Chapter Thirty-Six: The Unreliable Taoist Priest

The news of Third Master Jiang’s departure spread through the circle of craftsmen like a gust of wind. The one most reluctant to see him go was Qu Yifang; the two had worked together down in the mines, drawing blueprints and debating strategies, moving in and out together like shadows.

"Though I hate to see you go, this is a wonderful opportunity for your future. Once I return to Bianjing, I shall come to work under you."

Third Master Jiang’s eyes grew moist. They had only known each other for ten days, yet the bond felt far stronger than those he had formed with classmates over years of schooling.

"Master Qu, my home is the third house east of Qingshui Bridge on Caomen Street. You must look for me when you return to the capital. If I find the time, I shall also return to the mines to visit you."

As the time for departure neared, Li Leqi presented him with a fifty-tael banknote and ten taels of loose silver, representing his settled wages. Third Master Jiang repeatedly declined, insisting it was far too much and that he could not accept it.

Li Leqi stroked his beard and smiled, saying, "This is the Princess’s will. We promised you all that, in addition to your wages, each person would receive at least one hundred taels for the silver refined. Although you have only been here for ten days, you designed the drainage channels and put your heart and soul into the work; the Princess has seen it all. She has halved the promised hundred taels as a reward, and the ten taels of silver are your wages."

Li Leqi seized the opportunity to win over the hearts of the others for Shen Jifeng. "Gentlemen, the Princess keeps her word and cherishes talent; the rewards promised to you will only be more, never less. We are all men of honor, and since the Princess is generous, we must not fall short. Roll up your sleeves and give it your all—do not let down the Princess’s trust in you!"

The craftsmen responded in unison, their eyes growing even warmer as they gazed at the banknote in Third Master Jiang’s hand.

While the men saw off Third Master Jiang, Shen Jifeng and Wei Xiao, accompanied by Uncle Ma, arrived at the gates of Xuanzhen Temple.

"Boom—bang!"

The three of them had barely stepped inside the mountain gate when they were startled by a sudden explosion.

"Master, are you alright?" a youthful voice asked, filled with concern. "Should your disciple go down the mountain to fetch a physician?"

"Master is a physician himself," another child's voice piped up, sounding a bit more precocious than the first.

"Cough, cough, cough."

Shen Jifeng frowned at the sound of the relentless coughing; it sounded as if the man might cough his very heart out. A thick plume of smoke rose straight up, gathering above the main hall and refusing to dissipate. As Shen and her companions climbed the steps, they saw a Taoist priest in gray robes sprawled against a stone railing, coughing incessantly. His Taoist crown had been half-burned away, his hair was singed, and the air was thick with the scent of sulfur and saltpeter.

On the open ground in front of the main hall, a pill-refining furnace lay shattered, with charred fragments scattered everywhere. Two young Taoist acolytes, about seven or eight years old, scrambled around the priest; one fanned him with his sleeve, while the other stood on tiptoe, trying to pat his back.

The priest’s face was covered in soot, making his age impossible to discern. After finally catching his breath, he looked up and saw the visitors, his eyes lighting up. "Immeasurable Heavenly Venerable! The three donors have arrived at just the right time!" He stumbled forward two steps, sparks still clinging to his hair. "This humble Taoist was just refining a—"

Before he could finish, he stepped on a scorching piece of brick and jumped up with a cry of "Ouch!", a fresh wisp of smoke rising from the hem of his robe.

Uncle Ma retreated slightly behind Wei Xiao. "Princess, is this the 'high master'?"

To win over the people, Shen Jifeng had previously acted in haste, having Dongyang find any Taoist nearby willing to perform. She had assumed that any legitimate priest could handle a funeral rite, never imagining this man would be so unreliable.

"Er," Shen Jifeng had to cover for him. "High masters are naturally different from ordinary people."

The priest wiped his face, turning his black face into a smeary mess. Recognizing Shen Jifeng, he revealed a set of bright white teeth.

"Immeasurable Immortal Venerable, this humble Taoist greets the Princess."

Though his voice remained hoarse, it was clearly the same young priest from before.

"Taoist Zhang, what is the meaning of this?"

"This humble Taoist was refining a pill. I suppose the proportion of saltpeter was incorrect, leading to an explosion. Fortunately, the Patriarchs protected me; I am unhurt. Everyone, please, take your seats in the temple."

Taoist Zhang flicked his robes and led them into the hall, completely unconcerned by his disheveled state. This composed demeanor actually carried a hint of a master living beyond the mundane world.

"Princess, are you here to invite the Mountain God again?"

"No, no," Shen Jifeng waved her hands quickly. "Taoist Zhang, our business is not urgent. Perhaps you should tidy yourself up first?"

Taoist Zhang opened his palms, which were pitch black and covered in charcoal burns, then looked down at his robe, riddled with holes. "My apologies to all. I shall return shortly."

The moment he left, Shen Jifeng finally burst into laughter. Heaven knows how hard she had been struggling to keep a straight face while looking at that countenance.

Uncle Ma was hesitant. "Princess, this Xuanzhen Temple is quite grand, but the incense is sparse, and there are only the three of them. Can that priest really summon the Mountain God? You aren't fooling me, are you?"

Shen Jifeng could not answer this; she could not lie to his face, nor could she admit to her deception.

At this critical moment, Wei Xiao spoke up. "Uncle Ma, I saw the auspicious omen that day as well. I was hunting in the mountains at the time, and the auspicious clouds in the sky lingered for nearly a quarter of an hour before dispersing."

Shen Jifeng glanced at Wei Xiao, then guiltily lowered her head.

At that moment, Taoist Zhang returned, having washed his face and changed his robes. The soot-stained man had transformed into a handsome youth with red lips and white teeth; had he not been wearing a Taoist robe, many young women would surely have been charmed.

Uncle Ma frowned even more deeply. "So young—can he really possess any magical power?"

Wei Xiao said, "Taoist Zhang, excuse the intrusion. My uncle’s son served in the Diannan Army and died on the battlefield five years ago, buried there. I wonder if you could assist in performing a rite to help his soul find peace in the Pure Land."

"Immeasurable Immortal Venerable," Taoist Zhang bowed in respect. "Your son died for his country; I offer my deepest respects."

Clutching a horsetail whisk, Taoist Zhang’s expression turned solemn. "The righteous energy of heaven and earth accompanies the heroic soul, with the sun, moon, and stars as their companions. To bury one's bones in the green hills of Diannan is to fulfill a man's wish to be wrapped in his horse's hide."

Wei Xiao had expected the usual platitudes of opening an altar for a ritual, but this Taoist Zhang was entirely unconventional. Wei Xiao looked at him with newfound gravity.

Taoist Zhang gazed toward the distant mountains, his tone peaceful. "What we call 'transcendence' is often just the lingering obsession of the living. In truth, the heroic soul has long since found freedom; why should we, mere mortals, gild the lily? It would be better to offer a cup of clear wine from afar during the Qingming or Hanshi festivals. This fulfills the yearning of the living without disturbing the peace of the dead."

Taoist Zhang took a copper coin from his sleeve and placed it gently in front of Uncle Ma. "If you truly feel burdened by attachment, you may bury this consecrated coin beneath a tree in your hometown. There is no need for rituals or blood-letting to summon the soul; you need only believe—where the loyal soul resides, there is the Pure Land."

Uncle Ma took the coin, half-doubting. "Just by relying on this coin?"

Taoist Zhang showed his teeth in a smile. "Of course. The 'Master Square-Hole' carries the greatest power of human intent in this world—it is more effective than any ritual instrument."