Inheriting a Taoist temple, the story begins with Wu Zetian offering incense.

Chapter 24 General Pei's imposing presence! [Seeking monthly votes]

Gongsun Da Niang's graceful dance attracted many people to stop and watch, and even the owners and employees of the surrounding shops came over to watch.

"I never realized sword dancing could be so beautiful."

Even if I'm late for work today, I'm going to watch this dance.

"I think I'm sick. The goddess of my dreams has actually come to life and is dancing and seducing me on my way to work..."

"Dude, if you're sick, go get treatment. Don't stop us from enjoying the beautiful girls dancing."

"Yes, go to the Third People's Hospital of Xiuchuan County, which is a psychiatric hospital. But even if this guy is cured, he'll still be drooling."

"..."

More and more people gathered to watch, and cheers rose and fell.

Gongsun Da Niang couldn't resist showing off her special skill. She gently tossed the sword in her hand, and the entire Tai Chi sword began to fall hilt-down. Just before it hit the ground, the girl kicked the hilt like she was kicking a shuttlecock.

The entire sword immediately flew up, flipped in the air, and changed from hilt-down to tip-down.

Gongsun Da Niang grabbed the scabbard and thrust it forward, catching the falling sword. The Tai Chi sword then smoothly fell into the scabbard.

As soon as the performance began, the onlookers spontaneously started applauding and cheering.

I had only ever seen this kind of sword-kicking-into-sheathing performance in acrobatic shows before, but I never expected to see it in a small square by the roadside today.

"another one!"

"That was amazing! Where did this lobster restaurant find such a skilled chef?"

"Could they be from the provincial acrobatic troupe?"

"Brother, they're wearing Taoist robes; they must be Taoist priests from some temple."

"No, do Taoist temples still have this now?"

"I suddenly became interested in Taoism. Whether it works or not doesn't matter. I just want to promote our traditional Chinese culture."

"With such wicked intentions, lustful thoughts, aren't you afraid the Dao Ancestor will cleave you in two with a single sword strike?"

"Don't worry, I'll just chant Amitabha Buddha's name."

"That Dao Ancestor will chop down even the Buddha!"

"..."

At this point in the performance, Gongsun Da Niang was about to end it, but the cheers from the surrounding crowd were too numerous. Holding her sword, she ran up to Zhou Yi and asked for his instructions:

"Taoist Master, may I perform General Pei's 'All-Around Stance'?"

Even now, Zhou Yi doesn't know what this is:
"Is it difficult? If it's too difficult, then forget it. Safety first."

"No, no, I'm very good at it!"

After receiving permission, Gongsun Da Niang was very happy and ran to the field to perform again.

Zhou Yi was still curious about who this General Pei was:
"Could it be Pei Xingjian? It can't be Pei Yuanqing, can it?"

Wu Zetian, who was holding a whisk beside her, whispered:

"It is Pei Min, who was personally appointed as the Sword Saint by Li Longji during the Kaiyuan era. He was skilled in sword dancing... There is no record of any interaction between Gongsun Da Niang and him in historical records, but Gongsun Da Niang did know General Pei's Full Hall Stance and even seemed to have surpassed her master."

The Book of Changes: ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
How do you know more than me? Which of us is the modern person?

Wu Meiniang smiled gently, a smug look on her face. Seeing the immortal suffer a setback truly put her in a good mood!

In the arena, Gongsun Da Niang performed seven or eight somersaults with her sword, her whole body resembling a blooming pomegranate flower, drawing continuous cheers from the surrounding crowd.

Just when Zhou Yi thought this was the perfect opportunity, a sharp whistle rang out, and Gongsun Da Niang threw the Tai Chi sword high into the air.

Wow, this is way too dangerous!
Zhou Yi's heart jumped into his throat. Only now did he realize why Granny Gongsun had specifically asked for his permission before performing General Pei's grand display.

This kind of dangerous action is really not suitable to be done in a crowd.

Everyone was stunned by this scene, never expecting that Gongsun Da Niang would suddenly throw her sword so high, as high as six or seven stories.

When the Tai Chi sword reaches its highest point, the blade flips over, and the tip shoots downwards.

People around quickly retreated, fearing that a sword falling from the sky would pierce them through.

With a graceful turn, Gongsun Da Niang held the scabbard and raised it upwards with both hands, the Tai Chi sword, as swift as flowing light, steadily inserted into the scabbard.

Everyone in the small square was stunned, even Chen Tang, who was playing the drum, was dumbfounded.

He had seen many murders, but this was the first time he had ever encountered such a scene... To catch a sword that had been thrown into the clouds, how high a skill level and how strong a confidence must one have to do that?

What kind of Granny Gongsun is she? She should be renamed Gongsun Bold! Wu Meiniang looked at the long-legged girl holding the sword in the arena, her face full of admiration:

"He threw his sword into the clouds, dozens of feet high, like lightning shooting down. Min reached out and caught it with his scabbard. The sword pierced through the air and entered the clouds. Hundreds of onlookers were all chilled and terrified... The description of General Pei's imposing presence in the hall in 'Duyi Zhi' is actually true!"

Zhou Yi silently recited the calming mantra once, and said without saying a word:

"Whether it's real or fake, this kind of performance can't happen again. If something goes wrong, I can't protect you."

The entire room was so frightened they almost wet their pants; no wonder it was called "Full House of Power."

Once the crowds have been attracted, the next step is to perform rituals to pray for blessings and good fortune for the opening ceremony.

Set up the offering table, light the incense and candles, and lay out the ritual implements needed for the fast and prayer ceremony. They will be used one by one according to the procedure.

While Zhou Yi was busy, Wu Meiniang and Gongsun Da Niang, one holding a whisk and the other a sword, served on either side of him.

Chen Tang stood to the side, striking the drum in rhythm.

The drum used in Taoism is called the Dharma Drum, as stated in the *Taishang Zhuguo Jiumin Zongzhen Miyao*:
"Whenever a ritual is performed at a Taoist temple, the ritual drum must be sounded first."

The start of drumming signifies that the entire area has fallen silent, and preparations are beginning to welcome the celestial beings descending to earth.

Besides drums, other musical instruments such as cymbals, bells, and wooden fish are also used in Taoist rituals, each playing a different role.

Zhou Yi, dressed in a pure white Taoist robe, meticulously carried out the opening ceremony.

Some of the people around dispersed, but most stayed behind, wanting to watch the entire process of the Taoist ritual.

“Last time, a shopping mall invited a Taoist priest to perform an altar. It seemed very superstitious, so I left after a few glances.”

"I don't know which Taoist priest the lobster restaurant hired. There weren't many fancy tricks or mystifications, but it looked very sacred and ritualistic. I, a layman, actually found it very interesting."

"Tch, you're just after this white-robed Taoist priest because he's handsome, aren't you?"

"How strange. The Taoist priests who perform rituals are all dressed in bright colors and covered in talismans, while this Taoist priest is only dressed in white robes, yet he seems much stronger than those other Taoist priests."

"I feel the same way. The sound of drums is very comforting and calms my mind."

"..."

The people around him were talking, but Zhou Yi seemed not to hear them. He was seriously performing the various procedures of the ritual. When he started chanting the "Invocation of the Gods," the whole street became quiet, with only a comfortable breeze blowing gently.

White clouds drifted overhead, like the carriages and mounts of immortals.

After Zhou Yi finished the ceremony, the onlookers suddenly felt a sense of relief, as if the clouds had parted and the sun was shining. Some of their worries and long-standing knots in their hearts seemed to be untied in an instant.

Everyone's spirits were much higher, and no one knew how this happened. They only remembered a blessing that Zhou Yi repeatedly recited during the ritual:

"Blessings and Immeasurable Heavenly Lord!"

Following the instructions of the I Ching, the person in question, Sun Chenglin, offered longevity peaches and other offerings to the Three Immortals of Fortune, Prosperity and Longevity, praying for their protection.

Everything was over, and it was almost eleven o'clock.

Everyone hurriedly loaded all the ritual implements into the car and went into a private room on the second floor of the lobster restaurant to prepare for dinner.

They weren't hungry when the ceremony was held, but as soon as they entered the store and smelled the spicy aroma of crayfish, the four members of Hunyuan Palace were all drooling.

Aunt Gongsun asked with a smile:

"Master, you're a local, how come you're just as craving crayfish as we are?"

Zhou Yi opened the red envelope sealed by Sun Chenglin and took a look:

"It's too expensive. I only eat here a few times a year. Today's meal is free, so I should eat more."

Spicy, secret recipe, garlic, and other unique flavors... Zhou Yi also ordered a serving of each of the various crayfish flavors. He also ordered boiled noodles, which he would mix into the noodles after eating the crayfish, ensuring each noodle was coated in broth. He would then pick them up and slurp them up, finding it even more satisfying than eating crayfish.

After examining the disposable bowls and chopsticks, Wu Zetian looked at Zhou Yi and asked:

"Master, what shall we do after we finish eating? Shall we browse the bookstore?"

Zhou Yi picked up a small piece of the cold dish the waiter brought, tasted it, and said to her:

"Don't rush to the bookstore. After we finish eating, you guys come with me to the Third People's Hospital to perform a small Buddhist ritual and earn some extra money."

Upon hearing that he was going to make money, Chen Tang, who was currently stuffing red oil ear bits into his mouth, got excited:
"Sir, what kind of place is the Third People's Hospital?"

"A mental hospital!"

----------

First update delivered! It's almost the end of the month, so please vote for me, brothers!

(End of this chapter)