The more you believe me, the more real it becomes.

Chapter 115 This humble Taoist is right here! (3k)

The bodyguards quickly extinguished the tinderbox, sheathed their swords, clasped their hands in greeting, and said:

"Yesterday, my brother and I were blind and offended a master. Please forgive us, Daoist!"

After saying this, they knelt down on the ground and bowed to Du Yuan, led by the head镖师 (bodyguard/escort).

Those few words of advice, though seemingly insignificant, were a life-saving grace for them! They might even be a lifesaver for them when they travel the world in the future.

Du Yuan did not dodge or refuse, but stood still and accepted their kneeling obeisance.

I saved their lives, so I deserve it.

"Alright, everyone, you may stand up now."

The bodyguards then stood up. The head bodyguard seized the opportunity to ask:

"Master, what do you think we should do next?"

These words shortened the distance between them and indicated that they would not leave and that everything was up to Du Yuan's arrangements.

Du Yuan smiled upon hearing this:

"It's not too late to back out now!"

The bodyguards chuckled awkwardly, some scratching their heads, others looking at the ground. It seemed the Taoist priest had known about their thoughts on the road all along.

"No, no." The head镖师 waved his hand repeatedly, looking somewhat embarrassed, but his words were very sincere.

"Master, let's not waste time on empty talk about morality and righteousness. Now that we've stumbled into this mess, if we can't get to the bottom of it, we won't be able to sleep soundly at night when we get back to the escort agency!"

As he spoke, he chuckled and said:

"Moreover, we brothers also hope to gain your favor so that we can get some pointers from you!"

Du Yuan nodded and smiled:

"You all not only possess a chivalrous heart, but also a rare sincerity and openness!"

Du Yuan wasn't angry with the bodyguards, because their understanding was the truth in the past.

But the world has really changed.

Moreover, Du Yuan enjoys spending time with people like this because it makes him clearly aware that he is not helping bad people.

I am ensuring that good people are rewarded.

This gave him a sense of peace and comfort from the bottom of his heart.

Who wouldn't want to see good people rewarded?
"No, no, I just want peace of mind."

“Many seek peace of mind,” Du Yuan said, her gaze sweeping over the crowd, “but very few can truly find peace of mind through sincere good deeds!”

These words made the bodyguards feel elated. Being praised was always a pleasure, let alone coming from such a distinguished person.

But then, without warning, a cold wind swept up from the ground.

The bodyguards immediately snapped back to reality.

"What's going on? It's not even noon yet, why is it so cold under the sun?"

Not only is the sun hanging in the sky, but they themselves are also bodyguards who are used to traveling through mountains and rivers.

Logically speaking, they shouldn't be so afraid of the cold.
Gradually, the bodyguards who came up with an answer all had their throats bobbing and cold sweat trickling down their backs.

Every time the Taoist priest stood in the middle of the road, it was to shield the bride and her entourage from that supposedly powerful thing.

That was true the first two times, so what about this time?

"Taoist Master, could it be..."

After nodding, Du Yuan spoke loudly to the bride and her entourage not far behind her:
"Please close your eyes. Don't be afraid. Everything will be alright if you close your eyes."

Upon hearing this, even the bride herself, who was still in the bridal sedan chair, hurriedly lowered her head and covered her eyes among the dozen or so people in the bride's party.

They were terrified that they might accidentally peek and lose their lives.

The bodyguards quickly asked:
"Taoist Master, shouldn't we also close our eyes and avoid this place?"

Du Yuan glanced at them and said:

"That's certainly not impossible, but if you're not afraid, it would be appropriate for you to come with me and see what it's like."

"So what do you want?"

After exchanging glances, the bodyguards nodded, drew their swords, and stood behind Du Yuan.

Although he didn't close his eyes to hide, Du Yuan was there to block his way.

Yet everyone still had their hands clenched tightly, their limbs trembling and weak.

Looking ahead at the still empty road, the镖头 (bodyguard/escort) couldn't help but wonder what terrible thing it might be, while desperately trying to stop himself from thinking about these horrifying things.

I could only force myself to focus my gaze on my trembling legs and try to understand what this feeling was like.

After thinking for a long time, the head镖师 finally came up with a suitable description—it felt like stepping on cotton after being filled with lead!
The thought had barely formed in his mind when he actually saw “cotton”—large swaths of pale white, snow-like fluffy material silently rolling out from the depths of the woods ahead!

No! wrong!

Upon seeing the object clearly, the head镖师's pupils suddenly contracted, and a chill ran straight to the top of his head!
That's not cotton! It's clearly paper money for the dead!

"hiss--!"

Behind Du Yuan came the gasps of the bodyguards, their hearts pounding as their eyes were fixed on the scene ahead.

A funeral procession carrying a coffin was heading straight for them.

And that inexplicable chill only grew more bone-chilling and piercing.

There's no mistake, this is it!!!
A joyous occasion met with misfortune! No wonder the Taoist priest, upon realizing this, urged the bride and her entourage to stay far away!

This situation, where life and death clash and joy and sorrow are opposites, felt extremely dangerous even to them, a group of laymen who didn't understand the intricacies of the matter.

The head镖师 (bodyguard/escort) gripped his long sword with both hands, his entire body drenched in cold sweat.

If it weren't for the Taoist priest in front of him remaining as still as a mountain, as majestic as a peak, he wouldn't have been able to achieve this.

He probably fled in terror the moment he saw them. Du Yuan seemed oblivious to the fear of the people behind her, simply standing there with her hands behind her back, gazing into the distance.

The paper money rained down closer and closer, as if it would never run out.

"Taoist priest?!"

Looking at the paper money that was almost hitting his face, the head镖师 (bodyguard/escort) felt a chill run from his tailbone to the top of his head—this didn't seem like it was being thrown for the coffin's owner; it felt like it was being thrown for them!

Fortunately, Du Yuan's voice rang out at just the right time:

"Don't be afraid, I'm here."

The voice, as pure and elegant as spring snow, directly melted away the chilling fear in their hearts.

Furthermore, they saw that the paper money that was flying everywhere and drifting in all directions actually landed one step in front of the Taoist priest.

None of them could cross the line.

In just a few breaths.

In front of Du Yuan, there was a pile of paper money, a vast expanse of white; but behind her, however, there was no dust, and the boundary was clear.

Just one step away, there lies a stark contrast between life and death, white and pure!
And the bodyguards, imperceptibly, slowly loosened their grip on the hilts of their swords.

The Taoist priest was indeed highly skilled, enough to stand up to this evil spirit!
They also saw that, with the paper money raining down, not a single piece could advance even an inch.

The fierce white demons also came to a standstill!

The sight filled the bodyguards with immense excitement as they watched Du Yuan's retreating figure—the Taoist priest had actually intimidated the evil creature simply by standing still!

Immediately afterwards, they heard the Taoist priest loudly shout at the thing:

"I am right here, so dare you come forward?"

These words made the bodyguards even more excited.

Drinking to ward off evil spirits—how alluring!
Although they sometimes punish evil and promote good, how could the petty thieves and bandits they dealt with in the past compare to such a truly powerful evil spirit?

I just don't know why such evil spirits would target the bride and her party.
Just as their hearts were churning with emotion, the sight before them stirred their blood even more—the Taoist priest had actually taken a step forward!
For ordinary people, being able to survive in the face of such a terrifying thing is already an incredible stroke of luck.

The Taoist priest not only stood there, but also intimidated the other party so much that they could not move an inch.

At this moment, he moved forward with even greater composure!

This is no longer a standoff! This is clearly the Taoist priest using his supreme authority to force the evil creature to make a choice!

Upon thinking of this, the group could hardly contain their desire to follow.

However, upon catching a glimpse of the thick layer of paper money laid out in front of them, they quickly abandoned that idea.

The Taoist priest is a highly accomplished master; it would be better for them not to go up there and embarrass themselves.

The moment this thought arose, they were excited to see that the pile of white paper had actually been there before the Taoist priest stepped on it.

It automatically rolled back without any wind!
With every step the Taoist priest takes, the pile of white paper retreats one step!
The bodyguards were deeply moved and unable to contain their excitement.

A true master!

"What's the point of hiding and going around in circles?"

Du Yuan walked forward slowly with her hands behind her back and spoke in a loud voice.

The white demon remained motionless throughout.

However, the increasingly swirling and upturned paper money on the ground indicated that their situation was far from being as serene as they appeared.

"Try to guess. Isn't it incredibly boring to keep looking before and after the fact?"

Du Yuan has already gone halfway.

The other party remained unmoved, but the paper money that was flying backwards became more and more turbulent, like a great river flowing backwards.

"If you ask me, why don't we have a proper fight right here and now? Then you'll know where I stand and how high my cultivation level is. Wouldn't that be more respectable than this cowardly and timid behavior?"

At this point, Du Yuan chuckled even more:

"Or has it been that after shrinking for so many years, you've finally shrunk off even the last bit of your spirit?"

Upon hearing this, the bodyguards felt their blood boil and could hardly contain themselves!
Although I couldn't understand the hidden meaning in the Taoist priest's words.

But I just feel that this is the spirit a real man should have!

Du Yuan appeared arrogant, but her mind was as still as ice in a deep well, intently watching for the slightest movement from the person opposite her.

However, this Bai Sha, with his Taoist cultivation now supported by at least ten thousand people, claims to be fearless.

But what if that old man hiding on the other side, like the two on the Mi River, personally takes to the field?

That might be too much to handle.

But he wasn't afraid. Firstly, judging from the previous snake demon and wolf demon, they weren't worth the opponent's personal intervention.

Secondly, even if something unexpected happens, Du Yuan can provide backup.

The price to pay is that the Taoist priest's credit will likely go to the Living Buddha.
Thinking of this, Du Yuan couldn't help but feel a surge of murderous intent.

Old man, don't force me to use my ultimate move.

Otherwise, don't blame me for letting you know what it means to be a merciful messenger turned back, or to hear a deadly chant!
It was precisely this almost imperceptible killing intent that appeared the moment it appeared.

Du Yuan was shocked to see that the other party had actually turned around and left.

Faintly, Du Yuan seemed to hear a furious shout—"Madman!"
He believed it! He was fooled by himself!

Old man, you didn't expect that, did you! This old man of yours really only knows what you've seen!

But now, it depends on how much you believe!
Furthermore, the fact that the other party reacted to his words in this way further proves that his previous guess was correct—spiritual energy has revived and returned from antiquity!

Having made a considerable gain, Du Yuan nodded, stopped, and smiled with her hands behind her back.

"If you have no guts, why bother coming all this way to make a fool of yourself?"

The other party did not answer, but even the bodyguards could clearly see that the other party was walking much faster than when they came.

(End of this chapter)