Azure-Clad Garrison, Silver Needle Diagnosis

The carriage moved at high speed, racing along like a bolt of lightning.

An hour later, the carriage stopped in a small town, the sky already dark by this time.

"Young Gang Leader Cao, is your gang's headquarters located in Stone Ox Town?"

Feng Hao frowned slightly.

This place was indeed Stone Ox Town, under the jurisdiction of Three Rivers County, about a hundred miles from the county seat.

Cao Lin smiled. "Not at all. Our gang is on Stone Ox Mountain behind Stone Ox Town, but the carriage cannot go up the mountain, so we must walk the rest of the way."

Hearing this, Shen Han looked toward Stone Ox Mountain.

Sure enough, the mountain was brilliantly lit, even more bustling than Stone Ox Town at the foot of the mountain.

"Young Gang Leader!"

At this moment, more than ten martial artists gathered from all directions, bowing respectfully to Cao Lin.

"How is my father's condition now?"

Cao Lin asked.

One martial artist did not dare to delay, hurriedly cupping his hands in response: "He is still unconscious..."

"Those physicians are nothing but useless sacks of wine and rice!"

Cao Lin's expression turned cold instantly.

With the Young Gang Leader angry, the martial artists were as silent as cicadas in winter, not daring to speak.

Shen Han and Feng Hao exchanged glances, both thinking the same thing.

Cao Lin's father, wouldn't that be the leader of the Green Garment Gang? Could it be that the person they were here to treat was the gang leader himself? It seemed the gang leader was severely injured, and Cao Lin had already invited many physicians, but none had been of any help!

Feng Hao's heart skipped a beat: This trip was going to be dangerous...

"The two of you, please!"

Cao Lin turned back and led the two of them up the mountain, with the dozen martial artists following as guards.

Soon, the group entered the Green Garment Gang's headquarters.

Looking from the foot of the mountain had already been shocking, but now that they had entered the mountain gate, Shen Han and his companion were left dumbstruck.

The Green Garment Gang occupied a vast area, encompassing almost the entire mountaintop.

On the plaza, various buildings stood in orderly rows, and torches were placed every ten feet, illuminating Stone Ox Mountain as if it were broad daylight.

The people coming and going were all skilled in martial arts; they were not to be trifled with.

"Young Gang Leader Cao, may I ask where the injured person is?"

Shen Han asked, while thinking to himself that if the Green Garment Gang was already like this, the Black Dragon Gang they fought against must be equally formidable.

Cao Lin led the way: "Follow me to the secret chamber."

The secret chamber was located beneath a five-story stone tower, heavily guarded.

"Who goes there?"

Guards clad in armor blocked their path.

"It is I!"

Cao Lin stepped forward.

The guards hurriedly stepped aside: "So it is the Young Gang Leader, please enter."

Cao Lin led Shen and Feng into the stone tower. He personally pressed a mechanism, and with a "rumble," a passageway appeared.

The group descended the stairs along the passage.

Before long, they walked into a stone room.

In the stone room sat a wooden bed, upon which lay a middle-aged man, his eyes tightly shut, his face devoid of any color.

"Young Gang Leader..."

Two maidservants knelt on the ground, trembling, "The Gang Leader's heartbeat is getting slower and slower, we..."

Cao Lin shouted: "Get out, move aside!"

"Yes, Young Gang Leader..."

"Physician Shen, the injured man is my father, Cao Ziping."

Cao Lin turned to Shen Han, his tone softening considerably. "My father was severely injured a few days ago. We have tried very hard, but he still cannot wake up. Everything depends on you, Physician Shen."

"Brother Feng Hao, get my silver needles."

Shen Han instructed.

Regardless, since they were already here, they would have to examine the injury first.

Feng Hao complied and took out the silver needles.

Zzz!

Shen Han took the silver needles and immediately plunged three of them in succession: one into the forehead, one into the chest, and one into the lower abdomen.

"Young Gang Leader, he didn't even ask where the Gang Leader was injured..."

Meng Songyun exclaimed in alarm.

"Quiet!" Cao Lin interrupted, his eyes fixed on the scene as he said, "Don't be impatient, let's see the result first."

With the silver needles embedded in the three acupoints, Shen Han gently rotated them.

A moment later, he reached out to grasp Cao Ziping's wrist, his fingers beginning to check the pulse.

Everyone in the stone room was stunned.

The members of the Green Garment Gang, in particular, exchanged bewildered glances; they had never seen a physician diagnose a patient in such a manner.

Half a stick of incense later, Shen Han withdrew the silver needles.

"Physician Shen, how is it?"

Cao Lin asked hurriedly.

Shen Han said with a serious expression, "If I am not mistaken, Gang Leader Cao took three palms to the chest. It is these three fatal strikes that caused his meridians to shatter and his vital energy to dissipate."

"Incredible!"

Cao Lin was both shocked and delighted. "What Physician Shen says matches the facts perfectly; you truly are a divine doctor. May I ask, does Physician Shen have a way to treat my father?"

"Young Gang Leader Cao, let us step aside to speak."

"Hm?"

"I have a small question that I must clarify first."

Shen Han said calmly.

A flicker of imperceptible ruthlessness flashed in Cao Lin's eyes. "Very well, Physician Shen, follow me out of the tower."

After leaving the tower, the group arrived at Cao Lin's bedchamber.

"What exactly is the matter?" Cao Lin asked.

"Young Gang Leader Cao."

Shen Han said each word clearly, "According to my examination and the severity of Gang Leader Cao's injuries, it should be impossible for him to have survived. Yet, the Gang Leader has not yet breathed his last. Why is this?"

Meng Songyun raged, "You bastard, what are you saying! How dare you curse the Gang Leader!"

"I am merely speaking based on the facts."

Shen Han continued, "If these issues are not clarified, it will do more harm than good to the subsequent treatment."

Cao Lin's breathing grew rapid. "Is this true?"

Shen Han said solemnly, "Of course. When a physician treats an illness and prescribes medicine, they must have a thorough understanding of the previous regimen. Otherwise, if the medications conflict, the only one who suffers will be the patient."

Seeing his unyielding and composed demeanor, Feng Hao was deeply impressed.

Senior Brother Shen, to remain as steady as Mount Tai even within the Green Garment Gang—this is simply incredible!

Shen Han knew clearly that the other party was the one begging for his help, and since his identity was that of a physician, there was no need for him to be overly cautious.

"Good, Physician Shen has a sharp eye!"

Cao Lin produced a small celadon bottle. "The reason my father has been able to hold onto his life is because he consumed this pill."

"What pill?"

"Returning Cloud Pill."

Cao Lin poured a pill from the small bottle.

The pill was the size of a pinky finger, dark green throughout, smooth and translucent.

"I see."

Shen Han nodded.

In this world, where extraordinary power existed, a good pill could indeed bring the dead back to life.

"Senior Brother Shen..."

Feng Hao tugged hard on Shen Han's sleeve.

"What is it?"

"No, nothing at all..."

Feng Hao stopped himself in time, but Shen Han could tell that he had something to say, though it was not convenient to speak at the moment.

"Physician Shen, can my father still be saved?"

"He can be saved." Shen Han said, "I will first perform acupuncture on Gang Leader Cao, then write a prescription for medicine to be decocted and consumed..."

Just as he was speaking.

Suddenly, a martial artist hurried over. "Reporting to the Young Gang Leader, the Deputy Incense Master of the Moon Worship Cult requests an audience!"

He leaned in close to Cao Lin and whispered a few words.

"Moon Worship Cult?" Cao Lin's expression tightened instantly, and he immediately said to Meng Songyun, "Supervisor Meng, take Doctor Shen and his companion to the secret chamber to treat my father first; I will follow shortly."

After saying this, he left together with that martial artist.

The Green Garment Gang is not peaceful... Shen Han thought to himself: Moreover, the Green Garment Gang is one of the three top powers in the county, and the cultivation of their leader, Cao Ziping, has already reached the Bone Refining realm. In a small place like Three Rivers County, who would have the ability to wound him like this?

"Please, Doctor Shen."

Following Cao Lin's arrangements, Meng Songyun led Shen and Feng back to the stone secret chamber.