Evening Appointment, Scimitar Drawn

What? Li Xunshan is dead?

Shen Han immediately looked toward the medical clinic.

In the front courtyard of the clinic, a large crowd of handymen and apprentices had gathered, every one of them wearing a look of terror.

"Senior Brother Shen, Li Xunshan's head has been cut off..."

Feng Hao gritted his teeth and whispered.

Shen Han pushed through the crowd; lying in the grass was a bloody, severed head, the stench of blood thick in the air.

It was indeed Li Xunshan!

"When was this discovered?" Shen Han asked.

"Just half a quarter of an hour ago," Feng Hao sighed. "The clinic was just about to close when something suddenly flew in from over the courtyard wall. We took a closer look and realized it was Li Xunshan's head..."

"It's too terrifying!"

The onlookers from the clinic were trembling, and some were even so shaken their legs had gone numb.

"Did Li Xunshan provoke some enemy?"

"No, I know Li Xunshan very well; he has always been a very law-abiding and honest man."

"Then how could he..."

"Could it be that they are targeting the clinic?"

Listening to the discussion, Shen Han pondered to himself. Since early this morning, Elder Huang and Li Xunshan had not appeared, and Supervisor Qian had even sent people to inquire at their homes. He never expected that by evening, they would be met with such tragic news.

"Where is Elder Huang?" he asked sternly.

"Reporting to Physician Shen, Elder Huang is not at home. His wife said he left very early this morning."

The handyman who had gone to inquire at the house replied hurriedly.

There must be something fishy going on!

Shen Han's heart tightened. Li Xunshan had been murdered by criminals; without a doubt, Elder Huang must have also fallen into their hands, his fate unknown.

"The clinic master is here!"

At that moment, Han Zhengming and Qian Cheng hurried over.

The crowd parted to let them through.

Upon seeing the head on the ground, Han Zhengming's face turned deathly pale: "To slaughter an apprentice of my clinic in broad daylight, this is simply outrageous!"

"Clinic Master, there is something in his mouth!"

Qian Cheng said sharply.

Inside the mouth of Li Xunshan's head, a piece of rag was indeed stuffed, with words faintly written upon it.

Han Zhengming crouched down and closed Li Xunshan's eyes: "Li Xunshan died a tragic death in the clinic; I must take responsibility. Supervisor Qian, take fifty taels of silver immediately and have it sent to Li Xunshan's home for his family."

"Yes, Clinic Master!"

Qian Cheng immediately complied.

Only then did Han Zhengming pull the rag from Li Xunshan's mouth and spread it out; sure enough, a line of crooked characters was written on it.

Everyone held their breath, not daring to make a sound, watching intently.

After a long while, Han Zhengming finished reading and said with a dark face: "It was written by the person who killed Li Xunshan."

He gripped the rag tightly and stomped his foot, so furious that he was practically fuming: "The thief also says on the rag that Elder Huang is in his hands!"

Elder Huang!

Shen Han was stunned.

So, Elder Huang was still alive!

He was both shocked and delighted. Since joining the clinic, Elder Huang had taken care of him with the utmost attention. Now that Elder Huang was imprisoned, at least his life was still intact.

"Clinic Master, what is the thief's goal?"

A physician from the third clinic hall asked.

Han Zhengming said bitterly: "The thief says that at the third quarter of the Xu hour, I must go to the Golden Buddha Temple in the west of the city to meet him. If I do not arrive, Elder Huang will suffer the same fate as Li Xunshan, and his head will be delivered to the clinic right on time!"

Golden Buddha Temple?

Shen Han's heart stirred.

That abandoned temple was sparsely populated, yet he was very familiar with it. Four nights ago, it was there that he had retrieved the Dark Iron Brick and the silk cloth from a secret compartment.

"Clinic Master, what should we do?"

Qian Cheng asked again.

"This damned world..." Han Zhengming gritted his teeth. "Just a few days ago, the clinic was extorted by the Black Dragon Gang, and today we suffer this disaster. It truly is a string of bad luck. I must make a trip to the Golden Buddha Temple."

The crowd all showed expressions of worry: "I fear there is danger ahead."

Han Zhengming's eyes flashed with a hint of resolve: "Now is not the time to discuss this. I have no choice; if I don't go, Elder Huang will surely die."

"How about..."

"Little Feng, what is your opinion?"

"Find the Black Dragon Gang," Feng Hao said. "They collect protection fees from the clinic every month, so they should be obligated to help."

"Little Feng, you are too naive."

Han Zhengming shook his head. "That Black Dragon Gang is a pack of bandits who would eat you without spitting out the bones. It is already a blessing that they don't cause trouble after taking our money; if we want them to intervene in this matter, the price we pay will be even greater."

The room fell silent.

Everyone knew clearly that what Han Zhengming said was the truth.

Jackals will always be jackals; how could they ever kindly offer help?

"Then... report it to the authorities?"

A physician from Number Nine Clinic suggested.

"That won't work either!"

Han Zhengming frowned. "First, the fact that they dare to kidnap and kill within the county town shows they have no fear of the yamen.

Second, there is less than half an hour until the third quarter of the Xu hour; reporting to the authorities would be too late."

Seeing everyone in a state of panic, Han Zhengming added: "Alright, first properly secure Li Xunshan's head, and then everyone can finish their work and go home. I will handle this matter tonight, and tomorrow everything will proceed as usual."

"Master, I will go with you!"

"Me too!"

"That's right, let's go together. There is strength in numbers!"

Seeing Master Han's righteousness, many people immediately expressed their desire to accompany Han Zhengming to the Golden Buddha Temple.

Everyone understood that the clinic was a single entity.

If one prospers, all prosper; if one suffers, all suffer.

Today it was Li Xunshan and Elder Huang who were attacked, but by tomorrow, it might be their turn.

Han Zhengming waved his hand: "I understand everyone's feelings, but having more people go won't solve the problem. Rest assured, I will act according to the situation when the time comes.

Supervisor Qian, come here for a moment."

As he spoke, he pulled Qian Cheng aside.

Seeing this, the crowd had no choice but to leave the clinic one after another, though no one had any idea what would happen tonight.

"Master, what are your orders?"

After arriving in the master's room, Qian Cheng asked.

Han Zhengming said sternly: "Supervisor Qian, what is our clinic's annual revenue?"

Qian Cheng hurriedly replied: "Based on previous years, the annual net profit is about six thousand taels of silver. This year, with the addition of young Physician Shen, breaking ten thousand taels shouldn't be a problem. It's just that starting last month, the Black Dragon Gang began collecting a monthly protection fee of three hundred taels..."

"Good, go and take five hundred taels in banknotes to carry with you."

"Does the Master mean...?"

"I analyze that the culprits targeting Elder Huang and Li Xunshan are most likely after money. The enemy is strong while we are weak, and the enemy is in the shadows while we are in the light. The only plan for now is to spend money to avert disaster."

Han Zhengming sighed. "Also, go to the security team and call for two guards. There is no time to lose; we must depart immediately."

Soon, the four of them left through the back door of the clinic.

Zhan Chaoyang's injuries had not yet healed, so he could not go, and Qian Cheng called for two young, sturdy men.

"When we arrive at the Golden Buddha Temple, do not be impulsive. Listen to my instructions for everything."

Han Zhengming reminded the three of them: "As long as the green hills remain, there is no need to worry about firewood. At any time, one's life is the most important thing."

"We understand!"

The group called for a carriage, and in the blink of an eye, they disappeared around the corner of the street.

"I should follow and see as well..."

After they had gone far away, in an inconspicuous corner, Shen Hao silently pulled the Human Skin Mask out from the Bronze Mirror.

As soon as he put it on, he transformed into an ugly middle-aged man.

"Whether for the sake of the clinic or for Elder Huang, I must go on this trip to the Golden Buddha Temple!

Heavy Iron Curved Blade, perhaps you will have to be unsheathed once again!"