Swaying Hearts and Minds

Over the next two days, Song Wen noticed a dramatic improvement in his meals.

Ginseng, codonopsis, astragalus, and other precious medicinal herbs appeared at every meal. There were also many medicinal soups to replenish qi and blood.

On the morning of the third day, Song Wen had mostly recovered, though his kidneys still felt a little weak.

"Most people only realize the value of vital essence after wasting themselves on debauchery in their youth. This body is only in its teens and has never even had the chance to frolic among the flowers, yet it is already weak. What a waste."

Feeling gloomy, Song Wen rose early.

He planned to take a look around outside today. Extreme Yin had given him a token, and there was no reason not to use it. He had been confined to this courtyard for two months; it was time to go out and see the world.

The moment Song Wen stepped out of his room, he saw that another hundred or so young men and women had gathered in the side-room area.

Why did I have to transmigrate into a world with no human rights at all?

As Song Wen passed through the side-room area and headed for the courtyard gate, a voice suddenly called out from behind him.

"Song Wen, where are you going?"

It was Extreme Yin. He was preparing to explain how to cultivate the Longevity Art to the newcomers.

Song Wen was somewhat speechless. Why did he have to run into Extreme Yin so early in the morning?

However, his life was in the other man's grasp, so Song Wen had no room to resist. He could only walk over obediently and reply respectfully.

"Reporting to Master, I planned to take a walk outside."

Extreme Yin nodded and said kindly, "It is good to go out for a walk."

Extreme Yin turned toward the young people and spoke loudly.

"This is Song Wen, my eldest disciple. He has cultivated under me for two months already. As long as you cultivate diligently, you too can become my personal disciples, just like Song Wen. Once you possess immortal arts, rising through the ranks and enjoying wealth and glory will naturally be within easy reach."

Extreme Yin's impassioned speech set the young people present aflame with enthusiasm.

Song Wen, meanwhile, was speechless. How had he become a tool for Extreme Yin to beguile others?

"Come, say a few words to your future junior brothers and sisters," Extreme Yin instructed Song Wen from the side.

Though Song Wen was utterly unwilling, he did not dare openly defy Extreme Yin for the sake of his own life.

An enthusiastic smile appeared on his face.

"Junior brothers and sisters, I hope you will diligently follow Master in your cultivation and studies. Once you successfully draw qi into your bodies, you will be carps that have crossed the Dragon Gate, transforming into dragons at the first encounter with wind and rain. Being able to cultivate under Master is a blessing earned over a hundred lifetimes, and the best chance you will have in this life to change your fates. I hope you will cherish it well and not miss this excellent opportunity."

At the same time, Song Wen silently muttered to himself.

I am sorry, everyone. Better you than me. The sooner you draw qi into your bodies, the less likely I am to be dragged off to test medicine.

"Mm!"

Extreme Yin nodded in satisfaction. "Well said! With the token I gave you, you may withdraw five hundred taels of silver from the accounts office every month."

Song Wen bowed and replied, "Thank you, Master. This disciple will take his leave."

With that, Song Wen headed toward the courtyard gate.

With Extreme Yin's token, Song Wen encountered no obstruction along the way. Moreover, most people showed him great respect.

After asking for directions several times, Song Wen smoothly arrived at the Heavenly Baleful Gang's accounts office.

Song Wen had no intention of saving the Heavenly Baleful Gang any money. He withdrew the maximum amount of silver allowed.

Four one-hundred-tael banknotes, nine ten-tael banknotes, and another ten taels in loose silver.

Five hundred taels of silver was undoubtedly an enormous sum in the present-day Gan Kingdom. A single tael of silver was enough for an ordinary family of three to live on for a month.

With this fortune tucked away, Song Wen left the Heavenly Baleful Gang with light steps.

The streets of Salt City bustled with people, and the crowds were lively and bustling.

Song Wen strolled about as he walked, occasionally buying snacks from roadside vendors. Since beginning qi cultivation, he had noticed that his appetite had grown considerably.

There were many street performers along the road, things Song Wen had never seen before since transmigrating here. They often made him stop to watch, and whenever he enjoyed a performance, he would tip them with some loose silver, prompting them to perform even more vigorously.

Song Wen wandered through Salt City the entire morning, covering nearly half the city.

After casually finding a roadside stall and finishing lunch, Song Wen entered a medical clinic.

Song Wen had appeared to be idly strolling all morning, but he had actually been secretly noting the locations of several large medical clinics. He wanted to ask around about the Seven-Day Heartbreak Pill.

Worried that Extreme Yin might have someone following him, he had not dared to enter a clinic rashly.

After observing for an entire morning, he was certain that no one was tailing him before he finally entered a clinic. Yet this also cast a shadow over his heart. Extreme Yin had been so bold in letting him leave; the poison of the Seven-Day Heartbreak Pill was likely extremely difficult to cure.

After entering a clinic named Apricot Grove Hall, Song Wen spoke to an elderly man with graying hair.

Through his inquiries, Song Wen learned that this old man was named Xue Tao. He was a rather famous divine physician in Salt City, skilled in treating difficult and complicated illnesses. There was a constant stream of people seeking treatment from him. However, he was exceptionally fond of money and charged exorbitant fees. Ordinary families could not even afford to seek medicine from him.

To see him, Song Wen had just paid ten taels of silver. Whether Xue Tao could cure him or not, the ten taels would not be refunded.

"Divine Physician Xue, someone poisoned me. Please help me cure it," Song Wen said.

Xue Tao nodded. "Extend your left hand. This old man will take your pulse."

Song Wen had no objection and did as instructed.

After taking his pulse for a moment, Xue Tao furrowed his brows tightly.

"Your right hand."

After examining the pulses in both of Song Wen's hands and checking his tongue coating, the whites of his eyes, and other conditions, Xue Tao said, "In this old man's assessment, you have recently suffered a severe depletion of blood essence, resulting in a serious deficiency of qi and blood. However, there are no signs of poisoning."

Song Wen could not help feeling disappointed. "Divine Physician Xue, please examine me more carefully. I am quite certain that I have been poisoned."

Xue Tao said, "This old man has practiced medicine for decades and treated countless poisoned patients, yet I can find no trace of poisoning on you. If you truly have been poisoned, I fear it is beyond this old man's ability to treat. You can only seek out another renowned physician."

Hearing this, Song Wen thought to himself, Just as expected, the Seven-Day Heartbreak Pill will not be so easy to cure.

He then visited five more medical clinics. Every physician reached the same conclusion: there were no signs of poisoning on him.

This left Song Wen rather disappointed.

It seems that if I want to cure the poison, I will have to start from within the Heavenly Baleful Gang.

Song Wen remembered that when Extreme Yin had made him take the Seven-Day Gut-Severing Powder, he had inadvertently revealed that the poison came from the Heavenly Baleful Gang.