Chapter 791 - 551: Spirit Communion!
The county government’s main hall reflected the "Bright Mirror Suspended High" plaque above the beam.
In the hall, there was only a pear flower wood desk with a few pages of yellowed official documents spread across it.
County Magistrate Lu Zhao sat upright behind the desk, a faint somberness condensed between his brows.
After a moment, he raised his eyes and spoke:
"Summon the advisor."
The attendant responded and left.
Before long, Huang Xu, dressed in a green robe, entered slowly.
Nearly fifty years old, with a touch of frost in his hair, his face was thin, yet his eyes were brightly sharp as he entered the room and bowed:
"Student Huang Xu, greets the master."
"No need for formalities."
Lu Zhao raised his hand, pointing to the documents on the desk, which were urgent reports from the courier station—a neighboring county had suffered a disaster, and refugees would soon flood into this county.
"Refugees from the neighboring county are about to arrive; if we don’t prepare early, chaos might ensue. What is your strategy?"
Huang Xu stepped forward to take the documents, quickly glanced through them, maintained a calm demeanor, and lowered his eyes in brief contemplation:
"I believe preventative measures should be put in place early."
"Firstly, refugees should not enter the city; temporary shelters should be set up on vacant land near the city to cook porridge."
"Secondly, dispatch people to verify the route, guiding all refugees to settlement points, and register their origin."
"Thirdly, encourage local gentry to donate grain and money, with the government providing commendations, plaques, and exemption from labor services."
...
Lu Zhao pondered for a while:
"Your words are quite reasonable; I have a few supplementary points to add."
"Refugees cannot die within the county boundaries nor cause trouble; we must implement benevolent governance, orderly guidance, without disturbing the local area..."
"This matter is for you to personally oversee; ensure everything is in place before the refugees arrive, allowing no slip-ups."
Huang Xu bowed in acknowledgment:
"I will follow orders and start preparations today to ensure everything goes smoothly."
The hall fell silent.
Lu Zhao lifted a teacup and took a sip, his tone relaxing:
"By the way, I heard there’s a strange occurrence in the city recently—at the True Treasure Temple in the south of the city, a young Daoist who can communicate with spirits has emerged? Many officials and gentry family members have gone to request charms with great success?"
Huang Xu understood well; this county magistrate appeared gentle, yet he was a pragmatic man, sharp-eyed and astute, with nothing in the city able to escape his notice.
He nodded slowly, reporting without excess nor deficiency:
"Indeed, it is so. The Daoist’s name is Xuanyang."
"It is said he had a frail constitution from youth, could see spirits, and after entering the temple for cultivation, could communicate with the City God to avert disasters and defuse crises."
He paused, then added the crucial point:
"However, he has rules for requesting charms; they work if the heart is sincere, otherwise, they do not..."
Lu Zhao’s lips curled into a faint smile.
Such remarks are the standard tricks of charlatans; if successful, the charm worked, if not, it was due to insincerity—either way, there’s justification to hold onto.
He does have some cleverness!
He remained composed, subtly probing further: "In your view, do the charms actually work?"
Upon hearing this, Huang Xu immediately took out a folded yellow talisman from his coat and presented it with both hands.
The talisman paper was fine, the cinnabar runes simple, carrying a hint of sandalwood:
"Sir, my family servant has already requested one for me; I have carried it for several days."
"In my opinion, the so-called efficacy lies in the peace of mind!"
"This Xuanyang Daoist has a notable presence, eloquent speech, able to soothe the soul; many believers find relief after his chanting and prayers, thus calling it efficacious."
The implication was, the charm might not work, but the Daoist did possess some ability!
Lu Zhao took the talisman paper, then laughed heartily:
"Ah Wenya, you are meticulous in every aspect, thorough in all matters. With you here, this county is much at ease."
Huang Xu slightly bowed, chuckling:
"You overpraise me, sir. I’m merely fulfilling my duties to alleviate your worries."
Lu Zhao nodded slowly, fiddling with the yellow talisman, contemplating for a moment before speaking:
"This is indeed a good thing! The emergence of an ’Enlightened Master’ in this county is also a sign of auspicious local customs."
"Please go to the True Treasure Temple for me, request a peace talisman, and send it to the capital to gift to my master’s wife."
Huang Xu understood instantly.
Lu Zhao’s master’s wife was Madam Du An, the wife of the Assistant Minister of Personnel, Du An.
Assistant Minister Du was a powerful figure in the court, Lu Zhao’s greatest backing!
With such background, upon assuming his position, Lu Zhao was able to press the local bully into obediently handing over the "Black Wind Mouse," stabilizing the situation firmly.
He immediately complied and said:
"You are dutiful and respectful, sir; your master’s wife will surely be delighted by your gesture of filial piety."
...
In the spring, True Treasure Temple was bustling with incense offerings.
In the main hall, the gilded City God statue appeared dignified; candles flickered in front of the altar, sandalwood mingled with the sweetness of sacrificial fruits, permeating solemnity.
Beside the incense table were gathered the city’s distinguished ladies, adorned with jewels, their expressions pious yet anxious.
Madam Wu from the wealthy Wu family held a stick jar, praying tremulously:
"May the City God bless the Wu family with peace and safety!"
She gently shook it, and a bamboo stick fell onto the red cloth with a "thud."
Madam picked it up and saw, her wrinkles instantly stretched, and she rejoiced beyond measure: "A top fortune! It’s a top fortune!"
A low commotion immediately arose around her.
"Madam has good fortune! The Xuanyang Daoist’s top fortune is one in a hundred!"
"Only by drawing this lot can you ask the Daoist to perform the spiritual attunement and grant the Light Talisman!"
Madam Wu held the lot slip, and although she was somewhat skeptical about the spiritual attunement, she could not suppress her heart’s desire. She respectfully bowed to the Daoist on the mat:
"Please, Daoist, perform the spiritual attunement to ask the Divine Monarch of the City God for a talisman!"
Sitting cross-legged on the mat was none other than Chen Sheng.
In his Moon White Daoist Robe, spotless, his face was clear and handsome, his demeanor serene and aloof, exuding the distinct aura of Daoism at a glance.
He slowly opened his eyes, his gaze calmly sweeping over the old lady, nodding slightly.
His fame recently spread, and he had long set his rules: only those who draw the top lot could have the spiritual attunement and receive the talisman.
Hunger marketing, elevating status, gathering faith—all accomplished in one stroke.
"Set up the altar."
The originally noisy discussions instantly quieted!
Two Daoist children in blue Daoist Robes quickly stepped forward, skillfully setting up a broad ritual altar.
The altar was covered with bright yellow brocade, and the necessary items were laid out: pure water, incense, Yellow Talisman, cinnabar, Peach Wood Sword, and Token, all displayed neatly and solemnly.
Distinct from the lively and noisy folk rituals.
Chen Sheng’s spiritual attunement ritual was particularly refined.
He deliberately avoided exaggerated dances and screams, seeking only silence—the quieter, the more profound; the quieter, the more awe-inspiring.
"Burn incense and cleanse hands."
Chen Sheng spoke again, his tone calm.
A young man in a blue Daoist Robe came over, carrying a copper basin filled with warm water.
On the water’s surface floated a few sprigs of mugwort, emitting a faint fresh scent.
This young man was also known as Little Wang the coppersmith, now Chen Sheng’s disciple.
Chen Sheng had seven or eight such disciples, all young people from humble backgrounds.
He took them in.
Firstly, to have helpers to manage the affairs of the temple, and secondly, to cultivate loyal followers.
As the temple guardian of the True Treasure Temple, taking a few disciples was expected, reasonable, and would not invite criticism.
...
At this moment, the other disciples stood solemnly on both sides of the altar, with their heads bowed, adding a sense of ceremony.
Madam Wu quickly stepped forward to cleanse her hands in the copper basin, holding the incense in both hands, and bowed three times before the statue of the City God, her expression increasingly devout.
After she finished her bows, Chen Sheng moved to the altar, slowly closing his eyes, pinching a seal with his fingers, and chanting incantations.
His voice was low, his pace steady, almost rhythmic, echoing in the silent hall, creating a mysterious and solemn atmosphere.
The pilgrims held their breath, fearing to disturb the spiritual attunement ritual.
Some secretly looked up at the statue of the City God, quickly bowing their heads again, their expressions reverent.
With gods three feet above their heads, they could not help but feel awe.
Not to mention in this era of unenlightened minds and prevalent ignorance, even in the future, many would rather believe in its existence than in its nonexistence.
...
After a short while, Chen Sheng suddenly opened his eyes, a dazzling divine light instantly appearing in them, astonishingly bright.
This was because he had gathered the extraordinary force, ’True Qi,’ from his Dantian into his eyes beforehand, nothing mystical about it, yet it was most deceiving.
Witnessing this scene, the pilgrims in the hall were startled and instinctively took a half-step back, bowing their heads, not daring to meet his gaze.
"The Divine Monarch has manifested!"
Someone muttered in a low voice, followed by many devout believers immediately falling to their knees, bowing to Chen Sheng.
"Greetings to the Divine Monarch of the City God!"
For a moment, the sound of kneeling and bowing arose continuously, their expressions extremely respectful.
Chen Sheng did not speak but slightly raised his hand, his demeanor still stern, every movement brimming with a cool and solemn majesty.
He picked up the wolf brush, fully dipped it in cinnabar, and with dragon-snake-like strokes, completed a talisman in one go, without a pause.
The moment the rune took shape!
Chen Sheng quietly channeled the ’True Qi’ within his body into the talisman paper.
In an instant, a faint red glow suddenly appeared on the Yellow Talisman, flowing brilliantly, illuminating the entire altar!
The red glow flashed briefly, and the spirit talisman was complete.
Chen Sheng’s voice turned deep and authoritative, completely different from usual, as if a divine decree:
"Here is a woman from the Wu family, sincere and devoted to Dao, honoring the divine. I bestow a spirit talisman, to ward off evil and avert misfortune, protect her family’s health, and alleviate her past ailments."
Madam Wu quickly stood up, her hands trembling as she received the spirit talisman.
As soon as she touched the talisman paper, she felt a warm sensation spreading from her fingertips, instantly coursing through her entire body.
The accumulated fatigue of the past days, the soreness in her shoulders and neck, and a hint of an elusive weakness all gradually dissipated in this warmth, her energy immediate and invigorated!
This immediate effect left her without a shadow of a doubt, her voice trembling with excitement:
"Thank you, Divine Monarch! Thank you, Daoist!"
She quickly and carefully tucked the spirit talisman close to her body as if it were the world’s most precious treasure.
Yet she did not know that the effect of this spirit talisman was only that brief moment just now.
The extraordinary force within Chen Sheng was limited, needing to be saved for himself to drink talisman water daily, naturally reluctant to use it any more than necessary.
More than achieving real effects, he preferred creating special effects!
Such as the glowing light just now, the divine-like gaze.
These seemingly mystical scenes were more effective in impressing people and convincing the pilgrims, gathering faith!
Moreover, Chen Sheng inherently carried with him theories of Western medicine from later eras, holding a unique understanding of the divine path.
In his view, the so-called spiritual attunements and blessings were like doctors administering a booster shot to save someone, best if quickly effective, allowing pilgrims to feel the effect immediately.
But it must not be too effective!
If all issues were resolved at once, who would come back seeking talismans later?
Only by leaving room could there be a steady flow.
In contrast, his talismanic magic lacked addictive effects, unable to render pilgrims dependent, already falling short!