A Debt Repaid, Neither Owing the Other

In the end, the authorities posted a notice, giving the matter its official ruling.

Written in black ink on yellow paper and stamped with the vermilion seal of the Great Peace County Hall, the notice was pasted at the county's four gates and along every major thoroughfare:

Notice from the Great Peace County Hall

To hereby inform the public: Recently, demonic evil has caused mischief within this county, beguiling the ignorant masses and falsely claiming divine miracles, resulting in many women and children among the populace suffering unforeseen calamities. Upon hearing of this, the county has been deeply grieved.

It has now been confirmed that these Outer Dao practitioners were transformed from demonic evil, borrowing the names of "bestowing children" and "praying for blessings" to commit the deed of harming living beings.

All who had gone to the nunnery to offer incense, regardless of gender, had suffered their harm.

Fortunately, immortal masters descended and used their arts to slay the evil. The demons had been eliminated, and their remnants purged one by one. Within this county's borders, no lingering danger remained.

Therefore, all soldiers and civilians throughout the county are hereby informed:

From the issuance of this notice onward, any who dare use "divine miracles" to bewitch the masses, falsely claiming to be able to "bestow children" upon others, shall be deemed remnants of demonic evil. You are permitted to immediately seize and deliver them to the county, where they shall be dealt with accordingly.

Those who had mistakenly strayed onto the evil path and had yet to realize it are ordered to turn themselves in at the county office at once. The county shall show leniency as circumstances warrant.

Should anyone conceal such matters and fail to report them, once discovered, they shall share the demons' guilt and receive