Chapter 364: Chapter 363 The Doctor
"Exorcism?"
Li Ang and his teammates exchanged glances, a shared urge to laugh bubbling up. As players who had roughed it in the game world for so long, none of them were greenhorns when it came to combat. Conducting an enigmatic, awe-inspiring Ritual track like a Mysterious Scholar was probably beyond them, but taking down common Monsters was still relatively easy.
"We can perform Exorcisms," Li Ang said seriously to Carpenter Hoenburg. "However, the Ritual track and related procedures may need to be conducted in the Eastern style. The specific method of Exorcism will have to wait until we meet the Governor."
"That’s good, that’s very good." Carpenter Hoenburg sighed with relief. "Actually, I’ve heard about the Governor’s son. A few months ago, he returned from studying abroad. During his voyage, he encountered a hurricane and fierce waves, which accidentally threw him into the ocean. At that time, amidst the perilous storm and before Sailors could attempt a rescue, the young man had already disappeared among the waves. Everyone thought he was dead, but to their surprise, the rescue team found him unconscious on a deserted island the next day. Under such severe sea conditions, even Spellcasters proficient in water magic would find it difficult to survive, let alone the ordinary son of a Governor. Everyone said it was the Queen’s blessing. However, after returning to Mori City, the Governor’s son began to suffer from frequent nightmares. He became... somewhat mentally disturbed and committed strange, inappropriate actions in public, such as screaming loudly in social settings, streaking, and shouting about Anglerfish Mermaids and devils."
Carpenter Hoenburg shook his head and sighed. "After that, the Governor’s son was confined within their large estate and hasn’t seen anyone from the outside since. I guess in these past few months, the Governor must’ve tried all sorts of ways to treat his son..."
"Anglerfish Mermaid?" Li Ang rubbed his chin with interest. "Alright, that Governor has probably already sought out numerous Spellcasters or Mysterious Scholars. Coming across us must be a desperate last resort."
Carpenter Hoenburg nodded somewhat awkwardly. "I guess so."
In this Fairy World, mentally ill people also existed—Professional Hatters, for example. In the 18th century, hatters used mercury to treat beaver pelts, inhaling mercury vapor during the process. This damaged their central nervous system, gradually making them erratic.
In the past, several kingdoms typically treated the mentally ill as demonically possessed. Consequently, they were stripped of their basic rights and sent to prisons, monasteries, or asylums. There, they were handcuffed, shackled, bound, or thrown into cramped, sealed animal cages. Attempts to cure them through prayer and Exorcism often proved fatal, with many patients not surviving procedures akin to torture.
After the Snow Queen ascended to power, the situation for the mentally ill improved somewhat. They were sent to sanatoriums with better environments, receiving more civilized and considerate treatment. Doctors and society even stopped calling them ’mentally ill,’ referring to them instead as ’those with mental differences’ to emphasize societal inclusiveness.
That being said, the Governor’s son becoming a mental patient was indeed a bona fide scandal. Setting aside the impact on his status and position, the Governor himself would never allow his son to be confined in a sanatorium with other ’madmen.’
Li Ang thought for a moment and said to Carpenter Hoenburg, "If we can cure that young master’s mental illness, the Governor will help us clear out the cathedral so we can pay a private visit, right?"
The paper mill owner nodded. "That’s right."
Li Ang exchanged glances with his teammates, then turned to Carpenter Hoenburg and said, "Okay. You go back first and inform the Governor’s secretary. We need to prepare the materials required for the Exorcism Ritual track."
Carpenter Hoenburg nodded and turned to leave the room.
In the afternoon, Governor Halifax Taylor of Mori City was sitting upright on the couch in the second-floor living room of his villa. Impeccably dressed in a suit, he was a portly, middle-aged man with short, silver-gray hair, a high, broad forehead, and a monocle perched on his straight nose. He radiated an intimidating presence despite his calm demeanor.
Sitting next to him was his distinguished wife, Melissa Taylor. Like her husband, she exuded an air of superiority, but the sorrow and fatigue etched around her eyes could not be concealed by mere makeup.
The two illustrious figures maintained a restrained and indifferent demeanor, whispering to each other. This continued until a KNOCK KNOCK sounded at the door. The Governor gently patted his wife’s hand and said, "Come in."
The person who entered was the Governor’s private secretary. He whispered something to the Governor and, after receiving a nod of approval, went out and led several Eastern Monks into the room.
It had to be said, at the first sight of these Eastern Monks, the Governor was indeed taken aback.
The leader, a young Eastern man, wore a brightly colored red kasaya and a self-made Vairocana hat.
The second to enter was a middle-aged Caucasian man. Patches of yellow fur, seemingly from nowhere, were stuck to his face, and he wore nothing but a pair of tiger-skin shorts.
The third was an elderly Black man in an open, loose coat that rebelliously exposed his hairy chest.
The fourth and fifth were a young Hispanic man carrying a backpack and a Caucasian woman in particularly revealing clothing.
In the parlance of this world, their attire could be described as primitive, natural, and brimming with individuality.
Unfortunately, the Governor and his wife had not read *Journey to the West* and thus couldn’t ’get’ the point of these outfits.
The other players, however, did get it. Bob, in particular, strongly protested having to cosplay Zhu Bajie, feeling he was once again being subjected to some indescribable form of discrimination.
Li Ang eventually dismissed this protest, reasoning, "They will only believe we’re truly capable if we dress like this."
Just as Li Ang had anticipated, after a moment of surprise, the Governor stood up and nodded to these eccentrically dressed Monks.
Then, following the secretary’s introduction, Li Ang presented his disciples.
"This... Brother Master Dao, I wonder what methods you plan to use to treat my child," Melissa Taylor asked bluntly, perhaps out of deep concern for her son, clinging tightly to her husband’s arm.
"Hmm..." Li Ang pondered for a moment and said earnestly, "In Eastern Exorcism, we generally use the four traditional diagnostic methods. We observe the five colors, listen to the five sounds, inquire about the five desired flavors, and take the pulse to understand the illness. The treatment plan for your son can only be determined after we’ve assessed his specific condition."