Chapter 509
Chapter 509
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 509
>Chapter Title: Daoist
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Chapter 509: Daoist
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> Lv Juren’s words instantly snapped Lv Zhuangyuan back to his senses. “Gong-beating? Wedding or funeral? Hurry, let’s go!”
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> For folks in their line of work, the sound of gongs was all too familiar.
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> Following the village paths, the Lv Family Troupe rushed toward the source. That faint gong sound grew louder and clearer.
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> When he saw it coming from a grand manor with high gates, Lv Zhuangyuan’s grin nearly split his face.
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> But once he pushed through the crowd of onlookers and saw what was happening inside, the smile dropped right off.
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> There stood a Daoist in a yellow robe and black Daoist crown, his eyebrows thick and straight like a single line, performing a ritual at the altar.
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> Right then, he was banging hard on a copper gong while circling a man laid out on a plank bed.
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> With every strike of the gong, the man’s paper-white body trembled uncontrollably, like something inside was trying to claw its way out.
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> “Dad, let’s go. This Daoist’s catching ghosts and driving out evil. Nothing for us here.” Lv Juren turned to leave, but his father grabbed his arm.
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> “Hold on. Let’s watch. If that guy doesn’t pull through, then it’s our business.”
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> Meanwhile, Lv Xiucai, who’d just squeezed in beside Lv Zhuangyuan, stared in astonishment at the Daoist—or more precisely, at the copper coin sword strapped to his back.
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> “This is freaky. That copper coin sword on his back is exactly like Master’s.” Gouwa, standing behind him, caught every word of the mutter.
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> “Ha!” The man on the plank suddenly shot straight up, leaping three feet into the air.
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> Gasps and cries erupted instantly, sending the crowd stumbling back.
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> “Wretched fiend! You dare harm the innocent right in front of this Celestial Master?”
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> The Daoist hurled the copper gong with force, smashing it into the man’s gut and forcing him to double over.
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> “Supreme Tai Xing, respond without cease. Drive out evil, bind malevolent spirits, protect life and body. Wisdom clear and pure, mind and spirit at peace. Three souls eternal, seven po undying!”
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> The Daoist scooped rice from the altar, passed it through the red candle’s flame, then flung it at the man.
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> “Aaah!” Where the rice hit, black qi burst from the man’s body.
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> Once a puff of black smoke drilled from his mouth and dispersed under the sunlight, his body went limp and he collapsed to the ground.
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> A plump man in silk rushed over. Seeing the guy alive and calling for his dad, he burst into tears, dragging his servants to kowtow before the Daoist.
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> “True immortal! Living god! Saved him in one go.”
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> “Yeah, yeah. If not for this master, the Zhang family’s only heir would’ve lost his life here.”
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> Amid the excited chatter around him, Lv Xiucai scoffed. “What’s so great about that? If my master were here…”
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> No matter what Lv Xiucai said, everyone—including Lv Zhuangyuan—perked up at news of the Zhang family hosting a celebratory feast that night.
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> “See that? Feast’s on! He pulled through, so we’ve got a gig!” Lv Zhuangyuan headed straight for the ecstatic head of the household.
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> A few auspicious words later, he easily convinced Magistrate Zhang to hire the Lv Family Troupe for a show.
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> After wolfing down a quick meal, the troupe got to work—erecting the stage, applying makeup—time was tight.
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> That night, Lv Zhuangyuan led his apprentices and sons in a furious performance. Hosts and guests alike reveled in it.
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> As midnight fell and the stuffed guests drifted off in twos and threes, Lv Xiucai eyed the Daoist at the head table, his face etched with hesitation.
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> “You sure? Is that sword really the one Big Brother Li carried?” Gouwa whispered urgently beside him.
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> “Pretty sure, but it’s too far. Can’t see clear. Best to get it in my hands to know for sure.”
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> Gouwa nearly choked on blood. “Can you be any less reliable?”
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> “Then why not just ask him? If he’s got Master’s sword, maybe he knows where Master is.”
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> “How? What if he stole it from Big Brother Li? What if he’s got a grudge against him?”
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> As the two bickered, they spotted the Daoist whispering something to the host, then leading him grim-faced to the inner courtyard.
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> “He’s moving! Follow him!” Lv Xiucai didn’t hesitate, ducking behind a table leg to tail them stealthily.
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> Leaving the outer courtyard for the inner one quieted everything. The Daoist’s words with the host drifted to Lv Xiucai’s ears.
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> “Celestial Master, there’s really still evil in my house?”
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> “Mm, indeed. Your son’s possession ties to this evil. Fail to root it out, and your family will never know peace.”
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> “Then what do we do?!”
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> “No panic. With this Celestial Master here, it’s handled. The evil’s possessing some object now. Find it, and it’s done!”
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> The yellow-robed Daoist flipped his hand, revealing a weathered pure-copper compass. He pinched incantation gestures while fixating on it, searching.
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> A hand slapped the shoulder of Lv Xiucai, huddled behind a rockery. He jolted in fright.
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> Glancing back to see Gouwa, he shot him a vicious glare.
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> Gouwa ignored it, pointing to fresh action in the distance.
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> “Magistrate Zhang, beware! That’s the object the evil’s possessing!”
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> “Celestial Master? H-how? This is my Zhang family heirloom!”
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> Gouwa peered into the brightly lit room ahead. On the table before the Celestial Master sat a mud Buddha statue, its features melted into a slump.
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> “Magistrate Zhang, watch out!” Black smoke plunged from the ceiling, blanketing the magistrate.
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> He crumpled unconscious to the floor.
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> Under Gouwa and Lv Xiucai’s dumbfounded stares, the black smoke darted into a black overcoat in the room.
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> Moments later, the headless, footless overcoat wobbled to its feet.
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> The Daoist swept his hand, stashing the slumped Buddha up his sleeve, then sternly berated the black overcoat.
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> “That evil’s this Daoist’s pet!!” Lv Xiucai hissed in Gouwa’s ear, voice barely a breath, utterly shocked.
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> Gouwa jerked his chin hard toward their escape route. The pair eased out of the desolate inner courtyard.
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> “What? Strangers in the yard! Why speak of something so crucial only now!”
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> The Daoist’s low growl from behind sent chills exploding over their scalps.
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> They’d barely dashed two steps when the black overcoat dropped from above, blocking their path.
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> Gouwa yanked out the rotten-wood ruyi and flung it hard at the overcoat. Seeing it smacked down and flop to the ground, he grabbed Lv Xiucai and bolted outward.
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> “Hahaha! A heart pure’s tongue? Double blessings!”
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> (End of chapter)