Four Needles Released Simultaneously, Bargaining

Inside the secret chamber.

Shen Han manipulated four silver needles simultaneously, dancing them across eight acupuncture points on Cao Ziping's chest.

His movements were light, his speed lightning-fast.

His perfected medical skills allowed him to perform the task with ease, without the slightest bit of effort.

The onlookers were all filled with awe.

"This... will it work?"

"Using four needles at once? I've never even heard of such a thing."

"Let's hope for a good outcome..."

Only Feng Hao was an exception; he had long since become immune to this.

At Clinic No. 13, using silver needles to treat illnesses was merely a piece of cake for Senior Brother Shen.

Half an hour later, Shen Han withdrew the silver needles.

"Look! The Gang Leader's complexion is improving!"

A maid suddenly cried out.

Indeed, a faint flush of color had clearly appeared on Cao Ziping's withered face. His skin began to rise and fall, and his breathing grew heavier.

"Give the Gang Leader some water!"

A maid hurriedly brought over some warm water.

Shen Han, however, stopped her: "No. Gang Leader Cao's body is currently very weak; he cannot drink water or consume food yet."

"Ah?"

The crowd was confused.

Shen Han said sternly: "As the saying goes, when the moon is full, it begins to wane. Once water enters his stomach, it will increase the burden on Gang Leader Cao's body, doing more harm than good."

Meng Songyun walked over: "Then what should we do?"

"I will write out two prescriptions. Gang Leader Cao's injuries are severe and require extreme caution, so the morning and evening medicines must be different. Just follow the prescriptions to procure the herbs and have Gang Leader Cao take them."

"Fine, then write the prescriptions quickly."

Meng Songyun had someone bring over a brush, ink, paper, and an inkstone, placing them on the boxwood table to the side.

Shen Han did not move.

He glanced at Meng Songyun, then sat down to the side, slowly and methodically organizing his silver needles.

"Doctor Shen?"

Meng Songyun frowned.

Shen Han said calmly: "Supervisor Meng, before coming to your esteemed gang, I put forward two conditions."

Meng Songyun immediately snorted: "One hundred taels of consultation fees per person, I know that!"

"There was one more."

Shen Han pulled a piece of paper from his robe: "I would like to ask you to help me purchase some medicinal herbs—these thirteen kinds."

To everyone's surprise, Meng Songyun didn't even look at it, saying directly: "Write the prescriptions to treat the Gang Leader first; we can talk about buying herbs later!"

Shen Han shook his head: "That won't do."

"Heh, Doctor Shen, do you dare to act out of line in the Green Garment Gang?"

"No, I am not making exorbitant demands; I am simply bringing up the requirements we agreed upon beforehand."

"And if I don't agree?"

Meng Songyun clenched his fists instantly.

Shen Han remained unhurried, smiling as he said: "You don't agree? That's fine. At worst, I'll just forgo the one hundred taels of consultation fees. As for Gang Leader Cao's injuries, your esteemed gang can find someone else more capable."

Feng Hao, standing nearby, was terrified. Senior Brother Shen, we are under someone else's roof; a wise man knows when to submit.

Yet he did not know that the reason Shen Han dared to say this was simple: the injuries Cao Ziping suffered were extremely severe, practically a death sentence, and apart from Shen Han, no one could treat them.

"You dare to threaten me?"

Meng Songyun was beside himself with rage.

Shen Han said coldly: "I am just a lowly doctor; how would I dare to threaten your esteemed gang? It is just that you, Supervisor Meng, are making things difficult for me at every turn—do you not seem to care about whether Gang Leader Cao lives or dies?"

"Nonsense!"

Meng Songyun roared in fury.

He bared his teeth, his eyes flashing with fire, and was about to step forward to seize Shen Han.

"Stop!"

No sooner said than done, Cao Lin arrived.

"Young Gang Leader..."

The crowd hurriedly bowed and saluted, and Meng Songyun had no choice but to withdraw his hand.

Cao Lin glared at them and shouted, "To resort to violence in front of my father's sickbed—you all have quite the nerve!"

The maidservants were so frightened that they hurriedly knelt down.

"Young Gang Leader Cao, if the conditions your gang promised are not to be honored, I have nothing more to say. Please allow the two of us to leave."

Shen Han cupped his hands toward Cao Lin.

Cao Lin's face darkened: "Why would Doctor Shen say such a thing?"

He walked a few steps to the bedside and, at a single glance, noticed the change in Cao Ziping, looking utterly astonished: "It has only been half an hour, and my father's condition has already improved this much?"

A maidservant hurriedly said, "Reporting to the Young Gang Leader, just moments ago, Doctor Shen performed acupuncture on the Gang Leader."

Cao Lin turned to Shen Han and praised him highly: "Doctor Shen truly lives up to his reputation. How should we proceed with the treatment?"

Shen Han said calmly, "Acupuncture must be performed twice daily, at the Hour of the Dragon and the Hour of the Rooster. Additionally, medicine must be taken morning and night. In three days at most, Gang Leader Cao will be able to circulate his internal energy on his own."

"Three days?"

Cao Lin was even more pleasantly surprised.

Meng Songyun hurriedly said, "Young Gang Leader, that is precisely why this subordinate suggested letting Doctor Shen prescribe the medicine to heal the Gang Leader first..."

"Doctor Shen, where is the prescription?"

Cao Lin's tone softened.

Shen Han replied, "As I said before, I am researching medicinal herbs for healing and saving lives, and I need to purchase some uncommon ingredients."

"What kind of ingredients?"

"Just these."

Shen Han handed the paper containing the ingredients and dosages for the Marrow-Cleansing and Tendon-Forging Water to Cao Lin.

Cao Lin glanced at it: "What is difficult about this? My Green Garment Gang has close ties with medicine merchants; we can acquire these easily.

Supervisor Meng, go handle this immediately!

As for the price of the herbs, calculate it at cost."

"This subordinate obeys."

Meng Songyun glared viciously at Shen Han, took the paper, and hurried out of the secret chamber.

Cao Lin turned back: "Doctor Shen, can you write the prescription now?"

"That is certainly no problem."

Shen Han sat down at the table and began to write on the paper with a brush.

Before long, the two prescriptions were finished.

"Young Gang Leader Cao, I have specifically balanced the dosage according to Gang Leader Cao's physical condition. When decocting the medicine, simmer it for thirty percent longer than usual, and take the morning and evening doses separately."

"Why are you still standing there? Go get the medicine filled!"

Cao Lin immediately ordered another maidservant.

After a flurry of activity, the group left the stone house one after another and arrived at the dining hall arranged by Cao Lin.

The admiration in Feng Hao's heart could not be greater.

Even though their side was restricted at every turn and at a disadvantage, Senior Brother Shen had managed to turn the tide single-handedly. It was too impressive, too domineering! If it were me, I absolutely could not have done this!

They hadn't eaten more than a few bites when Meng Songyun arrived.

"How is it? Have the medicinal ingredients written on Doctor Shen's paper been prepared properly?"

Cao Lin set down his chopsticks and asked.

Meng Songyun reported, "Reporting to the Young Gang Leader, the other herbs are in stock, but the Heaven-Reaching Grass, Scale Skin, and Gourd Cup Root must be collected on short notice."

As expected... Shen Han thought to himself.

Shopkeeper Qiao of Hua'an Hall was right; those three herbs were indeed uncommon, and even the Green Garment Gang could not procure them immediately.

"How many days will it take?" Cao Lin asked again.

"This subordinate estimates that three days should be enough."

After Meng Songyun finished speaking, his expression shifted, "But the price of the herbs..."

Shen Han smiled: "Supervisor Meng, please speak plainly."

"Calculated strictly at cost, one set costs four taels of silver. May I ask, Doctor Shen, how many sets do you require?"

Four taels of silver?

Shen Han pondered inwardly; Shopkeeper Qiao said one set would cost seven or eight taels. It seems this Green Garment Gang is indeed not making any profit at all.

"Then I shall buy twenty-five sets. Use my one hundred taels of consultation fees to pay for it."

"Done!"

And so, the matter came to a temporary close.

Cao Lin smiled and poured a cup of wine for Shen Han: "Since that is settled, for these three days, you two should stay in the gang with peace of mind. I have already ordered rooms to be prepared. Please, continue to put your heart into my father's recovery."

Shen Han cupped his hands: "Many thanks."

After the meal, the two were shown to a luxurious room.

As soon as the door was closed, Feng Hao leaned in close: "Senior Brother Shen, I can't hold it in anymore!"