Chapter Four: The Enchantress
The Lu family estate lay at the foot of the mountain.
Only after Liang Jin’s carriage entered the estate did he realize the true severity of the plague this time.
The people he had seen along the caravan route were all infected, yet they were still able to move about normally.
That was because they were mostly young and strong.
But within the Lu estate, the majority were elderly, weak, women, and children—whose conditions were far worse.
Harsh coughing echoed incessantly throughout the village.
Liang Jin saw many corpses of old men and children being carried out from houses, prepared for collective burning.
Every household was draped in mourning cloth; every family wore widow’s weeds.
It was a tragic scene of human suffering.
As the caravan arrived, the villagers suddenly surged forward:
“Master of the estate, did you manage to buy any medicine from the city this time?”
“My mother is barely holding on. Please, master, think of a way!”
“Master, I beg you for medicine! My youngest son is already gone—I don’t want to lose my eldest too. He’s gravely ill!”
The villagers’ faces were filled with hope, all eyes fixed on Lu Tianxing.
Standing atop the carriage, Lu Tianxing addressed the crowd:
“We were unable to enter the city; the gates have been closed for days, forbidding outsiders.”
“I heard the plague inside the city is severe as well—I saw with my own eyes bodies of the sick being thrown over the city walls.”
“Nearby towns have no medicinal herbs left; all have been plundered.”
Upon hearing this, the villagers’ expressions turned mournful.
The closed gates meant the county magistrate no longer cared about their fate.
The entire Lu estate was already infected, and with no medicine, many more would surely perish.
Perhaps... wiped out entirely.
Despair hung over everyone like a dark cloud.
“But the heavens will not forsake Lu estate!”
“I was fortunate to meet a divine healer on the road, one who can cure the plague, and I have brought him here.”
Lu Tianxing announced loudly.
He said “divine healer,” but never “immortal.”
For in his heart, Lu Tianxing did not believe in ghosts or deities.
Having traveled the world for years, he had seen many so-called “miraculous cures” relying on talisman water.
They would pretend to treat patients with talisman water, but in reality used medicine, making patients believe they were cured by the talisman.
That bowl of talisman water his daughter drank was probably secretly laced with medicinal powder by Liang Jin.
The only thing Lu Tianxing could not explain was the astounding effectiveness.
At this, the villagers erupted in excitement:
“A divine healer? Where is he?”
From the carriage, Liang Jin stepped out.
“Is this the divine healer?”
Everyone was surprised—Liang Jin looked far too young.
He jumped down and strode past the crowd.
While walking, he proclaimed:
“I have received teachings from the Heavenly Deity Zhonghuang Taiyi to rescue the world from plague.”
“Those who join my Taiping Sect shall receive talisman water to dispel the illness.”
The villagers exchanged uncertain glances.
Wasn’t this supposed to be a divine healer?
Why was it suddenly about immortal talisman water?
The estate master and this young man seemed to be telling two different stories.
But that was not important.
What truly mattered was whether he could cure the plague.
At that moment, Lu Qiannán also jumped down from the carriage:
“Look at me!”
“This gentleman cured my plague!”
“By the way, his title is Great Virtuous Master!”
The villagers gasped.
If he could cure the young lady, then there was no doubt at all.
The caravan’s guests confirmed Lu Qiannán’s words, further deepening everyone’s faith.
They followed closely behind Liang Jin, pleading loudly:
“Great Virtuous Master, please save me!”
“I want to join the sect! I want to enter the Taiping Sect!”
Liang Jin held his head high, his steps unhesitating.
As he walked, he spoke:
“Those who join the Taiping Sect must offer five bushels of rice and recite the Taiping Sutra.”
“Be devout and faithful, worshipping morning and evening.”
The crowd followed step by step.
“I am willing!”
“We all are!”
Lu Qiannán and the villagers followed enthusiastically behind Liang Jin.
At the center of the estate’s rice field, Liang Jin finally stopped.
He picked up a bamboo staff and tapped the ground:
“Set up a large pot here and bring the water to a boil.”
“Establish the ritual altar, prepare cinnabar, lay out yellow paper, and ready the purple brush.”
“You shall all join me in praying to the Yellow Heaven for talismans to dispel the plague spirits!”
Lu Qiannán immediately organized the preparation of the necessary tools.
The rest of the villagers knelt around Liang Jin, beseeching the Yellow Heaven for spiritual talismans.
Beside the carriage, only Lu Tianxing remained.
Not a single person stayed by his side—all had gone to follow Liang Jin.
Though the master of the estate, Lu Tianxing suddenly felt a pang of loneliness, even... fear.
Watching Liang Jin bask in the adoration of the crowd, receiving their worship, a chill ran down Lu Tianxing’s spine.
These villagers understood nothing.
But Lu Tianxing, having traveled extensively, saw clearly what no one else did.
A demon!
This Liang Jin was undoubtedly a demon!
In this plague-ridden year, he used the guise of talisman water to cure disease and form a cult, recruiting many followers.
Most importantly, he truly could cure the sick!
This only further attracted the ignorant masses.
If this demon were given time, what trouble might he wreak?
If he stirred up chaos, it would bring disaster upon the Lu estate.
All two hundred people in the village might be implicated, with heads rolling!
Lu Tianxing wanted to stop him.
He even wanted to report to the authorities immediately!
The officials would never tolerate a demon corrupting the people.
But...
Without Liang Jin, how could the plague be cured?
For a moment, Lu Tianxing was unsure whether bringing Liang Jin into the estate was a blessing or a curse.
The chanting had begun in the rice field.
Liang Jin recited a line, and the crowd echoed together.
The voices rose and fell endlessly.
These sounds only made Lu Tianxing’s heart restless and tormented.
He wished to cover his ears, to shut out the clamor of chanting.
Suddenly, a burst of noise!
Lu Tianxing snapped back to attention.
Liang Jin, holding a bowl of talisman water, led the crowd before him.
The sky had darkened.
The bright bonfires in the rice field cast long shadows of Liang Jin.
In the growing darkness, Liang Jin’s face was somewhat blurred against the firelight.
Yet Lu Tianxing felt his eyes shone extraordinarily bright.
Liang Jin’s gaze fixed on Lu Tianxing, piercing, as if seeing through to his soul.
“I am saving lives, and will save many more.”
“They want to live—live healthily.”
Liang Jin said calmly.
Lu Tianxing felt guilty, his Adam’s apple moving.
He wanted to say something but found his mouth dry.
The villagers wished to live, and they were not wrong.
Liang Jin was truly healing and saving lives—this too was true.
He saved the villagers’ lives and required their obedience—this seemed right as well.
Lu Tianxing could not understand who was truly at fault.
Liang Jin lifted the talisman water:
“Master Lu, join the Taiping Sect and receive talisman water to cure your illness.”
“This bowl of talisman water—will you drink it or not?”
Lu Tianxing instinctively took a step back.
His whole body trembled uncontrollably.
He was afraid.
Afraid that once he joined the Taiping Sect, he would be tied to this demon.
If this demon brought chaos upon the world, he would be branded a traitor!
Treason!!!
For a common man like Lu Tianxing, this was a crime akin to the heavens falling.
How could he bear such a burden?
Lu Qiannán spoke excitedly:
“Father, the Great Virtuous Master promised to teach me martial arts!”
“Maybe I’ll be the first warrior in our estate!”
“He also said that capable disciples would have the chance to learn martial arts.”
Her cheeks flushed with excitement, her hopes boundless.
The villagers were eager as well, reverently surrounding Liang Jin.
But Lu Tianxing’s heart grew colder still.
This demon was organizing the people and planning martial training?
He truly harbored ambitions! Truly had designs!
Again, the bowl of talisman water was extended toward Lu Tianxing.
Liang Jin’s voice pressed like a death warrant:
“Will you drink, or not?”
For a fleeting moment, Lu Tianxing wanted to order the villagers to seize this demon and hand him over to the authorities.
But he wasn’t sure if the villagers would still obey him now.
He only knew that if he stopped the villagers from curing the plague and cut off their hope, then it would surely be his fault.
Especially...
He himself was infected.
He wanted to live too!
He had no other choice.
“Father! Please drink the talisman water!”
“This is the first bowl the Great Virtuous Master prayed for from the Yellow Heaven!”
Lu Qiannán urged him on.
The villagers all looked on expectantly, hoping for their master’s good health.
Lu Tianxing opened his mouth, but found no words. His chest felt heavy and stifling.
He did not know what to say.
At last, Lu Tianxing closed his eyes slightly and let out a weary breath.
In that moment, he seemed to shed a great burden.
He knelt slowly, bowing his head to Liang Jin:
“I, Lu Tianxing... am willing to join the sect.”
Then he took the talisman water and drank it all in one gulp.