Ze Tian Gua

Holding a soul-summoning banner and carrying a three-foot wooden sword, a Taoist priest in black robes and a green crown, with his face covered by silk, stood in the ancestral hall at the village entrance. He gazed at the empty altar, then at the rows of spirit tablets piled like mountains, his fingers constantly calculating.

"Senior Brother Song, there isn't a single dog in the village, let alone people."

"We've searched all around the village, and there are no signs of a struggle. It seems to have been abandoned for a long time."

A moment later, two young Taoist disciples, also with their faces covered by 'Unknown Face', wearing hemp clothes and straw sandals, one holding a golden bell and the other with a silver bell on his wrist, their hair tied in buns, entered to report.

"That's not right..."

Senior Brother Song slammed the banner down, and with a bang, drove the flagpole a foot deep into the ground, making it stand firm. He then took out a roster from his robes and flipped through it, his fingers counting.

The two young disciples exchanged glances. The one with the silver bell spoke, "Senior Brother, we've visited ten miles around, searched forty-eight villages, and haven't found a single junior brother. Perhaps there are no fated individuals nearby anymore."

The one holding the golden bell also nodded, "Senior Brother, if you're worried about how to report to the Master, why don't we try our luck in Changsi City? There are so many refugees from the north, we can just buy a few to bring back to the mountain to fulfill our duty."

Senior Brother Song, however, repeatedly shook his head, "No, no, no. Forget the rest, but since The Mountain Lord specifically instructed me, there must be someone in this village!"