’Medical Saint Hand?’

Chen Yi chuckled to himself. The skill of Controlling Needle with Qi was indeed a rare Medical Skill.

It wasn’t that few Physicians knew of it, but rather that not many could actually perform it.

This was partly due to the high barrier to entry for learning it.

Not only did it require the user to have Mastery in the Acupuncture Skill, allowing them to accurately identify acupoints and diagnose the pulse, but it also demanded a certain level of Martial Arts Cultivation.

Only a Physician at the Eighth Grade Realm or higher, who possessed True Essence, could learn and use "Controlling Needle with Qi."

It could not only clear the meridians but also use True Essence to repair damaged internal organs and the eight extraordinary meridians, turning the decaying into the miraculous.

That was why a Martial Arts Powerhouse like Liu Lang, whose meridians were damaged, would show such respect to a Physician with Mastery in "Controlling Needle with Qi."

As he thought this, Chen Yi continued treating himself and said, "I wouldn’t dare call myself a Saint Hand. It’s just a minor trick."

’A minor trick...’

Liu Lang opened his mouth but was momentarily speechless.

This man was exactly like the great masters of the Medical Dao spoken of in Jianghu legends.

His arrogance was astonishing.

’If "Controlling Needle with Qi" were so easy, why would I have to hide in Hundred Herbs Hall and try my luck?’

After a moment of silence, Liu Lang asked hesitantly,

"Um, Senior, since you can see my injuries, I wonder if you could help treat me?"

Although Liu Lang was puzzled as to how the man knew his identity, the most important thing right now was to treat his injuries.

Otherwise, just as the man in black had said earlier, most of his True Essence was being used to suppress his injuries, leaving him unable to fight at all.

Chen Yi glanced at him and chuckled. "Treating you is simple. But can you afford my fee?"

Hearing this, a bitter smile appeared on Liu Lang’s face.

"Senior, since you know my identity, you should also be aware that I have always been alone since I started roaming the Jianghu."

"Other than a Broken Blade and a Long Spear, I have nothing else. I don’t even have much silver or gold."

During his many years in the Northern Desert, he had indeed made some silver from jobs similar to robbing the Xiao Family of their medicinal herbs.

But he had always been a spendthrift, and most of that money was spent on wine and women.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have skipped out on paying at the Spring Rain Building when he first arrived in Shu State.

Chen Yi looked him up and down, raising an eyebrow. "Besides the Saber Dao, you also practice a Spear Technique?"

Of course, that wasn’t his main point of interest. ’The important thing is, where is his spear?’

A smug look appeared on Liu Lang’s face. "My Spear Technique is in no way weaker than my Saber Technique. It’s just that I’ve rarely met an opponent worthy of me using it."

While he boasted outwardly, he added inwardly:

’Xiao Jinghong doesn’t count as an opponent—she’s just too strong.’

’It’s not that I didn’t have the chance; even if I did, I’d still be killed in a single move.’

Chen Yi nodded slightly. "Then where is your spear?"

Liu Lang hesitated for a moment before rolling up his left sleeve, revealing the Long Spear bound to his forearm in the candlelight of the main hall.

"I had this Long Spear custom-made. For convenience, the shaft is connected by refined iron links, allowing it to be assembled into a full spear when needed."

Chen Yi looked at the several sections of the spear’s shaft and blade wrapped around the man’s arm, a flicker of interest in his eyes.

"How about we use it as part of your treatment fee?"

Liu Lang was taken aback for a second, then immediately unfastened the Five-section Spear and placed it on the counter.

"If you want it, Senior, please take it."

Seeing this, Chen Yi actually felt a little embarrassed.

A gentleman does not take what another holds dear.

A weapon carried at all times was something precious to any Martial Artist.

"You don’t mind parting with it?"

Unexpectedly, Liu Lang shook his head without hesitation. "Actually, after being severely injured this time, I’ve decided to focus solely on my Saber Technique from now on."

"Oh? And why is that?"

"You may not know this, Senior, but my master is the ’Sword Ghost.’ I should have progressed further on the Saber Dao."

"If not for my own arrogance in wasting energy practicing the Spear Technique, which hindered my progress in the Saber Dao, my strength would likely be a level higher by now."

After hearing Liu Lang’s explanation, Chen Yi nodded in understanding. "Focusing on one path is a good thing."

"In that case, I will accept this Long Spear."

Chen Yi paused, then smiled. "But this isn’t enough. As I said just now, this Long Spear is only part of the fee."

Liu Lang had heard him clearly. He took a deep breath and said earnestly, "Please speak freely, Senior. As long as you ask, I will find a way to do it."

Physicians who had mastered Controlling Needle with Qi were mostly elusive figures.

Ordinary people couldn’t even meet them, let alone know their whereabouts.

Furthermore, Liu Lang had also heard some rumors about Medical Saint Hands.

Like the "Evil Doctor" who demanded a limb for every life saved, or the "Medical Demon" who demanded Cultivation Technique manuals as payment.

Even with such strange demands, many heavily injured Jianghu People still sought them out.

For no other reason than that compared to one’s own life, limbs and Cultivation Techniques were trivial, external possessions.

Chen Yi thought for a moment. "In that case, you can do three things for me."

Seeing Liu Lang about to agree immediately, he raised a hand to add, "You should think this through."

"My tasks will be somewhat dangerous. Don’t blame me if you die and I didn’t warn you."

After the events of the past two days, he was well aware that his own strength was still somewhat lacking.

Take tonight for example. Whether it was the man in black with the Long Spear, or Cui Qingwu and her Maid, their Cultivation and Techniques were all a cut above his.

If he hadn’t been fully prepared, he would have had difficulty escaping.

Therefore, his proposal for Liu Lang to do three tasks was also for his own future benefit, saving him the trouble of putting himself in harm’s way.

Liu Lang smiled and nodded. "Never mind three tasks. Even if it were thirty, I would do them all without fail."

"Since I set foot in the Jianghu, I’ve long since put life and death aside. My only desire is to stay alive and meet the powerhouses of the Jianghu."

Chen Yi was quite satisfied to hear this.

"Alright then. Three tasks is indeed a bit too few for you. Let’s make it thirty."

"..."

Liu Lang’s smile froze. Then, he said, at a loss for whether to laugh or cry, "Senior, I was just... I was just joking."

Chen Yi paid him no mind. "A man of his word never goes back on it. Thirty it is."

After saying that, he didn’t forget to offer some comfort. "Don’t worry."

"If you get injured because of this, as long as you’re still breathing, I guarantee I can make you healthy again."

’If you die, then there’s nothing I can do.’

’I don’t possess any heaven-defying means to bring people back from the dead.’

Seeing the situation, Liu Lang could only cup his fists in a salute. "In that case, I thank you for your help, Senior."

’Thirty it is, then.’

’Fortunately, I’ll be staying in the Shu State region for a while longer, so taking on a few extra jobs won’t be a problem.’

’Besides, if I can get on good terms with this Medical Saint Hand, it’s like gaining a protective talisman for the future.’

’It’s not a bad deal at all.’

During their idle chat,

the meridians inside Chen Yi’s body had already been fully repaired. Even the wounds on his arm and waist had healed considerably. A few days of quiet rest would see them fully recovered.

Liu Lang witnessed all of this, and his admiration for Chen Yi’s Medical Skill grew even deeper.

’A great master of the Medical Dao like him must have Medical Skills on par with the Evil Doctor and the Medical Demon.’

"Senior, when would be convenient for you?"

Chen Yi glanced at the sky outside. "Tomorrow night."

Liu Lang’s heart leaped with joy. "Then where should I go to find you?"

"Right here, of course. Have Wang Ji prepare a quiet room. I’ll be here around nine p.m."

’Wang Ji?’

Liu Lang was momentarily stunned. After a moment’s thought, he realized and said in astonishment, "You... you’re the mysterious owner of Hundred Herbs Hall?"

Chen Yi glanced at him, then rose and picked up the folded Long Spear from the counter. He smiled and said,

"So when I said I was coming home to Hundred Herbs Hall, I meant it."

Liu Lang’s face flushed with embarrassment. "I see. I’m ashamed of myself."

"You must have seen through my identity the moment I arrived at Hundred Herbs Hall."

Chen Yi gave a noncommittal nod. He weighed the Long Spear in his hand, then strapped it to his arm.

He had been looking for a suitable weapon, but he never expected to "snatch" one from someone else.

With that thought, he looked at Liu Lang and asked, "Tell me about what you’ve been up to recently."

"I heard you weren’t injured when you robbed the Xiao Family of their medicinal herbs. How did you end up in this state?"

When Liu Lang heard this question, his heart stirred, and he couldn’t help but speculate about the man’s identity.

During his time at Hundred Herbs Hall, he had long been aware that the relationship between Hundred Herbs Hall and the Xiao Family was not a shallow one.

Never mind that the Shopkeeper of Hundred Herbs Hall, Wang Ji, had come from the Xiao Family himself.

The matter of that incredibly profitable tea beverage alone was enough to prove it.

Without the approval of this mysterious owner, Wang Ji would never have supplied the tea to the Xiao Family Medicine Hall on his own initiative.

’So...’

As this thought crossed Liu Lang’s mind, his expression grew more serious. "I won’t hide it from you, Senior."

"I robbed the Xiao Family of their medicinal herbs because I was hired to do so."

"The Jing State Liu Family? I know about that. Tell me something I don’t know."

"Er... since you already know about that, Senior, I won’t say more. After that incident, I left Shu State."

Chen Yi asked with great interest, "To evade the Xiao Family’s pursuit?"

Unexpectedly, Liu Lang shook his head. "I left the Prefecture City to challenge General Jinghong."

Chen Yi was struck speechless, then laughed. "So you were injured by her... hmm, by General Jinghong?"

’Serves you right. She did a good job.’

Liu Lang smiled bitterly. "General Jinghong’s Martial Arts Cultivation far surpasses my own. She defeated me with a single move."

He paused, then corrected himself with more precision. "Or rather, she only used two fingers.

"Not only did she catch my full-powered strike, but she also broke the long blade in my hand."

Chen Yi froze for a moment. He held two fingers of his right hand together and made a few gestures. "Like this?"

Liu Lang nodded, his tone tinged with melancholy. "In fact, if General Jinghong hadn’t allowed it, I wouldn’t have even been able to launch that strike."

Hearing this, Chen Yi couldn’t help but ask, "Your strength shouldn’t be weak. Are you in the Middle Three Grades?"

"Upper Fifth Grade, with Great Success in the Saber Dao."

"Then Xiao Jinghong is...?"

Liu Lang pondered for a moment. "She must have reached the Upper Three Grades Realm long ago. As for the specifics... I don’t know."

Even now, the memory of being unable to even raise his hand against Xiao Jinghong sent a shiver down his spine.

He had only ever felt that kind of helpless, insignificant feeling from his master, the "Sword Ghost."

’I suppose that even among those in the Upper Three Grades Realm, Xiao Jinghong is no ordinary person.’

"I see."

Chen Yi nodded thoughtfully, offering a perfunctory reply. "Then your loss wasn’t unjust."

Connecting this to the Xiao Family’s current situation, he began to understand.

’It seems Xiao Jinghong has been hiding her true strength. Otherwise, Wang Lixing and the others wouldn’t have said she was at the Fourth Grade Realm.’

’As expected, the Xiao Family isn’t as simple as I first thought.’

’This is good news, in a way.’

’It’s just that...’

’With my wife being so powerful, it makes me look like a total weakling, doesn’t it?’

"It’s getting late. I’ll be going now."

Liu Lang quickly understood and cupped his fists. "Take care, Senior."

Chen Yi waved his hand and left without lingering, heading straight out of Hundred Herbs Hall and back to the Xiao Family estate.

Along the way, he saw many members of the Imprisonment Department and the City Guard Army rushing past with hurried expressions.

’It seems the events of tonight have alarmed quite a few people.’

The journey back was tense but uneventful. He finally returned to the Spring Lotus Garden just before midnight.

However, just as he walked out of the Purple Bamboo Forest, he saw Xiaodie run out from the wooden building, her face pale with panic.

"N-No, this is bad! The Young Master is missing!"

"Young Master! Young Master, you... you haven’t run away again, have you?"

"..."