Worldwide Awakening: My Soul Kinds Are Lost-Chapter 558: Your Acting Skills Need Some More Polishing_1

"Curing ailments, saving lives, breathing life back into the dying..." Dressed like a fortune teller, Wang Linchi chanted these words, attracting curious glances from onlookers. However, very few actually approached him, their eyes filled with wariness.

When he reached Zhang Dao's house, Wang Linchi called out again, "Treatment first, payment later. If it doesn't work, it's free!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Dao peeked his head out. His face was still very pale as he called to Wang Linchi, "Sir, I am ill!"

Seeing this, Wang Linchi nodded. "Alright, I'll be right there."

Zhang Dao struggled to open the door and welcomed Wang Linchi inside. After offering him tea, Zhang Dao began, "Sir, my previous..." He then recounted the full story of his injuries and illness.

Wang Linchi stroked his goatee, his eyes narrowed. For this occasion, he had altered his appearance to that of a middle-aged man, instead of his usual youthful look.

"Your condition is indeed unusual. It all depends on how you wish to be treated."

"For a slow recovery using herbal decoctions, I can write you a prescription. You would need to procure the herbs from an apothecary yourself. After taking them for about three months, you should be fully healed. As for whether any root cause of the illness will remain, that will be up to fate," Wang Linchi stated plainly.

"No, no, that won't do! There's no apothecary in the village, only one doctor. If the herbs in your prescription are rare, I'll have no way to find them," Zhang Dao refused without hesitation. For him, waiting three months meant the opportunity would be long gone.

His true intention was to use 'Wang Linyuan's' other treatment method—yes, the one involving charms.

However, low-level charms couldn't produce immediate results, not unless it was a Spirit Talisman he could create with his Heavenly Talisman Body—one drawn out of thin air, without needing any materials. That was the kind of Spirit Talisman he meant. Fortunately, while not offering instant recovery, they were still effective. All he needed were five Disease Dispelling Charms and five Healing Charms. Coincidentally, this 'Wang Linyuan' before him had them, and more than just five.

"Well then, I have another method of treatment," Wang Linchi said, taking out ten charms. "Given your injuries, you'll need five Disease Dispelling Charms and five Healing Charms. You'll be fully recovered within an hour."

"However, this treatment isn't cheap. Each charm costs ten taels of silver. You surely can't afford that."

"It's better if you listen to me and opt for the herbal decoction. I'll only charge you one copper coin for the effort of writing it, not a consultation fee," Wang Linchi said, feigning concern.

"Sir, I can see you are an extraordinary individual with a mystical understanding of medicine, undoubtedly a master physician. Such a person surely needs an attendant Boy. If you wouldn't mind, Sir, I am willing to be your Boy." Zhang Dao knew he was out of money. But if this was purely a transaction of silver for goods, how would his future plans progress? So, naturally, he had to stay by 'Wang Linyuan's' side and leave only after he had schemed to obtain the Heavenly Talisman Body. This would take at least several years; it wouldn't be easy.

Wang Linchi was inwardly surprised but quickly shook his head. "No, no, I'm not in a position to take on a Boy. I'll write you the prescription, and we'll leave it at that."

Of course, he actually wanted Zhang Dao to follow him. That way, he could conduct further research. He just couldn't agree immediately, or it would seem too obvious.

"Sir, please take me in! If I stay here, I'll die. My parents are gone, and my clan relatives have their eyes on my family's property."

"They won't rest easy until I'm dead."

Zhang Dao immediately began to play the victim. In his previous simulations, he had always used this sob story to convince Wang Linchi to take him on as a Boy.

Sure enough, Wang Linchi looked conflicted, the struggle clearly visible on his face.

So, Zhang Dao naturally pressed his advantage. "I don't eat much, and I can do any kind of work. Once I recover, I'll be strong and healthy, even more capable of helping you, Sir."

"You only need to provide me with food and a place to sleep, Sir."

Hearing this, Wang Linchi sighed. "Alright, your quick-wittedness is truly remarkable. You're bound to become a significant person in the future."

"You can stay with me for now. As long as I have food to eat, you won't go hungry."

As he spoke, Wang Linchi directly applied five Disease Dispelling Charms and five Healing Charms to Zhang Dao.

Zhang Dao felt two cool streams of energy envelop his body. The pain that had wracked him vanished as the cool energy circulated once. His pale face gradually regained a healthy color, and his spirits lifted.

"Thank you for your immense kindness, Sir!" Zhang Dao exclaimed without hesitation.

"This is the most unprofitable deal I've made in years," Wang Linchi chuckled, taking a portion of rice from his satchel. "Go boil some water, and let's make two bowls of porridge."

He could see that Zhang Dao's family was likely so poor they couldn't even afford to keep their pot boiling.

Zhang Dao's face was filled with gratitude. Inwardly, however, he felt mostly indifferent. In the beginning, he truly would have been grateful to 'Wang Linyuan' from the bottom of his heart. But as the number of simulations increased, he had gradually grown used to it, almost taking it for granted. Nevertheless, he displayed the requisite attitude.

He boiled the water and cooked the meal. Two bowls of white porridge were soon ready.

One for Wang Linchi, one for Zhang Dao.

Compared to Wang Linchi, who ate slowly, Zhang Dao wolfed down his food like a starving man. He normally wouldn't care for such plain porridge, but his body was genuinely famished, hence his urgency. Fortunately, this behavior fit his persona; otherwise, if he revealed anything out of character, it would be troublesome.

They quickly finished eating. Wang Linchi then said slowly, "Since you plan to follow me as a Boy, daily studies will be essential. Even on the road, you must continue to learn."

"Yes, Sir." Zhang Dao didn't actually want to study. In previous simulations, he had already learned almost everything. Repeating it was just a waste of time. He considered his own mastery of The Way of Magical Talisman and medical arts to be far superior to Wang Linchi's. However, for the sake of the Heavenly Talisman Body, he had to learn. And he also needed to act as if he had a great affinity for charms; otherwise, 'Wang Linyuan' would never pass on the Heavenly Talisman Body to him.

"Is there anyone you need to bid farewell to? If so, go and do it now. We'll set off early tomorrow morning." Wang Linchi wasn't heartless; leaving immediately would indeed be too hasty.

A glint flashed in Zhang Dao's eyes. He then said, "I have no one to bid farewell to. However, Sir, you must be weary from your journey. Why not rest here for a short while? Allow me to go and convert my family's land and house into silver to present to you, Sir, as a token of my filial respect."

"There's no need for the silver. Keep it for yourself, to find a wife in the future," Wang Linchi declined directly. The offer was a display of sincerity, but he couldn't actually accept it.

"Thank you, Sir. I'll go attend to matters then," Zhang Dao said and left the house.

He had actually known all along they would stay an extra night. This was a good thing for him, Zhang Dao, because there was a precious herb in the village that he had to obtain first. This would be crucial for his new beginning. If he didn't acquire it before leaving with 'Wang Linyuan,' he would likely face a disadvantageous start. That wasn't good. A bad start meant he might have to expend ten or even a hundred times the effort later to make up for it. He had experienced that before.

As for selling the land and house, it wasn't a major issue. He could just sell them directly to the ancestral hall; they wouldn't try to lowball the price but would offer a fair one. If he sold to other kinsmen privately, they would haggle relentlessly. The ancestral hall's funds belonged to the collective, so they wouldn't haggle. In fact, there would be no price suppression, and they would pay promptly. The process wasn't difficult either; he just needed to take the land and house deeds there.

Zhang Dao wasn't worried about losing his property. Right now, this small village was peaceful, but in a couple of years, the chaos of warring Warlords would escalate and spread further. Because of the declining population, remote villages like this one would also be noticed. Warlords needed manpower for their armies and provisions for their campaigns, so they resorted to forcibly conscripting able-bodied men. Later, they would impose compulsory grain levies. When fighting intensified and food became scarce, they would simply seize everything. They wouldn't care if a family had enough to survive the winter or save for spring planting; they'd take it all. Any resistance would be met with death. Thus, what was now a haven would become a living hell. He had experienced this several times. This was the general trend, something he couldn't influence; he could only hide. Even if a different Warlord took over, they would still lack manpower and food, ultimately resorting to the same tactics of conscription and forced levies. Conversely, following Wang Linchi involved fewer dangers. Sometimes, if their luck was good, they might even become honored guests of certain Warlords. However, such situations were rare. Most of the time, life was quite harsh, and they even had to endure hunger occasionally.