Chapter 35: Proclaimed Throughout the City

At this moment, Fang Xian invited the governor’s wife to sit down. He opened his medical kit, closed his eyes, and took her pulse. As mysterious energy coursed through her body, he quickly discovered the problem lay within her brain.

For any physician, ailments of the head are the most complex and difficult to treat. Many doctors are hesitant to accept patients with head disorders, as the symptoms are elusive and there are few reliable remedies—any misstep could lead to disaster.

Yet for Fang Xian, not only did he possess the most extraordinary medical skills under heaven, he also wielded a mysterious energy that allowed him to probe the condition of the brain as clearly as if by X-ray. He could see distinctly within the governor’s wife’s mind a tangled mass of nerves.

“My lord, has your wife ever suffered a fright that affected her mind and left her thoughts in turmoil, resulting in hysteria?” Fang Xian inquired.

“Before she fell ill, my wife was returning from offering incense at a temple outside the city when she was accosted by the notorious bandit Crimson Ten Feet. The soldiers escorting her fought desperately to bring her back safely. She was deeply shaken, and her illness began to manifest soon after,” Li Changlin recalled.

“That explains it. Madam’s condition can be treated. She will require several sessions of acupuncture, combined with medicinal therapy, and she should make a full recovery within a month,” Fang Xian nodded.

“Then I leave my wife in your capable hands, Divine Doctor Fang. Whatever fee you require, I am willing to pay,” Li Changlin exclaimed in delight.

“My lord is a pillar of this region, serving the people benevolently. How could I accept a fee from you? However, I do have one request. Though my medical skills are unmatched, I am young and little-known; many patients do not believe in me. If, after I cure your wife, you would publicly proclaim my abilities to the people, that alone would suffice,” Fang Xian replied, repeating what he had told Shen Zhongliang.

“Rest assured, Divine Doctor Fang. If you can heal my wife, I will ensure all the citizens of Qingyang County know of your deeds,” Li Changlin promised, not questioning Fang Xian’s motives but agreeing readily, for it was a small favor.

Fang Xian then began treating the governor’s wife, using acupuncture and channeling his mysterious energy to regulate her condition. After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the governor’s wife suddenly closed her eyes. When she opened them again, her gaze was clear for the first time in years.

“Husband, why am I here?” She recognized her husband for the first time in ages.

“My dear, you recognize me?” Li Changlin was overwhelmed with emotion.

“My lady is finally well. Oh, how wonderful!” Her two maids wept with joy.

“Madam, you have been suffering from headaches. I am Fang Xian, the divine physician, and I am treating you for your ailments," Fang Xian quickly reassured her, urging her to remain still as he removed the silver needles from her head.

“Yes, I have felt as if my head were shrouded in fog, always half-awake, but now I suddenly feel light and refreshed, as if I’ve woken from a long sleep. It’s been so long since I felt this way,” the governor’s wife said with a smile.

“Thank you, Divine Doctor Fang,” Li Changlin said, bowing deeply.

“I will write a prescription. Take these herbs as directed for a month, and you need not worry about a relapse,” Fang Xian replied, sitting down to write the prescription and handing it to Li Changlin.

“With such skills, would you consider serving in the imperial court as a royal physician? I would gladly recommend you to the Imperial Medical Bureau,” Li Changlin asked, eager to retain such talent.

“My lord’s kindness is appreciated, but I cherish my freedom and do not wish to be bound by officialdom. Please simply help spread my name. I wish to heal the people, not just the royal family,” Fang Xian declined with a shake of his head.

“I understand,” Li Changlin said, respecting his wishes and leaving with his wife.

News of the miracle at the Shen family and the governor’s wife’s recovery quickly spread, causing a sensation throughout Qingyang City. The shops of the Shen family and officials from the governor’s office began to publicly praise Divine Doctor Fang Xian, and his reputation grew rapidly.

For the next day, Fang Xian treated all who came to him, regardless of their status. For ordinary folk, he only asked that their families spread his name; for wealthy households, he requested a fee or certain medicinal ingredients he required.

After studying the third volume of the Medical Canon, Fang Xian could now refine body-tempering pills, which were even more effective than medicinal baths and much easier to produce. He took the opportunity to prepare some for Gan Scarface and others.

He also made reserve batches of Body-Forging Pills, Minor Hundred-Poison Pills, Minor Life-Extending Pills, Detoxifying Pills, and Hemostatic Healing Pills. His reputation points soared to 1,450.

Within the lower volume of the Medical Canon, there were methods to deduce various pill formulas. With some effort, Fang Xian could create even better pills for grandmasters, but for now, it was unnecessary—only Ye Qingyun in his group was at that level, and the Body-Forging Pills sufficed.

While Fang Xian tended to the people, Da Niu and his companions busied themselves gathering intelligence from officials and patients, learning much about the affairs of the court, especially since Divine Doctor Fang Xian might soon travel to Wudu. No one suspected their inquiries.

Each day, Fang Xian sent information back to the mountain stronghold via his young falcon, which also delivered a batch of Body-Tempering Pills. The bird performed its tasks flawlessly, much to Fang Xian’s satisfaction.

Though still young, the falcon was already twice the size of a common pigeon. When fully grown, it would be several times larger, and carrying up to five hundred grams of goods would be effortless.

Seven days passed swiftly in Qingyang. After the Gray-Clad Gang’s failed attack and the destruction of one of their strongholds by unknown assailants, the organization took the threat seriously. They dispatched a senior elder and mobilized two first-class experts, five or six second-rate fighters, and a horde of third-rate martial artists.

In the vast world of the martial underworld, major sects like the Gray-Clad Gang had an abundance of third-rate fighters, most of whom were middle-aged men who had scraped their way up through years of persistence.

“Elder Wan, our investigation reveals that the disciple from Hundred Blossom Ravine who attacked our men is staying at the Fortune Inn with the much talked-about Divine Doctor Fang Xian. On their first night in the city, our men tried to ambush the inn but were repelled with heavy losses. Later, one of our strongholds was attacked by an unknown first-class expert. We’re unsure if the attack was related to Fang Xian’s group or if another disciple from Hundred Blossom Ravine is lurking in the shadows,” a Gray-Clad Gang scout reported.

“No matter how many of them there are, we attack the Fortune Inn at noon today. We kill them and leave,” Wan Gusong declared coldly. Within the Gray-Clad Gang, he ranked among the top three elders—a ruthless man who had shed much blood.

That morning, having seen all his patients, Fang Xian planned to shop for supplies in the afternoon before returning to the stronghold the next day. He gathered Feng Xia, Da Niu, and the others for a meal.

Just halfway through, the cry of his young falcon rang from outside the window. Instantly, Fang Xian received its message: a group was approaching from behind the inn.

“Don’t make a sound. Everyone, take a Detoxifying Pill. The Gray-Clad Gang is about to strike, and I’ve prepared a ‘feast’ for them,” Fang Xian said, sending more than ten poison pills flying towards the back of the inn, where they landed in the grass, releasing a faint, sweet aroma.

“Hmm, what’s that wonderful smell in the inn?” Shortly after, Wan Gusong led his men over the wall towards Fang Xian’s courtyard. One of his subordinates took a deep breath and remarked on the enticing fragrance.