Chapter 52: A Glorious and Arduous Mission
By now, dusk had settled completely. The bandit army had arrived in the evening, and after their defeat, the sky had begun its swift descent into night.
The Bai family, having nowhere else to go, would certainly have to stay overnight in Gao Family Village.
However, the village's housing was limited and couldn't accommodate such a large number of people.
The tenant farmers from Bai Family Fortress, hardened by a life of privation, weren't particular. They simply found a spot near the wall, squeezing in among the refugees already camped behind it, and made do.
But Bai Yuan, Madam Bai, and Young Master Bai couldn't possibly endure such conditions alongside the refugees.
After a moment of hesitation, their gazes turned toward the pristine "Heavenly Lord Daoist Temple."
In ancient times, seeking lodging in temples or Daoist monasteries was common practice. If a temple or monastery was empty and unattended, one could simply enter and stay.
In Gao Family Village, however, the situation was quite different. The Heavenly Lord was quite literally above their heads, and had just shown his divine power.
Under such circumstances, who would dare to thoughtlessly occupy his sacred temple?
Gao Yiye tilted her head, listening to the voice from above, and smiled. "The Heavenly Lord grants his blessing."
Bai Yuan was overjoyed, swiftly bowing to the empty air. "Today, I find myself in dire straits and have committed many improprieties," he declared. "In the days to come, I vow to construct a temple and cast a sacred image for the Heavenly Lord."
Gao Yiye added, "The Heavenly Lord has commanded that one hour from now, once the villagers have retired, San Shier, Madam San, and Bai Yuan are to come to the Heavenly Lord's temple. His venerable self has matters he wishes you to undertake."
Those whose names were called felt a surge of energy, especially Madam San. She hadn't imagined that she, a mere woman, would be chosen by the Heavenly Lord to be entrusted with such an important task. She trembled with excitement. "This humble servant... this humble servant... to be esteemed by the Heavenly Lord... it is a blessing accumulated over three lifetimes!"
The group eagerly awaited the passing of the hour.
Night fell swiftly. After the sun plunged below the horizon, the entire world instantly plunged into darkness, with only the moon above and the ring of lanterns on the city walls still casting a faint glow.
The villagers had all retired, with only two sentries patrolling the city walls.
A few oil lamps were lit inside the Heavenly Lord Daoist Temple. Gao Yiye, San Shier, Madam San, and Bai Yuan sat in a circle around the flickering light.
As for Madam Bai and Young Master Bai, their names had not been called, so they had no right to participate, nor did they dare to even approach.
Gao Yiye tilted her head, listening, then joyfully announced, "The Heavenly Lord has arrived."
The others immediately composed themselves, sitting upright with backs perfectly straight.
Li Daoxuan watched them through the window. "I have summoned only a few of you because, in Gao Family Village, only you possess the ability to accomplish this task. This is a glorious, yet arduous, mission."
No sooner had Gao Yiye finished relaying the message than San Shier eagerly responded, "No matter how daunting the task, I will devote myself to my duties until death."
Bai Yuan also performed a deep bow toward Li Daoxuan's statue nearby. "My life was saved by the Heavenly Lord. Whatever the Heavenly Lord commands, I dare not disobey."
Li Daoxuan continued, "I require followers. I hope you can bring more people to become adherents of the Heavenly Lord Daoist Sect."
The two men exchanged bewildered glances.
At this, Madam San seemed to perk up. She understood the intricacies of religious practice far better than the two men. Turning to them, she chided, "Why are you both so stunned? Isn't the Heavenly Lord's request perfectly natural? Incense! Incense! Don't you understand this basic truth?"
The two men suddenly understood. Ah, yes! What deity doesn't wish for their temple to be brimming with devotees and offerings? Though they didn't fully grasp *why* a deity needed incense, they instinctively knew it was something all gods favored, the more the better.
However, the specifics of how to spread the faith left both men at a loss. They instinctively looked at Madam San, thinking: *No wonder the Heavenly Lord summoned her as well; she clearly possesses more insight than either of us.*
Madam San's expression turned solemn. "As for increasing the faithful, this humble servant knows a few methods: constructing Daoist temples far and wide, casting golden statues, stationing Daoist priests in each temple to expound scriptures and answer followers' questions, and dispatching Daoist masters to wander the four corners of the realm, spreading the Heavenly Lord's benevolent grace across the land..."
At her pronouncement, the two men exchanged uneasy glances, then wiped a bead of sweat from their brows. "Do we... do we truly possess the means to achieve such grand ambitions?"
Li Daoxuan smiled. "Otherwise, why would it be called a glorious and arduous mission? A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step; if one cannot even tend to their own home, how can they hope to manage the world? When your power is insufficient, begin with what is near, expanding gradually, step by step."
San Shier and Bai Yuan bowed deeply. "The Heavenly Lord's words are profound wisdom."
Li Daoxuan spoke gravely. "I am no charlatan, no false god who preys on the credulous. You must understand: do not resort to cheap tricks or feign supernatural powers to deceive. Instead, offer genuine, tangible assistance to the common people, encouraging them to join of their own free will, not under the threat of a blade."
San Shier and Bai Yuan quickly responded, "We would never dare."
Li Daoxuan addressed Bai Yuan, "You will return to Bai Family Fortress tomorrow, will you not?"
Bai Yuan replied, "Yes! The bandit chieftain has been annihilated by the Heavenly Lord's divine palm strike, and the remaining brigands pose no significant threat. I wish to return to Bai Family Fortress to address the chaos that remains there."
Li Daoxuan said, "The common folk around Bai Family Fortress must be suffering terribly. Moreover, your Bai Family Fortress has been plundered clean by the bandits. If you return empty-handed, you will be utterly powerless to help the common folk restore order to their lives."
Bai Yuan fell silent.
Li Daoxuan instructed him, "Go outside and look at your carriage."
Bai Yuan was startled, but quickly strode out. His carriage was parked right in front of the Heavenly Lord Daoist Temple. He took the steps two at a time, pulled back the curtain, and found the interior filled with half a cartload of flour, a miraculous bounty whose appearance defied explanation.
Li Daoxuan said, "Take these provisions back to relieve the villagers around Bai Family Fortress. Of course, this amount will not be enough. After you return, send people and carts to Gao Family Village to retrieve more. You must ensure that all the common folk safely navigate these hardships."
Bai Yuan took a deep breath, then bowed low toward the heavens. "The Heavenly Lord's benevolence knows no bounds."
Li Daoxuan then turned to Madam San, "Madam San, you already have a jar of burn ointment. Tomorrow, prepare some more bottles and jars, and I will bestow upon you divine medicines of various efficacies. Take these remedies to save the people of the world."
Madam San immediately grasped the implication. "For every person healed," she stated, "this humble servant will ensure they know it is through the Heavenly Lord's divine grace."
Indeed, this woman understood the ways of faith!
Hearing her words, Bai Yuan suddenly awoke to his own oversight and quickly added, "When I assist the villagers surrounding Bai Family Fortress, I, too, shall make it known that this sustenance is a divine gift from the Heavenly Lord."
Li Daoxuan approved, "Excellent! Proceed as planned."
Having spoken, he "vanished" beyond the "clouds"...
Gao Yiye announced, "The venerable Heavenly Lord has returned to the celestial realms."
A collective sigh of relief, audible as a soft "whoosh," escaped the group.
Bai Yuan shook his head, sighing. "Luckily, Madam San reminded me. I nearly made a grave error. Alas! Such disrespect towards the Heavenly Lord! The 'rites' aspect of a gentleman's six arts, scratch that out, scratch that out."
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