Discovery

Although the dream last night was very strange, the shopkeeper was still half-believing and half-doubting. He could only instruct his wife not to spread the word. Business had to continue, so he went to Fang Ming's room and knocked on the door, saying, "Guest, did you sleep well last night? Do you have any requests?"

After asking twice with no response, the shopkeeper felt something was wrong. He pushed the door open forcefully. It wasn't locked, and it opened easily.

The room was empty. On the table, however, lay two items. One was a piece of silver. The shopkeeper picked it up and weighed it. It was about two taels, and he couldn't help but smile broadly. Looking at the other item, it was a statue of a young official in true eighth-rank official attire, with an imposing demeanor. It was exactly the same as what he had seen last night. He couldn't help but cry out in surprise, dropping the silver in his hand onto the floor.

His wife heard the commotion and came to see. She also cried out in surprise and stared at the shopkeeper for a long time. She said, "This is too bizarre. Why don't we... report it to the authorities!"

The shopkeeper's heart stirred, but then he shook his head fiercely and said, "If we report it, things will get out of hand. Who knows what the outcome will be? And this two taels of silver will definitely be lost. I think we should wait. I'll hide this wooden carving, and you won't say a word to anyone..."

Seeing his wife agree, the shopkeeper found a cloth, wrapped the statue, and took it to the storage room. Just as he was about to close the door, he remembered the deity's words from last night about being able to bless people with children. A strange glint appeared in his eyes. At this time, Fang Ming had already left the city. He looked in the direction of the north city gate and smiled with satisfaction. He had deliberately placed the statue and the silver together, intending to arouse the shopkeeper's greed and make him keep the statue.

As long as the statue was in the city and there were believers silently praying, the main body could use Spiritual Power through the statue and the Line of Faith to drag the city's residents into dreams.

Although doing so was a losing business, using Dream Entering Spiritual Power every day also required conjuring fine wine and delicacies, which consumed a considerable amount of Spiritual Power. Moreover, he couldn't just drag believers into dreams; he had to expand the scope and attract faith. The Spiritual Power needed every day was not a small amount.

But as long as he didn't spare his Spiritual Power, the believers in the city would gradually increase, and then it would serve its purpose.

His purpose for entering the city this time had been achieved. However, he had to rush back as soon as possible, otherwise, if his divine sense dissipated on its own, he didn't know what the consequences would be.

He had used the Split Spirit Possession Spiritual Power yesterday afternoon. It was now the morning of the second day, and twelve hours had not yet passed. He still had time to return to Qingshan Village and settle down.

Let's switch gears.

Two days ago, Steward Zhang rode his horse at full speed, rushing and hurrying, finally entering the county town before the city gates closed.

After entering the city, Steward Zhang first purchased some gifts and loaded them onto his horse. Then, leading his horse, he arrived in front of White Water Temple and told a Daoist boy his purpose. He was invited to a side room to wait. Not long after, an old Daoist with a white beard entered. He had an immortal-like demeanor and was the same old Daoist Fang Ming had met that day. He cupped his hands and said, "Layman Zhang, long time no see. I have also heard about your master's affairs. Alas! Township Chief Zhang was a devout believer of this temple and was quite congenial with me. Life is unpredictable. I didn't expect to hear the news of his passing after our last meeting. I was just thinking of finding time to pay my respects, and now you've arrived."

Steward Zhang also bowed and said, "My master often praised you, Daoist Master, as a virtuous elder with profound research in metaphysics, which he greatly admired!" It turned out this old Daoist was Daoist Baihe.

Daoist Baihe's complexion seemed to become a little more ruddy. He invited Steward Zhang to sit down. A Daoist boy brought tea and pastries. After a few pleasantries, Steward Zhang presented his gifts and then explained his purpose.

"...That is how the events unfolded. My wife fears that my master was ambushed by that deity, and she is also worried about Qingxi Township inviting trouble into the house. Therefore, she asks you, Daoist Master, to investigate. I beg you not to refuse..."

Daoist Baihe stroked his pure white beard and said, "This matter should originally fall under the jurisdiction of the Ghost Suppression Cao Division. I cannot act on your behalf." Seeing Steward Zhang's anxious expression, he continued unhurriedly, "However, Township Chief Zhang is my close friend. How can I stand by and watch him meet such an end without helping? Rest assured, I will accompany you tomorrow morning!"...

Ignoring Steward Zhang's profuse thanks, he had a boy tidy up a room for Steward Zhang to stay in and then took his leave.

In fact, he was an outer disciple of White Cloud Temple, ordered to inspect the Daoist temples in Anchang County.

He was already responsible for identifying and filling gaps for the Ghost Suppression Cao Division and had channels to report to his sect secretly. After Spiritual Bamboo was sent to Linjiang Prefecture, he became the person in charge of White Cloud Temple here. He had received news a few days ago about the dissipation of the Ancestral Spirit in Qingxi Township and had already intended to investigate. This matter was merely a convenient opportunity.

The next day, Steward Zhang was ready to set off early, but Daoist Baihe was unhurried. He first tidied his Daoist robe and then ordered a Daoist boy to fetch an ox cart before they departed. The ox cart was slow and steady, and they arrived in Qingxi Township by noon.

Although Daoist Baihe's cultivation was shallow, he knew some secrets. Whether it was a Vengeful Ghost or a Fierce Ghost, or the work of Yao and Beguilers, they all favored the shade. It was now high noon, and the yang energy was at its peak. Although it wouldn't cause great harm to Fierce Ghosts, it wasn't very comfortable for them, and they wouldn't specifically choose this time to cause trouble. As long as he didn't venture deep into ancient houses, secluded places, or deep mountains and old forests, he would be safe.

Upon arriving at the Zhang family residence, Madam Zhang had been eagerly awaiting them. After exchanging greetings and having a brief conversation, Madam Zhang led Daoist Baihe to the Mourning Hall. Daoist Baihe looked at the memorial tablet of the deceased and sighed. He stepped forward, bowed three times, lit an incense stick, and began reciting the Taoist Liberation Mantra to pray for Zhang Huaizheng. Madam Zhang tearfully thanked him.

Only then could they get to the main topic. Madam Zhang led Daoist Baihe to where the coffin was placed and ordered people to open it. Seeing Zhang Huaizheng's body, she was overcome with grief again and went out, asking Steward Zhang to accompany her.

Daoist Baihe examined it carefully, muttering to himself, "How strange. Vitality still remains. This was not done by a fierce ghost. Could it be some strange monster? No, my talisman? also shows no reaction. I once divined Zhang Huaizheng's fortune. Although I couldn't tell his lifespan, he was healthy. He definitely wouldn't have died so early. How could his heart be damaged for no reason? Could it really be that..."

He then said to Steward Zhang beside him, "First, take me around the Zhang family residence, and then lead me around the Earth God Shrine!"

Steward Zhang nodded in agreement and took Daoist Baihe on a tour of the Zhang family residence before heading to the Earth God Shrine.

Daoist Baihe surveyed the surroundings. Seeing no pedestrians, he took out a yellow talisman and said, "This is a Qi Sensing Talisman, a secret art of my sect. If there is any ghostly or demonic energy nearby, it will show abnormalities!"

He then stuck the talisman onto the wall. After a long while, there was no reaction.

Daoist Baihe shook his head, took down the talisman, and turned to leave. Steward Zhang was bewildered but followed. Daoist Baihe returned to the Zhang family residence and bid farewell to Madam Zhang. Madam Zhang couldn't persuade him to stay and only saw him to the door. She then offered five taels of silver for Daoist Baihe's return journey. Daoist Baihe smiled and said, "Steward Zhang and I are congenial. Let him escort me!" Madam Zhang agreed.

The two got into the ox cart and went to the edge of the village. Steward Zhang said, "Daoist Master, this old servant will escort you this far..." Just as he was about to bid farewell, his hand was tightly grasped by Daoist Baihe. Steward Zhang, being experienced, knew something was wrong and remained silent. They entered the county town.

As soon as they entered the city gate, Daoist Baihe let out a long sigh of relief, cold sweat dripping from his forehead. Steward Zhang, watching from the side, was filled with unease.

Daoist Baihe comforted him, "It's alright. Are you completely bewildered? Listen to my explanation."

Steward Zhang said, "I was just about to ask for your guidance, Daoist Master!"

"When I first entered Qingxi Township, I didn't notice anything. But when I arrived at the Zhang family residence, I sensed something was wrong. There seemed to be traces of a Ghost Cultivator." Seeing Steward Zhang's confusion, Daoist Baihe explained further, "A Ghost Cultivator is someone who becomes a ghost after death. If they obtain methods for cultivating Qi and find a Yin location to cultivate diligently, they can exist for a long time and possess great power!"

"I observed that your master had no wounds on his body, nor had he been ill before, yet he died inexplicably with internal injuries. There must be something strange. Upon closer inspection, I found traces of spiritual energy in your study. The nature of this spiritual energy was Yin, not something belonging to a living person. There must have been a Ghost Cultivator or something similar who had been there." At this point, Daoist Baihe was also puzzled. He initially thought it was a Ghost Cultivator, but upon careful examination, it felt somewhat ambiguous. However, he didn't need to mention this.

"Connecting this with your master's incident in the study, hehe... the clue has finally been revealed!"

Steward Zhang suddenly realized and said, "So, the one who secretly harmed my master was that... Ghost Cultivator?"

Daoist Baihe stroked his beard and said, "Eight or nine times out of ten. But when I wanted to reveal it, I discovered there were still traces of Ghost Cultivators around the Zhang family residence. They might not have left and are likely gathering information."

Steward Zhang was greatly alarmed and said, "This... What should we do? What about my wife..."

Daoist Baihe said, "That's why I didn't say anything at the time and pretended to have found nothing. Now that you and I are in the city, protected by the human way's fortune, most Ghost Cultivators cannot enter, so we can talk freely!"

Steward Zhang's cold sweat dripped down. He said, "Daoist Master is brilliant. Please save us!" He then knelt in the cart and kowtowed loudly.

Daoist Baihe smiled and said, "I don't think that Ghost Cultivator will harm you further. If you are still worried, you can find an excuse to move into the city. I will first report this matter to the sect and wait for a resolution before returning."

Steward Zhang finally showed some joy and thanked him before returning.

Daoist Baihe returned to the Daoist temple and went to his study. He spread out white paper and meticulously wrote down the news, detailing everything that had happened in Qingxi Township. At the end, he added his findings and opinions.

After finishing, he blew on the ink and reread it carefully. Finding no errors, he called a Daoist boy and said, "Go fetch the Bluebird that is kept in the back garden!"

"Oh... Huh? Bluebird? Master, we haven't used the Bluebird since we came to Anchang County. Did something major happen?" The Daoist boy was startled and asked.

"Alas... something major has happened. Your Uncle Spiritual Bamboo is not here, and we are helpless. We can only notify the sect!" the old Daoist sighed. He had been chosen by a high-ranking expert of the Spiritual generation from White Cloud Temple in his middle age and accepted as an outer disciple. Therefore, he was considered fourth-generation and could be called Uncle Spiritual Bamboo.

The boy didn't ask further questions. After a short while, he returned carrying a large blue bird, about the size of a rooster, which was very obedient.

The White Crane tied the letter to the Bluebird's leg, took out a yellow pill from its bosom, and fed it to the Bluebird's mouth. The Bluebird chirped loudly, appearing very happy.

The White Crane patted the Bluebird's head and said, "Deliver this to the sect!"

The Bluebird, quite intelligent, seemed to understand. It spread its wings and flew out the window.

Thank you to all the book friends for your collections and recommendations, as well as my Gao Ao Er Deng Qi Dong for your rewards. Thank you!