Dragon Tamer
Chapter 1354 - 1358: Offering Incense to Pray for a Child

Chapter 1354: Chapter 1358: Offering Incense to Pray for a Child

"One hundred orthodox remedies can cure thirty ailments, as they should; one hundred folk remedies cure only one illness, and that lucky cure becomes an Immortal Pill formula!"

"Orthodox remedies are grounded in reality, aiming to inform patients of the possible outcomes as accurately as possible."

"Folk remedies exaggerate their effects, and they always claim to cure all diseases, ensuring immediate results."

"In terms of popularity, folk remedies are undoubtedly more appealing to the masses. Added to that, seeking orthodox remedies can often be a difficult path for impoverished folk. Suddenly discovering a folk remedy that effectively addresses a few issues feels like striking gold!"

Zhu Minglang expressed his views on the erosion and imbalance between faiths while strolling along.

The Weaver Star Fairy listened attentively. Her young apprentice had used orthodox remedies and folk remedies to beautifully interpret the contrast between orthodox faith and rural beliefs, making him seem like a seasoned, worldly-wise ancient deity rather than a young disciple.

"I enjoy reading books in my leisure time, so I suppose that makes me clever. Some things can be understood through observing subtle phenomena..." Zhu Minglang said.

"You’re quite suited for managing human affairs," the Weaver Star Fairy replied.

"Understanding things thoroughly doesn’t mean I’m fit for governance. In truth, I lack patience for people, especially those who are foolish and ignorant while causing harm to others. Such people are far too common, and I generally prefer sending them to heaven rather than trying to enlighten or educate them," Zhu Minglang said.

"Let’s go pay a visit to this supposedly divine Empress," the Weaver Star Fairy suggested.

"Most likely just another Fairy. Folk remedies that seem too effective almost certainly have a supernatural origin!"

If a folk remedy truly works, it often gets incorporated and becomes linked to a local Earth God or Mountain God. Yet, the probability is very low—nine times out of ten, it’s a scam. Moreover, they had already tracked down a Fairy earlier, whose lair was situated on Mount Luoxiang.

...

Upon reaching the Daoist Temple on the mountain, Zhu Minglang noticed an unusual number of people. They voluntarily repaired the area surrounding the temple and constructed shrines for its Empress without requesting a penny, as if doing so was the utmost honor, ensuring blessings for their descendants.

Many devout believers could indeed be found within and outside the palaces of the True Gods. Whether their devotion earned the gods’ favor was uncertain, as these deities were surrounded by countless worshippers, and the chances of being noticed were less than one in ten thousand.

However, the faith here had already formed an extraordinarily cohesive and influential following in just a few months.

"What purpose brings you to the Empress today?" As they entered the temple, a young mountain boy approached them with a query. He appeared quite youthful, around thirteen or fourteen years old.

"Isn’t it obvious? It’s to seek blessings for a child," another, livelier mountain boy interjected with a grin.

Young couples coming together—there was hardly any other request they’d make. After all, the Empress’s blessings in this area had spread far and wide.

The Weaver Star Fairy paused momentarily, unsure of how to respond.

Zhu Minglang took over at once, smiling as he said, "Of course! My wife and I married at fourteen, and it’s been five years now without any luck in having a child. My family has been pressing us relentlessly. The neighbors got married at fifteen and had a child by sixteen—makes me feel I’ve already lost the race. So I decided to consult the Empress to see if there’s something wrong with us."

"Haha, you’re quite entertaining—so young and eager to be a father!" The lively mountain boy remarked.

"Ah, having a beautiful wife naturally makes one hope to pass on good looks to the next generation."

The lively boy’s gaze briefly swept across the Weaver Star Fairy’s face. Although she remained quiet, her slightly bashful expression didn’t raise any suspicions. He handed them a small charm and let them proceed inside.

Entering the temple, Zhu Minglang and the Weaver Star Fairy noticed the interior was far less crowded.

"Those two mountain boys are no ordinary characters; best not to arouse their suspicion," Zhu Minglang whispered in explanation.

"Indeed, they’re not ordinary. I could tell they were scrutinizing everyone entering the Empress’s temple," the Weaver Star Fairy replied.

At the slightest indication of trouble, they’d undoubtedly relay reports immediately.

Such rural faiths naturally employed safeguards—the moment their fraudulent nature was uncovered, they’d need to flee swiftly.

Instead of following the mountain boys’ directed route, Zhu Minglang and the Weaver Star Fairy wandered around the temple.

Some areas were clearly guarded, with young priestesses dressed in striking blue-red robes. They wielded dusters and were all exceptionally attractive—their youthful age being most noteworthy.

So young, yet already detached from worldly desires?

Their wandering led them to a remote courtyard where they stumbled upon a group of people.

These individuals were evidently locals, queued up to enter what appeared to be an accounting room of the temple.

Zhu Minglang and the Weaver Star Fairy observed briefly, noticing that these people seemed to be collecting money.

"That old man over there," the Weaver Star Fairy gestured toward one individual in the crowd.

Zhu Minglang also saw the elder and chuckled before commenting, "Classic con artistry trick—hiring stooges."

"No wonder there’s a crowd on the mountain but fewer inside the temple," the Weaver Star Fairy said, immediately understanding.

"The villages surrounding a hundred-mile radius are likely all part of this business. These locals act as stooges for Mount Luoxiang’s temple: each day, they collect money from the temple and spread word of its wonders down the mountain. Their role is almost professional, ensuring the Empress’s reputation remains high. True pilgrims or newcomers, like us, are scarce—but they’re the ones being taken advantage of," Zhu Minglang explained.

Forcing the entire local population into becoming stooges for the temple—this Empress certainly played her cards well.

And with so many believers, even rural faith could eventually evolve, perhaps even forming a minor Mountain God in time.

"The Earthly Kings have made some moves; let’s go check it out," the Weaver Star Fairy suggested.

...

Avoiding the priestesses wielding dusters, the Weaver Star Fairy and Zhu Minglang soon located the Guardian King, who had been lured to the temple.

The Guardian King had been taken to a separate temple, guarded with exceptional vigilance. Yet, the Weaver Star Fairy had her own means to uncover the events within.

She retrieved her small harp and gently plucked one string, causing it to vibrate silently.

Soon, human voices emerged from the harp—specifically, the Guardian King’s voice.

"Greetings, Empress Luoxiang," came the Guardian King’s voice from the harp.

"How do you find this place?" Shortly after, a youthful feminine voice responded—one tinged with elegance.