers—even Black Wind Stronghold is beyond my ability to handle.

*I must become stronger as soon as possible and gain the power to protect myself.

*Only by obtaining great strength can I secure a place in this world!

But where am I supposed to find cultivation manuals?

He took out the Bronze Mirror.

The duplicate in the mirror lay there, idle and doing nothing.

There was no need to continue cultivating the Breathing Technique. Both medicine and the Basic Fist Technique had long since reached completion, so it was only natural for the duplicate to rest.

"Hmm?"

Suddenly, a faint smell of blood drifted over from afar.

Shen Han immediately became alert.

There happened to be an opening around the corner of an alley beside him. He hurriedly put away the Bronze Mirror and slipped inside.

Before long, two burly men appeared side by side some thirty meters ahead.

One carried a staff, while the other held a saber.

The burly man with the staff had a black burlap sack slung over his back.

Shen Han held his breath and silently watched the pair. He had no intention of stirring up trouble.

"Ma Gan, where do you think that thing is?"

The saber-wielding man spoke in a low voice.

Ma Gan snorted. "How the hell would I know? Niu Kun, that thing isn't something we can lay hands on. We Qiankun Two Rats are merely following orders."

As he spoke, he used his staff to tighten the sack on his back.

Niu Kun spoke again. "Isn't it just a broken brick? What damn use does it have?"

"You ask me? Who am I supposed to ask?"

Ma Gan strode forward. "Besides, that fellow was stubborn as a dead duck and refused to reveal where he hid the brick. There was nothing we could do. At least we tied him up and brought him back, so we can still report completion of the job."

Niu Kun patted the long saber in his hand. "Hopefully Steward Liu gives us brothers a little more reward this time, so we can go to Miaoyu Pavilion and eat rich food, drink fine wine."

"Hahaha, you're thinking about your Xiao Taohong, aren't you?"

"Ma Gan, isn't your Xianxian the same?"

As they passed Shen Han's hiding place, the Qiankun Two Rats grew more and more animated, even letting out wild, unrestrained laughter.

Gulong!

In the blink of an eye, as if by coincidence, a round object suddenly fell from the sack on Ma Gan's back.

The thing bounced and rolled straight to Shen Han's feet.

A head!

Shen Han was instantly shocked.

Though the night was pitch-dark, he could tell that it was a man's head!