Chapter Sixty-Four: A Heart to Heal the World

By the time the meal was ready in the kitchen, the man had returned, panting and drenched in sweat. He reported to Liaochen, "I have spoken with the nearby villagers. Alas, almost every household now has someone sick, and some are down to their last breath. Several more died today, and their families are weeping at home. When I went to tell them, they all broke down in tears. It is truly a wretched time, with both natural disasters and man-made catastrophes. The common folk can never find peace. They said they would prepare and bring the patients over soon. The clan patriarch also said he wishes to pay his respects to the Immortal Master. So, I hurried back to notify you first." The man wiped his brow, his heart heavy as he looked at the white funeral banners fluttering throughout the village.

Liaochen performed a traditional bow of respect and replied, "You are a virtuous soul, blessed with compassion; your merit is immeasurable."

The man jumped back immediately, not daring to accept such a high honor from an Immortal. "The Immortal Master is the one with true, boundless compassion, a living deity! How could I dare accept such a gesture? You saved my son; I do not even know how to repay you. Besides, we are all neighbors and kin; this is merely what I ought to do."

Liaochen smiled faintly. "Great virtue. A family that accumulates goodness will surely have surplus blessings. You shall be rewarded for your kindness." As he spoke, the man’s features began to shift subtly, and an imperceptible red glow flashed across his forehead. Liaochen did not point it out, merely smiling in silence. Just then, the man's wife called out from the kitchen, "Immortal Master, the food is ready. We can begin."

The table was set with authentic country fare, complete with chicken and duck. It was clear this family had offered their utmost sincerity to host Liaochen. Had they not been raising pigs, Liaochen suspected they might even have slaughtered one for him. With the exception of their youngest son, who was already fast asleep, the whole family sat at the table. Such a feast of meat was rarely seen, rivaling even the Lunar New Year. The man invited Liaochen to take his seat, saying, "It is a pity we have no wine left in the house, and there is nowhere to buy any at this hour. I hope the Daoist will not find us neglectful."

Liaochen smiled. "As it happens, I have some." With that, he produced a wine flask from nowhere, startling the family. Where had the Immortal hidden that flask? It had been completely invisible.

Ever since Liaochen had used his talisman water to save a life, the man had known he was no ordinary person, so he found it unsurprising that the Daoist could produce wine out of thin air. A practitioner with magical arts was, of course, different from a common man. Liaochen picked up the flask and poured a bowl for everyone except the young daughter. "This is fruit wine from the mountains; a little will do no harm." After clinking bowls with the host, they both drank it down in one gulp.

"Fine wine!" the man exclaimed as he set down his bowl, still savoring the taste. "Such a vintage—I cannot imagine any other wine surpassing it. Immortal Master, is this celestial nectar from the heavens?"

Liaochen chuckled. "Not at all, just ordinary fruit wine from my own mountain." In his heart, he thought, *I nearly offended every monkey on Mount Qingcheng to get this; how could it not be good?*

The two men downed bowl after bowl until the host was nearly sliding under the table. Just then, the courtyard gate was knocked upon. Liaochen scanned the area with his spiritual sense and tapped the shoulder of his intoxicated host, whose drunken haze instantly vanished. The man opened his eyes, his first instinct being to demand more to drink. Liaochen smiled slightly. "Someone has arrived; no more wine." With a flick of his hand, the flask vanished. The man looked dazed and disappointed, muttering, "To have been able to drink this—I could die without regret now!" His exclamation earned him glares from his parents, wife, and daughter, and he hurried to open the gate in silence.

The gate swung wide to reveal a crowd. At the head stood an old man with white hair and eyebrows, clearly of advanced age. Though he leaned on a cane, his posture was robust, and his gait was steady and firm. He stood at the front with an air of natural authority.

"Boundless blessings to you," Liaochen said, performing a formal bow. There was no need to ask; the man in front was surely the clan patriarch. His son was likely the village head or mayor—a common arrangement in these times.

"Greetings, Immortal Master. Might I ask where you practice your cultivation?" The elder was a shrewd man who knew to test the waters before proceeding, wary of charlatans or cultists.

"I come from Mount Qingcheng and am currently wandering," Liaochen replied.

"Mount Qingcheng is a famous mountain of the Dao. My apologies for the lack of courtesy," the patriarch said, clearly moved. Liaochen gave a wry internal smile; his own sect only bordered the fringes of Mount Qingcheng and had no relation to the sacred grounds the patriarch envisioned.

"The Immortal Master is compassionate and dedicates himself to saving the world. I am deeply grateful," the patriarch said, leading the others in a profound bow. "Is there anything the Daoist requires in preparation? I shall send men to arrange it at once." Impressed by the patriarch’s foresight and clear-headedness, Liaochen nodded in approval.

"Please, arrange a quiet room, and bring some incense and candles. Those who need healing should bring their own bowls," Liaochen instructed.

The patriarch led Liaochen to a large house in the center of the village built with blue bricks and tiled roofing. "This was my second son’s home, but he has been away for years earning a living, so it remains empty. My wife cleans it regularly. I hope the Daoist will not mind using it as a temporary infirmary."

Liaochen was pleased that the patriarch had offered his own son's home. "Boundless blessings; the patriarch is truly a man of benevolence. I thank you." They entered the makeshift infirmary together.

The patriarch had the village youths tidy the room and bring in an altar and incense burners. Once the space was prepared, Liaochen began the treatments. The patriarch sat to one side; having only heard miraculous tales from his nephew, he remained skeptical and was determined to witness the Daoist’s true power before departing.

The first patient was a young man in his twenties, delirious with fever, carried in on the backs of his parents. Only parents would risk infection to carry a dying son in search of a miracle; even brothers might lack such courage.

Liaochen examined the young man's symptoms without even feeling his pulse. "Bring the bowl," he commanded. The mother quickly produced a blue porcelain bowl. Liaochen placed it on the table, produced a talisman, and waved it until it ignited. He tapped the edge of the bowl, and it instantly filled with clear, fresh water. Before the patriarch or the parents could process what happened, Liaochen dissolved the burning talisman into the water. "Give this to the young man to drink, then take him home to get a good night's sleep."