He Youshan firmly refused: "Brother Xu, I won't abandon you!"

Jiao Mingxu said sternly: "Youshan! The situation is urgent now, if we don't run it'll be too late!"

Bai Chen also advised: "Hurry and go, we won't be able to protect you later!"

He Youshan's eyes stung as tears directly spilled out.

Seeing He Youshan cry, Jiao Mingxu's eyes also reddened, clearly distressed.

"What are you crying about? Who died?" you asked as you returned from the front hall.

The three looked at each other in confusion.

You were completely unharmed, without even a wrinkle on your clothes.

Bai Chen looked at you, then behind you, hesitating: "Senior brother, you..."

Without waiting for them to finish, you said directly: "Enough, go back to your consultations. I need to cultivate."

"Uh... senior brother, about that... what's the situation outside?" Jiao Mingxu stammered.

"Go see for yourselves."

You chased them out and resumed cultivation.

When the three went outside, they were instantly stunned.

The twenty-plus troublemakers were neatly arranged on the street outside the clinic.

Not a single intact corpse remained.

All had been gold-rimmed headshots.

Passersby kept their distance, pointing and whispering.

"D-did senior brother do this?"

Their pupils trembled violently, utterly unable to believe it.

After the twenty-plus troublemakers died, Youtong County's magistrate immediately launched an investigation.

Upon learning the perpetrator was a direct disciple of Danxia Sect, the magistrate promptly issued an announcement:

The twenty-plus headless men had all committed suicide.

No one dared cause trouble at your clinic anymore.

Patients who came for treatment did so timidly.

They only dared perch on half their seat when sitting.

Ignoring external storms, you focused on cultivation in the backyard.

Ninth Year.

You pushed your third-grade pill refinement proficiency to minor mastery.

One more step to major mastery would make you a genuine third-grade pill refiner.

Though third-grade pill refiner didn't sound impressive.

It was indeed somewhat lacking.

But no matter, you'd keep striving.

Taking a brief break, you went to inspect the front hall.

Only Bai Chen was present.

Jiao Mingxu had gone on a date with He Youshan.

He Youshan was the daughter of a local gentry family.

Her family was moderately wealthy.

You didn't know how Jiao Mingxu got involved with her.

Bai Chen, seeing no current patients, had also tried sneaking out.

But you caught him red-handed.

"Bai Chen, where are you running off to?" you called him back.

Bai Chen at the door jumped in fright.

Turning, he smiled: "Senior brother, I promised Qiu Niang I'd help her meet quotas today."

"Meeting quotas or meeting Qiu Niang?" you asked.

Bai Chen's triangular eyes gleamed happily: "Mainly quotas, with Qiu Niang as a side benefit!"

"Amusing words. Return early after your... meeting."

Bai Chen was pleasantly surprised, having expected detention.

Excited, he said: "Yes senior brother! Quick meeting, quick return!"

But at the door, Bai Chen encountered a dozen martial artists seeking treatment.

Their external injuries clearly resulted from fierce combat.

You noticed increasing numbers of such patients recently.

"The world seems increasingly unstable!"

Bai Chen couldn't leave now - he had to assist you.

Dejected, he trudged back.

Then he spotted a frequent companion from Manchun House on the street.

Bai Chen hastily summoned him.

"Brother Han, could you relay a message to Qiu Niang?" Bai Chen asked.

The man replied: "Speak, Brother Bai."

After pausing, Bai Chen said: "Tell Qiu Niang not to reserve tonight's first engagement for me. I'm detained."

The man pondered: "So... Qiu Niang's first tonight remains available?"

Bai Chen: "Exactly."

The man's eyes lit up: "Brother Bai, might I visit Qiu Niang then?"

Bai Chen said sorrowfully: "Only if you're gentle! I still plan to redeem her!"

"Worry not, I cherish beauty - no rough treatment!"

"Brother Han's chivalry!"

The kindred spirit scampered eagerly toward Manchun House.

Their conversation shocked even worldly you.

You wished for ears untainted by that dialogue.

After treating the patients, you resumed cultivation.

You sensed unusual developments in the martial world.

Regardless of coming changes,

strengthening yourself was undoubtedly correct.

You only had two hundred-plus Internal Spirit Pills left.

Focusing now on Nine Condensations Profound Skill,

condensing true qi didn't require pill assistance yet still enhanced power -

an excellent choice.

Concentrating fully,

your bone aptitude enhanced by the technique,

you effortlessly completed the seventh true qi condensation.

Extremely satisfying.

Late one night,

full moon overhead,

Jiao Mingxu anxiously sought you with He Youshan.

He planned to elope with her -

she was pregnant, but her family strongly opposed.

Clicking your tongue, you praised Jiao Mingxu's unexpected boldness.

This honest man's actions were anything but.

He Youshan's uncle held high office,

having declared she'd marry appropriately -

certainly not an ordinary family like Jiao Mingxu's.

Even as Danxia Sect disciple,

unlike you,

Jiao Mingxu was merely ordinary, not direct disciple -

far inferior in status.

If her family learned of the pregnancy,

they'd skin Jiao Mingxu alive.

Hence his panic.

You silently mocked his lack of foresight when sneaking into her chambers.

Only panicking now.

But you didn't interfere.

You blessed them,

giving 100,000 silver notes.

They'd fled hastily with little money -

this solved their urgent need.

Profusely thanking, they escaped under night's cover,

embarking on martial world wanderings.

Next day,

learning of Jiao Mingxu from you,

Bai Chen praised him lavishly: "Pig-faced but sharp-minded."

Recalling Bai Chen's involvement with courtesan Qiu Niang,

you asked: "Did you redeem Qiu Niang?"

He replied: "Qiu Niang? Don't know her."

You knew the old rogue had new interests.

No further attention needed.

Recently you'd received more severely injured patients.

Probing their wounds' origins,

they all remained tight-lipped.

You sensed true abnormality.

Half-month later,

you decided to return to Danxia Sect,

to demonstrate Blood Qi Pills' major mastery,

and quickly obtain Internal Spirit Pills' recipe.