Chapter 62: Revered as a Deity

At this moment, the magistrate led a group of villagers toward the Quanzhen Daoist Temple. Along the way, the scenes they encountered utterly dispelled the suspicions harbored in the villagers’ hearts. Even the magistrate himself had not believed the constable’s earlier account. Yet now, seeing all manner of poultry and wild animals bowing their heads in unison, all facing the direction of the Quanzhen Temple, those present could not help but feel a sense of awe welling up within them.

When they arrived before the temple gate, they saw that the once dilapidated walls were now crawling with ants. The ants arranged themselves to form the unmistakable characters that read "Quanzhen Daoist Temple." At this, everyone was dumbfounded. Some of the elderly villagers even dropped to their knees without hesitation. If one carries reverence for the divine in their heart, then naturally, they treat all things with respect as if before a deity; if not, then sights such as these would do little to shake them. But at this moment, it was clear that the villagers believed themselves to be witnessing a miracle—how else could this be explained?

The ants clung to the walls, unwilling to disperse, while the livestock surrounding the temple acted similarly. Many began to wonder if the Quanzhen Temple truly housed some manifestation of the divine.

With a creak, the magistrate mustered his courage and pushed open the temple's yellowed wooden doors. But the moment the doors swung open, he froze in place at the sight within. For the first time, the magistrate found himself at a loss. Why? Because the temple floor was swarming with ants. Ants are common creatures, seen everywhere; there is nothing frightening about them—unless, that is, one is faced with a multitude of them numbering in the thousands. That is a different matter entirely.

The magistrate was not the only one stunned; those behind him were equally transfixed, their eyes filled with uncertainty and fear. "What should we do?" the magistrate asked the steward at his side, troubled and unsure how to proceed.

The steward pondered for a moment, then cleared his throat and spoke loud enough for all to hear, "As long as one bears respect in their heart, these animals will naturally make way." Many looked on in curiosity, even the magistrate casting a peculiar glance at him. "Steward, weren't you always skeptical of these things?" the magistrate asked, and the steward could only offer a wry smile. "My lord, given the circumstances, is there any other choice?" Hearing this, the magistrate realized he truly had no better idea.

To earn the trust of both the magistrate and the villagers, the steward pressed his palms together, closed his eyes in reverence, and stepped forward into the temple. All eyes were fixed anxiously upon him. Suddenly, a miracle occurred. As the steward’s foot descended, the surrounding ants parted of their own accord, clearing a path before he even set his foot down. Once he passed, the empty trail was again covered by the teeming ants.

This discovery caused everyone at the gate to rub their eyes in disbelief, and only after their eyes grew sore did they finally accept the reality before them. "Is this real?" the magistrate muttered, stupefied. If it were not real, how could such a sight be explained? Could it be mere coincidence? Surely that would be too absurd.

The steward himself seemed unaware of the extraordinary nature of what had just transpired, as if confirming that his earlier conviction was correct: with reverence in one’s heart, even the animals will yield. Or perhaps, these creatures were guarding the Quanzhen Temple?

When the steward reached the main hall, he suddenly realized he was drenched in sweat. Gazing at the statues of the Three Pure Ones enshrined there, he confirmed that he had indeed reached the main sanctuary. When he turned, he found the magistrate and others staring at him in disbelief.

Looking at the marks left on the floor, the steward understood why. Even he could not explain how he had managed to reach the hall unscathed.

"Steward! Steward! How did you get across?" the magistrate called from the doorway, his voice tinged with urgency.

The steward looked back in a daze and replied, "My lord, I was only thinking of the Three Pure Ones. The rest… I do not truly remember."

At that moment, Fang Xu and Old Wu emerged from the hall. A subtle smile played on Fang Xu’s lips; it seemed everything had unfolded just as he anticipated, and now was the time for his appearance.

Old Wu had long since been awed by Fang Xu, regarding him with a reverence bordering on worship. If not for Fang Xu, how could such wondrous things have occurred?

"Congratulations, Steward," Fang Xu said with a gentle smile, glancing at the steward who was still wiping cold sweat from his brow. Only now did the steward notice Fang Xu and Old Wu by his side.

Fang Xu wore a white brocade robe with cloud patterns, a white belt adorned with gold python designs cinched at his waist. His long hair was flawlessly arranged, and his eyes were as clear as a tranquil lake. His bearing was graceful and dignified, exuding an air of poised elegance.

Yet from Old Wu, standing just behind Fang Xu, the steward sensed a hint of menace. Old Wu’s flying fish uniform made him all the more conspicuous.

"And who might you be, young master?" the steward asked, unable to stop himself from addressing Fang Xu with newfound respect.