Mastering the Technique, Neighbor Yun Yi

Shen Han hurried home and impatiently directed his clone to practice the Breathing Technique.

The so-called Breathing Technique drew qi into the body, gathering true qi through inhalation and exhalation to enhance every aspect of the body and thereby increase one's cultivation. Its method of practice was quite simple.

After reading it, the clone tossed the secret manual out of the mirror.

The next moment, the clone bent its knees slightly into a half-squat. Its feet were like the roots of an ancient tree gripping the earth, its spine straight and upright like a spear.

Its whole body resembled a wooden post rooted deep within a mountain.

Then, the clone silently recited the Breathing Technique's mnemonic. Its shoulders and elbows sank as it followed the technique's qi-circulation method, breathing softly through its nose and mouth, its movements exceptionally relaxed and coordinated.

More than half an hour passed in the blink of an eye.

Technique: Breathing Technique (Beginner)

A new technique category appeared on the panel. The clone had effortlessly learned the Breathing Technique to the beginner level.

Looking at the clone in the mirror again, it used the Breathing Technique to circulate its qi through its heavenly cycle again and again. Wisps of white vapor even rose from the back of its head.

"I could never train to this level in my entire life."

Shen Han muttered to himself, "Elder Huang and Guard Zhan both think I have no talent, but they don't know I have a clone cultivating for me.

That works out perfectly. It suits me to lie low and quietly grow stronger.

Clone, clone—our division of labor is crystal clear. You're responsible for training day and night, while I'm responsible for making money to feed you."

With that, he took out the food he had bought from his bundle and handed it all to the clone, most of it meat...

Before he knew it, two days had passed.

Over those two days, the clone studied medicine during the day and practiced the Breathing Technique at night. Its days were exceptionally fulfilling.

"There's a change!"

The moment Shen Han got up that morning, he sensed something unusual about his body and hurriedly opened the panel.

Mirror Master: Shen Han

Cultivation: None

Technique: Breathing Technique (Minor Mastery)

Martial Art: Basic Fist Technique (Perfected)

Skill: Medical Arts (Minor Mastery)

The Breathing Technique had already reached the realm of Minor Mastery.

Shen Han took a deep breath. Though his cultivation was still listed as none, he could clearly feel that his strength had at least doubled.

"Let's try the fist technique..."

He walked into the small courtyard and performed a set of the already-perfected Basic Fist Technique.

Crack!

His fist technique now carried powerful force. Every strike rang out with vigor and strength, its might incomparable to before.

In other words, he could finally hurt someone.

"Let's move that stone again."

He walked over to the stone weighing more than two hundred jin, reached down, and casually lifted it. Without much effort at all, he easily raised the stone.

I'm on the right path!

Shen Han was overjoyed.

After practicing the Breathing Technique for two days, he now possessed more than two hundred jin of strength. If he continued, he should break through to the Skin Refining Realm before long.

With my current strength, could I fight Hu Jiao, the scar-faced man?

Shen Han left the small courtyard and headed for the Hanging Pot Medical Hall.

As he walked, another thought arose in his mind:

A new problem has come up. I only have one hundred copper coins left. Even if I stretch them as far as possible, they'll only cover the clone's food for today and tomorrow.

What should I do? If it comes down to it, should I borrow some money from Elder Huang?

"Roll call begins now."

In the medical hall's square beneath the morning sun, the old steward Qian Cheng assigned chores to the servants as usual.

Since the five-day assignment assisting at the clinic had ended, Shen Han stood in a line with the other servants to receive his assignment.

A moment later.

Everyone else had received a task and gone their separate ways. Shen Han was the only one left in the square.

"Supervisor Qian?"

Shen Han was about to ask.

But Qian Cheng cut him off with a genial smile. "Little Shen, you performed well at the clinic. With Master Han's approval, you are hereby promoted to a medical apprentice of the hall."

"Thank you, Supervisor Qian!"

Shen Han hurriedly clasped his hands in thanks.

Qian Cheng smiled. "No need to thank me. You earned this through your own efforts. Physician Huang has been full of praise for you.

Starting this month, your monthly pay will rise to two taels of silver.

Also, Physician Huang specifically requested that you go to Clinic No. 8 and continue studying the medical path under him."

"I will certainly not disappoint your expectations."

Shen Han was delighted. Becoming an apprentice meant the money in his hands would become much more plentiful, which was immensely significant for his clone's great undertaking of cultivation.

He quickly arrived at Clinic No. 8.

Besides the old physician Huang Tie, there was also a young man in the clinic. He was Feng Hao, the apprentice who had returned to his hometown a few days ago for a funeral.

"Little Shen, Little Feng, the two of you must work hard together, understand?"

"Yes, Elder Huang!"

The two answered in unison.

As patients filed in like a school of fish, the day's consultations began.

Only half a day had passed before Feng Hao was astonished.

He had thought Shen Han, having only just become an apprentice, would surely be clumsy and awkward. Who would have thought Shen Han's medical ability seemed nearly on par with Elder Huang's?

Elder Huang even directly assigned half the visiting patients to Shen Han for treatment.

Most importantly, Shen Han handled every case exceptionally well.

How terrifying must his grasp of medical theory be?

While shocked, Feng Hao also devoted himself even more diligently to learning.

Thus, the old man and the two youths worked together seamlessly. Clinic No. 8 processed patients at an exceptionally high rate, and the income it brought the medical hall naturally climbed steadily. Even the meals sent by the kitchen for the three of them became far more lavish.

After finishing a whole day of work, Shen Han returned to the small courtyard.

"Little Shen, have you adjusted well to the medical hall these past few days?"

Just as he was about to open his door, a beautiful woman in her twenties slowly emerged from the neighboring room. Her figure was graceful, and her features were quite lovely.

"Big Sister Yun Yi, I've already become a medical apprentice."

Shen Han said eagerly.

"Really? That means you have quite a talent for practicing medicine, Little Shen."

"It's all thanks to Big Sister Yun Yi's recommendation."

"It was nothing more than a small favor. Little Shen, you must be tired after a hard day. Here, have these."

She handed the two scallion pancakes in her hands to Shen Han.

"Thank you, Big Sister Yun Yi."

Shen Han was sincerely grateful to the woman before him.

Her given name was Yun Yi.

More than half a month ago, when Shen Han had just moved into the small courtyard and was idle with no means of livelihood, it had been Yun Yi who stepped forward and introduced him to the Hanging Pot Medical Hall.

These days, Yun Yi often brought him food as well.

It could be said that outside the medical hall, this neighboring woman was the one who treated him best.

Shen Han did not stand on ceremony. He took a bite, and the fragrance filled his mouth.

"Oh, right, Little Shen."

Yun Yi suddenly said, "Have you heard of someone at the medical hall?"

"Who?"

"Lu Qiling."

Shen Han thought carefully, then shook his head firmly.

Yun Yi's expression immediately darkened.

Shen Han asked, "Big Sister Yun Yi, who is this Lu Qiling?"

Yun Yi forced a faint smile onto her face. "It's nothing. I was only asking casually."

Afterward, she changed the subject.

Shen Han did not press her. Instead, he silently pondered, Big Sister Yun Yi isn't part of the medical hall, so how did she manage to place me there? What exactly is her connection to the medical hall?

And who exactly is this Lu Qiling?

I'll ask Feng Hao and Elder Huang tomorrow.

Shen Han made up his mind.

Returning to his room, he first fetched water and took a bath. Then he sprawled flat on the bed, holding the Bronze Mirror as he watched the clone practice the Breathing Technique within. It gave him much the same feeling as scrolling through short videos in his previous life.

He watched for more than two hours.

In the blink of an eye, it was the Hour of the Boar.

"Don't! Go away!"

Just as Shen Han was about to put down the Bronze Mirror and sleep, Yun Yi's terrified cry rang out from outside the room.