The Daoist stepped into the open space before the main hall. Above him sat the Spirit Prefecture officials; below were the guests' tables, while quite a few people stood in the open spaces to either side.
Officials, guests, actors, and wandering street performers all turned to look at the Daoist, their interest thoroughly piqued.
This was not something one got to see every day.
Yet after taking the stage, the Daoist seemed to discover a problem. He looked left and right as if searching for something.
"What's going on?" Some of the women leaned close together, whispering as they pointed at the Daoist.
"What is he looking for?" Even the officials in the hall were puzzled.
"Hurry up and transform!" someone directly shouted at the Daoist.
After looking around for a long while, the Daoist suddenly said, "Eh? Where did I put my Immortal Rope?"
Everyone had held their breath in anticipation for so long, only to hear that sentence. The hall immediately erupted in laughter.
"Did this Daoist forget to bring his Immortal Rope?" One official's daughter had blushed slightly at the sight of the handsome young man and had not dared look directly at him. Hearing this, she let out a snort of laughter.
"He must be a fraud." A man in opera costume pointed at him as he spoke.
"No hair on his mouth, no steadiness in his work. This little Daoist came to swindle people at the Governor's Yamen—he really doesn't know what's good for him. He'd better not lose his life later." Someone shook his head and sighed.
Inspector Xu Xuanming of Spirit Prefecture was so furious his eyes nearly rolled white. "You Daoist, if you can't perform it, I'll make you regret it."
The Daoist reassured the inspector, "No rush, no rush. It'll be