Chapter 003: Believe it or not

"Do you think I am one of those charlatans?" The old Daoist disdainfully tugged at the corner of his mouth and said, "Although I cannot discern whether you have encountered any calamities recently, I can see that your seven souls are completely lost. If nothing unexpected happens, you will certainly not live for more than half a year..."

Li Mu instinctively reached for the money pouch at his waist, only to find it empty. He raised his head and discovered that his money pouch was in the hands of that old Taoist priest

He had not finished speaking when he abruptly stopped

Li Mu did not know whether practitioners needed to eat, but he himself would feel hungry if he missed a meal. He spent 20 wen to buy a little rice and had plain congee for three whole days. Now that his purse had slightly plumped up, he naturally wanted to improve his diet.

Although the flavors of the dishes in the restaurant cannot compare to the various delicacies of later generations, they are still much better than plain congee and the nutritional meals served in hospitals. After finishing his meal, Li Mu arrived at a medical clinic

After collecting the medicine, he left the clinic, intending to buy some grains and vegetables. As he passed a secluded street corner, his footsteps involuntarily came to a halt

Li Mu stopped and asked, "Is there something you need, Daoist?"

Then he knelt down on the ground, placed a silver ingot on the white cloth, and said loudly: "I have been married for ten years and have no offspring. I kindly ask the old immortal to help me have a son..."

He only felt a warm current spreading along his throat and diffusing to every corner of his body. After a sudden jolt, he immediately felt much lighter in his body

Behind the white cloth, an old Taoist priest with a tattered robe and a grizzled beard is slowly roasting a piece of white paper over the fire. As the paper gradually shifts, characters begin to emerge on its surface.

Within the borders of the Zhou Kingdom, although it is a place inhabited by humans, there are often disturbances caused by demons and spirits. Ordinary people are unable to deal with these malevolent entities, which is why there are practitioners of cultivation stationed in various government offices.

This is a world that is both familiar and unfamiliar to him

If he also possesses such abilities, would he not be immune to all ailments in the future

The old man stroked his grizzled beard and said, "It is not that I have matters to attend to, but rather that you, young sir, have matters to address"

Moments later, inside the medical clinic, the elderly man with white hair withdrew his fingers that had been resting on Li Mu's wrist and said: "Young master, your pulse is strong, which does not suggest illness. What exactly is troubling you?"

The old man glanced at him and said, "Do you not believe?"

Cough!

Each person has their own path. Li Mu did not intend to expose him. Just as he was about to leave, the old Daoist raised his head and glanced at him, suddenly speaking: "Young Master, please stay."

Yangqiu County, it was precisely noon, and the households within the city were all rising with cooking smoke

Here, there are both Taoism and Buddhism. Although there are differences from the Buddhist and Taoist history that Li Mu is familiar with, the philosophical doctrines of these two teachings are, in essence, not different.

Li Mu coughed a few times while covering his mouth, feeling a bit worried in his heart. It seemed that he had caught a slight cold. While this is not a serious illness in later generations, it could potentially cost him his life here

The old man shook his head, folded the white cloth on the ground, placed it in his bosom, and then shouldered the flag inscribed with "Divine Calculation and Ingenious Strategy," clearly intending to leave

Bang

This is a common trick used by swindlers, and it is evident that this old Taoist has set his sights on him

Li Mu watched her leave, this female superior, although her attitude was somewhat aloof, genuinely cared for her subordinates. He held the paper talisman, examining it from top to bottom many times, yet could not discern any clues.

The figure of the old Taoist, under his gaze, transformed into a wisp of smoke and vanished from sight

The middle-aged man bowed once again, holding the yellow talisman, and left in high spirits.

After receiving the paper talisman, Li Mu left without looking back

Paid one thousand wen in wages, improved a meal, procured several doses of medicine, and still have exactly eight hundred wen remaining

After all, compared to being bedridden for a long time and facing death, possessing a healthy body and being able to live like a normal person is his greatest happiness

Li Mu cast a meaningful glance at him and asked, "Do you, Daoist, see that my forehead is darkened, and that I am destined to encounter a calamity involving blood in the near future?"

Li Mu could not help but spit at him; he was even more detestable than those swindlers from the rivers and lakes. The swindlers merely cursed others to suffer from bloodshed, but this old fellow actually wished for his death

Moreover, in this world, the profession of a constable, although it can be considered a civil servant on the imperial payroll, carries a level of danger that far exceeds Li Mu's understanding

As soon as this thought arose in my mind, a knock was heard at the door

His physical symptoms are not very serious; however, after experiencing a previous life, Li Mu is extremely concerned about his body. After all, this body has died once, and having been resurrected, who knows if it has left any hidden ailments.

Li Qing glanced at him and asked, "Are you ill?"

At a certain spot on the street corner, a white cloth was laid on the ground, featuring a diagram of the Bagua. In the corner of the wall, a flag was erected, inscribed with the four large characters "Divine Calculation and Ingenious Strategy"

Li Mu's footsteps slowed down as he watched this scene with great interest

The woman had a tall and slender figure, with delicate eyebrows and starry eyes, her appearance was strikingly beautiful, though her expression was somewhat aloof. Dressed in a gown of blue, she stood calmly at the door.

In the past three days, Li Mu has contemplated a great deal. After accepting this new phase of life, the first thing he needs to consider is his future

Here, demons and spirits run rampant; in one particular case, the criminals he must confront are not necessarily human

Li Mu nodded and said, "It must be due to a slight chill. I will go fetch some medicine shortly"

Today, Li Mu did not plan to cook lunch at home. Although Yangqiu County is not large, it is a transportation hub with many restaurants in the city. Li Mu chose the nearest small restaurant to his home, ordered a pot of tea and a few small dishes

This scene left Li Mu deeply moved; that ingot of silver was worth at least ten taels. In this day and age, there truly is no shortage of foolish wealthy individuals.

In recent days, he has experienced some symptoms, including not only insomnia and vivid dreams but also occasional chest tightness and shortness of breath, along with a sense of mental disorientation. After drinking that bowl of talisman water, these symptoms have somewhat alleviated, but they have not completely disappeared. He still intends to consult a doctor.

Li Qing took out a folded paper talisman from his waist, handed it to him, and said: "Transform it into talisman water, drink it, and you will be healed"

Accept his soul into this strange world, adopting a new identity and embarking on a new life

He has been here for three days. Three days ago, he took the borrowed twenty wen and went to the market to buy some rice and two liang of pickled vegetables, managing to get through the past three days

"So amazing..." Li Mu could not help but speak, marveling in his heart.

Li Mu pondered for a moment and said: "Recently, I have been unable to sleep at night, occasionally experiencing a feeling of chest tightness, struggling to concentrate, and often losing my train of thought..."

After pondering for a moment, the elder took up his pen and wrote a prescription, saying: "I shall temporarily prescribe a remedy to calm the heart and soothe the spirit for you, young master. Please take a few doses and observe the effects thereafter"

They were either appointed by the court or were disciples of various major cultivation sects sent into the world for training. Li Mu did not know much about this woman, only that her name was Li Qing, that she was a cultivator, and that she was also his direct superior

Although he does not wish to be a constable for a lifetime, at least for now, he still needs to diligently perform his duties. Firstly, this is his only source of income, and secondly, there are evidently practitioners in the county office, which is currently Li Mu's only opportunity to engage with this field.

Li Mu walked over and opened the courtyard door. Standing outside was not Zhang Shan and Li Si, but a woman.

This is indeed a world that has a continuous heritage with ancient Huaxia in terms of language and writing, folk customs, and even religious beliefs

This magical world has turned his once unrealistic dreams into possibilities

As the courtyard gate opened, Li Qing handed a heavy cloth bag to Li Mu and said: "This is your salary for the past two months, one month of which is compensation for you"

During these three days, he gradually acquired additional memories and developed a more intuitive and clear understanding of the world he was in

A constable of Li Mu's caliber receives a monthly salary of 500 wen, which totals 1,000 wen over two months. After paying Zhang Shan and Li Si 70 wen, he still has a substantial amount left. If he economizes a little, he won't have to worry about running out of provisions for a long time.

I do not know if cultivating immortality allows for fasting; if it does, then one could save on meal expenses directly

I never take advantage of others, but I also never suffer losses. Today, I offer you a piece of advice that may bring you a glimmer of hope. Charging you 800 wen is not excessive, is it?

I spit!

Finally, Li Mu fetched a bowl of water, ignited the paper talisman, and threw it into the water, then drank the talisman-infused water in one gulp

Li Mu took the money bag and politely said: "Thank you, boss... cough!"

To live a mundane life as a constable is clearly not what he desires; it represents a tremendous waste of his second life

Believe it or not!

Not only did he curse himself to death, but he also wanted to take away all of his wealth. Li Mu angrily said: "Old man, still..."

Although Li Mu has not yet recalled how his previous incarnation met his demise, it is evident without much thought that it certainly was not due to ordinary circumstances

I don't believe you at all

If one day I truly cannot get by, I could set up a stall on the street, casually showcasing skills like "writing characters on blank paper" or "dipping hands in hot oil". This would be much more profitable than working as a constable.

Moreover, during these three days, Li Mu discovered that perhaps due to the reason of being resurrected, his current body seemed to have some other issues as well

Li Mu, Zhang Shan, and Li Si are direct subordinates of Li Qing

In the cramped kitchen, Li Mu squatted in front of the stove, gazing at the flickering flames within the hearth, lost in thought as was his habit

Li Mu's dream is to become a practitioner who can summon the wind and rain, and exhale clouds and mist. This has been his dream since childhood, and it remains so to this day

The old Taoist priest took out a yellow talisman from his bosom and handed it to him, saying: "When you return home, burn this talisman, dissolve it in a bowl of clear water, and drink the talisman water. I assure you that next year you will be able to hold a son..."

"Miracle, what a miracle!" exclaimed a man standing before him.

He walked past Li Mu, took a few steps, paused again, turned his head, and said lightly: "Enough, enough, let me remind you once more, although your three souls remain, your seven spirits are completely lost. If there is no opportunity, within half a year, you will surely meet your demise in the underworld..."

However, he still has no idea how to enter the world of cultivation, and the former Li Mu had no prior exposure to these matters

After three days of calm, Li Mu reluctantly accepted his current situation

He wants to go see a doctor, but at present he is completely broke. A couple of days ago, he borrowed twenty wen from Zhang Shan and Li Si, which he spent entirely on food. If he does not receive his monthly salary, he will run out of food by tomorrow