Tian Guofu was stunned. The gentry of Qingping Town were stunned. The county office's bailiffs were stunned too!
Zhang Qingyun dropped heavily to his knees and declared loudly, "A demon runs rampant in Qingshan County, harming innocent lives and commanding wind and waves to force the people of the entire county to offer it young boys and girls every year. Such deeds outrage heaven and humanity alike!"
"As the magistrate of Qingshan County, I cannot allow this demon to continue its rampage. Alas, I lack even the strength to truss a chicken. Though I wish to slay it, I have not the power."
"I have heard that your Daoist arts are unrivaled, that you possess great powers and great compassion. Thus, I have come expressly to ask you to leave the mountain."
"I ask only that you slay this demon and redress the grievances of Qingshan County's innocent people."
"If you can slay it, then whatever you ask of me, I will spare no effort to fulfill it."
"Furthermore, I am willing to lead all the county's gentry and common people in embracing Penglai, and have a statue erected in your honor so that we may pray for your blessings!"
Having finished his loud declaration, Zhang Qingyun bowed deeply.
Tian Guofu hurriedly signaled to everyone around him, and they knelt as well.
And so, a great crowd knelt before the secluded Daoist temple in the mountains.
Who knew how much time passed? Zhang Qingyun felt his legs going numb from kneeling.
Even those old fossils in his lineage had never put on such airs, yet this Jiang Sheng had actually accepted all this homage.
Finally, just as Zhang Qingyun felt he was being toyed with and was about to rise, a voice sounded from within the temple again.
"Very well. Come in."
Letting out a long breath, Zhang Qingyun hurriedly scrambled up, straightened his appearance, and entered the temple with his attendants.
The temple was not large, but everything within it was exceptionally harmonious. It faintly evoked the natural world, as though every detail accorded with some subtle rhythm.
The longer he looked, the more extraordinary it seemed.
Upon reaching the front hall, Zhang Qingyun saw a portrait of an immortal hanging high inside. Beneath it, a Daoist in an azure robe sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, his back toward them.
Zhang Qingyun first offered incense and paid his respects to the portrait, then bowed to Jiang Sheng. "Zhang Qingyun pays his respects to Daoist Jiang."
"You are too courteous, Magistrate." Jiang Sheng's voice was calm, his manner easy and composed.
Zhang Qingyun explained his purpose once more, then again bowed and asked Jiang Sheng to leave the mountain.
Yet Jiang Sheng said, "I cultivate in seclusion here in the mountains. The river god in the Taiping River does not trouble me, so why should I act?"
Zhang Qingyun faltered, then made another promise. "If you agree, I am willing to petition the court to designate all of Qingping Mountain as your cultivation grounds."
"Everything on the mountain will belong to you. Even Qingping Town can be designated a place that supplies your offerings!"
Hearing Magistrate Zhang make such generous promises, Tian Guofu was dumbfounded. What did any of this have to do with Qingping Town?
Why saddle them with another great deity to answer to?
But Tian Guofu had no right to speak here. He could only lower his head in silence.
After hearing this, Jiang Sheng glanced at Tian Guofu, his expression still indifferent. "What use have I for a town's offerings? I lack none of these things."
Zhang Qingyun froze, no longer knowing what promises he could make.
Suddenly, Jiang Sheng smiled. "You have at least shown some sincerity on this visit, Magistrate."
"How about this? I will accept the gift of Scarlet Blossom Fruit for now."
"If you can invite some other cultivators to help, then I might be willing to act."
"Regardless of the outcome, Qingping Mountain will be my cultivation grounds. No one may set foot here without my permission."
"And I will decide when to act."
"Can you agree to that, Magistrate?"
Zhang Qingyun gritted his teeth and agreed. "Everything shall be as you say!"
Jiang Sheng smiled. "Then are you satisfied, Magistrate? May you return to your county office now?"
Zhang Qingyun had originally wanted to invite Jiang Sheng to visit the county town, but now he could find nothing to say. He could only leave in silence.
Returning to Qingshan County in considerable embarrassment, Zhang Qingyun recounted what had happened to his daughter, thoroughly dejected.
"To think that I failed to bring him back, and even lost every scrap of dignity as magistrate before so many people."
Zhang Qing casually picked up a pastry and popped it into her mouth, then smiled. "Getting even this much was no easy feat."
"I hear Daoist Jiang is a master from Penglai. It is hardly surprising that he has such a temperament."
"Besides, hasn't he already agreed to act? We only need to invite a few more cultivators to lend a hand when the time comes."
Zhang Qingyun nodded. "For now, that is all we can do."
Zhang Qing added, "If we truly mean to slay the demon in the Taiping River, I imagine relying on Daoist Jiang alone will not be enough."
"Who knows how many rogue cultivators there are across the vast reaches of Dongjun? And beyond Dongjun, Qing Province has several sects, each with master practitioners presiding over it. If we could invite even one, our chances would improve."
After hearing this, Zhang Qingyun nodded quietly. "You are right, Qing'er. I never expected Daoist Jiang to slay the river god single-handedly."
Zhang Qing smiled. "My closest friend is now an inner disciple of the Moon-Embracing Sect in Qing Province. I could ask her to leave the mountain and help. I imagine she would be somewhat more dependable than Daoist Jiang."
Only now did Zhang Qingyun finally breathe a sigh of relief. "Excellent. Then I shall make preparations and invite more cultivators from across Qing Province."
Meanwhile, on Qingping Mountain, Tian Guofu mustered his courage and asked, "Daoist Jiang, didn't you say—"
Jiang Sheng glanced at Tian Guofu, looking somewhat languid. "Mayor Tian, do you mean to ask whether I said Qingping Town's safety had nothing to do with me?"
Tian Guofu nodded with an awkward smile.
Jiang Sheng shook his head, his expression still calm. "Qingping Town's safety indeed has nothing to do with me. But I have discovered that the Taiping River is too close to Qingping Mountain."
"So close that, on my own, I could fight my way there and back in a few hours."
As he spoke, a trace of sternness entered Jiang Sheng's previously water-calm presence. "It is true that I dislike meddling in others' affairs, but neither will I tolerate a demon lurking beside my bed!"
"If Magistrate Zhang really can find more cultivators to help, I would be willing to eliminate this threat on my doorstep while I am at it."
Only then did Tian Guofu understand. From beginning to end, Jiang Sheng had never considered whether Qingping Town's people lived or died. He had read too much into everything.
Jiang Sheng glanced at Tian Guofu again. "Mayor Tian, I have no qualms about telling you this."
"If your Magistrate Zhang invites a pack of Qi Refining Realm cultivators, then this demon-slaying venture is off. I will not return the gift of Scarlet Blossom Fruit, and I will sit back and watch your magistrate and those Qi Refining Realm cultivators deliver themselves to the demon as blood and flesh."
Tian Guofu nodded repeatedly. "Understood, understood. I understand completely."
Jiang Sheng then waved a hand, and Tian Guofu tactfully departed. He knew Jiang Sheng was dismissing him.
After Tian Guofu left, Jiang Sheng suddenly sighed. His right hand closed around empty air, and a Dharma Sword appeared in his grasp.
The sword was three feet and six inches long, jet-black throughout and wreathed in azure lotuses. It was an excellent magical artifact.
Laying the sword across his knees, Jiang Sheng sat with his back straight and gently wiped the magical artifact that had accompanied him down the mountain to slay demons. "A Purple Mansion Realm demon, is it? I truly would like to test myself against it."
Here is today's second chapter. Gentlemen, please be sure to share any suggestions you have. Lin Yuan will correct any faults and take your words as encouragement where there are none.
Before you continue