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What is your relationship with Li Guang?

People from various schools of thought banded together, and wealthy families in Chang'an City also recruited retainers, thus forming a powerful force.

Tian Fen rose to power with the backing of the Empress Dowager, but his Lineage's foundation was not as deep-rooted as that of other noble families, and he had a great need for retainers.

He was willing to provide money and housing to support any talented individuals he saw, so that they could be of use when needed.

His approach isn't anything new; after all, many people do it this way.

For example, the King of King of Huainan had thousands of retainers, the King of Liang had over a thousand, and Marquis Wei Qi, Dou Ying, had hundreds of retainers. Other Aristocratic Clan also had numerous retainers.

The competition for retainers is so fierce that newly powerful figures like Tian Fen only have a few dozen retainers, and their quality is not high; they rely more on their wisdom and strategy to get things done.

But Tian Fen felt that he was the best person to his retainers at the time.

As long as they pledge allegiance to him, he will grant their requests in any way within his power.

Seeing Zhang Xuezhou's genuine skill in healing Zhou Jiande's wounds, he was interested in recruiting such itinerant doctors. However, when Zhang Xuezhou treated Tian Tian, Tian Fen's brows furrowed.

Qu Nihou and Chen Zhang couldn't figure out the method of Supreme Purity True Technique, but Tian Fen had witnessed Li Guang using the technique.

Compared to Li Guang's Supreme Purity True Technique, Zhang Xuezhou's Supreme Purity True Technique has many shortcomings, but the two are extremely similar in terms of healing characteristics, which allows Tian Fen to distinguish between them.

"I'll guide General Li Guang," Zhang Xuezhou replied after a few seconds of thought.

"Lead the way?" Tian Fen asked suspiciously, "Your Technique Method seems to be the Supreme Purity True Technique. Did Li Guang teach you this Technique Method because he led the way?"

"Yes," Zhang Xuezhou nodded, "I led the way. General Li Guang taught me this technique; everyone knows that."

"You little liar!"

Tian Fen almost swore.

His character was indeed quite good; at least he didn't show his emotions on his face, nor did he ever utter a word of abuse against Zhang Xuezhou.

Knowing Zhang Xuezhou's background, Tian Fen knew very well that he couldn't persuade such a person to become a retainer, let alone get him to hand over this healing Technique Method.

There are unspoken rules regarding the management of retainers. It's impossible to steal a retainer just because you think one is good. And retainers who frequently switch allegiances are also taboo for those in power.

Only those retainers without a master, or those whose families have fallen from power and left them with nowhere to go, will be accepted by various Lineage and powerful clans.

However, there were indeed not many skilled medical practitioners in Chang'an City, and even fewer with potent treatments. Tian Fen couldn't help but strike up a conversation to make sure he had someone to help him when needed.

"Does Doctor Dongfang usually set up a stall in this West Market to treat patients?" Tian Fen asked.

"Yes," Zhang Xuezhou nodded, "But performing healing arts is too taxing on my energy and spirit. I need to rest and recuperate for twelve days after every twelve days of work to avoid dying young, so I can't always be setting up my stall in the West Market!"

"The Supreme Purity True Technique has such serious consequences?" Tian Fen asked curiously.

"I don't know about others, but this is how it is for me," Zhang Xuezhou nodded. "Your timing is pretty good; I'm planning to start my twelve-day consecutive rest tomorrow!"

"No wonder Li Guang rarely treated people, instead ordering his military doctors to perform the treatments. If he had treated people himself, he probably would have been exhausted to death long ago!"

Tian Fen suddenly felt he understood why he couldn't persuade Li Guang to come even though he had paid money.

He had some resentment towards Li Guang, but Zhang Xuezhou's words completely dispelled his resentment.

Even if Tian Fen had the ability to deplete his energy and spirit, he wouldn't like to use it casually, and he wouldn't be able to get him to do anything even if offered a hundred gold pieces.

This completely dispelled his thoughts about the Supreme Purity True Technique.

This Technique Method is important, but it's not worth harming yourself. The correct way to use it is for others to practice it, since they only need the therapeutic effect.

As for fighting, killing, and broken arms and legs, these kinds of things rarely happened in Chang'an City.

Zhang Xuezhou responded with a few words, while countless thoughts raced through Tian Fen's mind.

When he had exhausted all his questions, he stood up, and after confirming that Tian Tian's wounds had indeed healed, he raised his head and walked slowly out of the inn.

See you next time!

Tian Tian also bid farewell politely, while Zhou Jiande shook his head repeatedly.

"Let's not see each other again," Zhou Jiande said.

You're right!

Tian Tian snapped out of his daze and realized that meeting a doctor like Zhang Xuezhou again was not a good thing, so he immediately took back what he had said.

"Brother Chen, let's go!" Tian Tian called out.

"You guys go first, I want to sit here for a while longer!"

Chen Zhang's eyes darted around the second floor, but Tian Tian and the others had cleared the area, and he waited for a long time without seeing the beauty's face.

Right now, Chen Zhang is just hoping that Tian Tian and Zhou Jiande will leave as soon as possible.

He waved his hands repeatedly, which earned him several laughs from Tian Tian and the others.

"I know there are some pretty girls at Chunhua Brothel. My leg injury has healed, and I'd like to go for a walk there. Don't you really want to come with us and see for yourself?" Tian Tian asked. "If you come, it's my treat! I'll pay for whatever girls we see!"

"No, no, I'm not going!" Chen Zhang shook his head repeatedly. "My father once said that it's fine for those who Technique Method to go to places of pleasure, but for someone like me who studies martial arts, it's easy to get hurt!"

"Then you're still looking for women, aren't you?" Tian Tianqi asked.

"I am Yang, and a woman is Yin. The alternation of Yin and Yang is not a problem, but if one Yang is paired with two, three, or even more Yin, it will drain the body dry. You may enjoy it for a while, but in the end, you will lose more than you gain," Chen Zhang said seriously.

"You still believe in this stuff?" Tian Tian retorted. "These things are only a matter of once or multiple times. It doesn't matter how many women you have!"

I think it matters!

"I can't reason with a fool like you, Brother Jiande!"

Tian Tian exclaimed and went to pull Zhou Jiande again.

But Zhou Jiande, having recovered from his injuries, only wanted to lie down and sleep comfortably, rather than exert himself on a woman's belly, which Tian Tian found quite uninteresting.

Amidst the commotion, everyone rode away in their carriages.

"Miracle doctor, I saw someone who looks just like you yesterday!"

Tian Tian and the others left, but the inn remained quiet. Even some of the long-term guests had already gone out to work, and since it was not yet evening, few people came to eat or stay at the inn.

Chen Zhang looked for a long time but still couldn't see Wei Shao'er, and his disappointment grew stronger.

But he didn't know where Wei Shao'er had gone, so he could only try to pass the time while waiting and see if he could wait for Wei Shao'er to appear.

"I have a very common face; there are at least ten or eight people in Chang'an City who look a lot like me!"

Zhang Xuezhou closed his eyes for a short while and saw that Tian Tian and the others had already left, so he quickly gathered the silver and put it into his storage bag.

Yesterday he used Dong Zhongshu to deal with Marquis Quni, and today he used Li Guang to deal with Tian Fen.

However, Zhang Xuezhou couldn't help but realize the disadvantage of lacking a powerful backer in Chang'an City.

If he hadn't closed his eyes to rest after performing the procedure on Zhou Jiande, and hadn't mentioned to Tian Fen that the Supreme Purity True Technique consumed his body's essence and spirit, mixing truth and falsehood in his words, he would have had a hard time getting rid of these troubles.

"This business is tough!"

Zhang Xuezhou didn't feel anything because he had Prefect Wen Weng as his backer in Shu County, but the situation was completely different in Chang'an City.

Qu Nihou may have lost interest, but Tian Fen's casual conversation with Li Guang and others might expose his true intentions.

Treating ordinary people and treating the rich are two completely different concepts. Zhang Xuezhou likes the benefits that the latter brings, but he also has to bear the troubles that the latter may bring.

Some admired his magical abilities, others wanted to acquire his skills, and still others needed his skills to heal others.

Some of Zou Bugui's early students were involved in such incidents, ultimately leading to their inexplicable deaths.

Only by truly having the backing of the imperial court and using the identity of an official to protect himself could Zhang Xuezhou avoid some of the associated risks.

With enough money to get by, he was clearly planning to relocate and close his business for a while.