Once inside the temple, Tang Nian discovered that it was indeed a vast temple complex, with an open-air courtyard inside.
Unlike the relatively normal people outside the temple, the people inside seemed to suffer from various ailments.
"Priest, my foot hurts so much!"
The beggar, dressed in rags, practically crawled toward the priest.
"Don't move, your feet are frostbitten, wait a moment!"
The priest gently stepped forward to help the beggar up and instructed the other maids to take the beggar back to rest.
Looking in the direction the beggar was led away, Tang Nian discovered that there were a large number of people with frostbite on both feet in a corner of the courtyard.
The priest led Tang Nian to the main hall, and before Tang Nian could speak, he preemptively spoke.
"Master Tang, my little temple has been incredibly busy lately. I had originally planned to invite you to visit the people here when I heard you were coming, but I didn't expect you to arrive first."
"I've heard that your medical skills are also superb. I wonder if you could help save these people?"
Although the words were meant to be flattering, there was not a trace of respect for her.
However, Tang Nian's concern for the people seemed genuine, and she wouldn't stand idly by.
Before Tang Nian could answer, there was another knock on the door, followed by a maid's voice.
It was urging the priest to hurry up and go.
"Priest, could you take me to see the pharmacy? I can help you there."
Upon hearing this, the priest quickly led Tang Nian into a small hut next to her.
This is a herbal medicine shop. Stepping through the door, the pungent smell of herbs fills the entire nasal cavity, which is quite unpleasant.
Even Tang Nian, who used to be immersed in the alchemy room, couldn't help but wrinkle her nose.
But the priest didn't seem to mind at all. Instead, he started grinding and pounding the medicine quite naturally, and then began the various processes of making medicine.
Tang Nian leaned over for a look and immediately knew what the priest was doing.
Before long, the priest wiped the beads of sweat from his forehead and let out a long sigh: "This is ointment for treating frostbite. Would Master Tang like to come with me?"
Tang Nian took the bowl of ointment. It was made from very ordinary herbs, and apart from the aroma of the herbs, there was no fluctuation of spiritual energy.
It seems the spiritual energy doesn't come from here.
She was looking for an excuse to wander around the yard, so she immediately agreed.
Tang Nian then carried the ointment and began distributing it to the people in the corner. After receiving the ointment, the people expressed their gratitude to the priest.
"The priest is truly a living bodhisattva!"
"Yes, with my old arms and legs, the priest not only gave me food but also helped cure my illness. She is truly the greatest philanthropist in the world!"
...
But the priest standing to the side seemed to have long been accustomed to the people's words and paid them little attention.
Instead, she focused on checking the illnesses of the people in the courtyard; it seemed that only the people were in her eyes.
While the priest wasn't paying attention to her and the frostbitten people were resting nearby, Tang Nian began to inspect the courtyard.
A large locust tree?
Although it was very tall, it seemed quite ordinary, and it didn't even have any ghostly aura. The spiritual energy didn't come from it.
And those stone lions.
Why are there stone lions in temples?
Or is it guarding the priest's room?
"Presented by Liu Zhuang, a wealthy man."
It turns out it was delivered by a wealthy man from the foot of the mountain, so that's normal.
A well?
It seems quite normal for a temple to have a well inside.
etc……
"wrong!"
Tang Nian quickly walked to the edge of the well, peered inside, and saw that the well water was full of ethereal spiritual energy.
"Could it be because of the well water?"
Tang Nian's vertical pupils glowed green, and she easily saw that there was nothing unusual in the well.
If it's not a problem with the well, then it must be a problem with the water.
But why would the well water in this temple suddenly be imbued with such a strong spiritual energy?
This level of concentration is unlike anything naturally formed.
It looks more like it was done intentionally.
Thinking of this, Tang Nian decided to fetch a bucket of water to find out what was going on.
"No!"
Just as Tang Nian found the bucket and rope, the priest, who was comforting the people, hurriedly abandoned the injured in the courtyard and snatched the bucket from Tang Nian's hands.
Such a loss of composure is not how a priest should behave.
"what are you up to?"
The priest asked urgently, almost accusingly, while Tang Nian spread her hands, looking completely innocent.
"I just want to get some water, is that not allowed?"
As she spoke, Tang Nian glanced at the people who had all turned their heads to look at them.
As soon as he finished speaking, the priest realized that he had lost his composure, so he quickly put down the water bucket and put on a dignified and elegant demeanor again.
"If you want some water, there's some in the kitchen. I'll take you to get some."
It was obvious that the priest didn't want Tang Nian to come into contact with the well water, but the more he forbade it, the more it indicated that there was something wrong with the well water.
This even proves that the priestess was aware of the situation.
"No need for that. I've already brought the bucket; I can just add some water to the water tank over there."
Seeing Tang Nian pick up the bucket again, the priest immediately flew into a rage.
"The water in this well is the holy water of the temple! This well is considered a forbidden area within the temple. Your act of trespassing is disrespectful!"
As expected, as soon as the priest finished speaking, the people in the courtyard who had already noticed the situation began to stir.
They were already prepared to teach Tang Nian a lesson for such an offense against the priests who were good to them.
"That's my fault."
Tang Nian yawned, completely ignoring them.
However, since they won't let me investigate, I'll just look for another opportunity.
"You've finished your work for today, why don't you go and rest for a bit?"
The priest realized that he had been somewhat out of line with the legendary Celestial Master Tang, so he smiled and instructed the maid to take Tang Nian to a side room to rest.
However, after Tang Nian walked away, the priest instructed the maid to guard the well and not allow anyone to approach.
at night.
Lying on the bed in the temple, Tang Nian tossed and turned.
She could tell that the priest was acting very strangely, but with so many people around and him being so beloved by the people, it was really difficult for her to investigate.
It even has a higher prestige than the county magistrate who has worked diligently here for so many years.
For a moment, Tang Nian was at a loss, constantly pondering all the doubts she had encountered today.
The suspicious circumstances surrounding the temple must be related to the heavy snowfall in the county.
Of course, the most important thing right now is that she hasn't found any clues about the three bodies.
Lost in thought, Tang Nian slowly drifted off to sleep.
...
"Oh my god!"
Early in the morning, sunlight streamed into the courtyard, and the first people to wake up suddenly shouted.
My foot is healed!
The others, who had been woken up, began to check their feet.
To their surprise, the frostbite they had suffered the previous day had actually healed, and their skin had even become smooth and delicate.
"Truly worthy of being called the High Priest!"
With tears in their eyes, the people bowed their heads in worship before the priest who had just opened the door.
"Thank you so much, High Priest! You are truly a god descended to earth!"
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