I was a charlatan in India

Through this incident, Shenhe confirmed many details.

First, he focused his gaze on the believers, not on the lingam.

If he were even a little smarter, he would have realized this when he was tracking Agni.

Relying on the linga for movement was undoubtedly a bad habit that could easily lead to one's own demise.

After all, his power resides within space, not on the lingam.

Once you leave this space, it becomes difficult to respond promptly to even the slightest disturbance.

If Arti hadn't been home, he probably would have had to watch helplessly as Mina miscarried, and he might have even died as a result.

Therefore, before one becomes powerful enough, the correct approach is to cast one's gaze upon the situation rather than to personally visit it.

Speaking of powerful...

His true power now lies in manipulating incense ash.

Shenhe tried to move the incense ash near Mina, but after discovering that there was no linga in the house, it became even more difficult to move the nearby incense ash and to quickly find its location.

Just like that time the black doctor ran away from his territory.

It seems that the linga serves to define territory for itself, which is the correct way to use it.

Luckily, I chose to pull Mina away instead of manipulating the incense ash, otherwise it could have really caused a lot of trouble.

Shenhe secretly rejoiced.

In addition, he discovered something else.

That is, after making this wish, his modern-day body became his believer!

A faint connection spans two worlds, built upon Shenhe's consciousness and body.

Now, he can turn his attention to the modern world whenever he wants.

He tried to look over there, but found that time seemed to have been frozen over, completely still.

My colleague's profile with his mouth agape, the nurse's raised hand, the frozen traffic outside the window...

Colors, sounds, movements—everything was like a tiny insect trapped in amber, unable to move.

Shenhe felt somewhat puzzled, but this matter was of great significance to him, and it was necessary to find out the truth.

He bestowed his blessing and soon received the answer.

Because, for Shenhe at that point in time, the modern world belongs to the future, and the future has not yet begun.

Doesn't that mean... that one can theoretically transcend time?

Myths about controlling time and proving something eternal may actually be true!

The moment the thought crossed Shenhe's mind, he felt his mouth go dry.

However, these are still too far off for Shenhe.

It is currently very difficult to travel between the two worlds, as it requires a great deal of arduous cultivation, and his savings have already been exhausted.

Sigh, we still need to quickly expand our followers and grow stronger.

There are indeed other extraordinary forces in this world. If we encounter a similar situation again, it would be difficult to cope with the current situation of having no positions.

If Vasudiv can find someone to deal with him once, he'll most likely do it a second time.

We need to check on his condition quickly.

Thinking of this, Shenhe turned his gaze to Mina's house.

Mina was still under the effects of the anesthesia and lay quietly on the bed.

Vasudiv was completely baffled by the two doctors' departures.

The last time Mina's Linga was removed, it was more to demonstrate the authority of the family head.

It means telling Mina that in this family, she is more powerful than the heavens.

At the time, Vasudiv didn't think much of it as supernatural power.

Because he doesn't believe it.

Even the summoned monks were brought in to perform rituals, merely to make Mina give up.

Let her understand that the Great Heaven doesn't exist at all, and that religions are just fabrications to fool fools.

But with both doctors leaving abruptly, he couldn't help but wonder what was going on.

He planned to visit Yandi again to find out what had happened.

We can just pay some money; consider it a consultation fee.

Is there anything in this world that money can't solve?

After making the decision, he immediately turned around and left the house.

Vasudiv never procrastinates.

Soon, it disappeared from Shenhe's perception range.

Shenhe could not continue the investigation because Vasudiv was not one of his followers.

He could only control his consciousness, wandering within a limited area, collecting as much incense ash as possible, and painstakingly controlling it to move towards Mina's room.

Although the lack of a linga would greatly weaken my control over the incense ash, it's better to have one than nothing when necessary.

Let's stock up on some first.

The incense ash sneaked into the room and slipped under Mina's bed, piling up into small square bricks...

Code into squares...

Um……?

If it can be stacked into square bricks, can it also be molded into a lingam?

If that were possible, wouldn't I be able to expand my territory myself?

Shenhe was instantly intrigued, and he quickly tried to manipulate the incense ash to change its shape, forming a cylinder.

Let's do this for now, and then...

However, he soon received a frustrating response.

Without the support of the lingam, the incense ash would quickly scatter and become difficult to maintain.

Not really.

Somewhat dejected, he could only reluctantly pile the items haphazardly under the bed, too lazy even to arrange them properly.

Believers, those who follow believers.

Without believers, the things one can do are far too limited.

I need to establish at least a few hideouts near Mina's house so that I can launch an attack at full strength when necessary.

Pshaw, pshaw, pshaw, what kind of hideout is that? That's called...

Never mind, you can call me whatever you want.

Speaking of recruiting believers, the black doctor is currently in charge of this matter; I wonder how well he's doing...

Okay, I'll go take a look.

Leave you!

"Splash..."

The sound of gurgling water could be heard all around.

Upon closer inspection, Shenhe realized it was a relatively clean pool.

It extends from the Ganges River.

Water is poured in from upstream, filtered through pebbles and coarse cloth, becoming relatively clear, before entering a large pool.

Wide steps were built along the edge of the pool with stones for people to wash and soak.

The people who live here generally have fair skin, which indicates that they are of a relatively high caste.

After they finished using it, the water flowed downstream to a small pool, mercifully allowing the lower castes to reuse it.

Finally, it naturally returns to the Ganges.

This is a very primitive bathhouse.

Thanks to King Ashoka's promotion of Buddhism, bathing facilities were beginning to take shape, and the area was much cleaner than the sewage of the Ganges.

The afterglow of the setting sun slanted through the branches and leaves of a few Bodhi trees on the shore, casting shimmering spots of light on the water's surface.

At that moment, the doctor was comfortably lying next to the low-caste pool, while a dark-skinned man was washing his back.

The lower castes here refer to the Shudras and a few declining Vaishyas, not Dalits like him who are not even considered human.

Of course, he is now disguised as a noble Vaishya.

He stole a very suitable outfit: an indigo-blue coarse cotton long gown with simple red piping along the edges, the fabric soft and comfortable.

And a headscarf hat adorned with feathers, which requires no complicated steps; simply put it on and it looks like a head wrap.

This is a common style among Vaishya merchants in the western Rajasthan region.

Furthermore, the doctor even prepared an explanation for his skin color, saying it was a dark brown from years of traveling and doing business.

He combined the stories he had heard before into a coherent and logically consistent account of his arduous journey.

Then, he put a lot of effort into imitating the demeanor of Lord Vaishya, practicing walking with his chest out in deserted alleys, trying to get rid of his own timid and hesitant Dalit appearance as much as possible.

Clothes make the man, and a saddle makes the horse. Right now, apart from being broke, he's a pragmatic, hardworking, but unlucky Vaishya merchant.

To be fair, doctors are talented in this field.

After all, he had already changed his identity quite a few times before.

However, they've all been doctors before; this is the first time a businessman has done this.

But what does it matter?

The world is a makeshift stage; when you're out in the world, your identity is something you give yourself.

Who knows, maybe one day I'll turn my life around too?

After all, as the heavens have said, as long as you do your job well, there is hope for the future!

This is completely different from what he previously knew.

Dry!

That's natural.

The local caste system is primarily designed to solidify class distinctions.

If you have something to look forward to in this life, and you actually work hard and achieve something, how can the higher castes still exploit you?

Just like the Nabu family, once they became wealthy, even the Brahmins had to take them seriously.

But Shenhe is different.

To him, Brahmins and Dalits were all human beings, with no difference between them.

The most valuable believers at present are actually the low-caste Agni.

Worldly benefits are of little value to him; all he needs is the power of ascetic practice.

There are no worldly desires.

The doctor squinted, pretending to enjoy being served, but his ears were perked up, constantly searching for an entry point.

There are plenty of opportunities.

He was very good at seizing opportunities; after all, it would have been difficult for someone as unshrewd as Dalit to live to this age.

He quickly found the entry point.

A round-faced businessman, looking worried, sighed and complained to his colleagues.

"...Therefore, the tax official from Magadha was very firm in his tone, saying that this year's tribute would have to be increased by 30% because a fortress was being built in the north."