Taoist priests in the supernatural world

Chapter 83 Having cultivated a body resembling a crane, two volumes of scriptures beneath a thousand pine trees.

Outside Chun'an City.

One soup kitchen after another lined up along the main road.

Several large pots were set up under the shed, with rice soup boiling and steaming inside.

Local laborers were maintaining order, standing on both sides of the line holding wooden signs and overseeing the distribution of porridge.

Disaster victims lined up in long queues.

This time, the yamen runners didn't dare to scold the people as they usually did; they just kept a straight face and made everyone line up.

Everyone knows that this newly arrived magistrate of Hai County is intolerant of any wrongdoing.

Just a few days ago, a clerk was beheaded in public by Hai Rui for embezzling grain from the granary.

After that head hit the ground, everyone in Chun'an County government immediately became much more alert.

Not far from the soup kitchen was a field of farmland destroyed by the flood.

Siltation caused the field ridges to collapse.

What should have been fields of undulating green seedlings is now nothing but a scene of devastation.

Hai Rui rolled up his trousers, stepped into the muddy water, and bent down to examine the mud layer in the field.

Standing to the side was Tian Youlu, the county magistrate.

Tian Youlu carefully placed his feet, each step landing on the slightly dry and hardened ridge, for fear of getting mud on his boots.

He looked at the county magistrate in front of him, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.

Even someone as shrewd and worldly as him had to admit that this was a true local official.

In the case of any other county magistrate, they would most likely be sitting in the back hall of the county office, drinking tea and listening to their subordinates report numbers.

Such people may not be well-liked in official circles, but in the eyes of ordinary people, they are their saviors.

"Continue planting rice."

Hai Rui straightened up and patted the dirt off his hands.

"Quickly organize manpower to repair the field ridges and dredge the irrigation ditches."

Tian Youlu looked troubled and lowered his voice to say:

"Tang Zun, the meaning above is to plant mulberry trees."

"Oh?"

Hai Rui turned his head, his gaze suddenly sharpening, and asked:

"There will be no harvest from mulberry trees for at least three years. When did the imperial court allocate three years' worth of grain?"

Tian Youlu opened his mouth, but couldn't answer for a moment.

Hai Rui continued to ask:

"What are the prices of mulberry leaves and silkworm silk? Can they guarantee a year's worth of food and clothing for ordinary people?"

"Or are you planning to wait until the people actually plant mulberry trees, then deliberately suppress prices and buy mulberry silk at low prices?"

Tian Youlu broke out in a cold sweat.

Hai Rui immediately saw the limitations of switching from rice paddies to mulberry trees.

He understood that in this world of corrupt officials, no amount of promises from the imperial court would matter.

By the time the supplies sent down from above reach the people, after being siphoned off at each level, very little is left.

Moreover, these people may not even survive this year.

Talking about mulberry leaves and silkworms three years from now is truly laughable.

"Keep planting rice!"

Hai Rui gave the order in a deep voice.

The magistrate personally gave the order, and everyone had no choice but to comply.

Several village heads hurriedly called the laborers to go to the fields.

The faces of the disaster victims, which had been lifeless, finally showed a bit more vitality.

As long as rice can still be grown, as long as grain can still be produced in the fields, there is hope.

Hai Rui patrolled along the road.

Splash!

Just then, a commotion suddenly came from deep within the dense forest.

Something startled the birds in the forest.

A white crane took flight from the forest.

The white crane spreads its wings, its graceful form drawing white arcs in the air.

From a distance, it looks like immortals dancing among the clouds.

This scene reminded Hai Rui of a poem.

He trained his body to resemble that of a crane, and under a thousand pine trees, he read two volumes of scriptures.

This poem, though of ordinary form, became famous because of the emperor's appreciation.

Hai Rui gazed at the white cranes in the sky, his expression gradually darkening.

"How pitiful that in the dead of night, he sat before the empty hall, asking not about the common people, but about ghosts and gods..."

He muttered something under his breath.

In truth, all the chaos in the world originated from that ruler who cultivated immortality.

For twenty years, the emperor did not attend court, but devoted himself to Taoist alchemy and supernatural practices, and embarked on a massive construction project, building palaces and temples.

If there is something good on the top, it will be great on the bottom.

When the emperor wanted to cultivate Taoism, countless people below him used the name of Taoism to amass wealth.

In the end, it is never the high-ranking officials in the imperial court or the local gentry who suffer, but the common people who toil in the mud and water.

"kill!!!"

"Japanese pirates!"

"The Japanese pirates are here!!"

A terrified scream abruptly shattered the brief tranquility of the fields.

From the dense forest, a group of short men with shaved heads charged out, wielding Japanese swords.

Everyone's eyes were incredibly fierce.

That ruthlessness wasn't like that of an ordinary bandit; it was more like that of a desperate criminal who was already used to killing.

As soon as they rushed out, they went straight for the people in the fields.

How could an ordinary farmer be a match for these vicious bandits?

Several laborers who were repairing the canal were unable to dodge in time and were slashed to the ground on the spot.

Blood splattered into the muddy water, quickly staining the area red.

The soup kitchen was also in complete chaos.

The pot was overturned, and scalding hot porridge spilled onto the ground, accompanied by cries and screams.

The constables in the county government were usually a bunch of bullies who preyed on the weak and feared the strong.

When they actually saw the Japanese pirates charging at them with their swords, their faces turned pale, they took a step back, and some even prepared to drop their fire-and-water clubs and run away.

"Everyone, follow me!!"

Hai Rui picked up a sickle and charged forward first.

He had learned some basic martial arts, which, although insufficient to deal with real Japanese pirates, meant he could not retreat at this moment.

If the county magistrate were to step down first, the people would be completely disintegrated.

"Master!"

Tian Youlu was so frightened that his face changed drastically.

He never expected that Hai Rui would actually dare to charge forward.

Hai Rui had already rushed out; there was no way he could hide now.

Tian Youlu turned around and roared at the stunned constables:

"What are you waiting for?"

"Go!!"

The constables then realized what was happening and belatedly followed.

They knew in their hearts that if they watched the magistrate die in battle, they too would likely face the death penalty.

He might even implicate his family and get them exiled.

Since things have come to this, we have no choice but to bite the bullet and move forward.

"Hai Qingtian!"

"Follow Hai Qingtian!"

"Don't let the Japanese pirates kill Hai Qingtian!"

Inspired by Hai Rui, the local people immediately united.

Several brave young men snatched knives from the dead Japanese pirates and charged forward with gritted teeth.

Although these Japanese pirates were fierce, their numbers were not large.

What makes them most terrifying is the panic caused by their sudden charge and their fearless, undaunted spirit.

Once the people are organized and no longer scattered and fleeing, they can be suppressed by sheer numbers.

Soon, the situation gradually reversed.

The shouts of battle continued for quite some time.

As everything gradually calmed down, a pile of corpses was left on the spot.

Hai Rui was covered in blood.

He couldn't tell whether the blood was from the enemy or his own.

He still gripped the knife hilt tightly, refusing to let go.

As he was killing, he suddenly felt that the silence around him was a little strange.

The shouts and footsteps from earlier seemed to have been blocked out by something.

Hai Rui suddenly turned around.

Upon seeing this, his heart sank.

There was jungle all around him.

Without realizing it, they found themselves deep in the dense forest.

The surrounding vegetation was dark and gloomy, with heavy shadows of trees.

The ground was covered with a thick layer of fallen leaves, and there was not a sound when you stepped on it.

A foul, chilling stench permeated the air.

Wow!

A shadow fell from above.

Hai Rui slowly raised his head.

Above them, a terrifying monster was floating.

The monster had a huge head that was three feet wide.

Its head was blood red, with a single horn growing from the center of its forehead, protruding eyes, and a mouth that stretched to its ears.

It had no body; its head was supported by a cloud-like, emerald-green substance.

This is a demon!

Hai Rui's pupils trembled violently.

This scene had a profound impact on him.

This really is a ghost.

When Hai Rui was young, he once sat alone in a mass grave searching for ghosts. At that time, he was young and impetuous. Hearing that there were ghosts in the world, he insisted on seeing them with his own eyes.

He sat among the desolate graves all night, but saw not a single ghost.

From then on, he no longer believed in any ghosts, gods, or magic tricks, but only in the books of sages and saints.

I never expected to see something so strange here today.

Why is this?

Da da da.

Footsteps came from the corner.

A figure parted the bushes and slowly emerged.

It was an old man, dressed in a white hunting robe, wearing a tall eboshi hat, and holding a scepter.

The style of their clothing and headwear bears some resemblance to that of civil officials from the Wei, Jin, and Southern Dynasties.

His face was pale, his eyes were cold, and a malicious smile played on his lips.

He looked Hai Rui up and down, and said in a strange tone:

"So you can die knowing the truth. Someone paid ten thousand taels for your head. I thought you were someone important, but it seems you're nothing special."

Having said that, he raised the tablet in his hand.

"Oni Guardian, attack!!"

Wow!

As soon as he finished speaking, the Japanese Onmyoji formed a hand seal.

The crimson demon head roared and charged down at Hai Rui.

It opened its blood-red maw, which was full of sharp teeth.

The Onmyoji's eyes were cold, with a hint of mockery, like a cat toying with a mouse.

China is facing a shortage of talent.

There isn't even a decent opponent.

Even a so-called honest official is worth ten thousand taels of silver to save his life.

"It seems that Japan has a chance to conquer the Ming Dynasty."

This thought crossed the mind of the Onmyoji.

below.

Hai Rui could clearly smell the stench emanating from the demon's mouth.

Even in the face of imminent death, Hai Rui remained remarkably calm.

He was still thinking about the case.

Who colluded with the Japanese pirates?

The most likely candidate is Li Xuan, the chief supervisor of the river embankment.

This person must be hiding a huge crime, which is why they chose to hire someone to kill.

If I die here today, the truth behind the Chun'an flood will continue to be buried.

"pity."

Hai Rui sighed softly to himself.

"This message can't be delivered to my old friend."

Boom!!!

Just then, thunder suddenly roared in the sky.

A three-foot-long bolt of lightning descended from the sky.

Crimson lightning tore through the dark mist and struck the demon's head hard.

The evil spirit didn't even have time to scream before its soul was instantly scattered.

The plasma that escaped fell into the forest, instantly igniting dry branches and leaves, causing a forest fire.

Immediately afterwards, a pure white figure broke through the shade of the trees, descending with thousands of golden rays.

This person has a bird-shaped crown, white hair, white wings, and golden eyes.

Its pure white feathers resembled rosy clouds, its wings spread behind it, and its whole body shone with golden light.

As he fell from the sky, he resembled a white crane.

"Who?"

The Japanese Onmyoji's expression changed drastically.

escape!

That was his first reaction.

We must escape.

Otherwise, they would die without a burial place.

The person who can kill a ghost guardian with a single lightning strike is definitely not someone he can handle.

The Japanese Onmyoji turned and left, muttering incantations, his figure seemingly about to disappear into the shadows.

Swish!

Huang Bai flicked his whisk.

The silver-white whisk threads shot through the air and instantly bound the Onmyoji's hands and feet.

The Onmyoji had just taken a step when he was forcibly dragged back and slammed heavily to the ground.

Then, Huang Bai landed slowly, and his figure returned to that of an ordinary Taoist priest.

This happened too fast.

Hai Rui stood there, stunned, for a long time.

He didn't realize what was happening until Huang Bai was right in front of him.

Hai Rui glanced down at the bloodstains on his body, then forced himself to straighten his clothes and smooth out the disheveled collar.

Then, he solemnly bowed.

"Hai Rui and Hai Gangfeng pay their respects to the divine!"

Confucius said, "Respect the spirits and gods, but keep them at a distance."

Now the ghosts and gods have appeared before me and even saved my life.

Then we should treat them with courtesy.

"Please rise."

Huang Bai reached out his hand to help.

"So you are Hai Rui."

Huang Bai was already over seventy years old, so he was quite entitled to receive a courtesy from Hai Rui.

Hai Rui straightened up and asked with a puzzled look, "Does the Immortal Master know me?"

He could tell that the deity before him wasn't just being polite; he genuinely knew his name.

Huang Bai smiled and said, "Of course, Hai Rui's reputation is known to everyone, even ghosts and gods in the upper realm."

"Even ghosts and gods know my reputation..."

Hai Rui was shocked, yet also felt a strange sense of relief.

He lived a life of poverty and integrity, out of step with the times.

Others called him pedantic, stubborn, and ignorant of officialdom, but he never wavered.

Even ghosts and gods know his good reputation, which means that everything he has persisted in is not meaningless.

At least in this world, there is always a pair of eyes watching.

Huang Bai brought up the Onmyoji and began to interrogate him.

This Japanese Onmyoji initially tried to be defiant, even shouting in broken Chinese that he was a descendant of the Onmyo-ryo (Japanese Bureau of Yin and Yang) and was not afraid of Ming Dynasty sorcerers.

Huang Bai was too lazy to waste words with him.

A wisp of thunderous energy pierced into the meridians.

The Onmyoji was in so much pain that his whole body convulsed, his face turned deathly pale, and he was covered in cold sweat.

However, he could not hold on any longer.

After some questioning, it turned out that it was indeed Li Xuan, the chief supervisor of the river embankment, who had done it.

This man secretly colluded with Japanese pirates, and fearing that Hai Rui would discover the truth about the dike destruction, he offered 10,000 taels of silver to buy Hai Rui's head.

"Don't kill me, I'm willing..."

puff!

The longsword is drawn, a single strike to the throat.

Having witnessed the incredible abilities of the immortals, Hai Rui remained silent for a moment, finally unable to resist asking:

"May I ask, Immortal Master, have you ever met His Majesty? What is your opinion on His Majesty's actions?"

Upon seeing a true deity, Hai Rui's heart wavered.

Is it really right for His Majesty to have been so extravagant in construction projects, squandering the national treasury, and building palaces and temples all these years?

Is this the way to a strong nation?

Could it be that even gods descend to earth for this reason?

If that's the case, he's prepared to risk his life to tell the truth.

The people of the world can no longer bear it.

Immortals don't lack food and clothing, nor do they lack palaces.

But people will starve if they don't eat for a day, and die if they don't eat for ten days.

The money and provisions of a temple or monastery are enough to save countless disaster victims, and the cost of a religious ceremony can repair several sections of river embankment.

Huang Bai saw through Hai Rui's thoughts and shook his head with a smile:

"No, Jiajing did not obtain the correct law."

"What he did was merely to satisfy his own selfish desires."

"Immortals do not need to eat; they can travel freely from the highest heavens to the deepest hells, and they do not need palaces."

Upon hearing these words, Hai Rui was overwhelmed with emotion.

really.

None of this was the intention of the gods or immortals.

It's just a far-fetched interpretation by later generations, or a way to satisfy their own selfish desires by using the name of immortals.

Since others cannot persuade the emperor, what if a deity personally tells him the truth?

Thinking of this, Hai Rui bowed again.

"Immortal Master, I have a favor to ask..."

Huang Bai interrupted directly:

"I know you want me to advise Jiajing."

He also wanted to meet the emperor, who had "cultivated a figure resembling that of a crane."

I wonder what this guy has actually accomplished after years of hard training.

"At least you won't have to worry about being strangled anymore, right?"

Huang Bai thought to himself.

Hai Rui said solemnly, "Indeed, I will immediately petition the court to invite the immortal to the capital."

"No need."

Huang Bai waved his hand.

"Let's deal with the immediate problem first."

Even Japanese Onmyoji have appeared.

It seems that the collusion between wealthy people in Jiangnan and Japanese pirates is deeper than imagined.

Li Xuan, the chief steward of the river embankment, was able to hire a Yin-Yang master to assassinate the county magistrate.

There must be a bigger conspiracy behind this.

Killing Li Xuan alone might not address the root cause.

Huang Bai looked out of the forest, a faint golden light flickering in his eyes.

"Let's go, I also want to see how many demons and monsters are hiding behind this flood in Jiangnan."

Hai Rui glanced down at the Yin-Yang Master's corpse on the ground, then looked at the still-burning thunder and fire in the distance, and solemnly said:

"Even if Hai Rui dies, he will investigate this matter to the end."

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