It was another sunny day, and many people were setting up an altar in the middle of Chongdefang in the capital.
"Master, do you think it's alright to arrange these exotic flowers like this?"
The eunuch in blue robes with a pale face asked with a respectful smile, his hands clasped in greeting.
Looking at the so-called "exotic flowers," the flowers arranged in an octagonal shape were exceptionally delicate, with each plant having only flowers and no leaves.
"Yes, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth is faintly visible, but my path is difficult to connect with the Heavenly Court and the Underworld. Fortunately, there are these exotic flowers."
"When the Taoist priest was troubled by the scarcity of spiritual energy, His Majesty, with his great talent and ambition, ordered people to cultivate these spider lilies from the underworld, and now they have come in handy."
The eunuchs felt honored and did their best to spread their worship to the great Emperor Li Yue.
Xu Daoshi has upgraded his equipment, now wearing a Daoist robe that is priceless, with every detail meticulously crafted. It's something that even ten wealthy men couldn't afford back then.
He nodded with an inscrutable expression, seemingly unconcerned about the emperor on earth, but in reality, his heart was as sizzling as if it were being fried in oil.
Ever since he impulsively grabbed his first customer in Beijing, things have spiraled out of control, heading towards an unknown abyss.
In all honesty, Xu Ergou only wanted to swindle some money to spend.
Just because I look a bit like a hermit doesn't mean you'll believe me. Someone, come and expose me!
People in Beijing have no sense of martial ethics!
With the "enthusiastic help" of many people, the altar is nearing completion and is currently undergoing final decoration.
Xu the Taoist priest had to maintain a facade; he had already put on airs, and if he were exposed, his entire family would be sent to play mahjong.
"Before the sacrificial ceremony begins, the five grains must be purified, and I must change my clothes."
As the Taoist priest Xu spoke, he turned to walk to the side, but the eunuch in blue robes bowed his head, reached out to stop him, and said with a smile:
"The Taoist priest is of high status; just in case, let's bring these two along."
He clapped his hands, and two muscular men silently bowed as they stepped aside.
"Damn it!" Xu Ergou gritted his teeth and urinated while being intimately served by two strong men.
On the second floor of the restaurant next to the sacrificial altar, a small window is open.
"My lord, this Taoist priest doesn't seem like a true immortal."
The attendant hesitated, then changed the term "liar" to something more palatable.
Wang Yi raised his hand and took a sip of wine. "I know he isn't, His Majesty knows he isn't, and the other ministers probably know it too. I'm afraid only the Su family member truly believes it."
"Then why do we still praise him so much?"
The attendant was puzzled. Xu Ergou was now very popular, having transformed from a mere wild Taoist priest into a celestial master flattered by all the officials.
“Look at the altar below.”
Wang Yi gestured for him to look down.
The altar was gradually surrounded by the arriving people, who stared at it with piety and unwavering eyes.
Inside, there were wealthy men in silk robes and old farmers with muddy trousers; men, women, young and old, rich and poor.
Their only common characteristic was their yearning for sacrifice.
"They're just ordinary people, gathered together..."
The servant gradually understood.
The imperial court was powerless to deal with the severe drought, and it was the common people who suffered. They were not harmed yet because they had made preparations in advance, but it was unknown how long this situation could last.
In order to ensure stable rule and reassure the people, the court and His Majesty must do something to let the people know that they have not been abandoned.
Master Xu is a must-have. If there were no Master Xu, there would be Master Liu and Monk Hu!
"Just watch and see, this guy surnamed Xu doesn't have many good days left."
A glint of light flashed in Wang Yi's eyes as he looked down. Xu Daoshi had already been forced into the role, brandishing a peach wood sword and beginning his shamanistic ritual.
The sun shone brightly from morning until high in the sky, and there wasn't a breath of wind.
The people who rushed over gradually lost their expressions; looking at them, they all had the same expression: rigid, stiff, and filled with fear of the future.
They looked at the leaping figure on the stage, their expressions gradually changing, and an atmosphere of anxiety permeated the air.
"What to do, what to do?"
Xu Ergou's hands and feet trembled, and his steps were completely erratic and unsteady.
But he dared not stop, for he was afraid that if he stopped, he would be dragged out and killed.
They might even use him as a raft to throw into the water as a sacrifice for the people below the altar…
"What kind of prayer dance are you performing? It's awful."
Suddenly, a childish girl's voice appeared in Xu Ergou's mind!
"What...who are you? Who's playing tricks on me?"
"My life is in danger," Xu Ergou said in a hoarse voice.
The little eyes looked around nervously. It was a place where people were gathered, but it was completely silent, as if it were haunted.
There was absolutely no indication that anyone had just spoken.
"You're the one who's pretending to be a god. You don't have any magic power at all, yet you dare to make such a big promise about praying for rain. I thought a real hermit master had appeared. Hehe, turns out you're just a fraud."
Goddess! It was the goddess speaking; she had returned, and he no longer needed to die.
Xu Ergou nearly knelt down and burst into tears, "Your Highness, you're finally back! We've been longing for you day and night!"
He wasn't exaggerating; these days, which household in the capital doesn't display a statue of the Goddess?
Wealthy families would use gold and jade to make statues of gods, while poor families would carve a piece of wood and offer it as a sacrifice.
The Goddess of Mount Tai defeated the Buddha, the Jade Emperor, Guanyin, and other great gods, becoming the most popular deity in the capital.
Those who had previously doubted the goddess due to rumors became even more cautious and spread the fame of the Goddess of Mount Tai every day.
"Why are you crying?" the little girl said, her voice slightly annoyed, then she continued in a self-righteous tone:
"I have already obtained the talisman from the Queen Mother upon my return, and the drought will soon be relieved."
"Very good!"
Hearing that the severe drought could be avoided, Taoist Xu was completely relieved and disheartened.
It's not just for their own lives, but also for the countless people who might die in this divine wrath.
Wang Yi leisurely sipped his tea. These days, His Majesty had been making them, his ministers, run around like headless chickens, and his old bones were about to fall apart.
I finally have some free time, so I'll take it easy and slack off for as long as I can.
"Sir, that Taoist priest Xu has suddenly stopped moving."
"Hmm, they probably can't jump any further; it's been three hours."
Wang Yi opened his eyes, preparing to have someone escort Xu Daoshi down.
This is a recyclable product. It would take at least several more sacrifices without success before the emperor would have the painful decision to show the world what to do.
"No, no, look down." The servant pointed incoherently.
At this moment, the crowd erupted in deafening noise. Wang Yi frowned and looked down, when suddenly the teacup in his hand was overturned, and hot tea spilled onto his hand.
But he couldn't care less. "Goddess—" he cried out in his excitement, his voice cracking.
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