Half an hour later.
A three-foot-high platform, two feet long and wide, had already been erected with an altar on top.
This platform was constructed in advance by the Huang Family, matching the design and specifications of the altar at Qingping Palace, with long yellow flags at the four corners engraved with various ghost-like symbols and patterns.
Several servants of the Huang Family were busy on the platform making the final preparations, soon attracting a large crowd of spectators.
"The ritual is about to begin!"
"Hurry, run quickly and get your second aunt's family over here; this is rarely seen!"
"With the True Daoist from Qingping Palace performing the ritual, those little demons and ghosts will definitely be dealt with swiftly!"
"Indeed, the True Daoists of Qingping Palace are very effective. The spirit pills and talismanic water in the past have saved many lives..."
The townsfolk surrounded the platform, pointing and discussing, and the number of people gathering increased steadily, almost bringing everyone from Sishui Town together.
After all, each household had paid for this ritual, and with the recent disturbances causing panic, they were eager to witness the Qingping Palace's True Daoist perform the ritual for peace of mind.
The noisy scene persisted for a while:
"We respectfully invite lord Qingliang of Qingping Palace!"
The servants of the Huang Family paved the way, amid drumming and gonging, the townsfolk quieted down, and Daoist Qingliang finally appeared.
Being from the Dharma Propagation Hall, naturally he possessed excellent looks, coupled with years of practicing the Taiyi Pile Skill, his posture was straight, his steps strong and steady, his expression solemn, truly exuding some degree of majesty.
The surrounding townsfolk hastily made way, with a hint of awe in their eyes, looking at Daoist Qingliang.
Zhang Yao and Daoist Qingyu followed behind Daoist Qingliang, holding magical swords, imperial decrees, yellow talismans, and other items, with chests out and heads up, moving in sync.
"Ascend the altar!"
Upon reaching the platform, Daoist Qingliang flicked the duster and issued an order.
Zhang Yao and Daoist Qingyu rushed forward to arrange things, quickly setting up the altar, and then it was Daoist Qingliang's turn to "perform."
"Ha!"
Holding the magical sword, he swung a yellow talisman, taking steps in a dance-like ritual, muttering spells as he began the ritual.
Zhang Yao retreated aside with Daoist Qingyu, simply cooperating with Daoist Qingliang's chanting while quietly observing his actions.
He discovered that Daoist Qingliang's approach to the "ghosts" involved different actions, spells, and talismans for searching, capturing, suppressing, and exterminating—each step carefully coordinated.
Although fundamentally a performance, the strict procedures and intricate steps and rituals seemed quite impressive, at least the townsfolk, who didn't understand, were highly convinced.
"No wonder he can take fifty percent; it seems the Dharma Propagation Hall has some real skill."
Zhang Yao silently commented.
This ritual lasted nearly half an hour before it concluded, exhausting Daoist Qingliang and leaving him soaked in sweat.
Fortunately, he had practiced the Taiyi Pile Skill since childhood; despite frequent visits to the brothels below the mountain, his physical foundation remained, allowing him to sustain a complete ritual.
"It's still too hard performing a ritual alone without assistance!"
Daoist Qingliang took several deep breaths, feeling a touch of joy:
"However, going down the mountain alone means more benefits, still worthwhile."
He gathered his thoughts, then solemnly declared:
"The sinister ghost troubling Sishui Town has been subdued by me, and I've prayed for blessings from the Blessed Life Celestial Venerable; villagers need no longer worry!"
Upon hearing this, the crowd of townsfolk cheered joyously and began to applaud and praise, making the scene lively.
"Dad..."
In the crowd, a little boy scratched his head and asked curiously:
"Was the ghost causing trouble before really killed? Why didn't I see it?"
"Nonsense!"
His father glared at him and said:
"You're not a True Daoist, haven't opened your spiritual eyes, how could you see ghosts? Even your old man couldn't see them!"
"Rest assured, that little ghost has surely been captured and slain by this True Daoist. Ghost disturbances happened before, but as soon as a True Daoist from Qingping Palace arrives, it stops—truly effective!"
"Oh..."
The little boy nodded, half understanding.
......
Huang Mansion.
After finishing the ritual, Master Huang warmly retained them, and they had another meal at the mansion.
At the banquet, Daoist Qingliang drank a few cups with Master Huang and began to discuss worldly matters, soon arriving at the topic of nearby unrest.
"...Really?"
Daoist Qingliang, face slightly flushed, said in surprise:
"After the Refugee Army was dispersed, did they flee to our area?"
"Correct!"
Master Huang drank another cup, firmly believing:
"This news was brought by the Huang Family's tea trade caravan from Changping, absolutely accurate."
"Reportedly, when the Refugee Army was at its peak, it numbered tens of thousands! Yet they had the imprudence to attack Changping, ending in utter defeat, scattering in all directions."
"This could be a bit dangerous."
Daoist Qingliang's tone carried a hint of concern:
"Changping is only dozens of miles from here, it's not impossible for them to flee our way."
"Relax."
Master Huang waved indifferently and casually said:
"The Refugee Army supposedly suffered many casualties at the site and over ten thousand captured, sent to work as slaves in the mines."
"The rest completely scattered into dozens or hundreds of groups, each numbering at most one or two hundred. Even if they do flee here, they won't form any significant threat."
Daoist Qingliang relaxed upon hearing this.
The Refugee Army was formed of desperate commoners, lacking weapons and armor, often starved, weakening their strength.
If it were tens of thousands of refugees, like an ants' flood, they would be concerning. But a mere hundred or two wouldn't be a threat.
For instance, Sishui Town houses hundreds of families, each household generally has menfolk, even using hoes and bamboo sticks would suffice to repel small groups of refugees.
As for Qingping Palace, they have no fear of such refugees.
Cuiping Mountain is naturally defensible, and Qingping Palace has survived hundreds of years, surely possessing the means to establish a safe haven.
"These chaotic times, with wars and bandits everywhere..."
Though Daoist Qingliang and Master Huang expressed no worries, Zhang Yao, overhearing their conversation, felt a sense of concern.
Fleeing small groups of Refugee Army perhaps posed little threat, but in such chaotic times, there was no guarantee other natural calamities or disasters wouldn't arise.
"It's not the thousand that's feared, but the one."
Zhang Yao became secretly cautious:
"It seems my time on the mountain has bred a sense of complacency—a mistake I can't afford."
"I must plan ahead and secure some escape routes so I'm not caught off guard, risking my life if anything unexpected occurs..."