Chapter 15: The Demonic Path!

Above the ravines, Du Yuan’s garments snapped sharply in the wind as he faced the vast sky. After a long moment, having confirmed that nothing else was amiss, Du Yuan silently turned away. He rolled up his pant legs and dashed wildly into the deep mountain forest.

That recent scene had clearly disrupted the scheme of some hidden presence. It was no wonder he had so strangely encountered both a horse demon and a zombie in succession—these must all be part of this entity’s intricate plan.

When that being questioned Du Yuan, demanding to know who he was, Du Yuan didn’t hesitate to shout, “Xiaoxitian, Leiyin Temple!” His intent was to divert the creature’s attention.

As he ran, Du Yuan glanced back and saw nothing pursuing him. A self-satisfied smile crossed his face. “Search all you like,” he muttered, “it was the monks of Leiyin Temple from Xiaoxitian who provoked you, not me, this humble Taoist!”

He then drew out a travel pass, specially prepared for the Water and Land Dharma Assembly, made from fine sandalwood and stamped with the prefectural seal. With this, Du Yuan felt he could finally shed the identity of a mere monk.

As for whether they could locate Leiyin Temple in Xiaoxitian—ha! From the caravan traders, Du Yuan knew the locals had no idea what Leiyin Temple even was. If they could find it, then he might as well send his regards to the Yellow Brow.

Yet why would even such a small place host such a conspicuously powerful presence laying out such a scheme? Was it that he did not yet see the full picture and thus missed the crucial point? Or had he overestimated this figure’s prowess, who in truth was merely a low-ranking nobody?

Judging by what he had witnessed, Du Yuan thought the latter was unlikely. As for the former, he could not investigate further at present. Besides, his ultimate goal was to return home—not to unravel this mystery.

Previously, he had no clue where to begin. Now, however, Du Yuan had found a way to break the deadlock: by harnessing his own abilities.

If he could make others believe he could return home, then surely he would! Absolutely!

His current task was to expand his influence as widely as possible, to make more people believe in his eventual success. How to do this naturally and convincingly required careful thought.

As he pondered, an idea slowly took shape in his mind: “I come as Heaven’s emissary, to enlighten the four corners of the world; when my mission is done, only then shall I quietly return home.”

In theory, it was feasible—but it required thorough planning. For instance, he needed to understand this world’s nature. If martial virtue here was too strong, such a claim would be impossible; the first question from others would be: “Who do you think you are, claiming to represent Heaven?”

He also needed to study his own powers more deeply. But how?

Lost in thought amid the wilderness, Du Yuan noticed a government road ahead, along which a few travelers walked. After a moment, a meaningful smile spread across his face.

“Pilgrims, the Taoist master has arrived!”

———

In Qing County, Magistrate Fang Zheng was busy in the back hall of the county office, handling official documents. Although the severe drought in the southwest had not directly affected Qing County geographically, the political turmoil from the capital had already swept over.

Increased military taxes, forced labor, grain levies—all weighed heavily on him, leaving his head spinning as if he could split into two just to cope.

No sooner had he finished a document than the chief clerk hurried in. Seeing the red pouch in the clerk’s hands, Fang’s heart sank.

Official documents were sealed according to strict protocol: county-level notices came in blue bags; prefectural, purple; red bags meant an order from the imperial cabinet had arrived.

Rising, Fang asked, “What is the matter?”

The clerk smiled bitterly. “Your Honor, the imperial elders have ordered all levels of government to impose an additional tax for pacifying the south.”

“What? Haven’t we already raised various tariffs? I just recently dispatched new recruits!” Fang exclaimed.

The clerk could only gesture toward the capital. “Sir, this is not our decision. It is a sealed imperial decree, sanctioned by the emperor himself.”

Sighing, Fang muttered, “How can the common people bear so many taxes?”

He paced nervously, then asked, “How much more will our county have to raise this time?”

The clerk held up three fingers. “The equivalent of three thousand taels of silver.”

“Three thousand taels?!” Fang gasped. “Is this not skinning the people alive?”

The clerk replied resignedly, “At least it won’t cripple their vitality. Perhaps after pacifying the southwest, the court will reduce the levies.”

“Not likely at this point,” Fang said angrily. The clerk quickly gestured for silence.

“Your Honor, such words are dangerous—the censors watch us closely every day.”

Fang was left speechless. He could only say, “No, the people’s burden is already too heavy. I will contact the local gentry to see if we can gather these funds temporarily.”

Just as Fang prepared to leave and meet the gentry, the deputy magistrate entered, accompanied by a Taoist.

Fang’s expression soured. As county magistrate, he was the head of the county; the deputy was his assistant. Before Fang’s arrival, the deputy, a native scion endorsed by local clans and appointed by the court, had been the true power in Qing County.

Now, with Fang’s outsider status, the deputy deeply resented him. Moreover, Fang had risen through the imperial exams from humble origins, while the deputy came from a proper aristocratic family, though not among the few famed great clans.

Their relationship was naturally strained.

As for the Taoist, Fang showed no warmth. The drought in the southwest was bad enough, but if not for a cursed Taoist stirring unrest with his heresies, Qing County would not have suffered needless hardship. Fang had long loathed those who babbled of demons and spirits.

Now that one had come to his door, he had no intention of being polite.

From a distance, the deputy said to Fang, “Your Honor, this is Master Ziyun, a Taoist of great cultivation, and he has urgent matters to report!”

Because the deputy had brought him, Fang suppressed his anger and calmly said, “Oh? Master Ziyun, what business do you have? The county’s affairs are numerous; please do not delay me too long.”

Master Ziyun had risen to his current position through keen insight and eloquence, and he immediately sensed the tension. Preparing his words carefully, he spoke solemnly:

“Your Honor, are you aware that your Qing County has been plagued by zombies—such sinister creatures?”

At these words, Fang’s face turned pale. Then, shockingly, he ordered:

“Seize this sorcerer at once! Thirty strokes of the rod first, then imprison him in the death cell pending judgment!”

Master Ziyun, who had been confident moments before, was stunned.

The deputy pointed angrily at Fang. “Fang, how dare you!”

Fang bowed toward the capital and declared, “Hmph, this is the emperor’s decree. If your Zhang family tries to stop me, are you rebelling?”