At the gates of Datong County, Wang Chen dismounted from the big green donkey.
Seeing how Wang Chen was dressed, the soldiers guarding the city gate not only waived the entry fee, but also bowed to him.
Great Qian lay under the jurisdiction of the Yunyang Sect and had revered the Daoist path since its founding. Thus, Wang Chen, this utterly ordinary-looking young Daoist, benefited as well, receiving treatment vastly different from that of common folk.
In fact, even if he had ridden the big green donkey straight into the city, no one would have stopped him.
But Wang Chen followed the rules, leading the donkey along the street into the city.
Datong County was not much different from the county towns of Taide and Three Rivers County that he had visited before.
Narrow roads, squat houses, a chaotic jumble of shops, and countless pedestrians passing through the streets—commoners, laborers, traveling merchants, Martial Artists, beggars...
Bustling and lively.
Most of them treated Wang Chen, a Daoist, with respect. Whenever they encountered him, they immediately stepped aside to clear the way.
Clang~
A bronze gong suddenly rang out, followed by a shrill voice that entered everyone's ears.
"Great chaos shall sweep the world; Maitreya Buddha descends!"
At the sound of that voice, many people's expressions changed, their faces revealing awe and reverence.
Someone murmured, "The Maitreya Cult."
Clang! Clang! Clang~
The gongs rang louder and louder as a long procession wound its way over.
Four brawny, bare-chested men led the way. Yellow turbans wrapped around their heads and red sashes around their waists, two held bronze gongs while the other two raised banners high.
Upon the yellow banners were embroidered two large black characters: "Maitreya."
Ten boys and girls, their faces powdered and rouged, dressed in short white lotus-root jackets, followed