The devout were overjoyed. When they received Third Lady’s notice about witnessing the Deity manifesting, they hadn’t been entirely certain they would see anything. After all, having lived so long, none had truly witnessed a deity reveal itself.
Who could have imagined that today, not only did they witness the Dao Xuan Deity manifesting, but they were also granted a gift? It was an unexpected delight.
“This… this entire mound of flour balls… truly for us to take?”
“Take them!” Gao Yiye smiled. “The Deity has spoken: take as much as you can carry, but do not be greedy. For greed is a major sin.”
The devotees hastily offered their thanks, bowing deeply before climbing up along the Deity’s enormous finger.
Standing upon that colossal golden palm filled them with awe and fear. Several individuals knelt and bowed after each step they took. Proceeding at a pace no faster than a snail’s crawl.
Li Daoxuan kept his hand inside the box, palm upturned and motionless—a posture that was far from comfortable. Watching the miniature people’s sluggish movents, he couldn’t help but say, “Hey! It’s getting dark! Quit dawdling! Move faster.”
Hearing this, the little people collectively startled: Ah! They were delaying the Old Deity’s important business!
They imdiately quickened their pace, darting toward the mound of flour balls in a few strides.
They hadn’t brought containers and weren’t sure how to carry the flour. Fortunately, nearing winter, everyone wore thick clothing with multiple layers. Removing an outer garnt, they scooped flour into it, bundling it tightly by tying the sleeves. Thus, each beca a large flour-laden “clothing sack.”
Hoisting this sack onto their backs, they jumped down from the Deity’s “divine hand.” Barely steadying themselves, they saw the enormous hand ascend back into the sky, retreating into the clouds until it vanished.
The devotees felt as though awakening from a grand dream. All they had witnessed seed unreal—but the tangible weight of the “flour sacks” upon them testified otherwise.
“Enough, return ho now.” Third Lady wore a solemn expression. “Today, the Deity bestowed you exceptional rcy, not only manifesting before your eyes but granting you sustenance as well. Need I remind you of your duty henceforth?”
Of course they understood: wholehearted loyalty to the Deity henceforth. Commanding east, no westward wandering; if ordered west, imdiate about-face.
After all, this was a true deity!
…
anwhile, at the Waxi Archway, Fengxin County, Jiangxi.
The forty-one year old Song Yingxing sat upon a large stone before his house. He observed a group of craftsn constructing buildings in the distance while fervently scribbling notes onto paper.
He was composing a book titled “Heavenly chanisms and Fabrics,” docunting all known agricultural and handicraft production techniques.
The current section concerned “tripartite mortar”: one part river sand, two parts yellow earth, mixed with glutinous rice juice and Actinidia vine pulp… solidifies exceptionally upon building, never deteriorates… hence nad Tripartite Mortar…
Precisely at this mont, he sensed soone standing before him.
Looking up, he saw a travel-worn middle-aged Taoist priest.
This Taoist was Ma Tianzheng. He bead, greeting, “Long life and great blessings! Are you Song Yingxing, Sir?”
“I am Song Yingxing,” Song Yingxing replied. “How may I assist you, Maestro?”
Without a word, Ma Tianzheng produced a spring coil.
Song Yingxing’s attention instantly locked onto the spring. What peculiar object was this? Iron wire? But coiled layer upon layer?
Just as this thought ford, Ma Tianzheng clasped his palms together—flattening the coil instantly.
“?”
Even as Song Yingxing’s brow furrowed in puzzlent, Ma Tianzheng spread his hands. The coil sprang back into shape with a distinct “biu!”
“Eh? Ah! Fascinating! Utterly fascinating!” Song Yingxing exclaid. “What is this? How does such elasticity exist?”
Ma Tianzheng offered no explanation—nor was he truly equipped to do so. Instead, he silently placed a small sack of cent and a sheet of paper detailing its usage thod before Song Yingxing.
He deposited the spring, the cent, and the instructions into Song Yingxing’s hands, turned and strode away. As he walked, he tossed back, “This humble Daoist lodges at the dilapidated temple a mile west. Seek there if you wish to speak further.”
Utterly bewildered, Song Yingxing mused on the unusual Daoist… Yet his curiosity for the odd paled against his fascination with the objects now in his hands. Setting aside the eccentric priest, he examined the spring coil—unable to put the delightful puzzle down. Within monts, dozens of potential applications flooded his mind, thrilling him to restlessness.
Turning his scrutiny to the curious gray powder, he glanced at the instructions. “Hmm?” He compared the cent instructions against his freshly penned “Tripartite Mortar Recipe,” sensing an elusive similarity between them.
He urgently beckoned a servant: “Quick! Fetch river sand! Hurry!”
…
In Chengcheng County, rumors concerning the Dao Xuan Deity multiplied day by day.
Street corners, lanes, teahouses, taverns—everywhere, conversations swirled around the deeds of the Dao Xuan Deity.
“Hey, hear this? My neighbor Li Gudan saw the Dao Xuan Deity manifesting with his own eyes!”
“My neighbor Wang Laoqi swears he saw the Deity personally!”
“Pure hogwash! I’ve heard countless deity tales since infancy, never actually laid eyes on one manifesting.”
“Sounds like boasting to . Utterly unreliable.”
“Young Erwa even claims he saw the Deity’s colossal hand! Bigger than the one drawn in Dao Xuan Deity’s Demon Elimination Tale!”
“Boasts, all boasts! Those devotees? Conned silly by Daoist priests! Spinning wild yarns about absent deities? Bah! If deities truly existed, why so much suffering?”
“The Daoist would surely retort: your suffering stems from sins in past lives! Hahaha! Not because gods are absent! Hahaha!”
“Enough! You’re wrong! I genuinely saw the Old Deity! He bestowed an enormous sack of flour upon !”
“Right, right, we believe you… hahaha!”
“You scoff? Hmph! Suit yourself! The unbelievers simply won’t get this flour.”
These discussions drifted to Li Daoxuan as he “patrolled” high above. He couldn’t suppress a faint smile.
Good. Though doubters remained, believers steadily grew. This was precisely the “popular support” he needed.
Once that foundation solidified… his actions would yield exceptional results.
His thoughts broke abruptly: a fast horse galloped into the county town. Its rider wore the servant garb of Liang Shixian’s household. Charging wildly through the streets, the rider bellowed: “Urgent military intelligence! Clear the road! URGENT MILITARY INTELLIGENCE!”…
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