Chapter 12: Another Lucky Draw, Impersonation

Ying Zhao made an excuse and slipped away.

The shamanic medical apprentices were feeling awkward, so seeing her leave, they naturally did not stop her.

It wasn't that they were truly afraid of her, but rather that they didn't want to lose face. Since she was being sensible, it saved them the trouble. However, that outspoken maid could not be allowed to remain in the Shamanic Medical Hall. Such a foolish and reckless person would only bring trouble to them if left behind.

The apprentices all thought the same thing at once. Unfortunately, the maid, who was currently in the eye of the storm, had no idea what she would be facing next. Seeing Ying Zhao leave "dejectedly," she felt nothing but satisfaction.

Just as Ying Zhao stepped out of the Shamanic Medical Hall, she saw a couple in tattered clothes kneeling on the ground about ten meters away, wailing and pleading. Lying beside them was a young man in coarse cloth clothing; the scent of blood was wafting from his body. Two powerful-looking guards were blocking the couple, rudely telling them to get lost.

A crowd had gathered nearby, watching the spectacle from a distance. Curious, Ying Zhao walked over, and before she could see clearly, she heard—

【Fated person detected. Unlocking "Forty-Nine Heavenly Path Needles."】

Ying Zhao: 【...】

Since she couldn't afford it even if it were unlocked, Ying Zhao remained exceptionally calm, her expression not changing in the slightest. She didn't even bother to check the Mall; instead, she walked close to the young man and discreetly inspected his injuries. The young man had a large hole in his abdomen, and blood was continuously seeping out.

Ying Zhao suddenly understood why the couple was being blocked. With an injury like this, forget the shamanic apprentices—even if the sole Shaman Physician came, he wouldn't be able to save him.

"Shaman Physician"—despite the word "shaman," there was actually no mysterious power involved. In her dream, aside from the mysterious State Preceptor favored by the Emperor of Chu and the future "female protagonist" who would use her body to be reborn, the rest of the shamans were nothing more than fraudulent pretenders. Most shamanic physicians had mediocre skills; only a tiny minority were truly capable.

Besides the thick scent of blood, there was also the stench of wild boar on the young man. He had likely encountered a wild boar, which had gored his abdomen with its tusks and slashed his intestines. With such a severe wound, an ordinary shamanic physician could not save him. Furthermore, they were poor, and the people at the Shamanic Medical Hall had no reason to waste effort on them.

One guard rudely drove them away: "Get lost! This isn't a place for you to make a scene!"

The couple refused to leave, remaining on their knees, weeping and pleading. "Please, Great Shaman Physician, save my son!" "We are willing to work like oxen and horses for the Great Shaman Physician, please save his life!"

The guard sneered, "What kind of status does the Great Shaman Physician hold? Why would he need you to work like oxen and horses? Go look in a mirror and see if you're even worthy!" Even they weren't qualified to follow the Great Physician, let alone these two peasants.

Seeing this, Ying Zhao said nothing and quickly left. She could tell that although the young man lying on the ground wasn't dead yet, he was bleeding continuously. He was breathing more out than he was taking in, barely clinging to life through sheer willpower. Without treatment, he would be dead before long.

Unfortunately, the world was like this; no one here could save him, except...

Ying Zhao quickly opened the Mall to check for what she needed. Then, she walked briskly out of the county town, drawing lots as she went. She currently had five chances, so she decided to try her luck.

【Congratulations, Master! You have drawn: one set of Divine Destiny Needles, one set of Surprising Swan Dance Clothing, one copy of "Forty-Nine Heavenly Path Needles," one copy of "Song of Nine-Nine," and one copy of "Basic Alchemy."】

Ying Zhao was stunned: 【!!!】

She had previously unlocked "Basic Alchemy" and "Song of Nine-Nine," but she hadn't bought them because they were too expensive, intending to increase her strength first. Now, she had actually drawn them? She knew her luck was good, but... wasn't today's luck a bit too good? She couldn't help but feel this was orchestrated to make her save someone.

As Ying Zhao was feeling suspicious, she heard Tianbao say excitedly: 【Wow, Master, you're amazing! You actually drew so many good things! Do you want to learn them now?】

Ying Zhao hurriedly asked: 【How long will it take to learn?】 She wanted to learn, but the young man likely wouldn't last much longer.

【Not long at all, it will be very quick. Master, which one do you want to learn first?】

【Let me see.】

Ying Zhao quickly checked the prizes. In her storage slot, the "Flying Immortal Sword Technique," "Forty-Nine Heavenly Path Needles," "Song of Nine-Nine," and "Basic Alchemy" she had drawn today were all floating quietly in the form of books.

She then asked Tianbao: 【How do I learn?】

【Master just needs to recite the title of the book in your mind.】

Ying Zhao looked around warily, found a deserted grove, and then silently recited "Flying Immortal Sword Technique." To her surprise, as soon as she finished, the technique transformed into a stream of light and entered her brow.

Immediately after, she felt as if she were in a world filled with sword light. As the streaks of light danced, a sudden moment of enlightenment surged in her heart. With a thought, a sword suddenly appeared in Ying Zhao's hand. With a flick of her wrist, sword light radiated in all directions.

Ying Zhao looked at the longsword in her hand with pleasant surprise, feeling as if the hilt had grown from her hand, making it as natural as her own limb. Even though it was her first time using it, there was no sense of awkwardness; it felt as if she had wielded it ten thousand times, becoming intimately familiar with it.

Satisfied, Ying Zhao suddenly swung the sword toward a nearby tree trunk. She thought it might be difficult, but with a flash of sword light, the blade easily sliced through the trunk, leaving a smooth cut. Ying Zhao was startled and quickly checked the blade, only to find that there wasn't even a single scratch on it.

A wave of joy rose in her heart, and her eyes sparkled. With this precious sword and the "Flying Immortal Sword Technique," she finally had the power to protect herself. Next time she encountered Ji Ye, she wouldn't be afraid.

Satisfied, Ying Zhao proceeded to learn the remaining "Forty-Nine Heavenly Path Needles," "Basic Alchemy," and "Song of Nine-Nine." She had originally thought the "Forty-Nine Heavenly Path Needles" was an offensive needle technique, but it turned out to be a set of acupuncture and acupoint stimulation skills!

After a moment of surprise, she quickly regained her composure. Although unexpected, this acupuncture technique came at exactly the right time. With it, she would have more confidence in saving people.

Right, there was someone waiting for her to save them outside the Shamanic Medical Hall!

Thinking of the injured young man, Ying Zhao dared not delay. Fifteen minutes later, she looked in a mirror.

In the mirror was a youth as elegant as the moon and clear breeze, with fair skin and eyes like cold stars. She wore wide-sleeved shamanic robes of white and red, a white light veil over her head, and besides a longsword at her waist, a jade talisman hung there as well.

The jade talisman and the shamanic robes were symbols of a Shaman Priest's identity; ordinary people would not dare to forge them. However, in such a vast world, there were bound to be bold individuals who would impersonate a Shaman Priest. After all, the status was high, and they would be treated with reverence wherever they went; as long as they weren't exposed, it was a massive profit.

Naturally, Ying Zhao's robes and talisman were purchased from the Mall. The standard style for shamanic robes was white with red accents, but the details and fabrics could vary. Thus, Ying Zhao bought the exact same style from the Mall, not fearing exposure. The same applied to the jade talisman.

She had specifically chosen high-quality materials; a layer of misty white gauze was draped over the white robes, making her appear even more ethereal. For the talisman, she chose a piece of top-grade mutton-fat jade, so fine that even someone unversed in such things could tell it was no ordinary item. She ensured that anyone who saw her would believe she was a high-ranking Great Shaman.

Looking at herself in the mirror, Ying Zhao felt quite pleased. She also put on the "God-Speed Boots" specifically to increase her movement speed. Once she was sure her attire was perfect, she sprinted toward the city gate. Previously, she had dressed as a farm boy to remain low-profile, but this time, she went as high-profile as possible.

Using the strange footwork from her memories, she moved as if a celestial being were dancing, reaching the city gate in an instant. The guards at the gate were the same as before, but their reaction upon seeing her was markedly different. Not only did they fail to recognize her, but they were also terrified into silence, clearly intimidated by her grand entrance.

Even the guard who had questioned her earlier bowed respectfully, asking with trepidation, "May I ask if your Excellency is a Great Shaman?"

Shaman Priests were divided into ranks: the lowest were Shaman Apprentices, followed by Shamans, Great Shamans, Heavenly Shamans, and Divine Shamans. However, there was only one Divine Shaman in the entire world—the mysterious State Preceptor. Shaman Apprentices were numerous, as were Shamans, but the number of Great Shamans and Heavenly Shamans was pitifully small. Only the ten direct disciples of the State Preceptor could be called Heavenly Shamans.

Given Ying Zhao's luxurious attire, extraordinary aura, and the way she had practically drifted to them, the guards naturally did not dare treat her as an ordinary Shaman, so they asked the question intentionally.

"Mhm," Ying Zhao responded indifferently, her attitude exceptionally cold. "I am traveling abroad and do not wish to cause a stir. Keep this to yourself and do not tell others."

The guard was instantly excited, saying with overwhelming honor, "This lowly one obeys!"

Ying Zhao ignored him and walked quickly through the city gate. As she left, she could hear the excited, hushed whispers of the guards behind her.

"Heavens, it was actually a Great Shaman!" "As soon as I saw him, I knew he wasn't an ordinary Shaman. I was right!" "I never thought someone like me would have the day to see a Great Shaman!" "He even carries a fragrance; it smells so good!" "Shut up, all of you! Do you want to die? That Excellency is not someone you can gossip about!"

Ying Zhao curled her lips in satisfaction and headed straight for the Shamanic Medical Hall.