Poor Scholars, Rich Warriors, Uninvited Guests

"Train!"

After the duplicate drank the Blood-Qi Soup, Shen Han watched without blinking, directing it with his mind to strike while the iron was hot and cultivate the Breathing Technique with the medicine's aid.

The moment it began training, he instantly sensed the difference.

Though it was the duplicate cultivating, Shen Han could clearly perceive the changes within it.

Whether in its movements, breathing, or even complexion, the duplicate had risen by a full level. The efficiency with which it circulated its energy through its cycle had nearly doubled.

An hour later.

The duplicate had trained to its heart's content. At the same time, the medicinal effects of the Blood-Qi Soup gradually faded away bit by bit.

"Let's give it a try..."

Shen Han stretched his arms and performed a set of the Basic Fist Technique.

Crack!

His muscles and bones gave off faint, almost inaudible snaps, while the skin all over his body became tougher and denser.

"The Blood-Qi Soup really works!"

Shen Han muttered to himself, "Even though it was only a short hour, the improvement to my physical condition is plain to see.

Cultivating after taking medicine truly yields twice the result with half the effort.

It's decided. From now on, I'll have the duplicate drink a dose of Blood-Qi Soup every day.

That way, the time it takes me to break through to the Skin Refining Realm will surely be greatly shortened."

However, the ingredients for one serving of Blood-Qi Soup cost three hundred copper coins.

That was a problem.

No wonder people always said that poor scholars and rich warriors.

The facts proved that without money, there was simply no way to practice martial arts.

The little over five taels of silver he had on him would not last long, and the two taels of silver he earned monthly as an apprentice at the clinic were nowhere near enough.

Money—I had to find a way to make money!

Before he knew it, ten days had passed.

That evening, rain poured down in sheets.

Shen Han returned home through the rain after finishing work at the clinic and opened the panel.

Mirror Master: Shen Han

Cultivation: None

Cultivation Method: Breathing Technique (Mastery)

Martial Arts: Basic Fist Technique (Perfected)

Skill: Medicine (Mastery)

Over these ten days, with plenty of good food to eat, the duplicate in the mirror studied medicine during the day and drank Blood-Qi Soup to cultivate the Breathing Technique at night. It never slept or rested, living an exceptionally full life. As the saying went, hard work brought rewards. The Breathing Technique and medicine had respectively reached the Mastery realm three and five days ago, and the effects were remarkably impressive.

First, his physique had shot upward by leaps and bounds.

In terms of strength, he could now exert more than four hundred jin of force. Even two or three ordinary men put together were no match for him.

In terms of speed, he moved with agility, able to dart more than ten zhang in the blink of an eye.

As for endurance, his progress had been even more astonishing. He could run a full li in one breath without even panting.

Though he had yet to break through to Skin Refining.

It was obvious that it was practically within reach!

Second, his medical skills had become effortless and assured.

Every day at Clinic No. 8, this apprentice of theirs had practically become the true pillar of the place.

Some patients even came specifically for him.

By comparison, Huang Tie had become much more relaxed.

Feng Hao was even more stunned. At Huang Tie's prompting, Feng Hao had begun respectfully addressing him as Senior Brother Shen, and directly sought his advice on many matters of medicine.

Knock, knock!

Shen Han was observing the duplicate's cultivation when someone knocked on the door.

"Sister Yun Yi?"

It was his neighbor, Yun Yi. She carried a steaming bowl of egg noodles in her left hand while shielding it with her right so the rain would not wet it.

"Little Shen, you must be hungry. Here."

Yun Yi smiled and handed the bowl to Shen Han.

Hu Jiao's death had finally put her mind at ease. Over these ten days, she had brought Shen Han food more and more often.

Shen Han immediately began wolfing it down.

"Hehe, eat slowly. No one's going to steal it from you."

Yun Yi walked to the wooden table and spotted the rusty Bronze Mirror at once. "Little Shen, you're a grown man, and you still like looking in mirrors?"

She grabbed the Bronze Mirror, looked into it, then set it back down.

"It's so blurry!"

Covering her mouth, Yun Yi chuckled. "You picked this mirror up somewhere, didn't you? I'll give you a new one another day."

Shen Han froze.

That was close!

But it was also a fortunate accident. This proved that Sister Yun Yi could not see my duplicate in the mirror. In other words, no one but me can know the Bronze Mirror's secret. It truly is a heaven-sent golden finger!

"Well... I live alone. Sometimes, when I'm bored, I play rock-paper-scissors with myself in the mirror."

Shen Han smiled and made up an excuse.

Pfft!

Yun Yi could not help breaking into giggles.

Just as she was about to tease him a little more, two uninvited guests suddenly appeared in the small courtyard.

They were two men in fitted black outfits, ugly as crooked melons and misshapen dates, with rain capes over their heads.

"Who are you two looking for?"

Shen Han crossed the room in a few strides.

"You're Shen Han?"

The two were Hu Teng's lackeys. One was called Ding San, and the other Mao Si.

"That's me."

Shen Han replied calmly.

I've never even met these two, yet they came looking for me by name. They mean no good!

Ding San swept a glance over Shen Han's face and asked, "Tell me, did you see Hu Jiao before he was killed?"

Shen Han understood in an instant.

They're here investigating Hu Jiao's death! I thought his death had passed without a ripple, but it turns out it never ended!

"I did."

"Oh? When?"

Upon hearing this, Mao Si pressed him in a sinister voice.

"More than ten days ago. Master Hu came here to collect the Dragon King's incense fee."

Mao Si snorted sideways. "Just collecting money?"

"Yes. Master Hu left after taking the money."

"Did he mention anyone?"

"No..."

Shen Han spoke, then sighed. "You two are Master Hu's friends, aren't you? Have you found out who killed him?"

Ding San and Mao Si exchanged a look.

Mao Si said, "Kid, you seem rather interested in who we are."

"I wouldn't dare. I just suddenly remembered that Master Hu once mentioned having a cousin at Black Wind Stronghold."

Ding San removed his rain cape and sneered nonstop. "Kid, heh heh, you guessed right. We are disciples of Black Wind Stronghold, and Hu Jiao's cousin, Hu Teng, is our senior brother."

At once, Yun Yi covered her mouth inside the room.

She had heard of Black Wind Stronghold and knew it was an infamous gang.

Mao Si's expression turned fierce. "Shen Han, how much do you know about Hu Jiao's death?"

"My lords, I know absolutely nothing about it."

Shen Han wore an innocent expression.

Ding San stepped forward twice. "Senior Brother Hu has already given the order: once we find the murderer who killed Hu Jiao, we'll slaughter his whole family. We'll turn East City upside down!

Woman in the house, come out!"

Yun Yi's body trembled, but she could only obey. She stepped outside and stood beside Shen Han.

"Do you know who killed Hu Jiao?"

"I don't."

Yun Yi answered shakily. Clearly, she had remembered how Hu Jiao had forced her that night.

"Is that so?"

Ding San closed in step by step.

Shen Han stood in front of Yun Yi. "My lords, Master Hu was big and strong. Even ordinary men were no match for him. There's no need for you to suspect a weak woman, is there?"

"Hmph!"

Ding San stared at Shen Han. "We'll spare you two for now. Remember this well: if I discover later that you have been vague and evasive, I'll make you beg for life yet be unable to die!"

With that, he stomped down on a stone weighing over two hundred jin.

Boom!

The stone shattered into four pieces, fragments flying through the rain.

"We would never dare deceive you two."

"Let's go!"

Ding San and Mao Si did not linger any longer, turning and leaving.

Shen Han wiped the rainwater from his face.

To shatter a stone with a single stomp—these two lackeys were not to be underestimated. They were far stronger than Hu Jiao.

The crisis had not been lifted.

I have to become stronger. I must become stronger as soon as possible!