The Republic of China: From Storyteller to God

On the altar, the incense and candles were almost burned to the end.

The yellow-robed Taoist priest kept moving, holding a peach wood sword and the Three Pure Ones Bell, chanting incantations.

"All of us, the faithful, respectfully bathe in incense and dare to report to Your Majesty."

I humbly believe that the calm sea foretells the imminent emergence of a sage, as indicated by the morning breeze and evening rain.

The harmony of the year's order is now disrupted by the sudden appearance of Feng Yi, causing the waves to surge and the people to be filled with fear and unease. They go to temples to burn incense and pray.

Beiguan Shuitianfu, which governs the five lakes and four seas, receives the disaster-reducing dragon king, prays that Feng Yi will cease his might, the green waves will disappear, and the whole region will be free from floods and the scourge of empty oysters will be eliminated.

"On this auspicious day of the month, the priests will erect an altar at the residence to perform the Lingbao ritual for peace and blessings..."

As he prayed, the incense sticks offered on the altar burned rapidly.

A wisp of smoke rose straight up without the slightest tremor.

The surrounding villagers held their breath and dared not make a sound.

At this moment, the approaching footsteps of Liu Che and his group seemed much more abrupt.

Therefore, as soon as Liu Che and his group arrived outside the crowd, they were met with angry stares.

Upon seeing this, the boatman quickly bowed and apologized, saying, "Thank you, thank you."

But the silence was broken as soon as he opened his mouth.

The wisp of straight blue smoke seemed to be disturbed and began to tremble rapidly.

Upon seeing this, the yellow-robed Taoist priest quickened the pace of his steps.

The two young apprentices who were guarding the altar on either side also rushed forward to protect it, trying to stabilize the altar.

However, with a slight tremor of the incense stick, the wisp of smoke eventually dissipated.

Seeing this, the yellow-robed Taoist gently shook his head and stopped to withdraw his magic.

Seeing that he had stopped performing the ritual, the surrounding villagers immediately surrounded Liu Che and his companions, angrily criticizing them.

"Who are you? What are you doing here?"

"You've come here to cause trouble? Get out of here!"

"Who let you up here?"

Seeing that he had angered the crowd, the boatman quickly stepped back, pointing at Liu Che and his companion and explaining, "They were the ones who wanted to come; it has nothing to do with me!"

Seeing the villagers gather around, A Wu remained expressionless, his hand already gripping a dagger tightly in his sleeve.

"It's none of their business."

A slightly hoarse voice called out to everyone.

The yellow-robed Taoist priest had already finished his magic and rushed over to help Liu Che and his companion out of their predicament.

Upon seeing him approach, the crowd stopped reprimanding Liu Che and instead surrounded him, asking, "Uncle Jiu, how is it? Did the Dragon King react?"

"Did you ask what the question was?"

"Did someone anger the Dragon King?"

"Is there a way, Uncle Nine?"

They all talked at once, leaving the yellow-robed Taoist priest bewildered.

But he could only patiently explain: "This oyster disaster is unprecedented, and it probably cannot be resolved by one or two rituals. We need to plan for the long term."

Hearing that there was no solution, everyone could not hide their disappointment.

A young, strong man with short hair angrily threw his jacket on the ground: "We've performed two days of rituals, but it's no use. They're determined to kill us!"

"Ah Liang, shut up!"

The eldest of the men scolded the short-haired man, then took the arm of the yellow-robed Taoist priest and asked, "Ah Jiu, most of the people in our village rely on those oyster fields for a living."

"Our oyster production has already halved in three months. If we can't resolve this oyster plague soon, we might all be facing annihilation."

"Uncle Xiang, I understand."

The Taoist priest in the yellow robe comforted him, "Don't worry, I've come here to solve this problem."

Don't worry, give me a few more days, and I'll definitely get it sorted out for you.

Hearing him say that, Uncle Xiang could only place his hopes on him: "Alright, Ah Jiu, it's all up to you now."

After saying that, he called to the villagers, "Alright, everyone go back now. We still need to harvest oysters tonight, so go back and get some rest."

Upon hearing this, everyone turned around and descended the mountain amidst discussions.

Soon, only Liu Che and his two companions remained on the mountain, along with the yellow-robed Taoist priest and his two disciples.

Seeing the yellow-robed Taoist priest and his two disciples putting away the offerings and candlesticks on the incense table, Liu Che stepped forward and greeted them, "Ninth Uncle."

Hearing the voice, Uncle Nine turned around and looked him over, casually asking, "Is there something you need?"

Although he had just helped Liu Che out of a predicament, he was still quite dissatisfied with Liu Che and his group for coming up so abruptly and disrupting the ritual.

Sensing the displeasure in his tone, Liu Che remained unperturbed and continued to smile, saying, "I came from Guangzhou Prefecture to do oyster business, so I've come to learn about the oyster production here."

I'm so sorry I accidentally disturbed your ritual.

Seeing his good attitude, Uncle Jiu didn't hold it against him. He turned around, cupped his hands in greeting, and softened his tone: "It's alright. Even if you can't come up, the ritual will still be completed. It has nothing to do with you."

An apprentice with triangular eyes walked by carrying an incense burner, casually remarking, "Coming to Guangzhou to do oyster business now, they really have no fear of death..."

"Wencai! Don't talk nonsense!"

Uncle Nine frowned, scolded him, and then explained to Liu Che, "This is my apprentice Wencai. He's ignorant, please don't take offense."

"It's alright."

Liu Che ignored it, still looking at Uncle Jiu, and asked seriously, "I heard that the oyster fields around Guangzhou have recently suffered from disasters, resulting in a sharp decrease in production. Is that true?"

Another, more handsome apprentice walked by carrying a candlestick and casually remarked, "Of course it's true, otherwise why would we be here?"

"Qiusheng! You're so immature!"

Uncle Nine glared at him before explaining to Liu Che, "It is true that this happened. I came here to perform a ritual to find out the reason, but I still have no clue."

"Oh?"

Liu Che feigned surprise and asked, "With your cultivation level, Uncle Jiu, you still haven't figured out the reason?"

Hearing him say this, Uncle Nine asked with some doubt, "You know me?"

Liu Che smiled and said, "Oh, I heard people mention you, Uncle Jiu, when I was in Guangzhou Prefecture."

People say that Uncle Jiu is proficient in everything—exorcising evil spirits, catching ghosts, praying for blessings, and warding off disasters—and is a renowned figure in the Taoist community of Guangdong and Guangxi!

He certainly had never heard of Uncle Nine's name in Guangzhou.

He heard about it in his previous life.

Uncle Nine was one of only three Taoist priests in the South who were promoted to the third rank in his previous life.

"Oh? I see..."

Uncle Nine was surprised by the praise, but he couldn't help feeling proud inside, though he pretended to be indifferent.

However, Wencai, who was standing nearby, chimed in: "Master, you've become famous. Even the people of Guangzhou Prefecture know you now."

"Go! Get to work."

Uncle Jiu reprimanded him with a stern face, and then said to Liu Che, "You've come at the wrong time. Since March of this year, the oyster beaches around Guangzhou have suffered an unprecedented oyster plague."

Large numbers of oysters died, turning into empty oysters, leading to massive crop failure and reduced yields.

"Now is probably not a good time for you to start an oyster business."

"Uncle Jiu is mistaken."

Liu Che shook his head: "If we're talking business, scarcity drives up prices. The less oysters there are, the easier the business should be. I've come at just the right time."

Uncle Nine frowned upon hearing this: "I don't know anything about doing business, but if you're thinking of hoarding goods for speculation, you've probably made a mistake."

Given the current rate of decline in oyster production, the current oyster species will likely be extinct by October, and you won't be able to buy any to sell.

Moreover, oysters are just one type of seafood and are not something you absolutely have to eat; it's just that oyster farmers suffer as a result.

If you had even a shred of compassion, you shouldn't have been trying to profit from this oyster disaster.

"Uncle Jiu, you've misunderstood."

Liu Che glanced at the Dragon King Temple and shook his head slightly: "If I really wanted to make a fortune from the oyster disaster, I wouldn't have told you."

I came here to learn about the oyster farms and see if the oyster infestation here is the same as the one that happened in my hometown.

If both situations are the same, then I might have a way to solve the oyster infestation.