Chapter 38: The Temple Fair and the Summoned Deity

Consequently, the question of its naming had been a subject of endless debate, and with no definitive conclusion reached even now, it was simply referred to as ‘the small town’.

In essence, it was a messy affair that no one wished to bother with; and as there were no other towns nearby, this informal designation had, by tacit agreement, become the norm.

After Yang Qi and the other two exchanged a few words, Jí Yào dismounted from his horse and hurried towards them.

“May I ask, Brother Jí, what brings you here?”

Upon seeing Qíngyǔ, he first clasped his fists in a respectful greeting, and only then did he continue to speak.

“My Master and Lord Song wish to know if we should proceed directly into the town, or bypass it?”

“There is no need to worry about disturbing the populace. Simply inform the two gentlemen to proceed as if for a temple fair.”

“Understood!”

Jí Yào clasped his fists once more, then dashed through the raindrops, and in a few swift strides, he was gone. In mere moments, he had settled back onto his horse.

“Mama, what’s a temple fair?”

The Little Girl, finding this strange, tugged at her sleeve.

“It’s similar to a market day, but usually much livelier.”

Qíngyǔ herself was unsure what a temple fair in this world entailed; she only knew of their existence but had never witnessed one firsthand.

As for temple fairs in her previous life, they were always exceptionally lively; her Master would typically select a few younger disciples to accompany him down the mountain then.

To offer incense and worship the gods, and to cleanse evil and defilement.

Demonic entities, usually difficult to find on ordinary days, would often emerge at such times to steal some incense offerings, and the more foolish among them would even brazenly attack.

Thus, in her previous life, where the realms of immortals and mortals were closer, whenever such occasions arose, mortals would always invite immortals down from the mountains to help deal with the demonic entities.

This was known as ‘granting wishes’, considered the method within the Dao of ‘affinity’ that involved the fewest entanglements and brought in the most incense offerings.

However, the path she cultivated was not this one.

“A market day? Will there be delicious food?”

“Not today.”

Such a display was primarily intended to attract attention, and since no one had been notified in advance, it was unlikely there would be any vendors or stalls.

“Mmm…”

“What’s wrong? Are you hungry?”

Qíngyǔ felt a touch of surprise, as she recalled the child not usually being particularly keen on food.

“It’s just… nothing.”

The Little Girl hesitated, on the verge of speaking, but then stopped. Finally, as if making a firm decision, she vigorously shook her head and said no more.

‘Playing hard to get with me now, are we?’

‘Such an intricate mind for a child.’

With a hint of exasperation, Qíngyǔ took the girl’s hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

“Just tell Mama what you want to eat. It’s not as if I wouldn’t buy it for you.”

Yet, her own self-address as ‘Mama’ was becoming increasingly natural.

“It’s just, I want to eat the sweet ones, the ones on a stick.”

“Tanghulu (TL Note: Candied hawthorn or other fruits on a skewer)?”

“Yes!”

“You should have said so earlier.”

The young lady shook her head. Truth be told, she had made quite a lot of these in her previous life; a small portion had gone into the bellies of her fellow disciples, while the majority had been sold.

It wasn’t until she became the sect master later on that she finally relinquished this skill and passed it down. Only occasionally, when her own sweet tooth ached, and she couldn’t bring herself to snatch a sweet treat from her disciples and grand-disciples, would she make some for herself to enjoy.

“But aren’t there no sellers right now?”

“You’ve had them before?”

“Before Mama came, they would always bring me half a skewer every market day. They were so delicious!”

The Little Girl sniffed lightly, wiping her nose with her sleeve, her eyes sparkling.

“If you can’t buy them, wouldn’t it be fine if I just made them for you?”

With a tender heart, Qíngyǔ reached out and gently ruffled the Little Girl’s small head.

“Mama’s the best!”

“I’ll make them for you once I’m done with this matter.”

“Mm!”

As they spoke, the procession slowly made its way into the town.

This impoverished, remote area rarely saw many visitors, and a procession as grand and ostentatious as this was utterly unheard of.

By the time they reached the vicinity of the Yang Manor, the streets were already filled with residents pointing and whispering.

“Hoh, what’s all this about?”

“I don’t know. Looks like they’re transporting something in the back?”

“Something? I say, that’s a divine statue!”

“Don’t talk nonsense.”

“Isn’t the one leading them Yang Qi?”

“Didn’t his family just have an incident? Some even said the authorities went looking for them. How is it that now…”

“You’re simply unknowledgeable. The one beside him, look, riding the white horse, that’s the county magistrate.”

“Then what are they here for?”

“You always spoke ill of Yang Qi. If things go south for him… hehe…”

“Pure nonsense. What’s said in town is far less severe than what’s said in the city. If anyone were to be arrested, wouldn’t it be the city folk first?”

…….

Listening to the townsfolk’s criticisms and murmurs, many of which were laced with both surprise and fear, and feeling the trepidation of returning home, Yang Qi now felt his palms, gripping the reins, grow warm.

“There is no need to be nervous. Simply act according to what was stated in the proclamation.”

Just as he reined in his horse before the Yang Manor, and was hesitating in his heart, a clear, serene voice, seemingly emanating from the depths of his soul, naturally dispelled his anxiety.

‘Truly a master.’

Yang Qi’s heart brightened with realization. He took a deep breath, glanced around at the surrounding townsfolk, clasped his hands towards the heavens, and slowly began to speak.

“I, your humble townsman, Yang Qi, today boldly invite the deity back to our homeland. Henceforth, year after year, we shall offer incense, seeking only that you protect this land in peace, and that no demonic entities shall disturb its people again.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than the townsfolk, who had braved the rain to gather and witness the spectacle, erupted into an even greater commotion.

“What was that gibberish he was just saying…”

“Forget what he was saying! Look! An immortal! An immortal has manifested!”

The surrounding populace, seeing the light pierce through the clouds, stirred into an even greater frenzy.

Some even prostrated themselves on the spot, chanting, “May the divine spirit protect us.”

Yang Qi suddenly saw a figure approaching from a distance, staring intently at him.

This person, clad in golden armor and wielding a long sword, was covered in blood, with a crimson tassel fluttering from their helmet, emanating an overwhelming aura of malice.

Upon closer inspection, this general was none other than the face of the divine statue carried by the procession!

Only Qíngyǔ, the Little Girl, and Yang Qi saw this figure.

‘I never expected that my casual gesture would actually reshape the Mountain God’s divine body,’ the young lady mused, shaking her head, then putting away the spiritual talismans she had prepared.

Originally, this had merely been a casual move on her part, intending for the deity to slowly take form through incense offerings. Unexpectedly, Yang Qi’s few words had prematurely summoned the divine spirit back.

Qíngyǔ pondered, recalling the deep, clear blue she had seen in her ink-wash vision. Yang Qi’s success in inviting the deity must have been inextricably linked to that blue.

However, this was already the second time her attempt to intervene had been interrupted.

Though this time wasn’t entirely unexpected, it still left her feeling a little restless.

Yang Qi and the Mountain God’s conversation continued.

“You wish for me, Song Daocong, to protect a single town in this latter dynasty?”

“This humble subject boldly requests it.”

Yang Qi was not intimidated by his imposing aura, maintaining his respectful clasped-fist greeting.

Song Daocong scoffed, stepping forward. Behind him, an endless crimson light seemed to manifest, distinctly resembling a malevolent deity.

“You are also an official! Why do you not protect them yourself, but instead seek me?!”

His shout resonated like clashing metal and stone, piercing directly into Yang Qi’s heart, causing it to bleed.

The clouds opened and then gathered again, as a few drops of clear rain fell between the two, illuminated by the lingering sunlight, seemingly separating the living and the dead.