Chapter 16: Turtle God

"Make way, make way, make way!" Mr. Xu roared when seeing the old turtle start to run wildly.

Some of the onlookers in the yard responded quickly while others responded slowly, but no matter the speed of their response, it did not really make a difference. There were just too many people huddled in this yard, and even if they wanted to make way, they could only do so if there was room.

Then, an astonishing scene occurred!

One by one, the villagers were overturned by the old turtle. Fortunately, no trampling occurred, for even if the people were overturned, they just fell on one another.

However, when Mr. Xu suddenly discovered that the direction the old turtle was rushing toward was actually the main entrance of the hall, he could no longer stay calm. His wife was still in the house, with the child of his old age still in her belly. "Block it, block it!"

Creak——

The door to the hall opened just then, and Mrs. Xu appeared at the door, flanked by two daughters-in-law.

The old turtle also reached the door.

Just as the two parties seemed to bump into each other, the situation evolved into a strange spectacle.

The speed of the old turtle slowed down unexpectedly and soon returned to the slow motion of a tortoise crawling.

"What did I just see?"

"Has this turtle really become a spiritual being?"

"What are you talking about?"

"How is this an old turtle? This is the Turtle God!"

"Yes, it's Turtle God, Turtle God!"

　　...

After seeing the old turtle's astounding manoeuvre, the hearts of the villagers of Spirit Water Village were successfully captured. All of them regarded this old turtle, who must have lived for numerous years, as a spiritual being that could bless an area.

"Kowtow to the turtle god!" someone among the crowd shouted. Like an infectious disease, one by one, the villagers in the yard all kneeled on the ground, worshipping the old turtle.

"Big brother, what's happening?"

Second Xu, along with his brothers, who were all at a loss, were like cranes standing among chickens, as they did not join the crowd in worshipping the old turtle.

"You three idiots, hurry up and kneel down!" Mr. Xu's voice suddenly came out, his tone a little sinister.

Seeing their own father kneeling down among the crowd, the three brothers instinctively felt that something was wrong. However, in the face of their father's badgering, they didn't dare to go against him without the support of their old mother.

"Father, it's just an old turtle. Why are you also following the foolishness of other villagers?"

Youngest Xu was a scholar. The Confucius had said that the subjects on which one should not talk were: extraordinary things, feats of strength, disorder, and spiritual beings.

"Shut up!" Old Mr. Xu glared at Youngest Xu. "Kneel down properly and pray to the Turtle God for me. Pray to receive the blessing that you will get first place in the imperial exam!"

Under the absolute harassment, Youngest Xu could only aggrievedly put the words of the sage deep within his heart. 'Everything is beyond my wish, but at least I have the sage within my heart.'

　　...

"Mother, what—what is that?"

The Xu eldest daughter-in-law, Zhou, and the Xu second daughter-in-law, Li, were both shocked by the old turtle, which was the size of a small pot.

Originally, Mrs. Xu and her daughters-in-law were making steamed buns inside the house. Despite hearing the commotion in the yard, Mrs. Xu had still remained calm.

She hadn't planned to go out and see what was happening until she heard Mr. Xu's holler.

However, she never expected that as soon as she opened the door, she would encounter such a big old turtle.

The most astonishing thing was that the villagers actually began to kneel down one by one, calling out "Turtle God".

How was an old turtle worth this title? Why was it recognized as a turtle god? 

Mrs. Xu couldn't help squinting her eyes and looking at the huge old turtle carefully.

The old turtle's small eyes turned around and finally fell on Mrs. Xu's belly.