Chapter 033: The Gray-Clad Assailants

At the same time, Fang Xian continuously received notifications that he was earning Fame Points, which began to steadily increase. Although the rate was not fast, as long as he kept gaining, he believed it would not be long before he broke through the three-thousand mark.

An hour later, Fang Xian had treated more than thirty patients in succession. Not only did he work quickly, but most of those he treated recovered significantly on the spot. As a result, the crowd outside grew ever larger.

At this moment, a portly middle-aged man pushed through the crowd with several attendants. There were already more than twenty people ahead of him in line, but with a sly glance, he stepped forward and handed each person fifty taels of silver, quickly securing the first position.

When the patient inside exited, the sweating man hurried into the room. Fang Xian had just washed his hands when he saw the cheerful fat man enter. “Divine Doctor Fang, my name is Shen Zhongliang, the wealthiest man in Qingyang City. I suffer from a private ailment and humbly beg your aid. I am willing to offer ten thousand taels of silver for a cure.”

“So it’s the illustrious Master Shen. Please, sit down and let me take your pulse,” Fang Xian replied, nodding and inviting Shen Zhongliang to take a seat. He soon discovered the issue.

“Master Shen, is it perhaps a matter of marital difficulties? I imagine you’ve tried many medicines over the years?” Fang Xian asked.

“Divine Doctor Fang, your insight is truly remarkable. You saw through it at a glance. Everyone in Qingyang City knows I’ve been eager for a child, but few realize that when I was young, I was kicked by a horse, leaving me impaired in that regard.

“I have secretly consulted many doctors and tried countless remedies, but nothing has helped. Today, you saw through it immediately; I won’t hide it any longer. Please, save me,” Shen Zhongliang said, finally letting out a long-held sigh as if unburdened, speaking to Fang Xian with utmost sincerity.

“Rest assured, Master Shen. This illness may be beyond others, but for me, it’s a simple matter. I will perform acupuncture immediately, then prescribe you a recipe. Take it as soon as you return home, and tonight you will enjoy the joy of the marriage chamber once more. However, you must come for acupuncture for three consecutive days and take several more doses of medicine, after which you will be fully restored,” Fang Xian said with a smile.

“Truly? Divine Doctor Fang, words cannot express my gratitude. If you can restore me to full manhood, I would gladly give up my fortune to try,” Shen Zhongliang exclaimed in delight, momentarily tongue-tied.

“There’s no need to part with your fortune—your promised ten thousand taels will suffice. But let’s focus on your treatment first,” Fang Xian replied.

He began the procedure at once, using acupuncture to harmonize Shen Zhongliang’s meridians while channeling mysterious energy into his acupoints. Shen felt a gentle warmth and comfort in a certain part of his body.

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Fang Xian finished the treatment and wrote out a prescription, listing rare herbs and their required amounts. He handed both to Shen Zhongliang and said, “Master Shen, take this prescription and decoct the medicine as soon as you get home. You’ll see results tonight. These rare herbs I require will be no trouble for you to obtain; deduct their cost from the ten thousand taels and bring me the remainder in silver notes.”

“Thank you, Divine Doctor Fang! My body already feels infused with strength—I’m sure of the effect,” Shen Zhongliang replied joyfully.

“By the way,” Fang Xian asked, “I assume you have more than one wife or concubine?”

“I have one wife and three concubines, but they’re little more than ornaments. I haven’t been able to share a bed with them for years,” Shen Zhongliang said frankly.

“In that case, tonight you’d best have all four attend to you. It’s time for you to reclaim your authority as head of the household. As for whether you’ll succeed in planting the seed tonight, that will depend on your luck,” Fang Xian said with a quiet chuckle.

“Ah, thank you, Divine Doctor Fang! If I can regain my vigor tonight, I shall reward you handsomely again,” Shen Zhongliang replied, brimming with surprise and delight—he had clearly longed for this day.

Leaving aside Shen Zhongliang’s triumphant return, Fang Xian did not rest at all that night, continuing to treat an endless stream of patients. News of his skill spread, and even more people came seeking his help.

That night, not only did the Shen residence burn bright with light, but the Fortune Inn was fully booked and ablaze with activity. Several pharmacies in the city stayed open all night as relatives of patients came to fill prescriptions—all written by Fang Xian.

Fang Xian’s fame spread throughout Qingyang City. When the last patient was finally seen at dawn, he had the inn send up food and wine, having been too busy to eat most of the day.

“Congratulations, host! Fame Points have surpassed three thousand. The system rewards you with one Life-Extending Pill.” A system message popped up, informing Fang Xian of his newly acquired pill.

He paid little mind to the pill—though its name suggested great value, his focus was entirely on the Second Volume of the Medical Classic, which he immediately redeemed.

“Da Niu, have everyone take turns keeping watch and resting. I need some sleep as well. We’ll resume seeing patients at dawn,” Fang Xian said, quickly finishing his meal before eagerly settling down—not merely to rest, but to study the newly acquired Medical Classic.

“Chief, do we make a move?” Meanwhile, half a mile away in a private residence, more than a dozen experts from the Grey Coat Gang had been waiting for several hours. But the Fortune Inn was still full of lights and bustling with patients and their families, leaving them no opportunity to strike.

“We’ll wait another half hour. The patients are dispersing, so they’ll likely rest soon. We’ll move when they do,” the leader, an elderly man, said coldly.

Half an hour later, twelve Grey Coat Gang experts appeared silently behind the Fortune Inn. Most of the guests were already asleep, but a few, still excited, drank and chatted through the night.

As they scaled the wall, Gan Scar, who was secretly on patrol, immediately shouted, “Assassins!” rousing Da Niu and the others.

“Kill!”

A fierce skirmish broke out. The Grey Coat Gang was stunned to find that their opponents not only had a first-rate master but that the rest were all second-rate fighters.

Among the Grey Coat Gang, there was only one first-rate expert and three second-rate fighters; the rest were third-rate. Within moments, several cried out and fell.

In truth, only six members of Qingyun Stronghold took action. Two others remained hidden near Fang Xian’s room, serving as his final guard. Since there was no commotion from within, it was clear Fang Xian was still sound asleep.

Next door, Fengxia had been awakened. She dressed quickly, grabbed her sword, and leapt into the fray, striking down a Grey Coat Gang member, wounding another.

“These people are tougher than expected! Fall back!” Seeing things go awry, the Grey Coat Gang leader shouted, punching Da Niu aside as he retreated. The others, losing heart, began to withdraw while fighting.

But the Qingyun Stronghold members, full of fighting spirit, pressed their advantage and worked together to cut down one Grey Coat Gang member after another. In the end, only three escaped—a second-rate and a third-rate fighter among them. Two second-rate and the remaining third-rate fighters were all killed.

The shouting and clashing died down as quickly as it had started. Just as the fighting ended, the city garrison charged in—not to trouble the Qingyun Stronghold members, but to collect the Grey Coat Gang corpses.

Of course, Da Niu and the others had already relieved the bodies of anything valuable, leaving only their weapons for the city guards to collect as a token gesture.

“Is Brother Fang still asleep?” When the courtyard finally quieted, Fengxia noticed Fang Xian had not appeared and approached Yang Huzi and Li Daqi, who stood watch outside his door.

“The young master is still snoring—he must be exhausted. You’d best rest as well, miss. If anything comes up, wait until he wakes tomorrow,” Yang Huzi replied. They dared not let Fengxia into Fang Xian’s room, lest Ye Hongxiu hear of it later and give them a thorough scolding.