Chapter 23: There Is a Sorcerous Taoist Too?!

The men who could not see the purple mist looked at their companions in confusion and asked, "What’s going on?"

"You didn't see it?"

"See what?"

"I saw it! Several wisps of purple mist flew right onto Young Master Qian!"

"It seems Young Master Qian is truly blessed."

"You lot, you’ve seen too little. Did you notice exactly how many wisps of that celestial aura landed on him?"

The men, who had been clamoring to know what was happening, turned their gaze toward the speaker. "What do you mean?"

The man smiled confidently. "I kept my eyes peeled and counted—there were exactly three!"

Another man gasped in surprise, "Doesn't that match the three times the Daoist priest tapped Young Master Qian on the shoulder?"

At first, they had assumed the priest was merely offering guidance to Qian Youcai, and that the purple mist, representing the Qian family’s fortune, had simply attached itself to him. Now, however, it appeared to be a supernatural manifestation orchestrated by the priest himself.

At this, several men whispered, "It seems the Daoist priest saw that Young Master Qian had truly repented and decided to give him a helping hand. This time, it’s truly impossible for that evil entity to trouble the Qian family!"

"Indeed. I once heard the elders say that back in the day, the Qian family was truly charitable. Every time disaster struck, countless people survived on the free rice and grain provided by them."

"Oh, that is truly remarkable."

...

Although they spoke in hushed tones, in the stillness of the deep night, Du Yuan and Qian Youcai both heard them.

Du Yuan himself had not thought much of the coincidence between the number of taps and the purple mist, dismissing it as mere chance. But now, even he began to wonder if it truly had something to do with him.

As for Qian Youcai, who was already deeply moved, he was weeping with gratitude. He bowed frantically to Du Yuan, pressing his forehead to the ground. "The Daoist priest’s great kindness is something I shall never forget for the rest of my life!"

*Good grief, you’re far too emotional,* Du Yuan thought.

"Do not be like this; it was merely the right thing to do," Du Yuan said, feeling a bit embarrassed as he reached out to help Qian Youcai up. "The hour is late. Everyone, please get some rest."

Just then, the night watchman in the distance struck his gong, signaling the third watch of the night.

Qian Youcai, steadied by Du Yuan, hurriedly said, "Please, Daoist, stay at my family’s estate so I may repay you. I must also summon my father and brother to thank you for the life-saving grace you have bestowed upon our family!"

Turning to the other men, he added with a polite bow, "Tonight was my fault, keeping you all here and preventing you from getting a proper rest. My family’s old estate is small and cannot accommodate all of you. Those who live nearby, please head home; you may return tomorrow to receive a reward for your kindness."

"For those who live far away, please speak up, and my family will do our best to make arrangements!"

"Young Master Qian, you are too kind!" the crowd replied in thanks.

Du Yuan looked at the sky and said, "That will do. I, too, am ready for a good night's sleep."

Qian Youcai quickly stepped forward. "I shall certainly prepare a quiet courtyard for you so you may rest well."

He then turned back to the crowd. "You have all heard—the Daoist priest wishes to rest, so please be quiet when you return tomorrow morning."

"We shall," they promised.

And so, the night came to an end. The crowd dispersed in a bustling throng. A few remained at the Qian estate, and Du Yuan was escorted by Qian Youcai to a secluded courtyard at the very back.

Looking at the antique furniture and bedding, Du Yuan sighed; since traveling to this world, this was the first time he had slept in a proper room. All those previous days had been spent making do on the ground in a shanty.

After his reflection, Du Yuan looked at the bed, feeling quite happy. He thought to himself that he would finally get a good night's sleep tonight—the kind where he wouldn't dream of rising until the sun was high in the sky!

***

While Du Yuan slept soundly that night, others were not so fortunate.

In a mass grave on the outskirts of Qing County, the crescent moon was devoured by thick clouds, and will-o'-the-wisps flickered incessantly among the overgrown grass.

A massive black python flicked its tongue, staring toward Qing County. Its jagged spine scraped repeatedly against broken tombstones, the friction between its dark, scaly hide and the granite sending sparks flying. Though it lacked human form, its anxiety and humiliation were palpable. It desperately wanted to charge into the county and settle the score with that meddlesome priest who had appeared out of nowhere.

However, the memory of the priest’s calm, effortless throwing-knife technique kept it wary. In its mind, it could still feel the phantom heat of the blade’s trail exploding within its skull.

With a violent thrash, it shattered several more tombstones, finally suppressing its fear. It then turned to look cautiously at a small bronze tripod resting atop a pile of skulls.

The tripod was covered in rust, yet in the pitch-black night, it exuded a dark, oily sheen characteristic of the *taotie* patterns carved into it. Its handles were cast as relief sculptures of three-eyed ghost kings, their fangs clenching rusted, chain-like runes. The nine openings on the tripod’s belly exhaled a dark purple mist, and the edges of each aperture were crusted with human-faced verdigris. The entire vessel radiated an indescribable, ominous divinity that made the surrounding skulls and blood-red talismans look small and laughable.

The incense it had offered had burned to ash, yet there was no response.

The black python gritted its teeth and spat out a candle of incense soaked in fresh blood. It feared the tripod far more than it feared the priest, for everything it possessed came from this vessel, and it had tasted the price of failure more than once.

"This lowly spirit begs for the Immortal's command!"

The blood-incense ignited instantly, and that indescribable aura grew heavier. But even as the incense burned down, there was still no answer.

The python was completely at a loss.

Meanwhile, deep within an ancient, subterranean palace, a voice resonated from behind a massive bronze gate: "Why hesitate? It is merely a stray piece; abandon it if you must."

"As you command!"

As the voice faded, the black python waiting before the tripod finally received a response.

"A mere mountain-dwelling cultivator—what is he worth? Unless it is a matter of great importance, do not disturb me again!"

The voice, heavy with the weight of heaven, crashed into the python's soul, causing it to thrash wildly and shatter countless tombstones. Once the pain subsided, the python calmed down. It cast a terrified glance at the tripod before prostrating itself. "This lowly spirit knows its error, this lowly spirit knows its error! I shall never dare to do so again!"

It then spat out a blood-red talisman—a charm it had been taught to create using only ordinary paper and the blood of a martial artist, capable of evading mortal eyes.

After respectfully affixing it to an empty skull, the python, now composed, turned a look of poisonous resentment toward Qing County. With a flick of its tail, it slithered into the dense forest, racing toward the county.

Upon entering Qing County, it transformed into a plume of black smoke, heading straight for the rear courtyard of the county magistrate's office. The smoke dissipated, revealing a maiden in her prime, who gently knocked on Magistrate Fang’s door.

"Master, it is I."

Magistrate Fang, who was trimming the lamp to review official documents, did not look up. "What matter is so urgent that it cannot wait until tomorrow?"

"I know I should not disturb you, but I have heard that a sorcerous Daoist has arrived in our Qing County!"

Magistrate Fang laughed. "I have already apprehended that man."

"It is another one!"

With a creak, the door was pulled open from the inside. The young woman had intended to take the initiative, but upon seeing the magistrate's cyan robes and the mandarin duck insignia, she hurriedly lowered her head.

"There is another?"

"Yes. I heard from a maidservant that earlier today, the prominent Qian family brought in a Daoist who claims to be very capable."

She emphasized the words "prominent Qian family" and "Daoist" with heavy intent.