A Common Mortal

Most of the consumables used in spellcasting are subject to wear and tear.

A complete Zhao Liang was possessed by Dong Zhongshu to cast spells, and then fought against the Bashe snake remotely, ultimately leaving behind an incomplete Zhao Liang.

After hearing Dong Zhongshu's description, Zhang Xuezhou, who had been secretly pleased, suddenly felt uneasy.

How exactly is it incomplete?

Now that Zhao Liang is physically healthy and free from his troubles, Master Zhao can host a thank-you banquet for him, but the incomplete Zhao Liang still faces many hidden dangers.

Under these circumstances, Master Zhao probably had no interest in hosting a banquet.

"Perhaps due to the clash between my and Bashe's Law Power, Zhao Liang is acting a bit crazy now," Dong Zhongshu said with a headache. "Injuries like stabs and arrows are easy to treat, but how do we deal with his madness? The Zhao family is all watching me!"

"Things like being stabbed in the back and stabbed in the back are difficult to resolve!"

Wen Weng said in a low voice.

Dong Zhongshu spoke with great certainty that, without someone skilled in healing Technique Method such as the Supreme Purity True Technique technique, even if one survived a stab wound or arrow wound, it would take ten days to half a month to recover before being able to get out of bed.

As for his erratic behavior, it might require the intervention of masters like Li Guang, Li Danghu, and Li Jiao to stabilize him.

But apart from Zhang Xuezhou, a mid-level cultivator, there aren't many others skilled in the Supreme Purity True Technique who are easy to recruit.

As important military officers, these men would not have the opportunity to ride thousands of miles to Shu County to treat the son of a salt merchant, even if the other party was the Commandant of Shu County.

"Tonight, I am fortunate to have this cassia seed flute from my young friend!"

Wen Weng sighed.

He had previously addressed Zhang Xuezhou as "Master Zhang," accepting him only out of respect for Dong Zhongshu.

But Wen Weng is now willing to change his tune and attaches great importance to this mid-level cultivator.

The other party hadn't been very reliable in the past, making it difficult for him to criticize Zhang Xuezhou's actions. However, the Law Treasure he presented tonight saved countless lives and prevented the more than 300,000 people of Shu County from falling into the panic caused by the snakes.

He even used this magic flute to relentlessly track down and pursue the Bashe demon hiding among the residents of Shu County.

The matter has come to a temporary end, and Wen Weng is trying his best to reconcile the connections between them.

Regarding the matter of Bashe, he not only needs Dong Zhongshu's assistance, but also Zhang Xuezhou's support at the moment.

Zhang Xuezhou's role lies not in direct combat, but in the logistical support provided by the enemy. Both the Supreme Purity True Technique and the Jueming Flute have brought considerable benefits, and this benefit will likely continue.

Wen Weng held the Jue Ming Dharma Flute, just as Zhang Xuezhou had held the Ding Shan Stone that day.

If possible, he hoped Zhang Xuezhou wouldn't immediately retract his statement.

"It was merely a coincidence, Your Excellency Prefect, you flatter me," Zhang Xuezhou said, waving his hands repeatedly. "Now that things have been settled, I too am preparing to embark on a long journey in a few days..."

"What, are you leaving?"

Before Zhang Xuezhou could finish speaking, Dong Zhongshu interrupted him.

Looking at Wen Weng's dark face, and considering Zhang Xuezhou's identity, Dong Zhongshu ultimately felt that although what Zhang Xuezhou had done was inhumane, it was the most correct choice.

"I'm afraid of snakes," Zhang Xuezhou said. "I'm terrified of snakes, and the thought that poisonous snakes might be lurking in Shu County makes me even more afraid. Especially since I recently choked on water, which may have triggered an old ailment, I want to travel far away to seek treatment!"

"You are not sick," Dong Zhongshu said.

"I'm sick," Zhang Xuezhou corrected, "My illness flares up from time to time, and I'm dizzy for several days at a time!"

"Then you absolutely cannot leave Shu County," Wen Weng said quietly. "You have people to take care of you in Shu County. If you faint on the way, wouldn't it be easy for you to pass away?"

"So I'm waiting for Wang Er to finish the rest of his medicine. I want to earn more money to buy more medicine and try to refine a few more batches of Grain Avoidance powder so I won't starve to death when I faint," Zhang Xuezhou sighed. "Unfortunately, I haven't received a single reward for all my magic rescues. I've only been repaying the debts of gratitude I've been owed. Now I can only think about seeing if anyone needs treatment and try to earn a few coins!"

Zhang Xuezhou glanced at Dong Zhongshu, who had just performed a healing spell, but Dong Zhongshu immediately looked away.

Zhang Xuezhou is right. There is no difference between performing magic to save lives and dispensing medicine to save lives; under normal circumstances, a fee should be charged.

Firstly, Zhang Xuezhou Zhang Xuezhou was pulled out of the water and saved his life, so he needed to repay the favor.

On the other hand, Dong Zhongshu spends his money when he has it and eats public grain when he doesn't, so he's penniless and can't afford to give any reward right now.

This has resulted in Zhang Xuezhou performing numerous rituals to save people, but so far, he has yet to achieve any results.

"If Brother Zhang is short of money, I do have some savings..."

Cough cough cough!

Zhang Xuezhou's words were somewhat roundabout; after glancing at Dong Zhongshu, he looked at Zhang Shu.

This blunt expression allowed Zhang Shu, even a reckless and impulsive warrior, to roughly understand the situation.

While the Zhang and Zhao families may not be considered extremely wealthy, they certainly do not lack money for normal expenses.

Zhang Shugang was about to offer Zhang Xuezhou some money to buy medicine when he heard Wen Weng coughing loudly, so he immediately took Wen Weng's hand.

"I really appreciate Commandant Zhang's generosity. It just so happens that we share the same surname; you've truly come to my rescue!"

Seeing Wen Weng trying to dissuade Zhang Shu, Zhang Xuezhou also swallowed his pride and demanded money from Zhang Shu.

"Oh, you can't leave so soon," Wen Weng said with a worried expression. "If that Bashe attacks again, we'll lose a way to restrain them without this magic flute."

"Then you can't delay my treatment!"

Zhang Xuezhou muttered.

He was clearly determined to leave Shu County City once he had enough of the Grain Avoidance Powder and other elixirs.

As a cultivator in an abnormal state, Zhang Xuezhou was extremely concerned about his safety and did not want to enter an area that made him feel dangerous.

"Where are you planning to go for treatment?" Dong Zhongshu asked.

"I... I plan to walk and see a doctor as I go!"

Zhang Xuezhou may make a lot of noise, but if you ask Zhang Xuezhou where he'll go next, Zhang Xuezhou really doesn't have a plan.

He simply wanted to leave Shu County to avoid potential risks; as for where he would go, he left it to fate.

"I know several renowned doctors in the Imperial Medical Academy in Chang'an," Dong Zhongshu said. "Let's go back to Chang'an City together, and I'll have them examine your ailment."

"My illness can't be delayed!"

"Wouldn't blindly searching for doctors only delay things further?" Dong Zhongshu advised. "Besides, traveling alone is extremely risky. It's thousands of miles to Chang'an City, and the journey is fraught with dangers, including evil spirits and rioters. If you wander around aimlessly without guidance, and fall ill while in danger, wouldn't that be even worse?"

"You're right, but..."

"But with me and Prefect Wen looking after you in Shu County, it's definitely safer than setting off rashly," Dong Zhongshu said. "You can still set up a medical stall in Shu County and save up some money, so you won't be strapped for cash when you go to Chang'an City in the future."

"Brother Zhongshu is right. With all the commotion we've caused tonight, quite a few people have been injured in the darkness," Wenweng also advised. "You'll also receive a reward for using your magic to save people!"

"Master Zhao was slapped when he killed that snake demon; his bones are probably broken. He's really hoping that Cultivator Zhang will come to the Zhao family," Zhang Shuyi whispered. "Master Zhao will definitely be willing to spend the money!"

"Did Master Zhao break his bones?"

Zhang Xuezhou was overjoyed.

This quickly dispelled Zhang Xuezhou's many petty thoughts, and he stopped arguing with Dong Zhongshu and Wen Weng.

He once thought that his future in studying psychology lay in opening a mental health clinic, and even hoped that he would have as many wealthy patients with mental illnesses as possible.

Zhang Xuezhou once thought this mentality was pathological.

But hearing Zhang Shu mention that Master Zhao had broken his leg, a secret joy involuntarily crept into his heart.

Despite constantly learning and broadening his horizons, Zhang Xuezhou ultimately realized that he was still an extremely ordinary person, and his moral character had not become more noble as a result.