Chapter Seventy-Two: Spiritual Rain Turns to Plague, The True and False Jade Serenity

Just as Lin You had anticipated, when he slew the Six Plague Daoist and destroyed the Mother Vermin of Plague, the remaining tiny plague insects lost much of their vitality. Although not all perished, these insects had already lost their contagious nature. Thus, within the city of Jinhua Prefecture, though many had contracted the sickness, the situation was not dire. Outside the city, after Qingyangzi used his jade talisman to annihilate the plague demon, he glanced at the infected commoners around him and, without hesitation, crushed the last jade talisman in his hand.

Immediately, a surge of immense magical power, carrying a mysterious divine aura, soared into the heavens. "Everyone, come to me quickly!" he called to the crowd. Having just witnessed Qingyangzi's awe-inspiring display as he slew the plague demon, the people, although unsure of his intent, hurriedly gathered around him. Even the elder on the high platform, escorted by Zhang Yuanyi, came to stand beside Qingyangzi—not because he trusted Qingyangzi, but because he had faith in the Jade Morning Immortal behind him.

At this moment, only a handful of disciples from medical sects, believing themselves clever, refrained from joining the gathering. Instead, they moved away from the crowd, heading out of the city. After all, with the three plague demons dead and their sects' own methods at hand, they felt confident they could cure the sickness and saw no reason to remain and wait for the influx of sick refugees.

Qingyangzi observed their departure but did not stop them; his mind recalled his grandmaster's words about fate—a thought arises, fate begins; a thought fades, fate ends. Clearly, these people were simply not destined for this path.

Under the order maintained by the Black Armored Guards, even with thousands crowded together, no chaos erupted. Once the people had gathered sufficiently, Qingyangzi began chanting an incantation. Winds rose at the horizon, gathering a small azure raincloud above the crowd. Soon, a gentle, life-infused drizzle fell from the sky. A refreshing coolness spread throughout the gathering.

Bathed in this spiritual rain, thousands felt the sickness dissipate from their bodies; the symptoms of plague melted away. "The Jade Morning Immortal truly possesses miraculous powers!" The elder caught a drop of rain in his hand and sighed in awe. Qingyangzi, hearing this, replied with pride, "This is the rejuvenating spirit talisman crafted by my grandmaster. It dispels disease and plague. My grandmaster foresaw that the plague demons would cause trouble here and specially instructed me to bring the talisman!"

Within the jade talisman was the rejuvenating divine power inscribed by Lin You using the Six Paths spiritual mechanism. With an added breath of wind-calling magic, it could summon rainclouds and deliver the rejuvenating power as spiritual rain.

Zhang Yuanyi nodded in agreement, saying, "Teacher has always devised flawless strategies and possesses extraordinary skill—a true immortal among men!" The renowned physicians and citizens gathered under the spiritual rain were astonished. The newly appointed Grandmaster of the Sword Path referred to the Jade Morning Immortal as his teacher? When did the Red Pine Dao Palace produce such a truly immortal figure?

Meanwhile, the disciples from the medical sects had not yet gone far. Seeing the crowd cured of plague by the spiritual rain, they stared in disbelief and regret. Just as they wished to shamelessly return, the rain ceased and the blue sky appeared. Too late, they could only depart in disappointment. But before they had walked far, they saw ahead a dense throng of people.

Amid cries and lamentations, the emaciated, blue-faced refugees from Jiangzhou had arrived at the lakeshore of Jici. "We are finally saved!" "Immortal masters of Red Pine Dao Palace, please help us!" "Father, mother, wake up, we have reached Jinhua Prefecture!" Amid the chaotic, desperate cries was the yearning to survive.

These families fleeing disaster, upon seeing the physicians by Jici Lake, had hope in their eyes. Some broke down in tears, venting the terror and suffering of their journey. The commotion alarmed those at the lakeshore, who wanted to retreat into the city to avoid the refugees. Yet they forgot the city gate was closed, its heavy doors impossible for them to move.

"Silence!" At this critical moment, the elder thundered, his commanding presence quelling the panic. As Prefect of a province, the elder naturally stepped forward.

He stood calm and called to the refugees, "I am Guo Yi, Prefect of Jinzhou and Marquis of Great Yu. Is there a leader among you?" The refugees stirred in confusion—after all, a prefect was already a great figure to them, let alone a regional lord. They hesitated, unsure.

After a moment, a young man with a heroic visage emerged from the crowd. Though gravely ill, his martial cultivation was strong enough that he retained some vigor. He stepped forward, bowed from afar, and said, "Though unworthy, I am willing to speak on behalf of the disaster victims of Jiangzhou."

The elder nodded, "Very well. What is your name, and what is the current situation in Jiangzhou?" The young man's eyes were filled with sorrow. "My name is Su Mu, from Jiangning Prefecture. In recent years, Jiangzhou has suffered severe droughts; countless citizens have become homeless. Plague has spread everywhere, and people are destitute. Of the eighty thousand people in Jiangning, only twenty thousand remain!"

"What? Is it really so dire?" "Why have we never heard of this?" The crowd erupted in disbelief.

Su Mu coughed painfully and continued, "Because the Prefect of Jiangning closed the city gates and allowed plague to run rampant inside. Only recently were the gates opened, letting us leave. Desperate, we heard from Daoist Yujing of Red Pine Dao Palace that there would be a grand medical gathering here, so we came to Jinhua seeking help! We meant no offense."

"What? Did you say Daoist Yujing? But our grandmaster has been in Red Pine Dao Palace these last days and has not left!" Qingyangzi asked, puzzled.

Su Mu hurriedly replied, "I dare not deceive. Recently, a middle-aged Daoist with two long whiskers claimed to be Yujing, the head of the Red Pine Dao Palace, and directed us to seek medicine here!"

A conspiracy! Upon hearing this, Qingyangzi's expression grew grave. The other famed physicians in the gathering immediately realized the same. They had all seen the real Yujing from Red Pine Dao Palace, and he was nothing like the person described. This was no ordinary frame-up—it was a deliberate plot by someone seeking to use the refugees to ensnare them all in one fell swoop!