11: Chapter 11 Bandit Attack

"As expected, no one is checking the posts."

Jiang Hanzhou returned to his quarters, brushed the dust off his body, lit the oil lamp, and began to examine the "Layered Wave Bone Tempering Strength."

This Cultivation Technique was very complete; it not only explained the essentials of cultivation in detail but also included a Yellow Rank Martial Skill, the "Layered Wave Palm." Once the palm technique was mastered, each strike would be like rising waves, continuous and unending, with hidden dark energy.

Being able to get a ranked Martial Skill for free made Jiang Hanzhou very happy.

After all, after the Fusion of his many Martial Skills, he only had the Profound Rank Low Grade "Tidal Shadow Thousand Hands." Being able to practice one more would also slightly accelerate the improvement of his fate.

Jiang Hanzhou closed the book, closed his eyes to focus, and began to circulate his Cultivation Technique.

It was not until the night grew deep and there was not a single light on the river that he opened his eyes.

【host: Jiang Hanzhou】

【fate: Late Bloomer (Tier 3)】

【Cultivation Technique: Tidal Breathing Technique (Perfection), Layered Wave Bone Tempering Strength (Entry)】

【Martial Arts: Tidal Shadow Thousand Hands (Entry), Layered Wave Palm (Entry)】

"Phew... After the second Aptitude improvement, my comprehension of Cultivation Techniques and Martial Arts has indeed gone a level deeper. If it were at the beginning, I fear it would have been difficult to reach the entry level even after several months."

Jiang Hanzhou felt clear-minded. Next, he only needed to steadily polish his bones with Qi and blood, and he would naturally reach the Iron Bone Realm.

...

In the days that followed, Jiang Hanzhou continued to serve as an apprentice in the Medicinal Cuisine Hall.

This place offered good food and drink, the work was not heavy, and it was a meeting point for various forces, making it quite safe and very suitable for Jiang Hanzhou to develop.

However, perhaps it was truly fulfilling the old saying that joy can lead to sorrow; an accident eventually came.

Suddenly, a burst of hurried running and alarmed shouts came from outside the hall:

"Hurry, hurry, hurry!"

Hearing this, the people who were still inside the hall picking herbs immediately ran out and saw several servants rushing over in a panic, gasping for breath as they said: "Quick, go to the front courtyard..."

"Don't rush, catch your breath before speaking."

Pharmacist Qu Fengchun calmly stroked his beard and walked over slowly from the back, his expression peaceful.

The leading servant quickly took a few breaths, settled his mind slightly, and reported:

"The guard team transporting goods with the White Dragon Gang encountered an attack by powerful River Bandits on the water, resulting in over a dozen casualties. The Medical Hall is currently doing its best to treat them, but there is a shortage of manpower. The Dock Master requests that the pharmacists from the Medicinal Cuisine Hall also go over to help."

In the Canglang Water Dock, the Medicinal Cuisine Hall and the Medical Hall had some similarities, but not many, as the Medicinal Cuisine Hall was known for dietary supplements, conditioning, and strengthening the foundation.

In reality, they had a clear division of labor from the Medical Hall, which specialized in external injuries, emergency cases, prescribing medicine, and filling prescriptions.

But in such an emergency, they naturally could not care about those minor rules.

Upon hearing this, Pharmacist Qu Fengchun's expression did not change much, but his eyes grew a bit more solemn.

After a moment of contemplation, he quickly pointed to a few people: "Zhang Quan, Li Mao, you few who are quick on your feet, go call the pharmacists who are still refining medicinal cuisine. Bring golden sore powder and hemostatic ointment. The rest of you, guard the hall and continue preparing medicinal cuisine according to the daily quota. Do not make any mistakes!"

The few who were named hurriedly responded and trotted off to prepare.

In no time, the Medicinal Cuisine Hall was empty, leaving only Jiang Hanzhou and a few others still picking herbs.

Jiang Hanzhou was also happy to be idle.

Going to the Medical Hall to assist in treating the wounded was not a good job.

He would be facing injured martial artists. If there was even a slight mistake during treatment that caused them discomfort, even if they didn't dare to lash out at the pharmacists whom the Water Dock treated as honored guests, taking it out on a small helping apprentice was all too easy.

However, everyone had different thoughts. Jiang Hanzhou didn't want to go, but others were quite willing.

"How is it, how is it? Did you find out clearly?"

A small apprentice ran back, panting, sat on a chair, took a sip of tea, and immediately said: "I found out clearly. There are many injured people this time. Our guard team and the White Dragon Gang suffered many casualties, and they have all been sent to our Medical Hall for treatment."

"However, we have to wait for Li Mao and the others to come back to know the specific situation."

Before the words were finished, several clever apprentices already had bright eyes and couldn't help but whisper to each other:

"This is a good opportunity. We can go to the Medical Hall and see with our own eyes how those pharmacists treat external injuries. Maybe we can even help out and learn some real things..."

"Yeah, maybe we can even show our faces in front of the Dock Master."

Jiang Hanzhou listened, just lowering his head to continue sorting the Poria slices in his hand, his movements unhurried.

Seeking advantages and avoiding disadvantages is human nature, but he knew better that behind some "opportunities," there were often unexpected troubles.

They worked until the afternoon before going to the cafeteria together to eat.

The food at the Medicinal Cuisine Hall was always good, and today there were meat dishes, so the few of them ate until their mouths were greasy.

At this moment, Li Mao and Zhang Quan, who had gone to help earlier, also appeared in the cafeteria, immediately attracting the attention of the other apprentices.

"Li Mao, Zhang Quan, come over here!"

The few people hurriedly made room for Li Mao and Zhang Quan, and eagerly handed them chopsticks, urging:

"Quick, tell us, what exactly happened? Are the injuries really that serious? Even the pharmacists from our Medicinal Cuisine Hall were transferred over?"

Li Mao was not polite either; he grabbed a steamed bun, took a big bite, and then wolfed down a few mouthfuls of vegetables. Only then did he wipe his mouth, a trace of lingering fear appearing on his face.

"It's more than just serious! It's simply tragic! Let me tell you, I've never seen so many bloody scenes in the Medical Hall in all my life... Broken arms and legs are light injuries; several had big gashes on their chests and stomachs, their intestines were almost spilling out, and the smell of blood was enough to make one feel nauseous."

He paused, and seeing everyone listening with bated breath, even Jiang Hanzhou had stopped his chopsticks and was looking over, he lowered his voice even further, carrying a mysterious solemnity:

"Moreover, I heard from a few Senior Brothers at the Medical Hall in private that this time, our Water Dock guard team lost a Viscera Burning Realm expert!"

"Viscera Burning Realm?!"

The apprentices sitting around all gasped in unison, the blood draining from their faces.

In the Canglang Water Dock, anyone capable of entering the Viscera Burning Realm was an elite within the Water Dock, a true pillar of strength, and a core combat force cultivated by consuming a vast amount of the Water Dock's resources!

Such a character, whom ordinary River Bandits would find it hard to even get close to, actually died just like that?

Zhang Quan added from the side, his voice also a bit dry:

"It's true. When the body was carried back, it was covered with a white cloth, but I accidentally caught a glimpse of a corner... The chest was sunken in by a large chunk, as if smashed by some heavy weapon, and the armor was shattered. It is said they were ambushed and besieged by several fierce bandit leaders..."

Li Mao chimed in, his voice even lower:

"The Dock Master was outside the Medical Hall at the time, his face as black as the bottom of a pot, his fists clenched so tightly they rattled. I heard from the brothers who returned with the guard team that the Dock Master swore on the spot that if he didn't uproot that newly emerged group of River Bandits and grind their bones to dust, he wouldn't be named Hong!"

"Now, urgent messages have been sent out. They have joined forces with the Patrol Inspection Division and the White Dragon Gang. The three parties together have sealed all the waterways of the Three Rivers Estuary and are searching inch by inch! The Patrol Inspection Division's 'Black Dragon Ship' has even been dispatched. That stance, tsk tsk..."

The cafeteria fell silent for a moment, with only the heavy breathing of the crowd.

Joining forces with the Patrol Inspection Division and the White Dragon Gang to blockade the Three Rivers Estuary was a major operation rarely seen in many years!

It was evident that the Dock Master was truly in a thunderous rage, which also indirectly indicated that the severity of this attack far exceeded those small skirmishes of the past.

"Then... what is the origin of that group of River Bandits? To be so fierce?" someone asked with a trembling voice.

Li Mao shook his head: "Not sure, but they are definitely not the small fry from before. I heard the injured guard brothers mention vaguely that those people advanced and retreated in an orderly manner, coordinated tacitly, and were ruthless and decisive in their strikes. They didn't look like ordinary River Bandits seeking wealth, but rather like... well-trained desperadoes."

He didn't finish his sentence, but the implication made several quick-witted apprentices turn even paler.

If they weren't ordinary River Bandits, then the problem was even more complicated.

Jiang Hanzhou listened silently, his thoughts racing.

A Viscera Burning Realm expert dead, three forces joining forces to blockade, and attackers of unknown origin but formidable combat power... This Canglang Water Dock was likely about to face a storm.