Ten days flew by in the blink of an eye.
Mirror Master: Shen Han Cultivation: Skin Refining Technique: Ancient Sun Technique (Mastery) Martial Arts: Angry Dragon Divine Fist (Perfected), Sky-Splitting Blade Technique (Mastery) Skill: Medicine (Perfected)
During this time, under Shen Han's direction, the clone hadn't rested for even a moment.
It spent two-thirds of each day cultivating the Ancient Sun Technique. Combined with the effects of Qi Condensing Powder, its cultivation advanced at an astonishing pace. Step by step, its strength had nearly reached a thousand catties.
Meanwhile, the Ancient Sun Technique had also been forcibly trained to mastery.
The remaining third of its time was spent honing the five moves of the Sky-Splitting Blade Technique.
Before he knew it, the blade technique had also reached mastery.
Shen Han's current strength was on an entirely different level from before.
Of course, the clone's appetite had also grown considerably.
Beef and chicken were a must. On top of that, it needed a meal of venison every other day.
Shen Han had calculated that the clone's meals cost around two hundred wen a day—almost what an ordinary person would spend in a month and a half!
But he had no choice. It was a necessary expense.
Without enough food, the clone couldn't train day and night, and it wouldn't improve so quickly.
Meanwhile, the Hanging Pot Medical Hall's reputation in Three Rivers County continued to grow, and it had captured more than half of the county's business.
At its heart was Shen Han of Clinic No. 13.
Many people came from far and wide just to have Shen Han treat them. His treatment plans cost the least and worked the best.
The appointment system had also been introduced to every clinic, further improving the medical hall's efficiency and reputation.
With the medical hall's name ringing out across the county, Master Han Zhengming had naturally become a prominent figure. He was constantly caught up in social engagements.
Han Zhengming knew that Shen Han was responsible for all of this. To keep him, he not only raised Shen Han's monthly pay but also ordered the kitchen to prepare separate meals for Clinic No. 13, leaving Shen Han to decide what they ate each day.
"Xiao Shen, I knew I hadn't misjudged you!"
Before the end of the workday, Elder Huang stroked his snowy white beard and cheerfully walked into Clinic No. 13.
"Elder Huang, don't tease me."
Shen Han invited him to sit.
He truly respected Elder Huang. Without his guidance and recommendation, Shen Han wouldn't have come so far.
"I just went to see Master Han. He said the month isn't even over yet, but the medical hall's profits have already increased by sixty percent. That's never happened since it was founded."
"That much?"
Feng Hao, who was making tea, looked surprised.
Elder Huang laughed. "I didn't expect it either, but the account books don't lie.
"So, Master Han has made a decision.
"After work tonight, the medical hall will hold a celebration banquet. Everyone can enjoy a proper feast.
"For the occasion, Master Han paid a hefty sum to bring in a chef from the Heavenly Fragrance Restaurant. The kitchen is already buying ingredients and making preparations."
Could I pack some up...? Shen Han thought. That way, he could save a day's worth of food for the clone.
"Xiao Shen, I'll have to share a few drinks with you later."
"No problem."
Shen Han smiled. "I need to step out for a bit. I'll be back before dinner."
After leaving, he took a winding route and arrived at the Blacksmith Shop.
"Your blade is finished, young master."
The moment shopkeeper Lei Ming saw Shen Han, he ushered him into the back room.
He opened a wooden chest.
Whoosh!
A gleaming, dark-colored curved blade came into view.
The blade was about four feet long, broad and heavy. Its handle was made of fine poplar, and its edge was razor-sharp.
"What a fine blade!"
Shen Han picked it up and couldn't help exclaiming.
Lei Ming smiled. "Rest assured, young master. This blade was made exactly according to your design. It weighs a hundred catties and contains sixty catties of Sulfur Iron. It can cut through iron as though it were mud."
Shen Han was very pleased. He took out thirty taels of silver and paid the remaining balance.
He'd earned the money from commissions for treating patients outside the medical hall over the past ten days.
Lei Ming accepted the silver, then added, "By the way, young master, I prepared a piece of coarse brown cloth for you. You'd better wrap the blade in it when you go out."
"Mm."
Shen Han understood what Lei Ming meant.
The curved blade was far too large and heavy. If he carried it openly through the streets, it would attract a lot of attention and cause unnecessary trouble. It might even get the Blacksmith Shop sealed by the County Yamen.
"Young master, if you need anything else in the future, just come to me. I'll give you the best price."
Lei Ming saw Shen Han to the door and spoke ingratiatingly.
"Certainly."
Shen Han slung the blade over his back and hurried away.
He slipped into a secluded corner and, seeing that no one was around, took the curved blade out of the coarse cloth.
At a hundred catties, an ordinary person would struggle even to lift this blade, let alone wield it.
But Shen Han picked it up with ease.
"Let's give it a name... I'll just call it the Heavy Iron Curved Blade!"
Then Shen Han took out the Bronze Mirror and had his clone practice the Sky-Splitting Blade Technique with the Heavy Iron Curved Blade.
Whoosh!
The Heavy Iron Curved Blade entered the Bronze Mirror.
The clone gripped the curved blade and began to practice. The moment it did, its stance and movements rose to a whole new level. Compared to the firewood cleaver, the two were worlds apart.
"Huh?"
Suddenly, Shen Han jolted.
He stared at the Bronze Mirror and thought, I don't know whether this world has treasures like storage spaces, but doesn't this Bronze Mirror have storage capabilities?
He'd been worried about how to carry the curved blade around. With the Bronze Mirror, that wasn't a problem at all!
At the thought, Shen Han's spirits soared.
"Come, everyone! Let's raise a toast to Doctor Shen!"
That evening, the rear garden of the Hanging Pot Medical Hall was lined with ten Eight Immortals tables. A sumptuous spread of delicacies from land and sea crowded every tabletop.
Han Zhengming's face glowed as he called on everyone to drink.
Shen Han's seat was right beside Han Zhengming, a clear sign of his standing in the medical hall.
In barely a month, he'd gone from odd-job worker to rising star. Shen Han had become a model for the medical hall's odd-job workers and apprentices to strive toward.
"Doctor Shen, the medical hall is proud of you!"
"That's right! I've practiced medicine for seventeen years and never met a miracle doctor like you."
"Doctor Shen, do you have a sweetheart?"
"Doctor Shen, I'd like to ask you about your treatment for migraines sometime."
There was a whole table of food in front of Shen Han, but he had no chance to eat.
People kept coming over to toast him, one after another.
Han Zhengming and Elder Huang sat on either side of him, helping him fend off many of the drinks.
"Master, something's wrong! There's trouble!"
Just then, a guard rushed into the rear garden, his face full of alarm.
In an instant, the garden fell silent.
Han Zhengming set down his cup and frowned. "What happened? Take your time and explain."
"Outside... there are three people trying to force their way into the medical hall."
"Nothing to fear from a few thugs. Can't Guard Zhan just drive them away?"
"Master, Guard Zhan was seriously wounded by a single move from one of them."
"What did you say?!"
Not just Han Zhengming—everyone was stunned.
Zhan Chaoyang was an expert in the Skin Refining Realm. Anyone capable of injuring him had to be someone of considerable importance!
"Heh heh, Master Han Zhengming, how long are you going to make me wait? Get out here!"
Before anyone could react, a man's booming voice rang out from the front courtyard.
"Master, he's the leader!"
The guard hurriedly explained.
"Come with me!"
Han Zhengming clenched his fists and headed toward the front courtyard.
No one had any appetite left. Everyone followed after him, and quite a few even grabbed weapons.
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