Chapter Ten: The Scarlet Invitation to Master Gao
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Tian Guofu was stunned, the gentry of Qingping Town were stunned, and even the county yamen’s guards were baffled!
Zhang Qingyun knelt heavily on the ground and declared loudly, “Demons ravage Qingshan County, wreaking havoc on innocent lives, manipulating the winds and waves to coerce the people to offer up boys and girls every year. Such deeds outrage both heaven and man!”
“Having been appointed magistrate of Qingshan County, I cannot tolerate the demons’ continued rampage. Alas, powerless and weak, though I wish to eradicate these evils, I am unable.”
“I have heard that the Daoist priest’s skills surpass all, possessing great magical power and boundless compassion, so I have come specially to implore the Daoist to come forth.”
“I only ask the Daoist to seek justice for the innocent people of Qingshan County by vanquishing those demons.”
“If the Daoist can eliminate these fiends, no matter what is requested, I pledge to do my utmost to fulfill it.”
“Moreover, I am willing to lead the county’s gentry and common folk in pledging allegiance to Penglai, erecting a statue in your honor and offering prayers!”
After finishing his speech loudly, Zhang Qingyun bowed deeply.
Tian Guofu quickly gestured to those around him to kneel as well.
Before the quiet mountain Daoist temple, a large group knelt in unison.
How long passed, no one knew; Zhang Qingyun felt his legs going numb from kneeling.
Even the old, undying clan elders of the past had never assembled such a grand scene, yet this Jiang Sheng actually accepted it.
Finally, just as Zhang Qingyun felt mocked and prepared to rise, a voice came from inside the temple once more.
“Enough, come in.”
Relieved, Zhang Qingyun hurriedly stood, composed himself, and with his attendants entered the temple.
The temple was not large, but it exuded harmony, faintly infused with the natural spirit of heaven and earth, as if everything here resonated with a certain profound charm.
The more he looked, the more extraordinary it seemed.
Upon reaching the main hall, Zhang Qingyun saw a hanging portrait of an immortal, beneath which sat a Daoist priest in a blue robe cross-legged on a meditation cushion, his back turned to them.
Zhang Qingyun first offered incense and paid respects to the portrait, then bowed to Jiang Sheng and said, “Magistrate Zhang Qingyun pays respects to Daoist Jiang, I greet you with courtesy.”
“County magistrate, you are too polite,” Jiang Sheng replied calmly and naturally.
Zhang Qingyun then explained his purpose and once again earnestly invited Jiang Sheng to come forth.
Jiang Sheng responded, “I cultivate in seclusion in the mountains, and the river god of the Taiping River does not trouble me. Why should I intervene?”
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Zhang Qingyun was momentarily stunned but then made a generous offer: “If the Daoist agrees, I am willing to petition the court to dedicate the entire Qingshan Mountain range as your Daoist sanctuary.”
“All the resources in the mountain will belong to you, even Qingping Town itself can become your place of worship!”
Hearing such an extravagant promise from the magistrate, Tian Guofu was dumbfounded—what did this have to do with Qingping Town? Why impose another great deity above their heads?
Yet, there was no room for him to speak here, so he silently lowered his head.
Jiang Sheng glanced at Tian Guofu with an indifferent expression and said, “What use is a town’s offerings to me? I do not lack these.”
Zhang Qingyun was at a loss for how to respond.
Suddenly, Jiang Sheng smiled, “County magistrate, your sincerity is commendable.”
“Very well, I will accept the gifts for now.”
“If the magistrate can bring some cultivators to aid me, then I may consider taking action.”
“Regardless of the outcome, Qingshan Mountain is my sanctuary—no one may set foot without my permission.”
“Furthermore, I alone shall decide when to act.”
“Do you agree to this?”
Zhang Qingyun gritted his teeth and agreed, “Everything will follow the Daoist’s wishes!”
Jiang Sheng smiled, “So, county magistrate, are you satisfied? Shall we return to the county office?”
Zhang Qingyun had wanted to invite Jiang Sheng to the city for a visit but found himself speechless and could only leave silently.
Returning rather embarrassed to Qingshan County, Zhang Qingyun recounted the events to his daughter, feeling disheartened.
“I never expected that not only would I fail to bring him, but I would also lose the county magistrate’s dignity before so many.”
Zhang Qingyun’s daughter casually picked up a pastry and smiled, “To achieve this outcome is already no small feat.”
“Daoist Jiang is known as a high-ranking master from Penglai; such temperament is unsurprising.”
“Besides, Daoist Jiang has agreed to act. We can invite some cultivators to assist when the time comes.”
Zhang Qingyun nodded, “For now, that is all we can do.”
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Zhang Qingyun’s daughter continued, “If we truly want to eradicate the demons in the Taiping River, relying solely on Daoist Jiang will not suffice.”
“The vast Eastern Commandery is home to countless wandering cultivators, and beyond it, Qingzhou hosts several sects with masters of great power. If we could invite one of them, our chances would improve.”
Zhang Qingyun silently nodded, “You speak wisely, daughter. I never expected Daoist Jiang could slay the river god alone.”
She smiled, “My handkerchief friend is now an inner disciple of the Qingyue Sect in Qingzhou. I could ask her to come down and help—she might be even more reliable than Daoist Jiang.”
Zhang Qingyun finally breathed a sigh of relief, “Very well, then I shall prepare and invite cultivators from all over Qingzhou.”
At this moment, deep within Qingshan Mountain, Tian Guofu nervously asked, “Daoist Jiang, did you not say…”
Jiang Sheng lazily glanced at Tian Guofu, “Town chief Tian, do you mean to say that the peace of Qingping Town is none of my concern?”
Tian Guofu sheepishly nodded.
Jiang Sheng shook his head with a calm demeanor, “Indeed, the safety of Qingping Town is irrelevant to me. But I have noticed that the Taiping River lies too close to Qingshan Mountain.”
“So close that I could make a round trip in a few hours.”
As he spoke, the previously placid aura around Jiang Sheng grew solemn: “I do not like meddling in affairs, it’s true, but I will not tolerate demons lurking at my doorstep!”
“If Magistrate Zhang can bring more cultivators to assist, I am willing to eliminate this nearby calamity.”
Only then did Tian Guofu understand that all along, Jiang Sheng had never considered the fate of Qingping Town’s people—it was all just in his imagination.
Jiang Sheng glanced once more at Tian Guofu: “Town chief Tian, I will speak plainly.”
“If your Magistrate Zhang summons a host of Qi-cultivating cultivators, then I will abandon the demon-slaying task. I will not return the gifts, but I will watch as your magistrate and those cultivators become offerings to the demons.”
Tian Guofu nodded repeatedly, “Understood, understood. I fully comprehend.”
Jiang Sheng waved his hand, signaling Tian Guofu to leave, who wisely took the hint and departed.
After Tian Guofu left, Jiang Sheng sighed deeply. His right hand grasped invisibly, and a magical sword appeared out of thin air.
The sword measured three feet six inches, jet black with a swirling blue lotus pattern—an exquisite magical weapon.
Resting the sword across his knees, Jiang Sheng sat upright, gently polishing the blade that would accompany him down the mountain to exorcise demons.
“A demon from the Purple Mansion Realm, huh? I am genuinely eager to test myself.”