Chapter 74.1: Catching a Saber like Crushing Iron into Mud! (I)

A month had slipped by in the blink of an eye.

Early that morning, Lu Changsheng was in the courtyard, practicing the Threefold Wave over and over. The technique itself was not particularly complicated, as it consisted of just three moves. However, each one unleashed immense power and flowed seamlessly into the next.

As of now, Lu Changsheng had yet to master the Threefold Wave. He could still not bring out its full power.

"Ha!"

Lu Changsheng threw a punch, and the force rolled forward like surging waves, each one higher than the last. It seemed like he had finally grasped the underlying principle of the technique.

"Yes, finally!" Lu Changsheng's lips curled into a satisfied grin.

An entire month just for the second wave. The third will probably take even longer...

Even with his high Perception, it had still taken him a full month of arduous training to reach the second wave, which proved just how difficult it was to cultivate this martial technique.

Naturally, that meant the gains were also incredible. Unlocking the second wave meant increasing one's strength by fifty percent—a tremendous boost in combat power.

Lu Changsheng accessed his status panel to check his condition.

[Status Panel]

Host: Lu Changsheng

Perception: 609 (Hidden Dragon in the Abyss)

[Skills]

Threefold Wave: Second Wave

Blood Crystal Secret Technique: Adept

Ninefold Carp-Dragon Ascension: First Level

Divine Dragon Transformation: First Transformation

Nine-Character Thunder Chant: Perfection (Incomplete)

It seemed he had already exceeded 600 points of Perception. That was hardly surprising, considering that over the past month, he had brought eight martial techniques—some of the third tier, some of the fourth—to Perfection. He was glad to see his Perception rising again after an apparent period of stagnation.

He believed that by the time his Perception reached 1000, he would have already mastered the Threefold Wave completely and pushed the Blood Crystal Secret Technique to Perfection. Unfortunately, he was still far from that milestone, but with the multitude of techniques acquired from the Blood Fiend Sect's Martial Pavilion, he was confident his Perception would keep advancing.

𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Having finished his practice session, Lu Changsheng washed up and headed out.

Over the past month, the streets of Nanyang City had become bustling as they once were. That was thanks to the Ancient Rock Incense, which, even though the major powers of Nanyang Prefecture all had a hand in it, still benefited many common people. After all, labor such as mining, processing, and other related work needed manpower, and the people received a share of the profits. The city even seemed more prosperous than before the calamity caused by the Thirteen Riders of the Great Desert.

When Lu Changsheng arrived at Miaoren Hall and had just taken his seat, a woman stepped forward.

"Physician Lu, I haven't been feeling well these past few days..."

The woman seemed to be around thirty, still clinging onto her charm. Something about her felt slightly out of place to Lu Changsheng; he couldn't tell if it was just his imagination. In any case, he sat up straight, expression calm and proper.

Recently, he had grown a reputation for being particularly skilled in treating women's ailments, so naturally, many women now sought him out, making the majority of his patients. In that regard, he was even more popular than his master, Wu Jing. After all, Wu Jing was quite advanced in age, so most women naturally preferred Lu Changsheng instead, especially since he did not seem any less competent than his master.

As far as Lu Changsheng was concerned, he did not mind at all. It made no difference whether the ailment concerned the woman's reproductive system or otherwise. His duty was to help and heal people.

Following the busy morning, Lu Changsheng was about to take a break when a young apprentice hurried in. Lu Changsheng recognized him from Wu Jing's herbal medicine shop.

"Physician Lu, Elder Wu has asked for you," the apprentice said respectfully.

"

Oh

? What does he want with me?"

"Elder Wu seems to have fallen ill and has something he wishes to entrust.

Lu Changsheng rose at once and had Zhang Huan explain the situation to the patients, either transferring them to Wang Ruhai or asking them to return another day. Not long after, he arrived at Wu Jing's herbal medicine shop.

"Master, what happened to you?"

As soon as he stepped inside, he saw his master half-reclining on a chair.

"Changsheng, I am fine. I am simply old and caught a bit of a cold...

Ahem

,

ahem...

"

Wu Jing barely managed to get a few words out before breaking into a coughing fit.

"Master, allow me to take your pulse..." Lu Changsheng said with a somewhat grave expression.

"Changsheng, it's only a slight chill. There's no need to worry," Wu Jing reassured.

"Master, you know as well as I do that physicians need treatment as well. So please, let me take a look."

Wu Jing gave up on arguing and simply nodded.

After taking his pulse and examining him, Lu Changsheng confirmed that it was indeed just a slight chill. He promptly wrote a prescription.

As he looked at the prescription, Wu Jing nodded in satisfaction, his eyes filled with relief.

"Not bad. You're very precise medicine and dosages. You even took my age and frailty into consideration to reduce the more potent ingredients. Changsheng, you truly are no less skilled than me. The only thing you still lack is broader experience."

Wu Jing could not have been more satisfied with Lu Changsheng.

At that moment, a man in his fifties suddenly spoke up. "Elder Wu, is this Physician Lu you spoke of, your disciple?"

"Indeed, it's him. It's very difficult for me to travel long distances in this condition. If you trust me, then let this disciple of mine go in my place."

With that, Wu Jing closed his eyes and fell silent.

Lu Changsheng glanced at the middle-aged elder. Judging from his clothes and bearing, it was clear the man held a respectable position. Lu Changsheng looked again at Wu Jing, and he quickly understood what this was about.

The man had likely come to ask his master to treat someone, but being sick and thus unwilling to travel, Wu Jing had recommended his own disciple instead. Now, it was up to the elder to trust Lu Changsheng.

"Greetings, I am the steward of the Xia residence in Yan City," the man said as he bowed deeply. "Our lady has unfortunately contracted a strange illness, so I came to invite Elder Wu to make the journey. His frail condition is an unpleasant surprise, but since you have inherited Elder Wu's teachings, there must be no doubt about your medical expertise. And so, I wonder if you would be willing to make a trip to Yan City? If you would be so kind as to cure our lady, the reward is one hundred gold taels."

Oh?

Lu Changsheng was slightly taken aback. After all, one hundred gold taels was no small sum. That was a thousand taels of silver. Of course, he was not short on money, but he realized that his master had some old ties with the Xia Clan.

"Changsheng, would you take a look at her? Official Xia once helped me, so it's only fair to return the favor. If you can cure the lady, please do so. If you cannot, simply tell them the truth."

"Of course, Master. As your disciple, how could I refuse? Steward Xia, may I return home to make the necessary preparations first? After all, we have a long journey ahead of us."

"Of course, Physician Lu. I am grateful for your willingness to help."

Lu Changsheng promptly returned home and prepared his belongings. Yan City was quite far, located in Qingshan Prefecture. At a steady pace, the journey would take three to five days, but during these times, any long trip carried a certain degree of risk. If Wu Jing had not owed a favour to the Xia Clan, he would never have sent Lu Changsheng all the way to Yan City.

Once he had finished packing, Lu Changsheng returned to Wu Jing's herbal medicine shop.

"Physician Lu, we have prepared a carriage for you. Please get in," Steward Xia said.

Lu Changsheng nodded and stepped into the carriage waiting at the side. Steward Xia bid farewell to Wu Jing, then flicked the reins and led the carriage out of the city.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye. The carriage slowly rolled into Yan City. During the journey, Lu Changsheng learned a fair amount about the Xia Clan. The carriage was being escorted by Bone Tempering martial artists, and the one leading the was an Organ Refinement expert.

That spoke volumes of the Xia Clan's influence. The Xia Clan were salt merchants, and not small ones either. As the name suggested, Yan City was famous for its salt wells, and the Xia Clan dominated the market. With their wealth, they could train and recruit as many martial artists as needed.

Soon, the carriage reached a vast manor. Lu Changsheng had witnessed splendor before; the Gao Clan's fortress had been exceedingly luxurious, but it paled in every aspect when compared to this grand manor. The wealth of the Xia Clan had become all the more clear to him.

Once the carriage stopped, Lu Changsheng was escorted to the main hall, where Official Xia waited for him.

As soon as he entered, the official and his wife rose to their feet. "Physician Lu, you're here! You are Elder Wu's disciple, correct? I've had some ties with your master, you see. I know well that his medical skills can bring men back from the brink of death. He's truly a master of the Dao of medicine. And since you inherit his mantle, I have no doubt your medical expertise is extraordinary."

"Official Xia, let me first examine your daughter," Lu Changsheng said calmly. "I cannot yet say whether I will be able to cure her."

"Very well. Please, go ahead."

With that, Official Xia led Lu Changsheng into Lady Xia's boudoir. The room was spacious, filled with a faint floral scent mixed with sandalwood.

Several maids stood attentive at the girl's bedside. She bore delicate features and fair skin, looking no older than sixteen. Yet her pallor and empty, dull eyes made her affliction apparent.

"Lady Xia, would you tell me what ails you?" Lu Changsheng asked gently.