The Price of Seeking the Talisman Water

Chapter 14

The scene in Mingguan Post was completely different from that in Tieniu Town and the surrounding villages. While the neighboring villages suffered from the epidemic, Mingguan Post remained unaffected, and its people were deeply grateful for the talisman water bestowed by the Taoist Lord Mimen Wangqing.

At the Taoist Lord Temple, Li Changmeng, taking advantage of the recent lull, had reorganized the temple in preparation for upcoming matters. As the Spiritual Official of the temple, Li Changmeng oversaw all activities, ensuring everything was in order.

The temple had a simple organizational structure. The Mimen Spiritual Official, Li Changmeng, was the highest authority, followed by the Leaders, who were responsible for spreading the teachings of the Taoist Lord, and the Disciplinarians, who managed the internal affairs of the temple. Beneath them were the Followers, the ordinary believers who stayed in the temple regularly, and the Pilgrims, like Yang Ji'an and his mother, who had invested their entire fortune into the temple.

For the past three days, Li Changmeng had been focused on drawing the Five Spirits Healing Talismans. In that time, he had accumulated thirty talismans, all ready for distribution to those in need.

One day, Wang Hu came to the back room to report, "Spiritual Official, Mayor Zhao Wenzhuo of Tieniu Town and his assistant Zhao Wenbo wish to pay a visit."

Li Changmeng nodded. "I have been expecting them. Let's go and see them."

Li Changmeng stepped to the front of the temple, where he saw the two men offering incense. Zhao Wenzhuo and his assistant seemed taken aback when they saw Li Changmeng, who appeared to be no older than eight or nine years old. Despite his youthful appearance, Li Changmeng held the highest position in the Taoist Lord Temple. Noticing their surprise, Li Changmeng didn't feel the need to explain and simply said, "Mayor Zhao, I assume you've come to request the talisman water?"

"Yes, Spiritual Official," Zhao Wenzhuo replied earnestly. "In Tieniu Town, people are dying daily from the epidemic. I implore you to bestow the talisman water and save them from their suffering."

Li Changmeng nodded solemnly. "The talisman water was not created by me. It is a blessing from the Taoist Lord Mimen Wangqing, who is deeply merciful and compassionate. Unfortunately, some people choose to doubt it."

At that moment, a commotion outside the temple caught their attention. Looking out, they saw a man with severe sores all over his face, accompanied by another man who was also afflicted by the epidemic. They were slowly making their way toward the temple.

"The epidemic!" Zhao Wenzhuo exclaimed, recognizing the signs of the disease.

Li Changmeng, however, remained calm. "It's fine. Let's see what he wants."

The man, who appeared to be struggling with every step, eventually reached the gate of the temple and fell to his knees.

"I am Wang Minghai, the village head of Wangjia Village. I have contracted the epidemic and I stink terribly. I cannot enter the temple for fear of defiling it. But I beseech the Taoist Lord to show mercy and bestow the talisman water to save the lives of the hundreds of villagers in Wangjia Village."

Despite his weakened state, Wang Minghai's voice carried a sense of desperation.

Li Changmeng turned to Zhao Wenzhuo. "It seems this man is desperate. He must have come from one of the affected villages."

Zhao Wenzhuo was momentarily speechless. The man's condition was dire, and his pleas seemed genuine. Yet, there was also a history of animosity between the Taoist Lord Temple and the villagers of Wangjia Village.

Just then, Sun Er, standing nearby, spoke up. "Do you remember what happened the last time we went to Wangjia Village? We were driven away, and the villagers rejected the blessing of the Taoist Lord. Do you think you can now simply ask for his mercy after all that?"

Wang Minghai's face turned ashen. He had indeed been one of those who had driven Sun Er and the others out of the village. He now deeply regretted his actions, but it was too late to undo them.

Zhao Wenzhuo, relieved that he hadn't been involved in such a conflict, observed the exchange in silence.

Li Changmeng, unmoved by Wang Minghai's remorse, said coldly, "If you want the talisman water, I have only one condition. Demolish the Wang Family Ancestral Hall and build a temple to worship the Taoist Lord."

Wang Minghai's lips trembled, but he said nothing for a long moment. He understood that there was no room for negotiation. He had no choice but to comply if he wanted to save his people.

After a long pause, he lowered his head in defeat. "I agree. I will demolish the Ancestral Hall and build a temple to honor the Taoist Lord."

Li Changmeng nodded slightly. "It is never too late to correct your mistakes. The Taoist Lord will bless you for this decision."

Turning to Sun Er, Li Changmeng instructed, "Take the remaining talismans, go to Wangjia Village first, and then stop by Xihe Village to bestow the talisman water."

"Yes, Spiritual Official," Sun Er replied with a smile. He was filled with a sense of respect for the Taoist Lord. To think that the same people who had once driven him out of their village were now kneeling and begging for his help—this transformation only deepened his belief in the power of the Taoist Lord.

As Sun Er prepared to leave, Zhao Wenzhuo approached Li Changmeng. "Thank you, Spiritual Official. Your kindness will not be forgotten."

Li Changmeng gave a small nod, his expression as neutral as ever. "Ensure that you honor the agreement."

With that, Sun Er departed, carrying the talisman water to bring blessings to Wangjia Village and beyond. The situation had changed completely. Now, those who had once rejected the talisman water were willing to pay a steep price to receive it.