Atop the walls of the Han residence in East Heaven Imperial City, a man is sitting in The Thinker pose. Only one person in the entire residence had the gall to climb the wall and use it as a resting place — Rowan Han, the youngest young master Han. He pulled out a piece of paper, quickly scribbled several lines on it, and stuffed the letter in an envelope.
“Watch out!” He called to the guard below.
“Young master, be careful!”
The guard got ready to catch or break Rowan's fall but Rowan launched himself away from guard's area of defense.
“I’m going to borrow your horse. I'm heading off to Master Shi if anyone asks.”
“Young master—” The guard plead but Rowan and his recently acquired horse had already galloped off.
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Master Shi was swarmed with patients. It was always busy at his clinic but usually he had an extra helping hand. But for some reason, his extra helper had requested one week off to “think about things.” Just the thought of his helper made his forehead pop.
4 years ago, one of his old friends had asked him to mentor their youngest son. Shi rarely took on apprentices as he lacked patience and lacked empathy for "incompetent fools". But his friend kept boasting about the child’s genius so much that he agreed to mentor the kid for a week just to see what the fuss was about. The kid, to his surprise kept up with his teachings and even went above and beyond to the point of asking questions the old master hadn't even thought of. So he accepted the kid as his apprentice and eventually found himself sharing the clinic. But before long the kid's questions got too much to handle and they would argue about treatment methods. They compromised by dividing up patients which was normally fine besides when the kid would suddenly ask for time off.
And right now the little shit, Rowan, had just entered the clinic during his time off.
“Hey Doc.”
“I'm busy.”
“Here's a letter for you”
“From who.”
“Well me obviously. I'll just leave it right here. See you~.”
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And Mr. Shi regret not having respect and obedience as requirements for apprenticeships in the past.
It’d be a while before Mr.Shi would find time to read the letter:
Hi Master Shi,
I know I said I needed time to think but actually my friend Zhang Wei told me about a position as a traveling doctor! Isn't that exciting? Don't worry, I'll still stop by whenever I'm in the city. Also, could you not mention this to my family yet? If anyone asks, I'm still thinking.
Your favorite (and only) apprentice,
Rowan
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The tavern was exactly where Zhang Wei said it would be. Rowan adjusted his robes, trying to look more professional and less like someone who'd just escaped his duties. Inside, the air was thick with pipe smoke and the smell of wine.
"Young Master Han?" A server approached. "Private room three."
Rowan followed her up the creaky stairs, heart pounding with excitement. He'd read about traveling doctors discovering lost medical texts and rare herbs. Finally, his chance for real adventure!
The door opened to reveal a man seated in the shadows, clad in black. Something about his stillness made Rowan's think of a coiled snake.
"You're the doctor?" The man's voice was quiet but carried easily.
"Ya— yes. I'm Rowan Han. I heard you're looking for—"
"Sit."
Rowan sat, stopping himself from man spreading too much. The man studied him with eyes that seemed to glow in the dim light.
"I heard you have experience with ancient texts."
"Oh yes! I've studied extensively about lost civilizations and their medical practices. There's this fascinating text about void energy's effect on—" Rowan caught himself rambling and cleared his throat. "Mhm."
The man's lip twitched. Was that amusement or annoyance? "And you can treat injuries?"
"Of course! I can handle anything from broken bones to poison extraction to—"
"You'll do."
A grin crossed Rowan’s face.
"The job is yours. If you want it." The man leaned forward, finally entering the light. His face was young but his eyes... "But understand this isn't a simple research trip. Where we're going, one mistake means death."
Rowan should have felt scared. Instead, he felt his pulse quicken with excitement. "When do we leave?"
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Rowan was shoving things into his travel bags with the casual efficiency of someone who knew exactly what he needed. Medical supplies, a few choice research texts, his favorite ink set...
"Young Master?"
He glanced up, herb pouch dangling from his mouth as he tried to tie another shut. Guard Captain Chen stood in his doorway, frowning.
"Oh, Uncle Chen." Rowan managed around the herbs. "What's up?"
The old guard who'd practically raised him shifted uncomfortably. "I heard you took a new job."
"Mhm." Rowan spat out the herbs into his hand.
"Who hired you?"
Something in Uncle Chen's tone made Rowan pause in his packing. "Martial artist named Hui Fan. Looking for artifacts." He tilted his head. "Why?"
Chen's weathered face grew grave. "Hui Fan. You're certain that was his name?"
"Yep." Rowan went back to packing, but his movements were more deliberate now. "You know him?"
"No." Chen said too quickly. "But... be careful, young master. Some things are better left buried."