Chapter 794 - 554: The Celestial King Descends to the Mortal Realm
...
Right now, Chen Sheng stands by the foremost carriage.
His moon white Daoist robe billows gracefully, unstained, and an ethereal aura exudes from his brow.
Compared to the disaster victims around him, dressed in rags and covered in dust, he seems like an Immortal descending from the Ninth Heaven.
Behind him, the disciples in green robes stand solemnly. Each has an upright posture, a respectful demeanor, and looks toward him with eyes full of reverent admiration.
Among them is Little Wang, cradling the talisman water, never straying even a step.
As the carriage halts, Chen Sheng slowly raises his hand, gesturing to distribute the porridge.
"Dear villagers, do not be alarmed. I have come today only to provide relief, wishing that everyone has food to eat and can soon escape the suffering of disaster."
The voice, though not loud, enters each ear clearly, carrying an inexplicable infectious appeal.
The disciples immediately spring into action, distributing bowls, scooping porridge—efficient and orderly—with gentle smiles continuously displayed, with not the slightest impatience.
In stark contrast to the government officials’ indifferent manner, the porridge they scoop is thick and fragrant, without a single grain of sand, a full bowl enough to fill one’s stomach.
During the porridge distribution, Little Wang and several disciples also handed out yellow talisman water:
"This is talisman water personally refined by the master. Drink it with sincerity, and it will be efficacious to dispel sickness and exorcise evil, relieve calamities and solve difficulties!"
The disaster victims respectfully receive it, holding it carefully in both hands, and drink it cautiously.
This so-called talisman water lacks Divine Techniques.
The number of disaster victims was too many for Chen Sheng to handle alone, so he applied medical skills to extract garlic essence, creating a simple "garlic solution."
In this era without antibiotics, it served as a "miracle medicine" capable of preventing epidemics and curing minor illnesses.
Li Shi, bearing his elderly mother, also queued at the forefront, receiving thick porridge and respectfully taking the talisman water:
"Thank you, Master! Thank you for saving our lives! Your great kindness and virtue, Li Shi will never forget!"
Chen Sheng slightly nods, gazing gently at him, then glances at the elderly woman on Li Shi’s back, nodding secretly.
This child is filial, very good!
"Rise, it’s a mere trivial task, no need for ritual. Take good care of your mother, everything will improve."
His voice is gentle, yet possesses a stabilizing force.
A warmth fills Li Shi’s heart, and he hastily rises, carefully supporting his elderly mother, feeding her porridge and water.
At this moment, a sudden urgent cry bursts forth:
"Master! Master, save him! Please save my grandson!"
Everyone turns to follow the voice.
An elderly man, white-haired, cradling an ashen-faced child, runs forward in desperation.
Tripping over his feet, he falls heavily, yet disregards the pain and crawls forward to Chen Sheng, kneeling with a thud.
His hands raised high holding the child, sobbing with agony:
"Master, I beg you to save him! I beg you to save him!"
The disaster victims gather around, murmuring with regretful expressions.
"He’s stopped breathing, his limbs are cold, his face is like paper, not even a master could save him."
"Don’t trouble the master, the child seems beyond saving."
"That’s Old Wang, all three sons drowned, only this one left..."
Old Wang hears and grows more sorrowful, trembling all over as he clings to the child.
Chen Sheng’s expression remains calm, free from any panic, and he steps forward slowly.
His gaze falls upon the child.
Approximately five or six years old, his complexion paper-white, lips purple, limbs icy, breath absent, seemingly no different from a corpse.
All eyes converged on Chen Sheng, filled with curiosity, doubt, and a sliver of hope.
Little Wang and the disciples also become tense!
Chen Sheng extends his hand, gently pressing against the child’s chest, sensing a faint pulse, almost undetectable, the chest still retains warmth.
He understands:
"The child merely suffers a sudden severe illness, causing pseudo-death; replenishing the Primordial Qi should yield a miraculous result!"
He slowly lifts his eyes, from which a bright luminescent gleam suddenly bursts forth, clear and authoritative, seemingly able to dispel gloom, commanding avoidance of direct gaze.
Forthwith, he retrieves from his bosom a piece of vermilion talisman paper, its complex runes faintly gleaming red.
Amidst the horrified gazes of the crowd, Chen Sheng holds the talisman, lightly touching the child’s brow.
In an instant, the talisman paper dissolves into a dazzling red light, scattered like a shooting star, transforming into countless fine specks of light, slowly merging into the child’s brow.
This scene leaves all disaster victims dumbstruck, mouths agape, faces full of disbelief as they have never witnessed such a miraculous sight.
Each holds their breath, eyes fixed on the child on the ground, not daring even a deep breath.
Time slips away bit by bit.
Just when everyone thinks hope is lost, the child on the ground suddenly moves slightly, his brow furrowing, and he emits a faint moan.
Following this, he slowly opens his eyes, his gaze confused and bewildered, softly calling: "Grandpa... I’m hungry..."
"Awake! The child is awake!"
"He’s really come back to life! The master truly saved him!"
The disaster victims instantly erupt into chaos, a surge of shock and ecstasy sweeping through the area; their gazes toward Chen Sheng have transformed into utmost reverence.
Old Wang, in a joy filled with tears, tightly embraces the child, holding him closely, crying out as he kneels heavily before Chen Sheng, even bruising his forehead:
"Thank you, Master! Thank you for the lifesaving grace! Master is Immortal! A living Bodhisattva!"
The elderly who earlier claimed the child was dead now stand dumbfounded, their faces painted with disbelief utterly shattered.
They rub their eyes vigorously, unwilling to believe—clearly, a child who ceased breathing was revived by a single talisman; what else could this be but an Immortal?
Once again, they regard Chen Sheng.
His moon white Daoist robe flutters, not like a mortal, instinctively evoking respect and reverence.
"Immortal! The master is indeed an Immortal!"
"True Master! The master is a living True Master!"
"Bodhisattva! A living Bodhisattva saving those in distress!"
Someone unknowingly shouts out.
In the next moment, all disaster victims drop to their knees in unison, kowtowing heavily toward Chen Sheng, mouths chanting "Immortal," "True Master," "Bodhisattva."
Their voices are uniform and resounding, echoing throughout the tent area, full of devout reverence.
A faint smile appears on Chen Sheng’s face as he gently raises his hand, signaling everyone to rise:
"Dear villagers, no need for much ritual."
The disaster victims rise one by one, gaze firmly fixed upon him, full of fervent adoration.
At the same time, Chen Sheng clearly feels a stream of pure and determined Power of Faith surging forth from all around, flooding into his body.
His fortunes soar at a visibly wild speed.
These disaster victims, akin to those drowning in water, their faith is without impurities, pure and determined, the most grand force.
...
Night fell, the waning moon ascended, its light faint.
Southwest of Ning City, a small courtyard was brightly lit.
The carriage came to a halt, and Li Shi carefully got down carrying his elderly mother.
Looking at the blue bricks and black tiles, the antique courtyard, his heart was filled with apprehension and doubt.
Little Wang got off the carriage, wearing a gentle smile:
"Brother Li, don’t be nervous, the Daoist invited you here, it’s a good thing, you won’t be harmed."
Li Shi nodded, carrying his elderly mother, following Little Wang through the courtyard into a spacious and bright inner room.
Inside, Chen Sheng sat on a pear wood chair, in a moon white daoist robe, eyes closed in meditation, surrounded by a faint radiance, his demeanor ethereal like an immortal.
Beside him stood Little Wang and other trusted disciples, looking respectful, not daring to breathe loudly.
Also standing inside were more than ten men, all carefully selected by Chen Sheng from the refugees during the day.
Chen Sheng intended to develop them into trusted confidants.
Seeing Li Shi come in carrying his elderly mother, Chen Sheng slowly opened his eyes, his gentle gaze fell upon them, and he slightly raised a corner of his mouth:
"Sit down, put the old lady down, let me take a look at her leg."
Li Shi quickly put down his elderly mother, helped her sit, and made a deep bow to Chen Sheng:
"Thank you Daoist for your concern, it’s a trouble for Daoist."
Chen Sheng nodded slightly, gesturing for Little Wang to step forward and untie the cloth strip on the old lady’s leg.
Little Wang hurriedly stepped forward, cautiously untying the blood-red cloth strip.
As the cloth strip came off, everyone inhaled sharply, their faces filled with shock.
On the old lady’s calf, a wound deep enough to see the bone, had long been festering, flesh upturned, white bone starkly visible, covered in black sores, with a foul stench so pungent, it was horrifying.
Such an injury, in this era, not to mention healing, even simple bandaging was difficult, mostly leading to amputation or even death.
Little Wang and the disciples, along with those more than ten men, were all worried.
They were truly baffled, why the Daoist specifically invited this mother and son here—such a severe injury, can it truly be healed?
The old lady looked at her festering leg, despair plastered on her face, shaking her head lightly:
"Daoist, don’t trouble yourself. This leg, I’ve long lost hope, living a day is a blessing, as long as I don’t burden the child, it’s fine."
Chen Sheng chuckled lightly, his gaze gentle yet firm, imbued with an undeniable force:
"Old lady, are you willing to trust me?"
Li Shi hurriedly spoke, tone earnest: "Mother, trust the Daoist! You must trust! The Daoist is an immortal, he could save Old Wang’s grandson, so he can definitely heal your leg! Please trust the Daoist!"
The old lady looked at her son’s earnest eyes, then at Chen Sheng’s composed demeanor, finally nodding, hope reigniting in her eyes:
"Alright, Daoist, I trust you. I’ll do as you say."
Chen Sheng’s face showed a gratified smile, slowly rising, his expression solemn:
"Commence the ritual!"
Little Wang and the disciples immediately acted, swiftly arranging the incense table and lighting incense candles. Smoke curled up, the atmosphere mysterious and solemn.
Chen Sheng walked to the incense table, holding a peach wood sword, chanting. The words, extremely fast, obscure, seemed to connect with the heavens and earth.
His movements were calm and composed, his expression solemn, surrounding him flowed a mysterious aura, as if truly performing divine techniques.
After completing a set of rituals, Chen Sheng sheathed the sword, his gaze dignified, his voice resonant, echoing throughout the room:
"I am the embodiment of the descent of the Celestial King, Chen Sheng! Here to save the world, deliver all people from calamity, relieve their suffering!"
As these words fell, the room was astounded.
The Celestial King Chen Sheng, the highest existence in this realm’s mythology, sovereign of heaven and earth, mana boundless, delivering salvation to all.
Comparable to Earth’s God, Heavenly Emperor...
The Daoist actually declared himself the Celestial King’s descent!
The effect akin to the divine descending to the mortal realm, in an instant, stunned everyone present.
Little Wang and other disciples first froze, then their faces turned fervent.
Li Shi, his mother, and those over ten men were also dumbstruck, faces full of reverence, bowing their heads, not daring to look directly.
Chen Sheng spoke no more, wielding the sword to draw runes in the air.
With a gentle turn of his wrist, the peach wood sword carved intricate patterns in the air, between the patterns emerged multicolored brilliance, growing brighter, illuminating the room, as radiant as a rainbow.
Then, Chen Sheng raised his hand with a wave.
The multicolored brilliance gently encircled the old lady’s leg, enveloping the festering wound layer by layer.
Where the brilliance flowed, the festering slowly receded, black sores faded, upturned flesh gradually closed, over the white bone, tender new flesh began to grow.
The whole process, clearly visible, was like a miracle.
The old lady felt her leg tingling, the original intense pain gradually faded, replaced by a warm stream, nourishing the wound.
She lowered her head, astonished, looking at her healing leg, her face full of disbelief, murmuring:
"Is this... real? My leg... is healing?"
"Flesh over bone! The Daoist can flesh over bone!"
"Raising the dead! This is the miracle of raising the dead, flesh over bone!"
Little Wang and the disciples, along with the men, exclaimed in shock, faces extremely astonished, eyes fervent and worshipful, like gazing upon a divine spirit!
After a short while, the multicolored brilliance slowly dissipated.
The wound on the old lady’s leg had completely healed, new skin formed, leaving only a faint scar, no more festering, even capable of gentle movement.
The old lady slowly lifted her leg, lightly moving it, ecstatic joy flooding her face.
With a "thud," she knelt down, heavily kowtowing to Chen Sheng, crying heart-wrenchingly:
"Thank you, Celestial King! Thank you for saving my life! The Celestial King descends, delivering the world! My son and I pledge eternal allegiance to the Celestial King!"
Li Shi also hurriedly knelt and kowtowed, his tone firm:
"Thank you, Celestial King! I, Li Shi, pledge allegiance to the Celestial King, willing to face any ordeal!"
Little Wang was greatly shaken, hurriedly leading others to kneel, respectfully crying out:
"The Celestial King descends, delivering the world! We pledge allegiance to the Celestial King, unwavering, assisting the Celestial King to achieve greatness!"
The other disciples and men also knelt, loudly proclaiming:
"The Celestial King descends, delivering the world! We pledge allegiance to the Celestial King, unwavering!"
Their voices uniform, resonant, fervent and steadfast, echoing throughout the inner room.
Chen Sheng slowly raised his hand, signaling for everyone to rise, his face calmly smiling, his presence still ethereal:
"Stand up."
"Since you wish to follow me, remember, in the future, those who trust me will find warmth and safety."
"In days to come, all may become celestial soldiers, accompanying me to the heavenly court, enjoying endless glory, revered for eternity!"
Upon hearing this, everyone was overjoyed, again kowtowing, repeatedly shouting "Thank you, Celestial King," their eyes filled with fervent zeal.