Over the next two days, Song Wen noticed a significant improvement in his diet.
Every meal included precious medicinal herbs such as ginseng, dangshen, astragalus, and others. In addition, there were numerous nourishing soups and tonics to replenish his qi and blood.
By the early morning of the third day, Song Wen felt his body had largely recovered, though his lower back still felt a bit weak.
"I must have wasted my youth not cherishing my vitality and indulging in reckless behavior. This body is only in its teens, yet it's already feeling weak. Truly unworthy," Song Wen muttered to himself in frustration, rising early.
He planned to go out today. Ji Yin had given him a token, allowing him to move freely without restriction. He had been confined within this courtyard for two months, and it was time to explore.
Stepping out of his room, Song Wen saw dozens of young boys and girls gathered in the courtyard area.
"Ah, how did I end up in a world where human rights are nonexistent," Song Wen lamented as he passed through the courtyard area toward the main gate.
Suddenly, a voice from behind stopped him in his tracks.
"Song Wen, where are you going?"
It was Ji Yin's voice. He was about to instruct new disciples on how to cultivate the "Longevity Technique."
Song Wen was speechless. How did he encounter Ji Yin so early in the morning? But with his life in Ji Yin's hands, Song Wen had no choice but to comply. He walked over to Ji Yin and respectfully answered, "Reporting to Master, I plan to go outside for a stroll."
Ji Yin nodded approvingly and kindly replied, "It's good to go out for a walk."
Turning to face the young people gathered, Ji Yin loudly announced, "This is Song Wen, my senior disciple. He has been following me in cultivation for two months. As long as you diligently practice, you too can become my direct disciple like Song Wen. With the immortal techniques I will teach you, success and prosperity will come naturally."
Ji Yin's impassioned speech stirred up the emotions of the young people present.
Song Wen was speechless. How did he become the tool of Ji Yin's manipulative rhetoric?
"Come, say a few words to your future junior brothers and sisters," Ji Yin instructed Song Wen.
Despite his reluctance, Song Wen forced a warm smile on his face. "Fellow junior brothers and sisters, I hope you can earnestly follow Master's teachings. Once you master the Qi-Refining Stage, you'll be like carp leaping over the Dragon Gate. Following Master's guidance is the culmination of your good fortune across lifetimes and the best opportunity to change your destiny in this life. I hope you cherish it and don't miss this great opportunity."
At the same time, Song Wen silently thought, 'I'm sorry, everyone. It's survival of the fittest. The sooner you advance in your cultivation, the less chance I have of being sacrificed in some experimental concoction.'
"Hmm!" Ji Yin nodded in satisfaction. "Well said! Take this token I gave you. You can withdraw five hundred taels of silver from the treasury each month."
"Thank you, Master. I'll go now," Song Wen bowed and headed towards the courtyard gate.
With Ji Yin's token in hand, Song Wen encountered no obstacles along the way, and most people showed him great respect.
After asking for directions several times, Song Wen arrived smoothly at the Tian Sha Gang's treasury.
Without any hesitation about saving money for the gang, Song Wen withdrew the maximum amount.
Four hundred taels in one-hundred-liang notes, nine ten-liang notes, plus ten liang in small change.
Five hundred taels of silver was a considerable sum in the current times, enough to support an average family of three for a month.
Carrying this fortune, Song Wen left Tian Sha Gang headquarters with a light step.
The streets of Yancheng were bustling with people coming and going, lively and crowded.
Song Wen wandered through the city, occasionally stopping to buy some street food. Since starting his Qi cultivation, Song Wen found himself with a much larger appetite.
There were many street performers on the roadside, something Song Wen had never seen before in his original world. Intrigued, he stopped to watch and even tipped some small change when particularly entertained, encouraging the performers to put on an even livelier show.
The entire morning passed as Song Wen roamed through Yancheng, covering almost half the city.
After a simple lunch at a roadside stall, Song Wen entered a medical clinic.
Though seemingly idle, Song Wen had been covertly noting down the locations of several large medical clinics throughout the morning. He intended to inquire about the "Seven-Day Heartbreak Pill" at these establishments.
He was wary of being followed by Ji Yin's people and didn't dare enter any clinic rashly.
After observing for the entire morning, he was fairly certain that he wasn't being tailed, so he confidently entered a clinic. However, this realization also cast a shadow over him; Ji Yin was bold enough to let him out, indicating that the poison of the Seven-Day Heartbreak Pill was likely very difficult to neutralize.
Upon entering a clinic named "Xinglin Tang," Song Wen approached an elderly man with colorful hair and explained his situation.
According to Song Wen's inquiries, this man was named Xue Tao, a well-known divine doctor in Yancheng renowned for treating difficult and obscure illnesses. His clinic was always crowded with patients seeking his expertise, but he was notoriously greedy and charged exorbitant fees. Ordinary people rarely sought his services.
To consult with him, Song Wen had already paid ten taels of silver. Regardless of whether Xue Tao could cure him or not, this money was non-refundable.
"Doctor Xue, I've been poisoned and need your help to detoxify me," Song Wen explained.
Doctor Xue nodded and instructed, "Extend your left hand for me to examine your pulse."
Without hesitation, Song Wen complied.
After a moment of pulse diagnosis, Doctor Xue furrowed his brows.
"Switch to your right hand."
After examining both of Song Wen's pulses and observing his tongue coating, eye conditions, and other symptoms, Doctor Xue said, "From what I see, you've recently suffered extensive loss of essence and blood, leading to severe depletion of qi and blood. However, I detect no traces of poisoning whatsoever."
Disappointed, Song Wen couldn't help but say, "Doctor Xue, please examine me again. I'm absolutely certain that I've been poisoned."
Doctor Xue replied, "I've practiced medicine for decades and treated countless poisoned patients. I don't see any signs of poisoning in you. If you truly are poisoned, I fear I'm not capable of treating it, and you'll have to find another renowned doctor."
Song Wen sighed inwardly. As expected, the Seven-Day Heartbreak Pill wasn't so easily remedied.
He visited five more clinics afterward, and all the physicians reached the same conclusion: there were no signs of poisoning in him.
This left Song Wen feeling somewhat disappointed.
"It seems I'll have to find the antidote from within Tian Sha Gang."
Song Wen recalled that Ji Yin had inadvertently mentioned that the poison originated from Tian Sha Gang.
(End of the Chapter)