thenovelthief #368 - Find out clearly first!
#368 - Find out clearly first!
The morning light of early summer shone upon the clouds.
Like thousands of colorful silks, they danced lightly in the air.
Each strand was so light and beautiful.
The sunlight pierced through the thin mist, casting dappled shadows.
It coated the White Maiden Temple, where the opening ceremony was being held, with a layer of dazzling golden light.
Inside the main hall of the temple, on the offering table in front of the statue, the incense burner was already filled with ashes from the ancestral temple.
The incense sticks placed in it were lit.
Wisps of green smoke rose, coiling towards the statue.
Inside the hall, the Pan Prefect family was kneeling, along with Bai Wenyu and his son.
Outside the hall, countless common people gathered.
Although the White Maiden had not displayed divine powers or bestowed grace in Xuzhou City, people still came in a continuous stream.
Firstly, Lingzhou and Xuzhou were not far apart, and the events that had occurred there had already spread.
The common people would not neglect a deity who was truly willing to protect everyone, especially since this was a righteous god of heaven and earth.
Secondly, Pan Anshou, the prefect, had presided over the construction of this temple.
Although, due to the constraints of the imperial court, this matter had not been publicized, and the steward had come forward to handle it.
It could not be hidden from those who were interested.
Many wealthy households in the city had come with their families.
The common people had also heard some rumors and came to offer their respects.
They were not all trying to curry favor with the prefect; for the common people, especially ordinary people, not to mention currying favor, they couldn't wait to stay far away from the officials to avoid being troubled.
The main reason was that in recent years, Prefect Pan had indeed been a good official, doing many good deeds, and the people of Xuzhou City remembered his kindness and came to repay his favor.
Furthermore, there were the points that Xu Chengxian had requested when Prefect Pan built the temple.
It seemed that he had done a good job, benefiting the surrounding people.
These people had also come, of course.
Several thousand people gathered together, holding lit incense sticks, raising them to their foreheads.
Eyes slightly closed, they murmured words, reverently offering incense and prayers to the deity.
There was some clamor in the field.
Dong!
Dong!
Dong!
The distant and mysterious sound of the bell rang out.
As the bell sound echoed, everyone felt as if the heavens and earth trembled for it.
With a jump in their hearts, they all looked up.
They saw the colorful, gauze-like clouds floating in the sky, as if drawn by this grand sound, slowly dancing.
Then, a brilliant light suddenly bloomed, like a rainbow cutting through the sky.
The fairy phantom, like a maiden, descended from the sky under the illumination of this light.
Her figure was light and elegant, like a feather falling into the mortal world, her lotus steps moving lightly, each step stepping on the rhythm.
Dong!
Dong!
Dong!
Ding-ling!
Ding-ling!
Ding-ling!
The bell sound echoed, but could not cover the subtle and pleasant sound of the bells.
The White Maiden's sleeves fluttered gently in the wind, stained with the green smoke rising from the people's hands.
She spread her sleeves, gathered the green smoke, raised her hand, and scattered it towards the crowd.
Divine light!
Specks of divine light fell.
Exorcising evil and avoiding disaster, purifying the mind and calming the spirit.
Thank you, White Maiden!
Someone followed and kowtowed.
Thank you, White Maiden!
In the next moment, a whole area was kneeling and worshiping.
The White Maiden smiled, and with a few steps, turned and entered the temple.
Landing inside the statue.
From this point on, the White Maiden Temple in Xuzhou City was truly completed.
......
Daoist Xu!
Daoist Xu, how is it?
After the true god's spirit returned to its place, Pan Anshou couldn't wait to find Xu Chengxian after taking his family to kneel and pray.
Prefect Pan still has some prestige in Xuzhou.
Xu Chengxian smiled when he saw him.
Whether this old Pan was accumulating good karma for his son, or whether he truly had the ambition to serve the country and the people, he could be regarded as a good official.
In any case, Xu Chengxian was also an ordinary commoner who hoped that there would be more good officials in the world, and of course, he was willing to give a compliment without spending any effort.
Thank you for your praise, Daoist Xu, I am ashamed to accept it!
Pan Anshou was stunned for a moment, then happily bowed.
Daoist, I...
I know.
Xu Chengxian waved his hand.
You've come to ask me when your son's matter can be handled, right?
Exactly, exactly!
Pan Anshou quickly bowed again.
Daoist, I wonder when my son can be saved?
Wait for everyone to leave.
Xu Chengxian said,
If you have something to do, go and do it, leave your son behind.
That...
Pan Anshou's eyebrows jumped.
Did this mean that he could extend his youngest son's lifespan tonight?
Come back after sunset tonight.
Xu Chengxian smiled,
At that time, the incense, candles, fruits, and offerings must be prepared.
Yes! Thank you, Daoist Xu!
Pan Anshou was overjoyed when he heard this,
I will arrange it now!
He thought to himself that Daoist Xu was indeed decisive and quick to help those in need!
In addition, bring the rice and flour that you have requested from thousands of households.
Xu Chengxian continued.
This was what he had only remembered to prepare when the temple was half-built.
Fortunately, the Pan and Bai families were rich and powerful, and also had some popular support, so it didn't take long to prepare everything.
Therefore, Pan Anshou agreed and turned to leave.
Wait.
Xu Chengxian called out to him,
Also, bring the paper money and ingots that you asked the people to fold beforehand.
After saying that, he paused and said,
Also, send someone to order a large pig's head, but don't bring it tonight.
Is that for...
Don't ask yet.
Xu Chengxian waved his hand,
Have someone clean it up properly, it must be clean and thoroughly cooked.
This takes effort.
It's estimated that it won't be done until tomorrow.
But there's no rush to use it anyway.
Alright, go ahead.
Okay!
......
As soon as Pan Anshou left, Xu Chengxian raised his hand and made a hand seal.
He summoned the Strongman Ding Jia.
Greetings, Daoist Xu.
Ding Jia came in response to the summons, first clasping his fists in salute,
I wonder what orders Daoist Xu has?
Well, there's something I need to trouble you to do.
Xu Chengxian didn't stand on ceremony with him, directly drawing a talisman in the air with spiritual power,
Then gently patted it, pressing the talisman into a token.
He threw it to Ding Jia.
Take this and go to the Xuzhou City God Temple, find a ghost messenger and ask about a person's lifespan.
Then he said the name of Pan's youngest son, as well as his birth year, month, and hour.
This is Pan's youngest son, find out how much lifespan he has left.
Tell the ghost messenger that this family will give it plenty of benefits in the future.
Xu Chengxian said,
Also, ask if there are any obstacles to extending this child's lifespan, and find out about the difficult places.
Yes!
Ding Jia accepted the order and rode the wind away.
Alright.
Xu Chengxian thought to himself,
Next is to wait for news.
No matter what someone asks you to do, you must ask and inquire more, and start doing it after you have a clear understanding.
Never blindly plunge into work.
These are all the experiences and lessons from his previous career.