What? Li Xunshan was dead?
Shen Han immediately looked toward the clinic.
The clinic's front courtyard was packed with apprentice attendants, every face stricken with fear.
"Senior Brother Shen, Li Xunshan's head was cut off..."
Feng Hao gritted his teeth and spoke in a low voice.
Shen Han pushed through the crowd. A blood-soaked head lay unmistakably on the grass, the air thick with the stench of blood.
It was Li Xunshan!
"When was it found?" Shen Han asked.
"About a quarter of an hour ago." Feng Hao sighed. "The clinic was just getting ready to close when something suddenly flew in over the courtyard wall. We took a closer look and saw it was Li Xunshan's head..."
"How terrifying!"
The clinic's onlookers trembled, and some were already so frightened their legs had gone numb.
"Did Li Xunshan offend someone?"
"No, I know Li Xunshan very well. He was always an honest, decent man."
"Then how could this..."
"Could they have been targeting the clinic?"
Listening to everyone's discussion, Shen Han silently pondered the matter. Elder Huang and Li Xunshan hadn't shown up all morning, and Supervisor Qian had even sent someone to ask after them at home. Who could have imagined that by evening, they would receive such dreadful news?
"Where's Elder Huang?" he asked gravely.
"Reporting to Physician Shen, Elder Huang wasn't at home. His wife said he'd gone out very early."
The attendant who had gone to ask around at the house hurriedly answered.
Something was definitely amiss!
Shen Han's heart tightened. Since Li Xunshan had been murdered by the criminals, there was no doubt Elder Huang had fallen into their hands too. His life or death was unknown.
"The clinic master is here!"
Just then, Han Zhengming and Qian Cheng hurried over.
Everyone quickly made way.
When Han Zhengming saw the head on the ground, his face turned deathly pale. "Murdering an apprentice from my clinic in broad daylight—this is utterly outrageous!"
"Clinic master, there's something in his mouth!" Qian Cheng suddenly said.
There really was a wad of cloth stuffed into Li Xunshan's mouth, with faint writing on it.
Han Zhengming crouched and closed Li Xunshan's eyes. "Li Xunshan died a terrible death at my clinic. I have to take responsibility. Supervisor Qian, immediately get fifty taels of silver and have someone deliver it to Li Xunshan's home for his family."
"Yes, clinic master!"
Qian Cheng immediately went to carry out the order.
Only then did Han Zhengming pull the rag from Li Xunshan's mouth and spread it open. Sure enough, a line of crooked writing covered it.
Not a soul dared make a sound. Everyone stared at it without blinking.
After a long moment, Han Zhengming finished reading and said with a grim expression, "This was written by the person who murdered Li Xunshan."
He clenched the rag tightly and stamped his foot, so furious he seemed ready to blow a fuse. "The criminal also says Elder Huang is in their hands!"
Elder Huang!
Shen Han froze.
So Elder Huang was still alive!
He was shocked and overjoyed. Ever since he'd joined the clinic, Elder Huang had looked after him with the utmost care. Now Elder Huang was trapped in enemy hands, but at least he was still alive.
"Clinic master, what does the criminal want?" asked the physician from the Number Nine Clinic.
Han Zhengming said furiously, "The criminal says I'm to meet them at Golden Buddha Temple in the western part of the city at a quarter past seven. If I don't show up, Elder Huang will meet the same end as Li Xunshan, and his head will be delivered to the clinic right on time!"
Golden Buddha Temple?
Shen Han's thoughts stirred.
The abandoned temple was deserted, but he knew it well. Four nights ago, he had found the Dark Iron Brick and the silk cloth in a hidden compartment there.
"Clinic master, what should we do?" Qian Cheng asked again.
"This accursed world..." Han Zhengming gritted his teeth. "The clinic was extorted by the Black Dragon Gang just a few days ago, and now we've suffered this calamity. Our luck couldn't be worse. I have to go to Golden Buddha Temple."
Everyone looked worried. "But it could be dangerous..."
A note of steely resolve flashed in Han Zhengming's eyes. "This isn't the time to talk about that. I have no choice. If I don't go, Elder Huang will certainly die."
"How about..."
"Xiao Feng, what do you think?"
"Find the Black Dragon Gang," Feng Hao said. "They collect protection money from the clinic every month. They should step in and help."
"Xiao Feng, you're too naïve."
Han Zhengming shook his head. "The Black Dragon Gang are a pack of bandits who'll eat you alive and spit out your bones. We're lucky if they take our money and leave us alone. If we want them to get involved in this, we'll pay an even steeper price."
Silence fell over the whole courtyard.
Everyone knew Han Zhengming was telling the truth.
Wolves would always be wolves. Why would they ever lend a helping hand?
"Then... should we report it to the authorities?" the physician from the Number Nine Clinic suggested.
"That won't work either!"
Han Zhengming frowned. "First, they dared kidnap and murder people inside the county town, which shows they aren't afraid of the authorities.
"Second, there's less than half an hour until a quarter past seven. There's no time to report it."
Seeing everyone in a panic, Han Zhengming added, "All right, first make proper arrangements for Li Xunshan's head. Everyone, finish work and go home. I'll handle this tonight, and tomorrow things will go on as usual."
"Clinic master, I'll go with you!"
"Me too!"
"Right, let's go together. There's strength in numbers!"
Seeing Han Zhengming's fearless sense of justice, quite a few people immediately volunteered to accompany him to Golden Buddha Temple.
Everyone understood that the clinic was one body.
When one prospered, all prospered; when one suffered, all suffered.
Today it was Li Xunshan and Elder Huang who'd been attacked. Tomorrow, it might be their turn.
Han Zhengming waved a hand. "I understand how you feel, but bringing more people won't solve the problem. Don't worry. I'll act as circumstances allow when the time comes.
"Supervisor Qian, come with me."
As he spoke, he led Qian Cheng away.
Seeing this, everyone could only leave the clinic. No one had any idea what would happen that night.
"Clinic master, what are your instructions?"
After they reached the clinic master's room, Qian Cheng asked.
Han Zhengming asked solemnly, "Supervisor Qian, how much revenue does our clinic bring in each year?"
Qian Cheng replied quickly, "In an ordinary year, our net profit is around six thousand taels of silver. With Physician Shen here this year, breaking ten thousand shouldn't be a problem. It's just that since last month, the Black Dragon Gang has been demanding three hundred taels in protection money every month..."
"Good. Go get five hundred taels in silver notes and bring them with you."
"What do you mean, clinic master?"
"My guess is that the criminal targeted Elder Huang and Li Xunshan for money. They're strong and we're weak; they're hidden, and we're exposed. Our only option now is to pay to avert disaster."
Han Zhengming sighed. "Also, go to the guards' quarters and bring two guards. There's no time to lose. We're leaving immediately."
Before long, the four men slipped out through the clinic's back gate.
Zhan Chaoyang's injuries hadn't healed, so he couldn't go. Qian Cheng called for two young, burly men instead.
"When we reach Golden Buddha Temple, don't act rashly. Do as I say," Han Zhengming reminded them. "As long as the green hills remain, there'll be firewood to burn. Your lives come first, whatever happens."
"We understand!"
They hired a carriage. In the blink of an eye, it disappeared around the corner of the street.
"I'll follow and take a look too..."
Once they were gone, Shen Han silently took the Human Skin Mask from the Bronze Mirror in a tucked-away corner.
As soon as he put it on, he became an ugly, middle-aged man.
"Whether it's for the clinic or for Elder Huang, I have to go to Golden Buddha Temple!
"Heavy Iron Curved Blade, it may be time for you to leave your sheath again!"
Before you continue