June 15.
The sky was overcast.
Outside Pei County, by Weishan Lake, an open space had been cleared at the foot of the hills Jiang Hao had chosen. One or two thousand people had gathered there, a dense sea of black.
A broad altar table stood at the front of the clearing, bearing statues of the Three Pure Ones, Emperor Qin Guan, and the Celestial Master.
Behind it sat an incense burner wreathed in smoke, along with offerings of three sacrificial animals, fruit, and pastries.
Jiang Hao wore a Bagua Daoist robe and held a broad Peachwood Sword. Lu Zhi and Lu Su stood on either side, holding the engraved blocks for Safety Talismans and the Celestial Master Seal.
Xiao He and Duke Lu stood behind Jiang Hao, followed by eight hundred refugees. Countless Pei County residents watched from the outermost edge. Today marked the start of construction on the temple, likely the first Daoist temple in this world, and Jiang Hao intended to hold a ritual to announce it.
Dark clouds filled the sky, as though rain might fall at any moment.
Jiang Hao looked up at the sky and frowned slightly. Three days ago, he had calculated the date, and today was supposed to be auspicious. Why was it so gloomy now? This did not look like good weather.
Jiang Hao lifted his robes and knelt on a prayer cushion. He kowtowed three times before the statues of the Three Pure Ones, then rose and declared loudly:
"Three Pure Ones, Emperor Qin Guan, Celestial Master True Lord, this disciple Jiang Hao has established this altar to make an offering and proclamation. A Daoist temple shall be built here to ease the suffering of the refugees and give the people a place to pray for peace in the future.