Chapter 11: Accident

Chen Fei’s strange hobby of stir-frying, specifically his penchant for stir-frying pig liver, had slowly begun to spread throughout the medical clinic. Stir-frying pig liver was one thing, but the fact that he only used a fingernail-sized portion each time was truly baffling to everyone.

However, it seemed he hadn't been stir-frying pig liver lately. Whether he had grown tired of it or something else, he had recently switched to stir-frying yams and chicken. The only thing that remained unchanged was that he still used an incredibly small amount.

Cui Sanjie even went out of his way to ask Chen Fei if he wanted a dedicated spot reserved for him in the clinic’s kitchen.

Chen Fei politely declined, choosing instead to spend some money to rent a small house in the county. He began eating and living outside, only returning to the clinic when it was time to refine pills.

This simple, routine life—a life Chen Fei had detested in his previous existence—was something he now found sweet and satisfying in this world.

Anyone who could see the constant rewards of their own hard work would likely feel the same as Chen Fei.

Many people are not born lazy; it is only when they work hard but fail to see any results for a long time that they slowly begin to slack off. Chen Fei practiced martial arts, cooked, and refined pills, keeping himself happily busy every day, even sacrificing much of his sleep at night.

Staying up late is something one can become addicted to.

Time flowed by in silence, and soon, another ten-plus days passed.

In the courtyard, Chen Fei held a long sword, constantly leaping and shifting, the bright light brought forth by the blade flickering all around. Swift and fierce, the Qingshan Sword bloomed with immense power in Chen Fei’s hands.

If anyone from the Qingzheng Medical Clinic were to see this scene now, they would absolutely fail to recognize this sword technique as the clinic’s inherited Qingfeng Sword. While the two had some similarities, the vast majority of it had become vastly different.

"Shhh!"

The sound of a sharp blade cutting through the air rang out. Chen Fei had stopped at some point, and a fine, dense crack had appeared on the rockery in the courtyard. The surface of the crack was exceptionally smooth, as if it had been finely polished.

"Sword Qi?"

Chen Fei had successfully cultivated the Qingshan Sword to the Great Perfection realm. Upon reaching Great Perfection, the Qingshan Sword had actually derived the effect of Sword Qi.

The power of the Sword Qi was decent, but it could not leave the blade; it only extended less than a foot from the tip. If an opponent were prepared, it would be difficult to cause injury with such a small amount of Sword Qi.

But if used suddenly, it was likely that an enemy would easily fall for it. After all, no one would expect a martial artist who was only in the Skin Tempering realm to have cultivated Sword Qi.

Sword Qi was related to one's cultivation level, but even more so to one's mastery of the sword path. Clearly, the Qingshan Sword at the Great Perfection realm had met the basic conditions for Sword Qi.

It wasn't just the Qingshan Sword; the Fengxuan Breathing Technique had also been cultivated to the Great Perfection level by Chen Fei. The amount of cultivation experience points the Great Perfection Fengxuan Breathing Technique provided Chen Fei each day exceeded his expectations.

He had originally estimated it would take another two months or so to reach the Flesh Tempering realm. Now, calculating carefully, he estimated that in just over a month, he would be able to make the breakthrough and become a Flesh Tempering realm martial artist.

The Skin Tempering realm was at the very bottom of the martial arts hierarchy, only slightly stronger than an ordinary person; it was far from impressive among the community of martial artists.

But the Flesh Tempering realm, while perhaps not significant elsewhere, was considered a level of core strength within Pingyin County. Someone like Pu Liao from the clinic was only in the Flesh Tempering realm, yet his status and position were much higher than the average guard, and his monthly wages rose accordingly.

He certainly couldn't compare to an alchemist, but as long as one didn't spend heavily on pills for cultivation, a Flesh Tempering realm martial artist could live a very comfortable life in Pingyin County with a high social standing.

In the past ten days, nothing major had happened at the clinic, but outside of Pingyin County, trouble had arisen. A wave of refugees had arrived outside the county, but they did not enter the city, instead finding a place to settle outside the walls.

This world was not peaceful. Chen Fei had heard that the current dynasty had lasted for over seven hundred years, but starting a few decades ago, various disturbances had begun to occur across the land.

This wave of refugees was fleeing because someone a few dozen miles away had raised a banner of rebellion, forcibly occupied a county seat, and engaged in burning, killing, and looting. These refugees had no choice but to leave their homes and come to Pingyin County.

"Today, the Young Miss is taking us to provide disaster relief and free medical consultations, as well as to distribute porridge. Everyone, keep your spirits up! Do not tarnish the reputation of our Qingzheng Medical Clinic!"

When Chen Fei arrived at the clinic, Cui Sanjie was already giving his instructions.

The Qingzheng Medical Clinic was an asset of the Zhang family in Pingyin County. The Zhang family was a prominent household in the entire county, owning not just the medical clinic but also rice shops. However, the clinic was considered the Zhang family's most important industry, with the vast majority of their income and influence coming from it.

The county magistrate had issued an order requiring all prominent families in Pingyin County to provide disaster relief outside the city, and the distribution of porridge had to be carried out daily. Otherwise, if this wave of refugees were to riot, the county office would be unable to handle it, and the entire county would ultimately suffer.

"You are Chen Fei?"

A girl walked up to Chen Fei and looked him up and down. He wasn't as thin as the rumors suggested, but he was too dark and not good-looking at all. She couldn't help but curl her lip in disdain and said, "We've met now, so the task my father gave me is complete."

After saying this, the girl turned and left directly.

Chen Fei watched her back, suddenly realizing that this must be Zeng Defang’s second daughter, Zeng Qiling. Zeng Defang had mentioned this to Chen Fei a few days ago, seemingly intending to play matchmaker.

Chen Fei hadn't taken it to heart at the time, and he hadn't expected to run into Zeng Qiling here.

The Zhang family’s eldest daughter, Zhang Sinan, arrived soon after. Zeng Qiling ran over to her, appearing very intimate. Zhang Sinan seemed to glance at Chen Fei, but she didn't say anything.

The group left the clinic in a grand procession and arrived outside the city.

They set up pots to boil porridge, while the physicians sat to one side to provide consultations. Soon, the refugees lined up to come forward.

As an alchemist, Chen Fei mostly just helped out, while the rest of the work was handled by the clinic and rice shop laborers.

The fragrance of the porridge filled the air, and soon it was noon.

"Young Miss, someone is hoping we can make a house call to help treat their master."

Cui Sanjie walked up to Zhang Sinan, pointed to a servant in tattered clothes in the distance, and whispered.

"Why didn't they just bring him here?" Zhang Sinan frowned slightly.

"He has a severe illness and can no longer get out of bed," Cui Sanjie said, clutching the jade stone in his sleeve and smiling.

"Fine, send a few people. Go and return quickly," Zhang Sinan nodded in agreement; after all, they were here for disaster relief.

Cui Sanjie smiled and picked a physician. Seeing that Chen Fei had nothing to do, he asked him to go along as well, and ordered Pu Liao to protect the two of them.

A stick of incense later, the three arrived at a dilapidated courtyard.

Pu Liao sniffed the air, his expression changing. Just as he was about to turn around, a figure appeared in front of him out of nowhere and kicked him squarely in the chest.

Pu Liao flew backward, slamming into the courtyard wall. He spat out a mouthful of blood, his face turning as pale as paper.

(End of chapter)