Zhang Xian looked at the disheveled old quack doctor with wry amusement. He'd warned the chap before, but no, he hadn't listened. So now he was getting his just desserts, wasn't he?
Could a regular human handle someone possessed by an evil spirit? Besides, the old quack doctor had arrived with him, being spared by the evil spirit was quite a stroke of luck in such an unfortunate situation.
"Sir, are... are you alright?" Dong Qian ran over anxiously to ask.
"Alright? Me, alright?" The old quack doctor pointed at himself, his eyes blazing with anger, "Do I look alright to you? I nearly got bloody murdered by that lunatic upstairs."
"Watch your language..." Dong Qian's eyes narrowed in cold annoyance.
"Look... I've no time to squabble with you, but unfortunately, I must inform you that there's no hope left for the patient." The old quack doctor replied bitterly.
He had come here hoping to earn some extra cash, thinking to splurge it afterward. Instead, not only had he failed to make a penny, he was also nursing wounds now. Such a situation was far from satisfying for him.
As for continuing his fraudulent practices, he didn't dare think along those lines anymore. That brief encounter had almost cost him his life; he doubted he'd be as lucky if he dared to go back up again.
"What? Are you saying my mother can't be saved?" Dong Qian looked at the old quack doctor with astonished teary eyes.
Dong Tianchen also trembled slightly, a frown marring his forehead as he looked towards the dejected doctor. The hospital visits and doctors' words, though not directly confirming it, had slowly made him comprehend the bleak reality. Now, hearing it from the quack doctor, even without any substantial evidence, his heart ached like a thousand arrows piercing through it, fearing the words were indeed a foretelling of the eventual outcome.
"Cough, cough... Now now, if you can't do anything, then don't make such absurd claims, it's rather distressing, isn't it?" Zhang Xian suddenly stepped forward, a smirk playing at his lips. "Indeed, to you, there's no hope left for the lady upstairs. And you can't even discern the true reason behind it. Let me guess, right after you stepped inside, you were brutally beaten and sent scampering down like a beaten dog, right? If you can't handle it, then don't pretend otherwise."
"You...Little Thief, what nonsense are you blabbering? If even this old man couldn't handle it, do you think you can? If you don't wish to be thrown out, I suggest you make yourself scarce." The old quack doctor retorted in anger.
"You... You can save my mom?" A glimmer of hope ignited in Dong Qian's heart.
Despite not uttering a word, Dong Tianchen's gaze fixed onto Zhang Xian, hinting at a speck of expectation.
"Yes, I can. But my fees are quite high." Zhang Xian nodded.
"Money isn't an issue, as long as you can cure my wife's strange affliction." Dong Tianchen replied.
"One hundred thousand. Is that fine?" Zhang Xian asked.
"Yes, as long as she's cured, I will transfer the amount to you instantly." Dong Tianchen nodded without any hesitancy. A hundred thousand was merely a number to him.
"I want cash. One hundred thousand, in cash."
"That's not a problem."
Seeing how Dong Tianchen agreed so readily, Zhang Xian felt a pang of regret. If he knew he was going to be so generous, he should've asked for more, one hundred thousand seemed like a minuscule amount now.
"Damn, are you nuts? One hundred thousand?" The old quack doctor grumbled with displeasure.
Despite his long years of deception, the highest amount he ever quoted was only thirty thousand. Zhang Xian, on the other hand, dared to quote a hundred thousand without batting an eyelid. Such audacity!
Being stuck with Zhang Xian, he didn't want to leave empty-handed while Zhang Xian reaped all the benefits. So, he quickly chimed in, "Yeah, are you sure this guy genuinely can cure your wife?"
Dong Tianchen didn't answer. Instead, he kept his gaze focused on Zhang Xian. Whether he believed him was irrelevant, all that mattered was whether Zhang Xian was capable.
"You all just wait here. No matter what happens upstairs, no matter what kinds of noise you hear, you cannot go up. If anything goes wrong due to your interruption, and someone ends up dying as a result – you can't blame me. Besides, prepare the hundred thousand in cash. I would want it as soon as I get the job done; I have no time to wait around." Without giving the old quack doctor any further attention, Zhang Xian confidently ascended the stairs.
"That damn..." The old quack doctor fumed.
However, seeing Zhang Xian head upstairs, he was soon smiling smugly. Those who hadn't been up there wouldn't know just how terrifying that woman was. She was like a damn demon.
"You..." Though Dong Qian wanted to say something, Zhang Xian had already left, so her words remained unsaid.
Perhaps, Zhang Xian did indeed possess exceptional skills. Otherwise, he wouldn't dare venture upstairs after witnessing the old quack doctor's humiliating escape.
"There's something fishy about this."
Zhang Xian climbed up to the room. Upon hearing the nonsensical rambling emanating from within, a smirk tugged at his lips.
At first glance, he realized that Shen Jialin was harboring an evil spirit inside her body. What was more, it wasn't seeking her out, but instead, was sealed within her by someone else.
Currently, Shen Jialin could be deemed to be no longer being in control. Her consciousness had been replaced by the evil spirit, transforming her into an entirely different person.
"Ah...don't come over..." 'Shen Jialin', upon noticing Zhang Xian's entrance, reacted in alarm, hastily grabbing a stool and throwing it at him.
The unsuccessful attack did not deter her as she lunged towards other objects in the room. Anything she could get her hands on, anything she could throw, she didn't spare. For a moment, all sorts of things were being hurled towards Zhang Xian who was standing at the doorway.
"Aren't you planning on coming out?" Zhang Xian coldly asked.
"What are you trying to do? I hold no grudge against you, why are you after me?" 'Shen Jialin' suddenly fell silent.
"Hmm, the same way this lovely lady holds no grudge against you, right? So why harm her? Even though someone sealed you inside her, I believe you haven't been kind enough to let go of her life essence, right? Given enough time, you'll surely drain her dry. Besides, consuming so much each day, aren't you afraid you'll end up stuffing her to death? In what way does this benefit you?" With each step Zhang Xian took towards 'Shen Jialin', an ominous look mirrored all across his face.
"You...don't come near. If you dare approach, I'll kill her right away." 'Shen Jialin' threatened.
For some reason, she could sense a dangerous aura emanating from Zhang Xian. The closer he was, the more acute that sensation.
"Humf, you really believe you can harm her under my watch?" Zhang Xian scoffed, "I must say, you're underestimating me and overestimating yourself substantially."
"You can try all you want. Besides, you might not even be a match for me." 'Shen Jialin' replied indifferently, then lunged forward unexpectedly.
Zhang Xian did not retreat; instead, he intercepted 'Shen Jialin's' outstretched arm with a swift grasp.
"You..." 'Shen Jialin' tried to break free, but her hand was stuck in Zhang Xian's grip, the difference in strength glaringly apparent.
After a few attempts, a wicked gleam shone in her eyes. Suddenly, she threw herself upon Zhang Xian, coiling around him like a seductive serpent, "Handsome, if you let me go, I'll reward you. What do you say?"
"Pfft..." Zhang Xian almost burst out laughing. The accursed evil spirit was even resorting to seduction now?
Ignoring the spirit, there's no denying that Shen Jialin was indeed an attractive woman. Otherwise, she couldn't have given birth to such a beautiful daughter as Dong Qian. And even though she was over forty, she maintained herself impeccably, looking as fresh as a woman of thirty. The allure of Shen Jialin was not something one could overlook. Moreover, her present weak state, coupled with her pale face, bore a certain morbidity that aroused a man's desire.
An attractive woman like her, pressing herself, exuding warmth and sensuality, in such a provocative manner was truly enticing.
"Handsome, come on! I want it; I'm already itching for it. Rude me of my thirst," 'Shen Jialin', while clinging onto Zhang Xian, playfully coquettishly.