Before they knew it, two days had flown by.
Over those two days, the medical hall had returned to normal.
Meanwhile, the county authorities had suppressed news of the night watchman's death, and the Iron Fist Martial Hall had made no moves. The bodies of Wen He and his two disciples at Golden Buddha Temple hadn't even become a topic of conversation among the county's residents. That was because the conflict between the Black Dragon Gang and the Green Garment Gang had grown increasingly fierce. Word was, the higher-ups of both gangs had joined the fray.
"Those things have nothing to do with me for now..."
After finishing his consultations that afternoon, Shen Han considered his own cultivation.
As his practice of the Ancient Sun Technique steadily improved, the technique itself remained at the Great Accomplishment stage, but his clone was taking less and less time to complete each circuit of its cultivation, and its efficiency at condensing true qi continued to rise.
His strength had climbed to over twelve hundred pounds.
Naturally, the power of the Angry Dragon Divine Fist and Sky-Splitting Blade Technique had risen along with it.
However.
The harder his clone trained, the more it cost to feed. Shen Han had calculated that, at present, the clone needed 250 copper coins a day to eat its fill and eat well. In other words, four days' worth of food for the clone cost a whole tael of silver!
But he couldn't cut back on that expense.
Otherwise, the clone's cultivation would suffer, which would in turn affect him.
"I still can't find the three ingredients for the Marrow-Cleansing and Tendon-Forging Water.
"I also have no idea how the Dark Iron Brick and the silk cloth with four designs on it could improve my cultivation speed.
"Perhaps I need to gather all four items..."
Shen Han murmured to himself.
Besides the Dark Iron Brick he already had, the objects shown on the silk cloth were the Cold Frost Wood Mirror, the Heavenly Seal-Opening Bead, and the Soul-Illuminating Jade Seal.
That left two questions:
First, where could he find the other three items?
Second, even if he found them, what should he do with them?
"Doctor Shen, Xiao Feng, it's good that you're both here. The master would like you to come see him."
The medical hall's steward, Qian Cheng, suddenly arrived at Clinic No. 13.
Master Han wanted to see them?
Shen Han and Feng Hao exchanged confused glances, unable to guess what it was about.
They hurried to the medical hall's reception room.
Master Han Zhengming was speaking with two men dressed in green.
One of them clearly came from a wealthy and powerful family. "Master Han, is this Doctor Shen?"
"Yes, he is."
Han Zhengming quickly replied with a deferential smile.
After they were introduced, Shen Han and Feng Hao learned that the man was someone of considerable standing: Cao Lin, the young master of the Green Garment Gang.
The man beside him was the Green Garment Gang's steward, Meng Songyun.
Shen Han wondered: What was the Green Garment Gang doing at the medical hall? The Black Dragon Gang had come last month to forcibly collect protection money. Was the Green Garment Gang here to demand a share too?
"I didn't expect Doctor Shen to be so young,"
Cao Lin said coolly.
His eyes roamed over Shen Han.
Meng Songyun leaned close and whispered, "Young Master Cao, I don't think he's necessarily up to the task..."
"No," Cao Lin said. "I've looked into him. Doctor Shen has recently made quite a name for himself in the county, which means his medical skills must be exceptional."
What are you people after? Shen Han kept quiet.
Cao Lin continued, "Doctor Shen, Feng Hao, pack your things and come with me."
Come with him? Where to?
Shen Han frowned slightly. "Sorry, Young Master Cao, but could you explain what you mean?"
Meng Songyun snorted. "What, you dare refuse?"
In an instant, a murderous aura filled the room.
Han Zhengming and Qian Cheng went pale.
"I don't even know where I'm going or what I'm supposed to do. Why shouldn't I refuse?"
Shen Han spoke each word clearly.
"You!"
Meng Songyun flew into a rage.
Seeing this, Cao Lin said, "Supervisor Meng, calm down. I should have explained myself better. Doctor Shen, I'd like you to come to the Green Garment Gang for a few days and treat someone's injury."
Go to the Green Garment Gang to treat an injury!
Feng Hao immediately looked at Shen Han.
Shen Han took a deep breath. "Young Master Cao, why not bring the injured person to the medical hall? We have a wider selection of medicines here, and the treatment would be more effective."
"For certain reasons, the injured person can't leave the Green Garment Gang for now.
"Doctor Shen, don't worry. I won't treat you unfairly on this trip.
"Besides paying the medical hall, I'll also pay each of you fifty taels of silver."
"Hmph. Don't be ungrateful!" Meng Songyun said coldly.
Han Zhengming tugged at Shen Han's sleeve.
Shen Han understood that Master Han couldn't really decide this matter. After all, the Green Garment Gang was one of the three great powers in the county. The Black Dragon Gang's protector had been exceptionally strong, and the Green Garment Gang's martial artists certainly wouldn't be weak either. The fact that the Green Garment Gang had offered to pay and asked politely before resorting to force already showed great respect for the medical hall.
"What if my medical skills aren't good enough to treat them?"
Shen Han considered for a moment before asking.
Cao Lin smiled. "That's all right. As long as you do your utmost, I'll pay you either way.
"And regarding the medicinal ingredients you just mentioned, the Green Garment Gang has connections with many medicine merchants. We can get any kind of medicinal ingredient you need, so there's no need to worry."
Hm?
Shen Han's heart stirred.
With the Green Garment Gang's connections, he might be able to get the three ingredients needed for the Marrow-Cleansing and Tendon-Forging Water.
He hadn't really wanted to go on this house call.
But first, a man beneath another's roof had to bow his head. Second, there might be a chance to get the ingredients. So he changed his mind.
"Young Master Cao, I'll go, but I have two conditions."
"Go ahead, Doctor Shen."
"First, fifty taels isn't enough for the house call. Raise it to a hundred taels each."
Shen Han doubled the price on the spot.
Cao Lin smiled. "No problem. A hundred taels it is. What's the second condition?"
"Second, I've been studying a herbal remedy and am missing a few ingredients. Once we get to the Green Garment Gang, I'd like you to help me find them, Young Master Cao."
"That's a small matter!"
"Then I agree."
"Doctor Shen, you certainly don't waste words. I've already prepared a carriage. Steward Meng and I will wait outside."
With that, Cao Lin and Meng Songyun left the reception room first.
After a long while, Han Zhengming shook his head and sighed. "Xiao Shen, I'm sorry you have to go through this..."
"Master Han, there's no need to say that."
"Actually..." Han Zhengming sighed again. "I don't know who they want you to treat, either. But the Hanging Pot Medical Hall can't afford to offend the Green Garment Gang. Young Master Cao specifically requested you, and I couldn't do anything about it."
"It's all right. I'll earn quite a bit from this trip."
Shen Han smiled.
Feng Hao chimed in, "Exactly. A hundred taels is five years' worth of my salary. When I get back, I can buy a house."
Han Zhengming patted them both on the shoulder. "The Green Garment Gang isn't some righteous sect. Remember, be careful in everything you do. If anything goes wrong, try to endure it. Don't pick a fight with them."
"We will!"
They both nodded solemnly.
Soon, they had gathered their things.
Though they said they were packing, two grown men didn't have much to bring. Shen Han had Feng Hao take the medicine chest, with acupuncture needles and other commonly used tools inside. Although the Bronze Mirror could store things, they were traveling together, so it was better to keep a low profile. Besides, Shen Han wouldn't have to carry the chest.
A spacious, luxurious four-wheeled carriage was waiting outside the medical hall's main entrance.
"Doctor Shen, Feng Hao, get in."
"Thank you for the trouble."
Before you continue