Slash.
Lu Changsheng cut open his hand with a small saber, yet no blood flowed out. Under the control of his consciousness, the wound did not bleed at all.
Instead, it healed at a visible pace. The skin and flesh on the back of his hand rapidly grew together seamlessly. In the end, the wound vanished without a trace as if it had never existed in the first place.
"My flesh possesses the ability to heal itself. However, a martial artist who has not reached the Divine Strength Realm cannot use their consciousness to actively control flesh growth and recovery, so scars inevitably remain.
"If there's a dicine that could stimulate flesh to grow and heal rapidly, would that not achieve the effect of leaving no scars at all?"
A light flashed in Lu Changsheng's eyes as an idea took shape. In theory, it was feasible. He even had many possible dicines in mind, but he needed to test them one by one.
In the days that followed, Lu Changsheng devoted himself to testing different dicines. Before he realized it, more than a month had passed.
"It's done!"
That day, Lu Changsheng smiled faintly. On the table before him lay a green, jelly-like ointnt, seemingly made by grinding and mixing many kinds of dicinal ingredients.
Lu Changsheng nad it "Scarless Ointnt." The ointnt was compounded from twenty-one dicinal ingredients and could stimulate rapid regeneration of flesh. However, its effect was limited to the skin. While it offered so restorative benefit to deeper flesh, that effect was modest at best.
After all, a dicine capable of truly accelerating the healing of flesh would be nothing short of a miraculous redy.
Once the Scarless Ointnt was successfully made, Lu Changsheng imdiately called Lu Yang and Zhang Xuan over. During this period of ti, most of his focus had gone into making the ointnt, but he had not forgotten to teach the two of them martial arts.
What he taught them were the basic techniques of the Blood Strengthening Stage. Both of them had talent for martial practice and had already sensed their blood qi, which was steadily growing stronger with continued practice.
"Lu Yang, Zhang Xuan. From now on, I want you to spread the word throughout the Four Seas Gang and let everyone know that I can treat injuries without leaving scars."
"Treat injuries without leaving scars?"
The two of them froze.
Lu Changsheng had been busy during this period of ti, yet neither of them knew what exactly he had been doing. Now, it beca clear that he had been researching a way to treat injuries without leaving scars.
"Physician, rest assured. We will spread the word properly."
The two of them quickly went out to spread the news. Before long, a patient walked in. He was a man who had suffered a saber wound, and a long gash ran from the back of his hand up along his arm. The injury had already been bandaged, and dicine had already been applied.
"Physician Lu, I heard you can treat injuries without leaving scars?" the man asked.
"That is correct. Do you want to try?" Lu Changsheng replied.
"Of course I want to try! This wound is not a serious one, but it'll look truly unsightly if it leaves behind such a long scar," the man said without hesitation.
Lu Changsheng imdiately removed the bandages from the man's arm, cleaned the wound thoroughly, and applied the Scarless Ointnt. At once, a cool and refreshing sensation spread across the arm.
"This is only a superficial wound. It will heal quickly. You should see results in a few days," Lu Changsheng said.
"Thank you, Physician Lu," the man replied, still half doubtful.
After that, people ca in one after another, all seeking treatnt to avoid scars. The number was considerable, and most ca with the mindset of giving it a try.
A few days later, many discovered that their wounds had completely healed and had left no scars behind. Lu Changsheng's reputation rose sharply. As the number of patients continued to grow, the rit he accrued increased as well.
That day, a person of status arrived at Lu Changsheng's consultation hall. She was a young woman dressed in black, and her features were refined. However, her expression was cold and distant.
Lu Changsheng glanced at her and calmly asked, "Where are you injured?"
From the mont she entered the room, the woman had been observing Lu Changsheng. After a brief silence, she said, "It's not very convenient to show you here."
Lu Changsheng understood at once. There was an inner room behind the consultation area, so he led her inside. The woman hesitated, but she still slowly undressed. Across her abdon, her back, and other places were many scars.
They had long since healed, yet they looked terrifying. Her skin was fine, and her features were delicate. From her appearance, no one could guess that she carried so many scars.
"Physician Lu, is there a way to remove these scars?" the woman asked.
Lu Changsheng thought for a mont before answering, "There's a way, but I'm afraid I need to cut open the skin and apply the ointnt. Only then is it possible to remove these scars. It'll be a very painful process. Would you need Mafei Powder[1]?"
A flicker of anticipation flashed through the woman's eyes. She clenched her teeth and said, "No need for Mafei Powder. Just do it."
After saying that, she closed her eyes. Lu Changsheng did not hesitate either. He imdiately picked up the small saber and slowly cut along the scars. There were many scars. Soon, sweat covered the woman's forehead as Lu Changsheng opened each scar one by one. Even so, she endured in silence, with her teeth gnashed throughout the entire ordeal.
Lu Changsheng worked for nearly two hours before applying the Scarless Ointnt across all her wounds.
"All right. Once the wounds heal in a few days, there should be no scars left," Lu Changsheng said.
The woman opened her eyes and let out a long breath. Afterward, she dressed herself and bowed deeply to Lu Changsheng. "My na is Xu Ling. I may trouble Physician Lu again in the future, and I'll have to ask for your understanding. If you ever need anything, you may ask soone to co find ."
With that, Xu Ling turned and left the consultation room. Lu Changsheng pondered for a mont. Xu Ling was likely no ordinary person and probably held a certain status within the Four Seas Gang.
He called Zhang Xuan over to inquire further, asking, "Zhang Xuan, that woman just now called herself Xu Ling. Do you know her?"
Zhang Xuan froze slightly and replied, "Xu Ling? Could it be the Deputy Hall Master Xu Ling of the Darkness Hall? Physician Lu, her identity is far from simple. It is rather complicated. It is best if you do not have too much contact with her."
"What do you an?" Lu Changsheng asked.
"Besides being the deputy hall master of the Darkness Hall, Xu Ling is also the forr gang leader's daughter. Back then, the current gang leader was not the successor chosen by the forr gang leader.
"He rose to power through certain ans. That is why the gang leader appears to care for Xu Ling on the surface, but in truth, he often makes things difficult for her."
Lu Changsheng understood. As the forr gang leader's daughter, Xu Ling was more or less a threat to the current gang leader. After all, the forr gang leader still had many connections. As long as Xu Ling remained, those connections would inevitably gather around her.
Naturally, the current gang leader would be wary of her. Anyone who grew too close to Xu Ling would likely be suspected by the current gang leader as well.
No wonder a woman like Xu Ling was assigned to the Darkness Hall.
The Darkness Hall was not a good place. It specialized in undercover work, assassinations, gathering intelligence, and secretly dealing with certain enemies of the Four Seas Gang. It handled covert and unsavory works, the sort that bred resentnt and hatred.
Even so, Lu Changsheng did not care. He was only a physician, and Xu Ling was only his patient. There was not much of a relationship between them.
A few days later, Xu Ling ca again. This ti, she was injured, and the wound was on her thigh. It was a bloody wound that looked terrifying, but it was only a superficial wound. It had not injured the bone, so it was not actually serious.
A few days later, Xu Ling ca again. It was her third visit, but this ti, she was injured on the face.
Lu Changsheng could not help but ask, "Is the Darkness Hall really this dangerous?"
Xu Ling was basically getting injured every few days; who could possibly endure such tornt? If one could survive more than half a year under such circumstances, one could already be considered extraordinarily lucky.
Xu Ling glanced at Lu Changsheng. She pondered for a mont and said, "I'm doing this to earn rits to exchange for a Blood Replacent Pill. Physician Lu, I have heard about your situation, too.
"You offended Chen Yan, and Chen Yan's big brother is Chen Shan. Those two brothers are not generous people. You need to be careful. If I'm not mistaken, you are also an Organ Refinent martial artist. If you have enough rit, you can try to exchange for a Blood Replacent Pill. It can complete one blood replacent, and a pill like that is sothing you can only encounter by chance."
After saying that, Xu Ling left.
"Blood Replacent Pill? One pill can complete a single blood replacent..."
Lu Changsheng finally realized why so many people were getting injured lately. They were probably forcing themselves to earn rit so they could exchange it for a Blood Replacent Pill.
However, Lu Changsheng was already a Divine Strength martial artist, so he no longer needed a Blood Replacent Pill. Still, he was very interested in it.
Lu Changsheng had once taken a Blood Replacent Bead, but a Blood Replacent Bead was not a Blood Replacent Pill. There was a fundantal difference between the two. A Blood Replacent Pill could be refined, while a Blood Replacent Bead was a rare wonder in itself.
"Zhang Xuan, spend so ti asking around about Blood Replacent Pills in the Four Seas Gang," Lu Changsheng said.
"All right!"
Zhang Xuan was quick-witted, making him well-suited for gathering information.
The next day, Zhang Xuan brought back news. "Physician, the Four Seas Gang has indeed obtained so Blood Replacent Pills lately. I heard the gang paid a great price and invited an immortal master to refine them.
"That is why every Organ Refinent martial artist in the Four Seas Gang has been risking their life to earn rit recently. Their goal is to exchange for a Blood Replacent Pill."
Lu Changsheng suddenly lifted his head. "Wait, did you just say immortal master? Who?"
"Physician Lu, you don't know it? It is said that more than ten years ago, an immortal master arrived in Zhanhai City. He is known as Immortal Master Shangyuan. He established a Daoist court called the Shangyuan Daoist Court, located in the northern district of the city.
"Immortal Master Shangyuan specializes in alchemy. Many of the finest-quality pills in Zhanhai City were refined by him."
This information seed to be common knowledge within Zhanhai City. However, Lu Changsheng was not from Zhanhai City, so it was only natural that he did not know about it. Even during his previous visit to Zhanhai City, he had co solely to comprehend the Wave Intent and had not stayed long.
As a result, he had never heard of Immortal Master Shangyuan.
"Alchemy... Pill-refining..."
Lu Changsheng was deeply interested in pill refinent.
Tomorrow, I'll take a day off, and I will not see patients. With that decision made, Lu Changsheng left the Four Seas Gang early the next morning and headed straight for the Shangyuan Daoist Court in the northern district of the city.
As expected, Lu Changsheng saw the imposing Shangyuan Daoist Court. However, he also saw a long line outside its gates. After making a few inquiries, Lu Changsheng learned that all of these people were seeking an audience with Immortal Master Shangyuan.
However, the Immortal Master t no one at all. Only those who possessed certain items he required were granted a eting.
The items the Immortal Master needed were publicly listed by the Shangyuan Daoist Court, but their nas were unfamiliar. Still, the court had drawn pictures of them for people to recognize. Anyone with those items could et the immortal master. Unfortunately, Lu Changsheng had none of them.
Hm, I shall head back. Lu Changsheng imdiately turned around and returned to the Four Seas Gang. Immortal Master... is he the kind of immortal master I am thinking of?
Lu Changsheng fell into contemplation. The word "immortal" naturally stirred many associations drawn from mories of his two lifetis. Still, he had to see the man in person and ask him questions before he could be sure of anything.
Without the items Immortal Master Shangyuan demanded, however, Lu Changsheng would not be able to see him at all.
It wasn't just Lu Changsheng facing this conundrum. Even the leader of the Four Seas Gang would be refused without the required items. The fact that a force like the Four Seas Gang dared not offend Immortal Master Shangyuan made it clear that the latter was far from simple. Otherwise, with the Four Seas Gang's power, there would be no reason for them to treat him with such caution.
There was only one reason the Four Seas Gang could be so courteous. Immortal Master Shangyuan's strength had to be so great that even the Four Seas Gang could not afford to offend him.
Lu Changsheng had originally thought about sneaking into the Shangyuan Daoist Court at night under the identity of Dao Shi'er. After thinking it over, he decided not to take the risk. There were many Divine Strength martial artists in the Four Seas Gang, yet none of them dared to offend the Shangyuan Daoist Court.
If he were to barge in recklessly, there would be no telling what could happen.
No rush. I'll learn more about Immortal Master Shangyuan and the Shangyuan Daoist Court first. Lu Changsheng made up his mind.
A few days later, Xu Ling ca again. She was still injured, but she seed to be in high spirits.
"Hall Master Xu, did you obtain a Blood Replacent Pill?" Lu Changsheng asked.
"I got lucky and obtained a Blood Replacent Pill. Ah, right, Chen Shan also obtained a Blood Replacent Pill. Through his accumulated rit, there's a high chance that he'll use that opportunity to advance to the Divine Strength Realm.
"Physician Lu, don't worry. I will also try to make a breakthrough into the Divine Strength Realm. If I succeed, I will protect you and make sure Chen Shan dares not act recklessly against you," Xu Ling said solemnly.
On the surface, Lu Changsheng was rely an ordinary physician, but to Xu Ling, he was far more than that. He had removed the scars across her and lifted off a burden that had been weighing on her heart. For a woman, calling it the grace of a second rebirth was no exaggeration. Naturally, Xu Ling was deeply grateful to him.
"I will thank you in advance, then," Lu Changsheng said.
Xu Ling left the consultation room in satisfaction.
Chen Shan? Lu Changsheng shook his head. Chen Shan's success in advancing to the Divine Strength Realm ant little to him. If Chen Shan truly broke through and tried to pressure him, Lu Changsheng would not mind letting Dao Shi'er reappear in the jianghu and kill Chen Shan.
After all, it'd be nothing more than a trivial matter!
In the blink of an eye, another month passed, and Lu Changsheng's reputation as a "legendary physician" gradually spread. In truth, his fa rested solely on the Scarless Ointnt, yet people began to call him a legendary physician.
Even the officials of Zhanhai City tried every possible ans to co to the Four Seas Gang and have Lu Changsheng treat their illnesses and injuries.
By contrast, his master, Wu Jing, had practiced dicine for his entire lifeti and saved countless lives, yet he was only ever called a renowned physician.
The Scarless Ointnt was hardly worth ntioning when compared to Wu Jing's feat of saving countless lives, but Lu Changsheng still ended up obtaining the title "legendary physician." Still, this worked to his advantage, as it made earning rit far easier.
In just a little over two months, he had already accumulated more than enough rit.
The rit deducted for killing Chen Yan's apprentices has been repaid in full, but I still have plenty left. I can exchange so of it for martial techniques first.
After all, one of Lu Changsheng's goals in joining the Four Seas Gang was to exchange for martial techniques. Having made up his mind, he headed straight for the Four Seas Gang's Martial Pavilion.
1. 麻沸散 (má fèi sǎn) is an anesthetic powder traditionally attributed to Hua Tuo (华佗), the fad physician of the Three Kingdoms era. It was also said to be the world's earliest anesthetic. ☜
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