Chapter 32: Caught in the Crossfire

No one knows exactly what was discussed between the two men inside the cell.

All that the onlookers witnessed was Qiu Zhuo and Liang Jin emerging from the prison together. They did not linger at the yamen but walked straight out into the street. Immediately, the bailiffs began to beat drums and gongs, creating a deafening clamor that filled the air. The commoners and the city garrison, who had been on the verge of a violent clash, all froze at the sight of Liang Jin and Qiu Zhuo, particularly the former.

The moment the people saw Liang Jin walk out of the yamen, they erupted into cheers. The sound of the bailiffs’ percussion soon drowned out the commotion, and as the music ceased, a profound silence fell over the crowd.

Qiu Zhuo immediately announced to the assembly:

"I previously held grave misunderstandings regarding the Great Worthy Teacher, but those misconceptions have now been dispelled. I have come to realize that the Great Worthy Teacher is a truly compassionate sage who seeks to save the masses, and the Way of Supreme Peace is an organization that guides people toward goodness. From this day forward, the county office will work alongside the Way of Supreme Peace to lead and educate the people. As for the conflict between the military and the civilians tonight, I shall let bygones be bygones. Furthermore, the Great Worthy Teacher will now bestow talisman water upon you all to cure your illnesses."

As soon as Qiu Zhuo finished speaking, Liang Jin began to walk slowly into the crowd. The people parted to let him through, surrounding him. Eventually, some could no longer resist and knelt to worship him. This triggered a chain reaction; massive numbers of people fell to their knees, begging for his salvation.

Standing amidst the throngs, Liang Jin declared in a booming voice:

"The Yellow Heaven has issued a divine decree! From this day forth, everyone in this city who drinks the talisman water shall be spared from death by plague!"

These words ignited a frenzy of desperate, joyous cheering. Their cries pierced the night sky and shook the entire city. Under Liang Jin’s direction, large cauldrons of boiling water were quickly prepared. The people began to chant in unison, praying to the Yellow Heaven. Soon, bowls of talisman water were brewed and distributed. Even the soldiers and bailiffs, abandoning their posts, rushed to join the crowd, begging Liang Jin for the talisman water to save themselves and their families from the plague.

The conflict that had just broken out was suddenly and completely extinguished. Watching this scene, Qiu Zhuo finally let out a long sigh of relief.

"It is over at last."

He understood that his position was secure, and his life was spared. Moreover, the Great Worthy Teacher would now act in tandem with him—one in the open and one in the shadows—to target the wealthy families of the city. The task assigned by his superiors would be completed smoothly, and his reputation and career prospects would be preserved. It was a victory on all fronts.

Yet, as Qiu Zhuo watched Liang Jin being worshipped by the masses, he could not help but feel a lingering, gnawing dread. He did not know what the ultimate consequences would be of releasing this sorcerer and placing him upon such a pedestal. But he was powerless to stop it; he knew the man had slipped entirely beyond his control.

Qiu Zhuo only wanted to perform his duty, climb the ranks, and get transferred away from this place before the sorcerer could stir up any more trouble.

***

Giant Ox Township.
Lu Family Manor.

Lu Tianxing returned to the manor, his spirit crushed. Standing at the gate, he found himself paralyzed by fear. He did not know how to face those who had trusted him, those who had followed his advice to abandon the Way of Supreme Peace, waiting for him to bring back the medicine. Only days ago, he had been filled with ambition, rejoicing at having resolved the hidden dangers of the Lu Family Manor. Now, he was consumed by cowardice. The yamen had deceived him to serve its own ends, and he was powerless to do anything about it.

If it were only his own life at stake, he might have swallowed his pride. But he carried the weight of too many expectations.

While Lu Tianxing stood in agony, the sick discovered him. In the blink of an eye, a crowd of patients surrounded him.

"Master Lu, what happened? Did you bring the medicine?"
"Why are your hands empty? Is the medicine coming later? We are all waiting for your cure!"
"Master Lu, say something! What is going on? Where is your explanation? Where is the medicine? Speak to us!"

The crowd pressed in, their faces etched with desperation. Lu Tianxing knew that their illnesses could no longer be delayed, which only added to their frantic state. Yet, he was helpless. Tears welled in his eyes as he looked at them, his lips trembling, but no words would come. Finally, all he could muster was a long, heavy sigh. With that sigh, Lu Tianxing seemed to age several years in an instant.

Seeing his expression, even the dullest among them understood. The next moment, a barrage of abuse erupted:

"Lu Tianxing! Has a dog eaten your conscience? If you hadn't deceived us, we wouldn't be in such a miserable state!"
"You must pay for my mother's life! If we hadn't listened to your lies, her condition wouldn't have worsened!"
"If we had stayed with the Great Worthy Teacher, we would have been fine! If not for trusting a dog like you, we wouldn't have ended up like this!"
"Go to hell, you traitor! You dog-hearted lackey of the yamen!"

Accompanying the curses came a frenzied beating. Lu Tianxing was struck until he lost consciousness, only to be jolted awake by the searing pain. He had endured so much violence that day that he felt he might not survive this assault. He was filled with profound regret. If he hadn't betrayed them, would he have ended up in this wretched state? But now, even if his heart shattered with remorse, the situation could not be undone.

Just then, a wave of cheering rang out. The crowd beating him suddenly broke away and dispersed. Lu Tianxing finally caught his breath. Wiping the blood from his face, he looked up. Two long, yellow banners fluttered in the wind as a group of people wrapped in yellow turbans approached. A beautiful young woman led the procession, receiving the reverence of the masses.

The patients who had been beating Lu Tianxing joined the woman's group.

"It’s Qiannan!"
"Has she come to save me?" Lu Tianxing felt a surge of excitement as he recognized his daughter.

However, as Lu Qiannan led the group past her father, she did not even glance at him, marching straight ahead. More patients gathered from all directions, following her. They seemed to be leaving the Lu Family Manor, heading into the thick of the night.

Confused, Lu Tianxing called out urgently, "Qiannan, what is going on?"

Lu Qiannan did not answer, continuing to lead the masses without so much as a look in his direction. It was some of the patients in the crowd who sneered at him:

"Lu Tianxing, you still don't know? The yamen released the Great Worthy Teacher not long ago. They now honor him and have promised to promote the Way of Supreme Peace. The Great Worthy Teacher is already distributing talisman water in the city, and everyone suffering from the plague is heading there. The Divine Envoy is leading us to assist the Great Worthy Teacher in saving the world."

The words hit Lu Tianxing like a physical blow. Could it be? Had the yamen reached a reconciliation and begun to cooperate with that sorcerer? How was that possible? How could the yamen tolerate the rise of the Way of Supreme Peace? Shouldn't the magistrate have beheaded the sorcerer?

Lu Tianxing could not grasp it, but he felt the sting of a deep betrayal. He was nothing but a discarded pawn, used by the yamen and then cast aside. Now, he was betrayed by all. From this day forward, he would be reviled by the followers of the Way of Supreme Peace, and he would find no favor with the yamen either. He had brought this upon himself, scorned by both sides.

The patients spat at him: "Lu Tianxing, you acted as a lackey for the yamen, but even your masters are now working with the Great Worthy Teacher to save lives. Your days as a dog are over. The Great Worthy Teacher saved your miserable life, yet you returned evil for good. You are nothing but an ungrateful wolf. Don't show your face in Lu Family Manor again, or I will beat you every time I see you!"

The patients’ hatred for him was absolute. Lu Tianxing had delayed their treatment and coerced them into leaving the Way of Supreme Peace. If they failed to obtain the talisman water in the city, they would vent every ounce of their rage upon him. They might even skin him alive.

But Lu Tianxing could no longer hear their curses. He sat on the ground, hollow and lost, like a soulless corpse.

"Impossible... how could it be like this?"
"I don't believe it... I must go and see for myself!"