[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-dao-dust-pearl":3,"chapter-the-dao-dust-pearl-the-dao-dust-pearl-chapter-55":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Dao Dust Pearl",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2359556,4614,"Chapter 55","the-dao-dust-pearl-chapter-55",55,"\u003Cp>“Jiang Weng… Jiang Weng!” The village head ran in from outside, leaping over the Jiang family’s fence, one shoe flying off in his excitement. He didn’t bother to pick it up, shouting to the old man who emerged from the house: “The immortal—who saved your grandson—has appeared again! Yesterday a giant crocodile attacked a boat… and another immortal appeared, subduing it with a single finger!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They say the immortal even mentioned our village’s big plum tree, saying he once slew a demon here!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Weng hurriedly asked: “Village head, is this news true?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My nephew, who works at the government office, told me this himself—how could it be false? Come with me to town at once to thank the immortal. Perhaps we can renew this connection and bring some blessing to your little grandson?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Weng quickly changed his clothes: “Of course we must thank the immortal. But I truly owe him for saving my grandson… as for blessings, I only wish him to grow up safe and sound—that’s blessing enough. The debt of life must be repaid with a bow from my grandson, lest people say our villagers are ungrateful, blind to heaven’s greatest kindness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He muttered on, clearly far from calm—his hands trembled as he fastened his buttons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Weng picked up his grandson and said: “Today we’re going to kneel before the immortal who saved you. Don’t misbehave.” The child nodded obediently: “I know!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people of Sanyang Village had already been stirred by the village head’s shouts. Seeing Jiang Weng step out in new clothes with his grandson, neighbors stood in their courtyards with baskets of vegetables and trays of fruit, calling out: “Jiang Weng, going out? To town?” Jiang Weng ignored their probing. He led his grandson through the village, and soon over a dozen villagers in new clothes followed—some for spectacle, some hoping to glimpse an immortal and catch a bit of fortune, others seeking wealth or sons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Weng knew these busybodies were like a stubborn rash—he couldn’t shake them off, so he let the village head lead them, to avoid chaos and lack of decorum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group marched toward Jiaobu Town. Along the way, curious passersby asked the reason. When they heard they were going to thank an immortal, they naturally joined. The procession didn’t shrink—it grew larger with every step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Zhen Daoren received Wei Taiping’s Baishili , witnessed by local dignitaries. At Jiaobu’s dock, red banners and colorful decorations fluttered. Amidst the crowd’s escort, Zhen Daoren arrived at the spot where he had subdued the giant crocodile—a monstrous alligator, eight zhang from snout to tail, floating like a small boat, its jaws bound by a rope tied to a black banner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crocodile, upon seeing Zhen Daoren, rumbled beneath the water like thunder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This crocodile was Zhen Daoren’s tamed spirit beast. Seeing its master, it naturally assumed a submissive posture, stirring the crowd into cheers and clamor. Some bold sailors leapt from nearby boats onto the crocodile’s back, running their hands over its armored hide—immediately, the riverbank erupted in applause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps someone on its back was uncomfortable—the crocodile shifted slightly, and the young man atop screamed, panicked, and tumbled back into the river, scrambling toward the boat. The crowd burst into laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhen Daoren’s mastery over such a ferocious beast left onlookers exhilarated and awestruck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chief of the Crocodile Gang, flanked by his men, flattered: “Immortal Master, your single finger subdued this monstrous crocodile—truly your divine power is boundless! We are ashamed! Though our gang bears the name Crocodile, dozens—sometimes a hundred—of our disciples are devoured by crocodiles each year. This beast has plagued Jiuzhen Commandery for years, always cruel and terrifying! When a great Confucian scholar came here as commandant, he even wrote ‘An Ode to the Crocodile,’ rebuking this evil spirit to cease its harm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yet this crocodile, which even the great scholar could not silence, was effortlessly subdued by you, Immortal Master!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our founding chief named our gang after this fearsome creature, hoping our disciples would be seen as kin by the crocodiles, spared from harm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who knew… this crocodile eats its own kind, with no regard for such pretenses.” The Crocodile Gang chief looked genuinely shocked—drawing laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Other gang leaders and masters secretly sneered. The Crocodile Gang named itself to deceive crocodiles into sparing them… fooling ghosts! The name actually reflected the gang’s brutal nature—like a crocodile hunting, its disciples felt the beast’s ferocity suited them perfectly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now they pretend to be humble before a true immortal…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The commotion here naturally guided the Sanyang villagers. The security guards from various gangs, having heard the tale of the slain river dragon, knew these villagers came to thank the immortal—so they let them pass without obstruction, guiding them to the dock. The village head, sensing the moment, shouted loudly: “The people of Sanyang Village, grateful for the immortal’s great deed in slaying the demon, have brought the rescued child and local fruits to offer to the immortal!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, the crowd before parted, revealing Zhen Daoren, the Wei family, and the local gang leaders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Flying Fish Gang chief beamed: “Immortal Master, these are the villagers come to repay your great kindness!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhen Daoren said nothing, his face expressionless. Jiang Weng walked along the path cleared by the crowd, peering through squinted eyes at the group—he couldn’t see the immortal: the child-faced young Daoist. Others noticed his dazed stare and led him to Zhen Daoren.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The village head, seeing the scene clearly, paled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Weng still couldn’t find him. The Crocodile Gang chief pointed: “What are you staring at? This is the master who slew the demon dragon in your village!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Weng looked at the ‘master’—his face twisted in confusion, shock, anger, fear. He hesitated long, then slowly bowed his head, preparing to kneel and kowtow…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, the child in his hand suddenly spoke: “But this isn’t the immortal who saved me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, everyone’s expression changed. Old hands merely blinked, then pretended not to hear. The young ones held their breath, speechless. A sudden, heavy silence fell. Even those outside the circle, who hadn’t heard the words, sensed the stillness—and dared not speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Lecheng broke the awkward silence with a laugh: “Children forget easily—only a few days, and they don’t remember faces!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Weng nodded frantically: “This child’s always had a bad memory… always!” He pulled the child closer. Though the boy didn’t understand what had happened, he felt his grandfather’s trembling hands and dared not speak again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhen Daoren stepped forward with a smile. Jiang Weng tried to recoil—but was too late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He saw Zhen Daoren smile: “Poor child…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And raised his hand to touch the boy’s forehead. Suddenly, a wisp of black qi shot from the child’s brow—forming grotesque, demonic faces like hungry ghosts. Zhen Daoren roared—a jolt ran through the child. From his palm shot a white light, like a flying dagger, slicing the black qi cleanly in two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black qi collapsed into a pool of pus and blood, staining the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Someone cast a spell—stole his soul… sigh!” Zhen Daoren shook his head. “Yesterday, that fellow I exposed still resented me. So he’s caused today’s chaos. He bewitched this child’s mind, then manipulated these villagers to bring him here to thank me—then secretly controlled this spirit to use the child’s mouth to ruin my reputation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even if he’s resentful, why harm the innocent?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Weng’s hands trembled violently—he nearly dropped the child. The boy, moments ago rosy-cheeked and lively, now lay pale, breath shallow, barely alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is the aftermath of soul-stealing magic. I’ll give you a pill to feed him. Rest for a few days, and he’ll recover.” Zhen Daoren smiled, appearing truly kind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Weng dared not speak, muttering thanks as he took the pill, clutching it in his hand, ready to leave with the child.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The onlookers who had witnessed the immortal slay the spirit now believed Zhen Daoren’s tale. They imagined the rogue Daoist, enraged, using soul-stealing magic to harm the child, then dueling the immortal—only to be destroyed. Cheers erupted again. Wei Lecheng pulled Zhen Daoren aside: “You were sharp, my friend—prevented that man from further mischief.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Lecheng gripped Zhen Daoren’s arm and gave Jiang Weng a sharp glance to leave quickly…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Wei Lecheng speaking, the dignitaries resumed their praise: “Truly a true immortal!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The villagers whispered among themselves: “So there was a rogue who stole Jiang’s child’s soul—no wonder he spoke nonsense!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I thought Jiang Weng seemed off today. After that scare, how could the child recover so fast? He must’ve been possessed!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We almost misunderstood the immortal!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Should we go ask the old immortal—when will I have a boy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This immortal looks familiar… wasn’t he the one who chopped down the tree with Stone Brother?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Weng clutched the ‘spirit pill’ tightly, clutching his child as he rushed out of town. Once beyond the gates, he picked up the child and ran, tossing the crushed pill onto the ground. The spring wind was chilly. Unconsciously, tears streamed down his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The village head had followed unnoticed. He tripped at Jiang Weng’s heels and barely caught him before he fell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The village head sighed: “Who could’ve imagined this…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He regretted: “Old Brother Jiang, I’m sorry to you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Weng said nothing. He ran home, laid his grandson down, and stared at the child’s frail, pale face—unconscious, barely breathing. He wept silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later, the City God, in his temple, listened to the report of the Day-Traveling Ghost Officer. Every detail of the day’s events in town was relayed. After hearing it, the City God sneered several times and ordered: “Send all my underlings to track down this man.” A white paper floated before his desk—on it, drawn clearly, was Qian Chen with his umbrella.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When you find him, tell him everything that happened today!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The temple attendant hesitated: “My Lord, Zhen Daoren is a guest of the Wei family. Shouldn’t we inform the Weis?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The City God slammed his gavel. “Have you taken too much of the Wei family’s silver? Forgotten who you serve?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You are my temple attendant—not their pet dog…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The attendant knelt in terror: “Forgive me, my Lord! I’ve lost my wits! I thought the Wei family were your blood kin, so I dared to speak out of turn…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, I am the Wei family’s ancestor—but they heed only their patriarch, Wei Lecheng. Reverence and filial piety are what make true descendants. The Weis pay lip service—but when have they ever obeyed me? They make me shoulder their burdens, clean up their messes. Am I their ancestor—or are they mine?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wei Lecheng is clever.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even if that young Daoist is a true heir of the Daoist sect—so what? The sect has rules. He hasn’t harmed heaven or people, hasn’t used magic to injure anyone. Would a few Daoist heirs really exterminate his whole family? Clans operate independently… but I, the City God, am supervised by the Dao Court. If the Daoist heir can’t touch him, can’t they touch me? If they send word to the Zhengyi Sect, will they hesitate to harass an eighth-rank City God?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wei Lecheng wants to devour Zhen Daoren whole—but he reaps the benefits, while I bear the risk.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why should I shoulder these burdens for ungrateful descendants?” The City God sneered. “Out of respect for the Wei family’s years of offerings, I’ll suppress this matter—for now, and not report it to the Dao Court. But… does the Dao Court not know? They’re watching too. They preach human righteousness—but who among them lacks private motives? The offerings from the Dao Court have been clearly insufficient these years… who among the Daoists doesn’t crave pills to bolster their cultivation?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now we wait: whose reputation is greater—the young Daoist’s… or Zhen Daoren’s pills?”\u003C\u002Fp>",1970,"2026-06-21T05:39:58.326Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","aa129d2c374254b073ed48128e25cd34fd2d763bed70fe50fc39281fb1ab6064","the-dao-dust-pearl-chapter-56","the-dao-dust-pearl-chapter-54",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-dao-dust-pearl-cover.jpg"]