Taoist priests in the supernatural world

Chapter 79 The Death of the Empress Dowager, the Number One Taoist Priest in the Land

The ritual ended, and the incense burned out.

The five lamps went out one by one, and the five-colored smoke remaining on the altar slowly dissipated.

The night sky in front of the mortuary, which had been illuminated by golden light, dimmed again.

Huang Bai stepped down from the center of the altar and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"It's over. It's not easy to earn some benefits."

Despite being immune to heat and cold, he was now drenched in sweat.

This ritual for the deceased may seem like just chanting incantations and performing rituals, but in reality, it is extremely costly.

He wanted to use the medicinal power of the mica elixir to support the Five Lamps Altar, and also to use the altar's magic to connect Yin and Yang, sending golden light into the underworld to wash away the resentment and filth from those lonely ghosts.

If it weren't for his profound foundation in internal alchemy, an ordinary Taoist priest would probably have collapsed from exhaustion halfway through.

Master Simu stood at the foot of the altar, looking at the incense ash scattered on the ground and the gradually extinguishing lamp wicks, and couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement.

"Master Huang's magical power is truly terrifying."

The monk Ikkyu put his hands together and whispered a Buddhist chant.

"The merit of helping the departed souls find peace is immeasurable."

Chizuru stood to one side, watching the yin energy gradually dissipate in the sky.

Now that he is half-human and half-stiff, he is most able to sense changes in the yin energy.

The ritual just now was not only lively in the mortal world, but it must have also caused quite a stir in the underworld.

night.

Dark clouds obscured the bright moon.

The bamboo grove outside the mortuary was dark and gloomy, with gusts of wind blowing.

The Earth Spirit Child appeared quietly.

He was still short and small, dressed in colorful clothes. After emerging from the ground, he first bowed respectfully towards the direction of the mortuary.

Then, the ghostly carriage emerged from the mist.

The wheels did not touch the ground, and the horse's hooves trod on eerie green flames.

The Earth Spirit Child unloaded a large compass from the carriage.

This object is the Five Elements Array Plate.

However, the array plate at this time is different from the one before.

A bright red bead appeared in the center of the array plate, resembling congealed blood or a strange gem embedded in the array's eye.

The five elements pattern extends outwards along the beads, and the five colors of light—metal, wood, water, fire, and earth—flow slowly across the surface of the plate.

The Earth Spirit Child held the array plate and said in a low voice:

"General Black Fiend said that in the future, when the immortal uses this plate, he only needs to drip a drop of his essence blood and activate it with his mind to change the formation at will."

"A drop of blood can sustain life for fifteen minutes."

"The general also said that the Celestial Master of Longhu Mountain is skilled in the Five Thunder Technique, and if you want to fight him, you must be careful."

"Especially avoid engaging in direct combat with Zhang Duyang when he has set up his altar. The Longhu Mountain altar is protected by Yangping Zhidu Gongyin, whose power is extraordinary."

Huang Bai took the Five Elements Array Plate and gently stroked the blood bead in the center with his fingertips.

The array plate vibrated slightly, seemingly in harmony with his aura.

It was indeed much easier to use than before.

It eliminates the need to cripple the array setter's arm or find someone to activate the array plate, greatly improving its practicality.

"I see."

Huang Bai nodded.

"Please, Spirit Child, convey my gratitude to General Black Fiend."

"I've noted it down."

The Earth Spirit Child bowed respectfully, then transformed into a wisp of green smoke, disappearing into the night along with the ghost fire carriage.

Huang Bai stood in the courtyard, looking up towards the north.

The night in the north is deep and dark.

"The Five Elements Array Plate and Thunder Technique have been upgraded."

"Next, we'll have to test your mettle as a celestial master."

It was still dark.

Huang Bai and Hongwu rode on white horses and headed north.

The white horse, created by origami magic, is almost tireless.

Mountain roads, official roads, villages, and wilderness receded into the distance behind the two.

Hongwu, seated on his horse, saw Huang Bai traveling north and asked:

"Master, what is our next destination?"

Huang Bai's expression remained calm.

"Recruit soldiers and horses, attack the capital, and teach the Qing court an unforgettable lesson."

"Attack the capital?" Hongwu was taken aback, then burst into laughter, "Haha, I'm willing to serve you, Daoist!"

After that, the two headed north.

It wasn't all Huang and Bai who took action along the way.

Most of the time, Huang Bai simply sat aside and watched.

With his iron fists, Hongwu defeated various masters and also managed to integrate the scattered Hongmen forces in the area.

In some places, the Hongmen branches only fight for territory, share incense offerings, and emphasize seniority, having long forgotten their original intention of overthrowing the Qing and restoring the Ming.

Hongwu then went directly to their door and used his fists to reason with them.

He was originally Hong Wen's adopted son and disciple, and was extremely skilled. With the blessing of Huang Bai's previous talismans, his blood and energy became even more vigorous.

Those martial arts masters and outlaws often couldn't last more than ten moves against him.

Soon, groups of Hongmen members, bandits, and secret society leaders set off for the north in batches.

Storm is coming.

at the same time.

Inside the palace.

In front of the Imperial Garden.

Empress Dowager Cixi's face was cold as she looked at Zhang Duyang, the Celestial Master, who was standing in front of her.

Her face was covered in thick rouge, her lips were bright red, and the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes were as deep as if they had been carved by a knife.

As people age, they become more sinister and eerie.

"Gone? You mean, it was intercepted?"

Zhang Duyang lowered his head, his face grave.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me. This operation was carried out covertly, and I thought it would be foolproof, but I never expected..."

"Now it seems that it was the work of an inside traitor."

"Some people don't want the Empress Dowager to ascend to heaven after her death."

He unceremoniously shifted the blame to the officials along the way.

The royal zombies have been destroyed, but this matter must not be attributed to me.

Empress Dowager Cixi remained silent for a moment, then her cold gaze fell on Zhang Duyang.

"Celestial Master, how much longer do I have to live?"

Zhang Duyang hesitated for a moment and said in a low voice:

"I'm afraid my pills won't last much longer, not even a month."

He was also anxious when he said this.

He did not want Empress Dowager Cixi to die now.

If Empress Dowager Cixi dies, it will be difficult for him to continue to use the resources of the Qing court for his spiritual practice.

Over the years, under the name of the Celestial Master of Longhu Mountain, he has used the power of the imperial court to collect cultivation resources and to set up formations with the imperial family's fortune. If he loses the protection of Empress Dowager Cixi, many things will become extremely troublesome.

Empress Dowager Cixi then asked:

"Who exactly intercepted and killed the royal family on the frontier?"

Zhang Duyang took out the portrait he had prepared in advance from his sleeve.

"It is this person."

Empress Dowager Cixi accepted the portrait.

The person in the painting has white hair and golden eyes, wears a Taoist robe, and has an indifferent expression.

She stared at the portrait for a moment, a hint of weariness flashing in her eyes.

"Go down."

"Go down and arrange the mausoleum; you are in charge of all these matters."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Duyang was overjoyed.

He immediately bowed in respect.

"yes!"

After Zhang Duyang left, Empress Dowager Cixi returned to her study.

The candlelight flickered dimly in the study.

A map of the Qing Dynasty hung on the wall, and memorials were piled on the desk.

She stood before the desk, deep in thought.

If she dies, the Qing Dynasty will certainly not survive.

Emperor Guangxu advocated reform and modernization; his methods might have saved China, but they would have led to the downfall of the Qing Dynasty.

Between preserving the Qing Dynasty and preserving China, Empress Dowager Cixi naturally preferred the former.

She was not unaware that the world was corrupt and that public resentment was boiling over.

In her eyes, the world could be in chaos, and the people could die, but the Qing Dynasty could not perish.

"Zai Tian..."

Empress Dowager Cixi whispered Emperor Guangxu's name: "I have no choice but to take you with me."

As for the selection of the new emperor, Empress Dowager Cixi had already made arrangements.

She wrote a few words on the paper.

Puyi, son of Zaifeng.

Zaifeng was Emperor Guangxu's half-brother. He was pragmatic, traveled to various countries, and was not as stubborn as Emperor Guangxu.

More importantly, Zai Feng's son was young, making it easier for him to continue controlling him after he revived from his corpse state.

Empress Dowager Cixi picked up her pen and began to arrange her affairs after her death.

Subsequently, an arrest warrant was issued in the name of Emperor Guangxu.

"By imperial decree! A reward of 100,000 taels of gold is offered for the position of a fourth-rank Daotai (a high-ranking official in the imperial court). Capture the sorcerer Huang Bai; all provinces, prefectures, and counties in Zhili should execute him on sight."

The news shocked people both at home and abroad.

The severity of this punishment even surpasses that of the rebels like Hong Wen.

There is much speculation both at home and abroad about the identity of the Taoist priest Huang Tian.

Rumors spread like wildfire.

Some say this Taoist priest dug up the ancestral tombs of the Qing Dynasty, some claim he used witchcraft to curse Empress Dowager Cixi, and some say he was a heretical Taoist priest invited by the overseas Hongmen to specifically harm the Qing Dynasty's dragon vein.

In short, Huang Bai became famous in the late Qing Dynasty.

He was even called the number one Taoist priest in the world.

Shanghai International Settlement, English Pavilion.

Behind the consulate stands a small chapel for the British personnel stationed in China to pray.

This day.

Led by the priest, consuls, military officers, officials, and businessmen gathered at the church.

They were ostensibly praying, but in reality, it was also a routine exchange of intelligence and business information.

The people here are all wealthy and powerful, including scions of noble families from the Far East, agents of big capitalists, and military officials in the Far East.

The people here can stomp their feet and the entire foreign concession will tremble.

Inside the church, candlelight shone brightly.

Everyone bowed their heads and recited.

"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name."

"May your kingdom come."

"May your will be done on earth..."

The voices were uniform and deep.

Suddenly, the cross in the center of the church slowly emitted golden light.

At first, it was just a faint wisp.

Then, the golden light grew brighter and brighter, illuminating the entire church as if it were daytime.

Everyone instinctively looked up.

The next moment, their eyes almost widened in surprise.

Bathed in golden light, an angel with white wings slowly walked out from the radiance of the cross.

The angel was bathed in holy light, exuding an aura of majesty and indifference.

"Lord..."

Consul William trembled and immediately knelt down.

"Are you sending an envoy down to persuade me?"

"It's an angel!!!"

Someone gasped in surprise.

The others also knelt down.

They may just pay lip service to their beliefs, but in their daily business dealings, they cheat, swindle, and plunder without a second thought.

But when the angels actually appeared before them, the outcome was different.

Huang Bai didn't waste any words and went straight to the point:

"The Tatar emperor and empress dowager committed the sin of blasphemy against the gods, and the gods are furious. The gods have cursed the two of them to die in ten months."

The church erupted in uproar.

"What?"

"Damn Tatars, how dare they slander the gods!"

"How dare you!"

"This is an unforgivable sin!"

"quiet."

Huang Bai spoke again.

The sound wasn't loud, but it drowned out the noise in the entire church.

Everyone immediately fell silent, not daring to utter a word, and listened intently to the next instructions.

"I order you to bring your troops to Tianjin and bombard the Empress Dowager's funeral as a warning."

"I am willing to serve the angels!"

Everyone stood up to express their opinions.

They were all excited, their eyes filled with fervor.

As for how much of it is genuine faith and how much is an attempt to expand influence, that remains unknown.

As soon as he finished speaking, Huang Bai's figure flashed and disappeared from the spot.

The people inside the church were left looking at each other in bewilderment.

What happened today feels like a dream.

If not for witnessing it with their own eyes, everyone would probably think it was an illusion.

However, war would inevitably involve British interests.

After a brief period of fervor, a sense of hesitation arose in everyone's hearts.

Bombing the Empress Dowager's funeral was no small matter.

A single hair can affect the whole body.

But all these hesitations vanished completely by mid-October.

Outside, in the woods.

Huang Bai told Hongwu what had happened at the consulate.

"When dealing with a powerful enemy, don't just think about fighting head-on; you must take advantage of their strength."

After listening, Hongwu nodded thoughtfully.

"I understand. I will lead the Hongmen bandits to harass the capital and draw away the main force of the Qing forces."

He spoke calmly, as if he were not talking about his own affairs.

Hongwu had long since disregarded life and death.

He was willing to risk his life to attract the attention of the Qing dogs and get Huang Bai to kill Zhang Tianshi, who had murdered the righteous man.

The Imperial Palace.

The sun sets in the west, and dusk has arrived.

The rosy light pierced through the palace walls and into the dimly lit hall.

The hall was filled with a strong smell of medicine and incense.

Zaifeng brought his nearly three-year-old son, Puyi, to the palace.

As soon as he stepped into the hall, he was stunned by what he saw.

Empress Dowager Cixi lay on a large bed.

Her face was covered in gold powder, her wrinkles resembled dry tree bark, and she wore extremely luxurious burial clothes. She didn't look like a living person, but rather like a golden statue that had been forcibly decorated.

The palace maids and eunuchs on both sides were dressed as the Eight Immortals, strongmen, and fairies, seemingly welcoming her to ascend to heaven.

In the large cauldron in the middle, turtle soup was being simmered.

The soup was boiling, and the fishy smell mixed with the medicinal smell was nauseating.

"Little Puyi"

Empress Dowager Cixi opened her eyes with difficulty, her voice hoarse and dry.

"I hereby appoint you as the new Emperor."

"Cough cough..."

She laughed a few times, her voice sounding like a broken bellows.

Then, his breath gradually ceased.

Zhang Duyang stepped forward.

With a solemn expression, he took out a gleaming pearl from the jade box and placed it into Empress Dowager Cixi's mouth.

Then, he leaned down and whispered a few mysterious incantations in Cixi's ear.

"The Empress Dowager has passed away!"

"The immortals respectfully bid farewell!"

The bugle call ended.

The Taoist priests blew conch shells and beat ritual drums.

Palace maids and eunuchs dressed as the Eight Immortals, strongmen, and fairies all knelt in worship.

The loud crashing noise frightened the little emperor so much that he burst into tears.

Not long after, news of the emperor and empress dowager's deaths spread throughout the land.

The whole world was shaken.

Bandits rose up everywhere.

Local officials were filled with anxiety.

The bandits were most rampant near the capital.

They came and went like the wind, plundering imperial estates and killing Manchu bannermen.

"Brothers!"

"Follow me to kill the enemy!!"

Hongwu rode a fine horse, leading a band of Hongmen bandits, and trampled the manor.

Flames soared into the sky, and shouts of battle shook the night.

The people of England were most shocked.

In mid-October, Emperor Guangxu and Empress Dowager Cixi died one after the other.

This perfectly matches what the angel said about "dying in October".

Inside the consulate, William was deathly pale, his hands trembling as he held the intelligence report.

"The prophecy has come true."

"The Lord truly punished the Tatars for slandering God!"

"We must take action."

"Bombard the Empress Dowager's mausoleum!"

This time, no one thought about gains or losses anymore.

In the face of miracles, all so-called interests seem insignificant.

In the following days, the capital city and its surroundings became bustling with activity.

Prince Regent Zaifeng personally presided over the Empress Dowager's funeral to reassure the public and gain influence within the imperial clan.

Nobody knew.

A large net has been slowly spread over the capital.

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