Having resolved to take charge, Yang Fan personally stationed himself at the "Puhua Medical Hall" the following morning. This decision stirred a sense of unease among the doctors and apprentices in the hall, for he was, after all, their principal owner.
Not long after he settled in, a graceful young woman, radiating elegance and beauty, entered. Yang Fan smiled gently, "Sister, you've come too?"
"Brother, I merely wished to lend a hand at the clinic," replied Yang Huixin, who had hurried over after attending to her household chores.
Yang Fan sighed, a hint of helplessness in his tone. "With business so slow here, we hardly need any extra hands."
In most families, one would discourage a young lady from exposing herself in such a manner. Yet, as someone from the cultivation world, Yang Fan embraced a mindset far less constraining, reveling in freedom and spontaneity.
"I'm here to help you and the doctors serve tea," Yang Huixin chimed cheerfully, deftly commandeering a young apprentice's duties to assist in the task.
"Miss, I… this might not be appropriate!" The apprentice stammered, his cheeks flushing—evidently unaccustomed to the presence of ladies.
"Let her be," Yang Fan interjected, shaking his head at the flustered youth.
After half an hour passed in the medical hall, a handful of injured individuals finally trickled in, seeking treatment. Yang Fan's heart sank; the business was astonishingly lackluster.
"How could it be so quiet?" he pondered, approaching one of the apprentices with a furrowed brow.
Recalling his visit to Lin Zhong's home the previous day, he regretted not inquiring about the tactics employed by Li Punzi and Hu Bansian to undermine his clinic. To Yang Fan, both men were mere trifles, insignificant figures in the grand tapestry of the world.
"Sir, the situation is as follows…" the apprentice whispered, not daring to withhold the truth.
"Preposterous…" Yang Fan's expression darkened further upon hearing the apprentice's explanation.
The root of the problem lay with Hu Bansian and the town's mayor, Liu Degui.
About a fortnight ago, it was rumored that the mayor's daughter had become ensnared by malevolent spirits, her life hanging by a thread. It was then that Hu Bansian, a self-proclaimed sage of the medicine world, voluntarily approached the mayor's residence, successfully saving the girl's life.
This fortuitous event drastically altered the balance of power among the town's two medical establishments. The Puhua Medical Hall faced potential closure, with whispers circulating that its doctors lacked dedication and had caused the deaths of several patients. Meanwhile, Hu Bansian, lauded for his miraculous feat in saving Liu Degui's daughter, saw his reputation soar. He was celebrated as a master physician, reputed for his knowledge of spiritual arts and remedies capable of dispelling evil.
Pondering deeply, Yang Fan discreetly trailed a patient who had just visited the Puhua Medical Hall, curiosity propelling him forward.
As anticipated, not far from there, in a secluded corner, a group of three or four ruffians accosted the elderly patient.
"You… what do you want?" the aged man stammered, trembling at the sudden confrontation.
"Hmph… old man, do you have a death wish? How dare you seek treatment at the 'Puhua Medical Hall'? Don't you know it's a den of vice?" snarled the leader of the ruffians, his face twisted with malice.
"What do you intend to do?" the elder quivered.
"Hand over the medicine you've just received!" they demanded, eyes glinting with greed.
"No! This is my only hope for survival," the old man clutched his medicine to his chest.
*Slap!*
One of the ruffians struck the elderly man across the face, sneering, "Consider this a warning. If you dare set foot in 'Puhua Medical Hall' again, I'll make sure your bones are shattered."
Blood trickled from the corner of the old man's mouth as he stumbled to the ground, struggling to rise again.
"Get lost! This is your final warning," they threatened, reveling in their brutality.
Just then, a soft chuckle drifted in from the distance.
A young man with an air of authority approached, his gaze fixed upon the ruffians with an enigmatic smile.
"Who are you, looking for trouble… eh?" The ruffian suddenly recognized Yang Fan.
"You… you're Yang Fan?" he stammered, fear creeping into his voice.
"Hmph, what's there to fear? This fellow here used to be like Hu Bansian, rumored to possess some form of spiritual power. But I hear he's turned into a worthless wretch," another ruffian remarked with an air of superiority.
Yang Fan remained silent, helping the injured elder to his feet while discreetly using the Rain Dew technique to heal his wounds. A gentle stream of cool energy flowed into the elder's body, cleansing him internally.
In mere moments, the old man's complexion returned to normal; he appeared far less the invalid.
Yang Fan smiled. Healing mortals might not significantly enhance his cultivation, but it was a simple and gratifying endeavor.
The ruffians stood dumbfounded at this spectacle.
"Divine… Divine Physician!" the elder exclaimed, suddenly kneeling before Yang Fan.
"May I inquire your esteemed name, Divine Physician?" he asked, his voice filled with reverence.
"Ha ha, I am the principal owner of 'Puhua Medical Hall' and also a pharmacist. I was away recently, which allowed the clinic to suffer slander and oppression. Now that I've returned, you can all rest assured that 'Puhua Medical Hall' is safe for treatment," Yang Fan replied warmly.
As he spoke, a small crowd began to gather around them, intrigued by the unfolding drama.
"Thank you, Divine Physician!" The elder expressed his profound gratitude as Yang Fan helped him up. He then turned to the ruffians, indignation burning in his voice, "You vile beasts! I sought treatment at 'Puhua Medical Hall,' yet you resort to such despicable tactics to threaten me and even lay hands on me. Friends, let us hold these ruffians accountable!"
"Who sent you?" Yang Fan glared at the ruffians, a sudden air of intimidation emanating from him, constricting their throats and robbing them of breath.
Given his late-stage spiritual realm, such pressure was unbearable for these ordinary mortals.
*Thud! Thud!*
The ruffians collapsed to their knees, fear etched on their faces. When they locked eyes with Yang Fan, their minds momentarily blanked, overwhelmed by a sudden terror.
"Who sent you?" Yang Fan's voice boomed, echoing like thunder in their ears.
"Yang… Young Master Yang… I will speak…" one ruffian finally gasped, unable to withstand the mounting pressure.
At that moment, the crowd around them thickened, drawn by the commotion.
Although these were mere commoners from Wuliu Town and its surrounding villages, they were not fools; hints of the truth began to crystallize in their minds. Many had visited the 'Puhua Medical Hall' only to have experienced threats and warnings. This situation was no longer a secret.
Now, under Yang Fan's oppressive gaze, it seemed the truth would soon emerge, and the onlookers held their breath, waiting for the climax.
"Ha ha ha… I was wondering who it was. So it's Young Master Yang," came an eerie laughter, causing the ruffians to visibly relax and stand up.
Yang Fan shifted his gaze, witnessing an emaciated Taoist priest, wielding a whisk, approach from afar.
"Hu Bansian!" The townsfolk gasped, admiration flickering across many faces.
In Wuliu Town, Hu Bansian was not just a famed physician but a half-saint rumored to possess knowledge of spiritual arts capable of exorcising malevolent spirits, elevating his status to unparalleled heights.
"Are you Hu Bansian?" Yang Fan pondered, scrutinizing the frail Taoist.
Contrary to Lin Zhong's description, this Hu Bansian did not appear to be a novice cultivator in the early stages of qi refinement; rather, his aura suggested he had just entered the mid-stage of qi refinement, placing him at a similar level to Yang Fan.
However, Yang Fan had concealed his true cultivation, presenting himself as a beginner in qi refinement thanks to the withered wood technique.
"Ha ha, I did not expect Young Master Yang to be aware of this humble Taoist's name… I recall, in those bygone days, you were revered as the finest genius of the Yang Family Fortress, while I was yet to discover where my own fortunes lay," Hu Bansian replied, his smile broadening as he regarded Yang Fan. His keen eyes flickered with a glimmer of interest, quickly replaced by an air of calm composure.