https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-70-The-Swordsman-of-Qingfeng-Mountain/12553905/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-72-A-Fierce-Battle-Against-Fang-Heng/12553907/
Chapter 71: Bai Ziming and Fang Heng
Chapter 71: Bai Ziming and Fang Heng
In the Town Magic Office, the medical district was abuzz with activity. Over thirty pavilions were arranged in a row, and the officers coming and going were all bearing injuries.
A plain and simple bamboo house stood out among them, its stark contrast making it quite eye-catching.
Occasionally, shadows would cross the threshold, cloaked in black capes—a symbol of the high-ranking officers.
The burly young man was an exception, not even wearing a coat, only a simple short jacket.
He hung his right arm and pushed open the small door with his left hand.
"Brother Bai," he called out respectfully to the man inside, seated behind a short table, his white robe immaculate.
"Can you not come here every day with a long face?" The man addressed as Brother Bai had a face like a crown jade, with two locks of hair hanging down, and a pair of clean hands quickly sorting through a plate of fragrant medicinal ingredients.
Without looking up, he said indifferently, "Put your arm up."
Fang Heng obediently sat down cross-legged, lifting his right arm and placing it on the short table.
Brother Bai took out several cow-hair-thin needles, piercing them into Fang Heng's arm without even a glance, and then continued sorting the precious medicine. "Endure it. After today, you should be almost healed."
Fang Heng buried his head, his eyes dull.
His broad back resembled that of a bear.
The excruciating pain of repairing his meridians could make even a veteran officer bite his teeth, but Fang Heng remained unmoved.
"There's no need to worry," Brother Bai said, putting the medicinal ingredients back into the cabinet and finally looking up. "The opponent didn't strike hard. There shouldn't be any after-effects."
"Thank you, Brother," Fang Heng replied, coming back to his senses. His mind was clearly not on his arm, but he didn't offer any further explanation.
At that moment, two people entered the bamboo house, carrying earthenware jars and whispering. They bowed respectfully to the white-robed Brother Bai.
Bai Ziming, the third disciple of the General, held the position of a high-ranking officer in the Town Magic Office. More than thirty years ago, he had already achieved the perfect cultivation of the Jade Liquid realm.
In addition, he was also the best physician in the Town Magic Office.
"Go on in," Bai Ziming said gently, nodding towards the inner room.
In that instant, he suddenly noticed his junior brother's eyes twitch, and his sturdy body abruptly stood up. Turning, he clutched one of the men by the wrist, his voice cold, "How did you two end up here?"
Being stared at by those sharp, killing eyes was like being marked by a fierce beast.
Liu Xijue and Li Xiaodi's hearts pounded, and the jars in their hands clattered. Their voices were breathless as they stammered, "General Fang..."
Before they could finish, Fang Heng, ignoring the needles still in his arm, strode towards the inner room.
Brother Bai's clinic usually only received high-ranking officers or those with severe injuries that couldn't be treated elsewhere. Among this group, the only one eligible for such treatment was Li Xinhan, a quasi-high-ranking officer.
And indeed, as he lifted the curtain, Fang Heng saw Li Xinhan wrapped up like a zongzi on the bed.
His pupils narrowed, his jaw clenched, and he strode forward, yanking Li Xinhan up by the arm. "Where is he?" he demanded harshly.
Li Xinhan's face, which had just regained some color, turned deathly pale again. Confusion flitted across his eyes, but he replied coldly, "What's wrong with you?"
"I'm asking you..." Fang Heng's voice dropped to a deep, threatening tone, and his grip tightened. "Where is he?!"
Suddenly, a silver needle flew towards him, piercing his acupoint with unerring accuracy.
As the numbing sensation washed over him, Fang Heng was forced to release Li Xinhan, stumbling back and leaning against the wall. He looked at the young man outside helplessly.
Brother Bai put away his needle case and first waved at the furious Liu Xijue and the others to leave. Then he glanced at Fang Heng lightly, "Come, slowly say, who are you looking for?"
Fang Heng walked over and sat down, muttering, "Shen Yi, I'm afraid something's happened to him."
"Who is Shen Yi?"
"So that's how your arm ended up broken by him?" Bai Ziming found this rather amusing and chuckled.
"I was too careless," Fang Heng closed his eyes, not wanting to dwell on the topic.
"Anyway, since you don't think highly of him, let him go. Why are you looking for him?" Bai Ziming wasn't too concerned. Qingzhou was vast, and countless geniuses and fortuitous encounters abounded. Even if someone was naturally gifted with divine sight, it wouldn't be strange for them to master the pulse-viewing technique in a day.
"Whether or not to keep a disciple recommended by Shijie depends on the Master. It's not my place to judge, but rules must be followed." Fang Heng struggled to control his right arm.
"If you couldn't keep him that day, Master wouldn't have kept him either." Bai Ziming smiled faintly, deep in thought as he glanced towards the inner room.
The Town Magic Office was not for taming demons, but for slaying them. 'Demon' and 'magic' were just names, to be used wherever they fit.
However, a martial artist could also be called a 'magic' user, just a different label for the same concept.
The Town Magic Office blazed a trail with slaughter, and then lured in the talented youths of Qingzhou with precious treasures.
Here, they were offered the best martial arts and precious pills, sending them out to slay demons and monsters, depleting both until a delicate balance was reached.
As for those sects and clans that refused to send their disciples, the Pine Crane Sect was a prime example.
When martial artists ran rampant, the deeds they committed were not much better than those of demons and monsters.
Not one of the General's five disciples came from a sect or clan background. The one with the most privileged background was perhaps a silk merchant, and the same was true for the twelve county generals.
Without a powerful backer, they could only rely on the imperial court, daring to risk their lives to slay demons. This was the most important criterion for the Master when accepting disciples.
Talent came second. After all, as long as one was willing to invest resources, anyone could become powerful, unless they were a once-in-a-century genius or had a pig's brain, unable to grasp even basic martial arts no matter how many decades they spent trying. Other than such exceptions, everyone else was more or less the same.
"Regardless, this decision is not mine to make. Moreover, Shijie wanted to keep him not just because of the recommendation... There's trouble in Bo Yun County, and he mustn't be allowed to run amok."
Fang Heng stood up, plucked the fine needles from his arm, and bowed. "I'm a brute, but I hope you'll teach me, Shixiong."
Bai Ziming raised his eyes. "Speak like a human, act like a human."
Fang Heng was taken aback. "Could you be a little more specific?"
"..."
Bai Ziming sighed helplessly. "Pay a visit and bring gifts. Apologize sincerely... Be careful, and don't come back to wreak havoc on my precious medicines again. You're not a vice commander, you know. The medicine is expensive, and the cost comes out of my pocket."
"I understand, thank you for the lesson, Shixiong."
Enlightened, Fang Heng turned and walked out of the bamboo house, glancing at the two men who were still crouching outside in a daze. He hesitated for a moment. "May I ask..."
"You want to ask?" Liu Xijue scrambled to his feet, feeling awkward.
"Where is Shen Yi?" Fang Heng frowned, not used to this situation.
"He's—" Liu Xijue instinctively pointed, but Li Xiaodi quickly yanked his arm back.
Damn, he's being polite. I almost forgot that this guy is a martial arts maniac. Back then, he nearly beat Li Tou to death.
Fang Heng gave them a nonchalant glance and then strode away.
An hour later.
A robust figure slowly stepped into the courtyard and stopped in front of the only closed door.
He hesitated for a moment, then knocked.
Knock, knock, knock.
The one who answered the door was a stout man even taller than him.
Rubbing his sleepy eyes, Zhang the Butcher looked at the young man standing before him, holding oranges in his left hand and jerky in his right.
Somewhat taken aback, he asked, "Who are you? Are you here to... visit relatives?"
The young man's expression was blank. "Fang Heng."
(End of Chapter)
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