Chapter 185: Incense to Ward Off Calamity, Innate Psychic

The Star Lord gave a decree?

Fine, very well, so that's how we're playing this.

Ma Daoyou, sit there and don't move; I'm going to the kitchen to get you some tangerines, wait for me to return!

Chen Ci smoothed his Daoist robe, forcefully suppressing the urge to stand up, his expression indifferent and noncommittal.

Although the cost of a single Soul Fixing Talisman was less than two taels of silver, how should one put it—Master Chen earned his living through his talisman craft, and as far as he was concerned, this precedent could not be set here.

If today he says the Star Lord gave a decree and wants a Soul Fixing Talisman, what if tomorrow the Star Lord gives a decree for something else? Should Master Chen give it or not?

Furthermore, in essence, the Longhu Mountain cultivators promoting this Duer Star Lord Jade Statue in Xishan Prefecture were doing so in a handover with the He Mountain cultivators, and this Ma Laodao was merely someone Chen Ci had found as a substitute because he found it troublesome—a temp-like character. Now, using the Star Lord's name to come knocking, it already tasted somewhat of rebelling against the heavens.

It was only because Chen Ci couldn't be sure about the changes in Ma Laodao, nor did he know what this "Star Lord decree" was really about, that he didn't truly serve tea to see him out.

Ma Laodao glanced at Chen Ci's face, feeling a bit dazed, and smiled: "Temple Master Chen, this old Daoist is not deceiving you; this matter truly is a decree from the Star Lord."

Pausing for a moment, a trace of hesitation flashed across Ma Laodao's face, but he sighed and explained: "This old Daoist seeks the talismans not for myself, but to save someone. Three Soul Fixing Talismans can only solve an urgent need, so I may still need to trouble Temple Master Chen in the future."

Chen Ci pondered for a while. Although this Ma Laodao was asking for talismans, his attitude was gentle and respectful; he wasn't truly coming to mooch. Though Chen Ci was a bit annoyed, he didn't really feel much malice. This inexplicable sense of affinity was actually a bit strange.

"Ma Daoyou, you must know that your monthly stipend at Due Palace comes out of my own pocket. Now, to take my Soul Fixing Talismans for free is a bit impolite."

Seeking talismans to save someone?

This Ma Laodao arrived suddenly and left just as efficiently, heading straight out of Sanyin Temple.

If it were truly a Primordial Spirit True Monarch revealing divine powers, where would he need these few Soul Fixing Talismans of his? Making a mountain out of a molehill. Master Chen simply stopped thinking about it and went back to the quiet room to continue polishing his Nether Yin True Qi; after all, one's cultivation level was the foundation for people like them.

"Ma Daoyou, I..."

"Ma Daoyou, my old man is seriously ill, could I trouble you to take a look?"

Chen Ci shook his head; to be honest, he didn't really believe what this old Daoist said.

He didn't know if it was true or false, but this Ma Laodao had indeed changed quite a bit, the kind of change that gave Chen Ci a headache.

Ma Laodao gave a faint shout, using a True Qi technique. Although his voice was gentle and not loud, it suppressed the surrounding noise. He spoke: "Is your heart sincere? Those with sincere hearts, whenever they encounter disaster, will naturally be blessed by the Star Lord and pass through the calamity without harm."

"Quiet!"

"Forget it, I forgot to ask about the pill materials for Ma Family Village. Whatever, let Xian Zhi go to Qingquan Village to ask."

Ma Laodao likely knew his request was a bit much and didn't continue to press. He stood up, performed a salute, and said: "In that case... this old Daoist will head back first. Sorry to disturb you, Temple Master Chen."

These commoner believers were offering Spirit Incense, making wishes, and dropping in incense money; one or two coins was the majority, though occasionally someone would toss in a piece of broken silver, which counted as a generous gesture.

No sooner had Ma Laodao entered the Daoist palace than many commoners surrounded him, praying and offering incense.

Star Lord decree?

After speaking, Ma Laodao went to the front, beneath the divine statue.

"Ma Daoyou!"

Due Palace.

After Ma Laodao left Sanyin Temple, he returned directly to the Daoist palace. In just over a month, the incense for the Duer Star Lord had flourished by more than one level. The main pilgrims were not the wealthy families in the county—no matter where you go, while the rich believe in many things, few truly believe. Instead, it was the commoners at the bottom who were more likely to believe truly.

Chen Ci also returned the salute and smiled faintly: "Go slowly, Daoist."

After he left, Chen Ci paced a few steps in the main hall, thinking carefully.

Chen Ci took a sip of tea and spoke indifferently: "I am a He Mountain cultivator after all, and I only helped establish this Due Palace. If you have difficulties, Daoist, you should either seek out Longhu Mountain or go to the Changping County Yamen for some help. Take these three Soul Fixing Talismans as a token of my goodwill; let's leave it at that for today."

"Good!"

Ma Laodao nodded slightly, carrying that dignified yet kind expression, fished out a Health-Preserving Pill, dissolved it in water, and distributed it to the dozen or so commoner believers who were in poor health.

Even in a world of cultivation, the productivity of the bottom layer was just like that. For commoners, ninety percent of illnesses and physical discomforts were caused by malnutrition; the remaining ten percent were "rich-man diseases" that only wealthy families could afford, which had nothing to do with commoners.

One Health-Preserving Pill was shared among a dozen commoners, but the effect was sufficient. At least one old man who looked listless had his spirit and energy visibly boosted, and the complexions of the others also became more or less ruddier.

"Thank you, Duer Star Lord!"

Ma Laodao nodded, glanced at the Star Lord's divine statue, but did not stay long in the main hall and went to the side hall.

In a quiet room, a middle-aged couple dressed like martial artists stood to one side, secretly grieving. On the bed nearby, a pale young girl was hiding in the corner, her hands clenched tight, her knees trembling, shaking her head incessantly. Her eyes were very unfocused but filled with fear, and she was constantly muttering something.

"Jie Ge, do you think Xiang'er's hysteria can still be cured?"

The middle-aged woman wore a green dress with a sword at her waist and looked very capable, but her expression was haggard. Ever since their daughter contracted this mysterious hysteria, medicine had been useless. The couple had traveled all over Xishan Prefecture seeking a cure, trying every method, even the deceptive tricks of wandering charlatans, but they had received instructions from a Temple Keeper at a Daoist palace who said there might be a chance for a cure in Changping County, so they had struggled to make their way here.

To tell the truth, they didn't really believe it.

But they had no other choice. If it didn't work, they would probably have to give up. People in the martial world often had to make trade-offs; although the two of them loved their daughter very much, a legitimate heir to carry on the family line was even more important.

"I thought Xiang'er was possessed by evil and had her soul frightened, causing this hysteria, but the Daoists at Qingfeng Temple have immortal methods, and their prayers to dispel evil and summon souls had no effect. I suppose it's hopeless."

The man glanced at his daughter, sighed softly, and said in a low voice: "If it doesn't get better, we'll send Xiang'er back to the countryside and let the old servants at home take care of her..."

"Bang~"

Suddenly, the door to the quiet room was pushed open, interrupting their whispers.

Ma Laodao walked in, sized the two of them up, and looked at the girl on the bed. Without much talk, he took out a Soul Fixing Talisman and stuck it on the girl. In just a few breaths, although there wasn't much change in the girl, her expression quickly relaxed, her hands and feet stopped flailing, and before long, she fell into a deep sleep.

A flash of joy appeared in the couple's eyes. Although this Changping County was remote, it actually had such a master!

"Ma Daoyou, my daughter's hysteria..."

The man raised his hand in a salute and asked respectfully, but before he could finish, Ma Laodao waved his hand to interrupt him.

"This is not hysteria."

Ma Laodao smiled gently: "This is an Innate Psychic. Although it is of no benefit to cultivation and is even a great hindrance, it is an innate divine ability. You may stay in Due Palace; it would be excellent if you could help me manage the palace affairs in your spare time."

Pausing, Ma Laodao continued: "This divine talisman can only ensure peace for three to five days, and one costs a hundred taels of silver. This is only the price available under the Star Lord's seat. You must wait until this girl is over fourteen and her soul is stable before she no longer needs this talisman to fix her soul. You may make your decision before saying anything else."

"This..."

The couple looked at each other, slightly hesitant.

Hysteria?

Innate Psychic?

Outside the quiet room, Chen Ci, in his spirit-ghost state, stroked his chin. So it really was saving someone. Could it be that there really was such a thing as a Star Lord decree?

But if this were truly the case, given the background of this Star Lord, it would be a matter he could resolve with a single breath; why would he need to trouble little Chen?

As for this man surnamed Ma, according to what the pilgrims and believers outside say, he seems to bestow Spirit Water every day; I reckon he has given away a month's worth of salary and pills to those commoners, no wonder he says the Spirit Pills and Spirit Talismans are insufficient, but even if I know about this, so what? Master Chen couldn't possibly give away Soul Fixing Talismans and Health-Preserving Pills to this man surnamed Ma as a favor for nothing; are good people supposed to suffer losses?

"Longhu Mountain doesn't even worry about it, so how could it be my turn, a small cultivator from He Mountain, to get caught up in all this."

Chen Ci curled his lip and turned to leave; since there was nothing going on, he felt relieved, he would just go back to Sanyin Temple to continue his cultivation; what did being an Innate Psychic have to do with him anyway?

That night.

A figure, flickering between solid and ethereal, snuck up outside Due Palace, acting all furtive and suspicious.

Chen Ci's expression was somewhat wistful; other matters could be set aside, but he was truly curious about the advancement in the cultivation of the man surnamed Ma; is the path of incense really that effective?

It's even better than popping pills, but no matter how one advances in cultivation, one still has to follow the basic laws.

The so-called "stones from other hills may serve to polish the jade of this one"—even if he doesn't walk this path, it would be fine for Master Chen to learn about it and draw some inspiration.

"I'll just take a look from afar, it should be fine; the man surnamed Ma manages the incense during the day and doesn't return to his Yizhuang at night, so he must have time for cultivation."

Chen Ci nodded; although there were no issues with the Dao palace or the deity statues during the day, peeking at someone else's cultivation situation at night was different, so he didn't dare get too close, but suddenly, he faintly discovered that something seemed to flash in the starry night sky, and an inexplicable connection seemed to fall into Due Palace, which was very mysterious.

(End of chapter)