Thinking this, the Town Suppressing General led the others forward in great strides. At the same time, he took incense sticks, flint, and other offerings from his travel pouch, preparing to make an offering to the Town Suppressing Great Immortal first.
Only afterward could they carry him out. But when they drew near, they suddenly realized something was wrong.
Everything about the Town Suppressing Great Immortal was just as it had been when he was first invited into the carriage, except for the expression on his face. It was no longer half-smiling and half-sorrowful; now, he seemed utterly miserable, as if weighed down by endless troubles he could not let go...
Before they could react, every member of the procession had taken on an expression of profound gloom...
The desolate village had been demolished until only its foundations remained, hidden among the grass and trees. Unless one looked carefully, gazing out from the dead old tree revealed nothing but flat land in every direction, where grass grew lush and orioles flew.
As the warm breeze swept by, the grass and trees rippled, revealing patches of bare earth.
Centered on the lonely grave beneath the dead tree, the distinctive color of the burial ground stretched far into the distance.
After this period of cultivation, the Crimson Powder Great Immortal's domain had grown vast.
"Clang, clang, clang! Clang, clang, clang..."
Amid the clamor of gongs and drums, a procession dressed in red and green, carrying offerings on their shoulders and in their hands, crossed this unusually lush meadow and swept toward the grave, ready to make an offering to the Crimson Powder Great Immortal.
Although the procession walked together, everyone had a strip of cloth tied around one arm, with words written on it.
The strips were all different colors. Those