The Spread of the Epidemic and the Taoist Lord Who Saves the World

Chapter 12

Three days later, panic gripped the villagers of Mingguan Post Station. They were alarmed by reports from those returning from Tieniu Town that an epidemic had broken out there. Initially, the travelers had intended only to purchase salt and coarse cloth, but they found the town completely sealed off.

What is the most terrifying thing?Natural disasters and man-made calamities!For the villagers of Mingguan Post Station, the epidemic was a natural disaster—one that could rapidly spread.

Inside the Taoist Lord Temple, the number of believers offering incense surged as many prayed for protection, hoping the epidemic would not reach them. In just three days, Li Changmeng had accumulated thirty Five Spirits Healing Talismans. Beyond drawing talismans, he also taught Wang Hu and Sun Er how to treat those infected by the epidemic and how to spread the faith.

"The epidemic has broken out. Wang Hu, take twenty magic talismans to Tieniu Town. Sun Er, take ten to the two nearby villages.""We will strictly follow your decree, Lord Spiritual Boy!"

The two grasped the magic talismans firmly and set off on their respective missions.

Meanwhile, Li Changmeng sought out Yang Jian'an and instructed him to soothe the villagers and urge them to come to the Taoist Lord Temple to receive the talisman water—a remedy meant to dispel the epidemic's affliction. As soon as this news spread, a stir arose among the villagers, and soon they gathered at the front of the temple.

"Folks, Mi Meng Wang Qing Taoist Lord cannot bear to see the world plunged into the misery of an epidemic. He has specially bestowed talisman water to cure diseases and protect us. There is enough for everyone—do not be disorderly and anger the Taoist Lord!"

Yang Jian'an maintained order as Li Changmeng had instructed. Behind the temple, Li Changmeng had already prepared a wooden barrel. He lit a Five Spirits Healing Talisman and tossed it into the water. The talisman, still burning with spiritual power, gradually imbued the water with a trace of colorful luster. This talisman water, once infused, must be used quickly, for its spiritual potency dissipates within half an hour.

Carrying the wooden barrel, Li Changmeng stepped to the front of the temple, where nearly every villager of Mingguan Post Station had gathered—even the village elders had been assisted to the front. The epidemic was no trivial matter; it had the potential to decimate an entire village.

"Lord Spiritual Boy is coming out..."A soft cry drew everyone's attention, and they watched as Li Changmeng, carrying the wooden barrel, approached. The sharp-eyed villagers noted the unusual shine in the water."Is that the talisman water bestowed by the Taoist Lord? It looks extraordinary.""Of course—it is from Mi Meng Wang Qing Taoist Lord. It must be miraculous."

Li Changmeng produced a wooden bowl. "Mr. Zhang, you come first."At the head of the line was Zhang Zhiping. Despite walking on crutches, he stepped forward and took the bowl. The clear water exuded a fragrant aroma that tempted the onlookers."Gudong~"After taking a sip, Zhang Zhiping felt a sensation of lightness spreading from his abdomen throughout his body."Thank the Taoist Lord of Infinite Mercy and Compassion Who Saves the World for bestowing the talisman water and blessing the common people."

"Huh? The Taoist Lord of Infinite Mercy and Compassion Who Saves the World?"Li Changmeng glanced at Zhang Zhiping. Though he had never used that divine title himself, it was fitting in the time of the epidemic—this elderly man was quite eloquent. In fact, Li Changmeng later learned that Zhang Zhiping's son was the head of Huangrang Township; as a semi-literate man familiar with scriptures and lectures, Zhang Zhiping was not easily swayed.

Next was Chen Lie, the village head. With the same wooden bowl filled with clear water, Chen Lie drank it in one gulp. The immediate comfort made him unable to hide his delight, and he blushed as he realized the talisman water's efficacy."Thank the Taoist Lord of Infinite Mercy and Compassion Who Saves the World for bestowing the talisman water and blessing the common people!"Following his example, Chen Lie expressed his gratitude before hurrying off to make room for the waiting villagers.

By morning, with three barrels of water and three talismans, a bowl of talisman water was bestowed upon every villager of Mingguan Post Station. Although curing diseases with talisman water might be slower than using a magic technique or talisman directly, Li Changmeng intended for the recovery to be gradual—allowing the people to better appreciate who had saved them and thus strengthening their faith.

Li Changmeng estimated that, for now, the epidemic had only broken out in Tieniu Town and had not yet spread to surrounding villages. This was why he had sent Sun Er to distribute talisman water in those areas. At the entrance of Wangjia Village, a wooden barrel stood before Sun Er, yet only a few non-clan families queued to receive the water. Wangjia Village, traditionally a clan village dedicated to ancestral worship, did not favor Sun Er—an outsider promoting the so-called Mi Meng Wang Qing Taoist Lord. They believed their ancestors would protect them from any epidemic, and they dismissed the notion of Mi Meng Wang Qing Taoist Lord.

Only a few families with foreign surnames, noticing the water's miraculous appearance and the fact that it was free, saw it as a means of safety amidst the epidemic."Mi Meng Wang Qing Taoist Lord is the supreme god who resides beyond the world. Thousands of worlds were created by his single thought. He does not wish to see the world suffer from this epidemic, so he has specially bestowed the talisman water. May the Taoist Lord protect you all..."

After finishing his proclamation, Sun Er handed the talisman water to the last person willing to accept it in Wangjia Village."Thank the Taoist Lord!"Imitating the adults, the child in line also expressed gratitude. No one else came forward to accept the talisman water. With a bitter expression, Sun Er packed away the wooden barrel. Out of the ten magic talismans given to him by Lord Spiritual Boy, three had been used in Xihe Village and one in Wangjia Village—hardly even half of them had been expended!

The people in Wangjia Village were ungrateful. The Taoist Lord had specially bestowed the talisman water for their benefit, yet they refused it, forcing Sun Er to distribute it only at the village entrance. This left Sun Er both angry and worried. More than half the people in Xihe Village had accepted the talisman water, while only a few families in Wangjia Village did. Would the Taoist Lord and Lord Spiritual Boy blame him for failing to carry out his duty?

After rushing between two villages, dusk fell. With a sense of unease, Sun Er hurried back to Mingguan Post Station. When he returned, darkness had settled and dark clouds obscured the moon.

"Lord Spiritual Boy, I—Sun Er—have failed to properly execute your decree. Please punish me."Immediately, Sun Er knelt and confessed his shortcomings.

Li Changmeng found this amusing. The only fault was that Sun Er had not distributed the talisman water as effectively as he had hoped. He gently inquired, "Did you encounter obstacles in Wangjia Village?"

"Lord Spiritual Boy is as wise as a prophet. When the people of Wangjia Village heard that I came with the blessing of the Taoist Lord, they drove me out without a word. Only a few non-clan families accepted His blessing," Sun Er replied, a trace of anger evident in his tone.

"Do not blame yourself. Those who save themselves will always be saved by the gods; those who do not believe in the Taoist Lord will be punished, and then they will understand the preciousness of His mercy."Li Changmeng lifted Sun Er with his spiritual power. He had anticipated the situation in Wangjia Village—if they did not accept the talisman water now, they would struggle to obtain it when the epidemic struck.