Chapter 71: You’re the One Who Looks Like a Swindler

Regarding Wang Er’s words, Daoist Wang merely lifted his brows and glanced at him, then fell silent. The more composed and unperturbed he appeared, the more he seemed to possess the air of a sage untouched by worldly affairs.

Seeing this, the man playing the shill could not help but feel secretly delighted. He hadn’t expected business to arrive so quickly and immediately stood up from the ground, eager to fulfill his role professionally.

“Good sir, you’ve come to the right person today in seeking out Daoist Wang!” The shill’s face lit up with joy as he looked at Wang Er, pride in his voice. “Daoist Wang’s cultivation is unfathomable—he can even capture ghosts. Performing a ritual is but a trifling matter for him.”

Hearing this, Wang Er’s face lit up with excitement, as if he had found a life-saving straw. He nodded quickly and, his expression anxious, asked respectfully, “Daoist, would you be willing to come to our Wang Family Village? We can discuss the price.”

But before he could finish speaking, the shill shook his head and sighed deeply. “Brother Wang, you may not know this, but the Daoist rarely descends the mountain even once a year,” he whispered into Wang Er’s ear. “He regards wealth as dirt. Speaking of money like this—are you not sullying his reputation?”

Wang Er stared blankly, at a loss, and asked the shill with a bitter face, “Then what should I do? I can’t find another Daoist in such a short time…”

“Brother Wang, let me be frank with you.” The shill’s face darkened as he lectured earnestly, “No wonder you can’t find anyone.”

“Oh? And what do you mean by that?” Wang Er blinked, confusion all over his face.

The shill shook his head and replied quietly, a hint of annoyance in his voice, “Do you realize who this Daoist is? A true recluse! He rarely leaves his temple—do you think money can move such a person?”

“It requires sincerity—only with a sincere heart will the spirits respond!”

“When I invited the Daoist myself, I never once mentioned the word ‘money’!” At this, the shill lowered his voice, raised five fingers, and hinted, “You must use the words ‘incense and offerings.’ In front of such a master, talking about money is far too vulgar!”

After saying this, the shill gave Wang Er a look full of assurance, as if to say: just follow my instructions and all will be well!

Wang Er finally understood, nodding and exclaiming with delight, “You’re right, Brother Lin. It seems I misspoke.”

With that, Wang Er knelt down and knocked his head on the ground in a formal bow. With renewed respect and sincerity, he said, “Daoist, I was too abrupt before. I truly invite you to come to our Wang Family Village and perform a ritual. At that time, I will certainly offer incense and thanks!”

Seeing this, Daoist Wang finally nodded slowly, pondered for a moment, and sighed, “Very well. Since your invitation is sincere, I shall accompany you.”

As he spoke, Daoist Wang rose slowly from his meditation mat, while the young acolyte behind him began to gather his belongings.

“Brother Wang, hurry and lend a hand,” the shill reminded him. Wang Er nodded quickly and rushed to help Daoist Wang with his things.

Daoist Wang himself took up a banner inscribed with “Fortune-Telling, Exorcism, Demon-Subjugation,” exuding the bearing of a true master.

“Daoist, please follow me,” Wang Er said respectfully, taking the lead.

“Very well, lead the way,” Daoist Wang replied with calm detachment. The group followed Wang Er toward Wang Family Village.

Onlookers all around nodded and murmured their admiration, full of praise.

Hearing their words, Li Yi could barely restrain himself from scoffing. He shook his head and chuckled, “Isn’t this just a gang of swindlers? Even conmen receive such respect?”

Li Yi could hardly believe how easily these people were fooled. In his previous life, he’d seen too many of these charlatans. Even real Daoists would never dare guarantee they could catch ghosts; as for rituals, they were nothing more than comfort for the living. What real power was there? Who were they trying to fool?

The surrounding crowd only sneered at Li Yi’s words, their expressions full of mockery. Li Yi couldn’t be bothered to argue with these simpletons.

However, Li Lizhi seemed intrigued. Her eyes sparkled as she blinked at him and said, “Young Master Li, why don’t we go to Wang Family Village and see for ourselves?”

Li Yi pursed his lips and said flatly, “Princess, he’s just a swindler. What’s there to see?”

“A swindler? But I think he’s amazing!” Li Lizhi said innocently. “That man just said this Daoist can even catch ghosts!”

“They’re all in on it, of course they’d say that,” Li Yi replied.

“I don’t think so!” Li Lizhi shook her head in disagreement, clearly unconvinced by Li Yi’s explanation.

Nearby, Linlang also nodded secretly. “I think you’re the one who looks like a swindler!”

Li Yi was left speechless.

Just then, Li Lizhi’s eyes turned as she considered the matter seriously, as if she had made an important decision.

“Young Master Li, since you say he’s a swindler and I don’t believe it, why don’t we go to Wang Family Village and see for ourselves?”

She fixed Li Yi with a solemn gaze and declared, “With me watching, I absolutely won’t let the people be deceived. It’s settled, then!”

Li Lizhi nodded firmly, her decision to visit Wang Family Village unshakable.

Li Yi could only smile wryly. “As the princess commands.”

“Then shall we set out?” Li Lizhi smiled at him and, without waiting, took the lead. Li Yi had no choice but to follow, with Linlang in tow, all heading for Wang Family Village.

It was hard to blame Li Lizhi for doubting Li Yi—there were too many so-called miracle-workers in the Tang Dynasty. Men like Li Chunfeng and Yuan Tiangang might have been considered charlatans, but they truly possessed remarkable abilities, even able to predict the future with their prophecies—how could a fraud like Daoist Wang compare?

With this thought, Li Yi felt better.

Not long after, Li Yi, Li Lizhi, and Linlang arrived at Wang Family Village.

The villagers, led by the mayor, naturally greeted Daoist Wang with great hospitality.

Afterward, the mayor led Daoist Wang to the hall of mourning.

“Daoist, this is the mourning hall,” the mayor said bitterly. “In recent days, we villagers have heard dreadful wailing in the dead of night—heart-wrenching cries.”

“We ask for your help, Daoist, so the departed may find peace and no longer disturb our village.”

The mayor looked earnestly at Daoist Wang, his face showing a hint of relief.

Daoist Wang’s brows furrowed slightly. He nodded with an air of confidence and declared, “Of course. As long as I take action, the spirit will have nowhere to hide. Rest assured, mayor!”

“Then I must thank you in advance,” the mayor replied with delight, discreetly slipping Daoist Wang a banknote for one hundred taels of silver.

Daoist Wang smiled in satisfaction and nodded. Just as he brushed his sleeve, a sudden wail echoed from behind the mourning hall—

“Wang Fugui, give me back my life…”

At the sound, the mayor’s face changed drastically. He hurriedly stepped back in terror, stumbling and nearly falling.

At the same moment, Daoist Wang drew a talisman from his sleeve. Pinched between forefinger and middle finger, the talisman burst into flames.

With a “whoosh,” the villagers of Wang Family Village stared in awe, their eyes shining.

Li Lizhi’s eyes also sparkled with excitement. She smiled proudly and said to Li Yi, “Young Master Li, see for yourself. Isn’t this the mark of a true master?”

(End of chapter)