The 18th year of the Da Yong reign: The beginning of the story involves rescuing revolutionaries.

After leaving the county government office, Ma Han mounted his horse and rode straight to Physician Jiang's stall.

The latter was not a resident doctor, but a quack doctor who set up a stall in Liuzhou.

He was highly skilled in medicine and was known as the best doctor in Liuzhou.

I heard that he was a disciple of a certain sect. After traveling to Liuzhou, he fell in love with this small southwestern county nestled against the mountains and by the water, and thus stayed here to enjoy his old age.

The stall wasn't far, but when Ma Han arrived, he was dumbfounded.

There was a table propped up in the corner, with a white banner proclaiming miraculous healing hanging against the wall, but no one was there.

"Old Wu, where is Physician Jiang?" Ma Han asked, looking at the man sharpening knives at his stall next to him.

"I don't know, sir. Physician Jiang has been so busy these past few days that he's rarely at his stall. Why don't you go to his house and ask?" Old Wu said, then lowered his head and went back to sharpening his knife.

Ma Han dared not delay and immediately turned his horse around to head towards Jiang Langzhong's house.

Lord Ji from the provincial government was still unconscious, and he was extremely anxious. He had changed his name to Ma Han later, after hearing a storyteller in a teahouse say that Bao Zheng of Kaifeng Prefecture had four brave and resolute guards under his command.

They were Wang Chao, Ma Han, Zhang Long, and Zhao Hu, all with unparalleled martial arts skills. He was thrilled by the storytelling. Since his surname was Ma, he simply changed his name to Ma Han.

In order to achieve great things.

Unfortunately, after many years in the county government, he was just a mediocre gatekeeper.

Being looked down upon by others.

Previously, he was a capable assistant under Constable Li, having apprehended countless bandits and thieves.

Until he saw the real culprit he had personally captured being released without charge after paying bribes, and even arrogantly waving his genitals in front of him, he was so enraged that he punched the other man twice. As a result, Zhou An transferred him to the dark and gloomy torture chamber to work as an executioner.

The executioner didn't last long, because the torture chamber was full of innocent people who were forced to confess under torture. He felt disgusted and refused to cooperate with the underhanded tricks of the Public Security Bureau, so Zhou An transferred him to guard the gate.

Years have passed since then, through wind and rain, with nothing to do all day long. The peaceful life is like a stagnant pool, even calmer than the Yazi River in the dead of winter.

But he never forgot to keep practicing some basic martial arts. He considered himself a hero, and he wouldn't simply have his curtain fall like those unimportant extras on the stage. All he lacked was an opportunity.

Now the opportunity has come. If we find Physician Jiang in time and revive Lord Ji, we can get a chance to show our faces.

If Lord Ji takes a liking to him, he might be taught a common martial arts technique, or even be transferred to his subordinates as an inspector, which would be much better than staying at the county government office every day to guard the gate.

However, when Ma Han arrived at Jiang Langzhong's house, he found it empty. Fortunately, he learned from his neighbor that Jiang Langzhong had been invited to the mansion by the steward of Wang Dashanren.

When they arrived at the Wang family's old residence, covered in dust and sweat, with their backs soaked, the midday sun had already moved a few degrees higher.

Startled, he quickened his pace.

Finally, at the octagonal pavilion of the old house, we met Physician Jiang and Wang Zhi, the head of the Wang family.

"Doctor Jiang, I've been looking for you everywhere! Please come with me to the county government office immediately," Ma Han said, panting.

"Officer Ma, why are you in such a hurry? Has something happened at the county office? Is the magistrate ill?" Wang Zhi asked, looking at the panting Ma Han.

He had seen Ma Han before. Ma Han used to work under Constable Li, apprehending petty thieves. He was quite diligent. Later, he disappeared for a while and reappeared as a gatekeeper at the yamen. He had come and gone many times, so it was hard not to recognize him.

Ma Han was surprised that the head of the Wang family still remembered him. One day, under the scorching sun, the other party gave him a pot of sweet water. He has always remembered the kindness of the great benefactor Wang.

Overjoyed, he added, "Lord Ji, the provincial inspector, has arrived. He was attacked by villains on the way and is now unconscious. I was ordered to take Physician Jiang back to check on him. I have official duties to attend to and dare not delay. Master Wang, I will take the men there now."

"Oh? Then this matter is extremely urgent, go immediately." Wang Zhi waved his hand.

Jiang Langzhong had come to deliver the remaining portion of the Qingjingcao elixir, but since he had nothing else to do, Ma Han grabbed his wrist and pulled him outside.

After watching the two leave, Wang Zhi fell into deep thought.

The provincial government official in charge of suppressing the rebels finally arrived, but an unexpected incident occurred: he was attacked on the way and fell into a coma.

I wonder what my godfather told this Lord Ji, and what would happen if the other party never woke up.

"Steward Zhang." After a moment's thought, Wang Zhi summoned the old steward of the manor.

"Master," the latter said respectfully.

"Go to the county government office to find out what's going on and keep a close eye on Zhou Chu's movements."

"Yes, sir."

After Steward Zhang left, Wang Zhi didn't wait in vain. He returned to his living room, sat cross-legged on the soft couch, and took out the elixir refined by Physician Jiang.

I previously consumed blood-based medicinal cuisine at the Earl's mansion, which was effective in restoring my blood and energy. Therefore, this meridian-opening elixir must also be effective.

After swallowing it with water, Wang Zhi closed his eyes and felt a cool sensation travel down his throat and into his stomach. As the medicine gradually dissolved, a burning sensation arose in his dantian.

Wang Zhisui dared not delay and quickly activated the Golden Essence Technique to mobilize his Qi and blood.

Before long, Wang Zhi was steaming with heat, and the quiet room was filled with smoke.

After an unknown amount of time, Wang Zhi suddenly opened his eyes, his eyes flashing with a sharp light. He exhaled a breath of green air that was about two feet long, like a bolt of silk, and then took a deep breath.

Bring up the panel.

Character: Wang Zhi.

Identity: Leader of the Daxing Gang in Liuzhou County, head of the Wang family, a prominent local clan, and adopted son of Marquis Wuyi.

Cultivation level: Commoner Realm, internal energy flows freely, body covered in copper skin, impervious to swords and blades, muscles and bones resonate, energy flows smoothly.

Cultivation Technique: Golden Essence Technique (Slightly Accomplished), a white-quality cultivation technique. Internal energy is solidified, and circulating Qi can slightly enhance defense. Experience value: 60/22/100.

Martial Arts: Inch Heart Fist (Great Success), a white-quality martial art. It is a common fist technique, but it has more rules than street fighting. After mastering it, you will learn the Inch Power, which makes your fist more explosive. Experience value: 132/500.

......

Hellfire Blade Stance Technique (Beginner Level): A gold-quality martial art. Combined with breathing techniques, it achieves three levels of stance training. This is the first level – Blade in the Palm. After breaking through, one can reach the second level. After passing the third level, one can practice this blade technique. Current experience points: 22/50.

He opened 60 meridians, breaking through three at once, and completely absorbed the elixir, achieving even better results than Afu.

Unfortunately, this kind of thing is similar to the Meridian Opening Pill; taking it multiple times is ineffective.

Secondly, he hadn't neglected his stance training these past few days. Except for the midday sun when it was at its strongest, Wang Zhi practiced diligently day and night, and his experience points increased even faster at night.

It's only been a few days. At this rate, it won't be long before he enters the second stage of stance training.

With a twitch of his ears, Wang Zhi heard footsteps approaching from afar outside the door.

Manager Zhang has returned.

Pushing open the door, I saw Steward Zhang waiting outside, just as I expected.

"Any news?"

"Yes, sir." Steward Zhang bowed slightly and said, "It is indeed the Circuit Intendant Ji from the capital who has fallen into a coma. There were three people with him, one of whom was seriously injured. Meanwhile, a large number of officials and constables are running around in the city. It is said that the villains who attacked Lord Ji have infiltrated the city, and it is suspected that these people are colluding with the rebels."

After saying that, Steward Zhang smiled and said, "Ever since the imperial court ordered the investigation of rebels, these people see everyone as a rebel."

"Also, Zhou Chu led a team to surround the Daxing Gang again."

"He left in a sorry state just a few days ago, but it seems he's found a powerful backer. Director Zhou's back is all straight now." Manager Zhang's tone was not without a hint of sarcasm.

The turmoil caused by Zhou Chu and the Daxing Gang these past few days has long been a topic of conversation among ordinary people.

The name "Zhou An with the severed finger" was quite well-known in the county.

Moreover, from Steward Zhang's perspective, he would be happy to see a rift develop between the government and the Daxing Gang.

The Wang family and other families have always been at odds with the Daxing Gang.

They went again? Wang Zhi was surprised: "Did you see clearly? Did the official from Zhaoyang accompany Zhou Chu?"

Wang Zhi certainly knew that the Zhaoyang Inspection Circuit had a large number of inspectors, and those who could follow him must be martial artists of the Mangfu realm.

Lord Ji is currently unconscious. If he hasn't revealed the inside story to his subordinates, the only one still conscious among them could be in trouble if he is deceived by Zhou An again.

Thinking of this, Wang Zhi subconsciously touched the jade pendant given to him by his godfather in his arms.