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

Chapter 34 Du Gong Well

After withdrawing her hand from the blue stone by the well, Du Yuan remembered the demonic python and said:

"There is one more thing, please listen carefully."

"Please speak, Master, we're all listening!"

Immediately, kneeling citizens echoed this sentiment with heartfelt admiration.

Du Yuan pointed in the direction they came from and said:

"It is the remains of that demonic python. Everyone must remember this: although it looks impressive, you must never touch it."

Upon hearing this, some of the people immediately exclaimed:

"Master, what should we do now that we've dragged it back? We've been standing next to it for so long!"

Upon hearing this, Du Yuan carefully examined the speaker for a long time, and after confirming that she could not see anything unusual, she smiled and said:

"It's alright, it's alright, it was just a touch, it's nothing serious. What I want to say is, please don't think it's some kind of mystical thing and try to take the scales, flesh or anything like that home."

"That demon was full of evil energy. Before it died, it was fine because it would restrain itself to avoid being exposed. But after it died, it was no longer able to do so. So apart from the demon core, which is a treasure that can seize the creation of heaven and earth and be used for its own purposes, everything else must not be touched."

"They must be cremated as soon as possible!"

As he spoke, he looked up at the sky again and said:

"Well, it's past noon, and the weather isn't very good. How about this, tomorrow, when the sun is at its brightest, we must take it out into the sun to cremate it."

Du Yuan wondered if she could make the most of what that monster had left behind, like a demon core.

For example, making armor from scales.

But after careful consideration, he still felt something was wrong, because everything outside the demon core seemed sinister to him.

We cannot harm the people for our own sake.

Even though he could try using his abilities, Du Yuan felt it was best to avoid risks if possible.

After careful consideration, it was indeed the safest course of action to burn it directly.

Du Yuan's words at this moment were more effective than an imperial edict in Qing County.

Upon hearing this, the people immediately agreed, and some even went to prepare kerosene and find a place to burn the oil.

Seeing that the people had truly remembered, Du Yuan cupped her hands in a respectful gesture towards them and said:

"In that case, this humble Taoist priest shall take his leave!"

There's nothing left to do in Qing County, so it's time for him to set off for his next destination.

Kyoto can't be done so quickly. We haven't even figured out how deep the waters of this place are yet. It's better to be careful in a big place like Kyoto.

But what about the state government?

Perhaps we could give it a try?
Du Yuan felt that with the support of the people of the county, she shouldn't be unable to even venture into the prefecture.

Moreover, judging from Qian Youcai's performance, it seems that the state government is not very capable either.
At least for prominent families like the Qian family, their status is unclear.

Therefore, starting from the state capital and radiating outwards to the surrounding areas would be a good choice!

Faced with Du Yuan's sudden departure, the people on the bluestone road fell silent for a moment, then surged forward like waves of wheat being blown by the wind.

An elderly man with white hair, leaning on a cane, stepped forward shakily, his cloudy eyes glistening with clear tears.
"Why did you leave so soon, Taoist priest? We haven't even set up a longevity tablet for you at the Guanyin Temple yet..."

The people nearby also pleaded:
"Yes, Master, please take a break!"

"At least let us set up a memorial tablet for you before you leave!"

The people sincerely hoped that Du Yuan would stay a few more days.

Looking at the people filled with anticipation, Du Yuan waved her hand and smiled:
"This humble Taoist priest must hurry on to other places to relieve suffering!"

The cry of "Save us from suffering!" struck the hearts of the crowd like a morning bell, and the clamoring crowd that had just gathered fell silent instantly.

After a moment of melancholy, it's unclear who first bent down: a farmer wearing a straw hat, a woman with her hair in a bun, and a child with pigtails—their dark figures etched a devout arc on the bluestone slab.

The wind swept through the empty streets and alleys, carrying with it the soft sobs of the people, a plea for their loved ones to stay that had been crushed deep in their hearts.

This was an incredibly silent scene, one that far exceeded Du Yuan's expectations.

So, after a brief silence, Du Yuan straightened his clothes with utmost seriousness and then bowed deeply to the people.

In the utter silence, a man's voice broke the stillness:

"Please have another bowl of Qingxian water, Taoist priest!"

A man had already drawn a bowl of water from the well, his rough hands steadily holding the wide-rimmed porcelain bowl. In his haste, this was the only thing he could think of to express his feelings.

The surrounding people also joined in the shouting:

"Please drink a bowl of water from Qingxian County before you go!"

Seeing the eager people, Du Yuan accepted the wide-rimmed porcelain bowl without the slightest hesitation.

It was very rough, but also exceptionally sweet.

After drinking it all in one gulp, Du Yuan said loudly:

"Gentlemen, I take my leave!"

The crowd on the bluestone street receded to both sides like a tide, with hundreds of eyes following that upright figure without stopping.

Watching Du Yuan walk away with her hands behind her back, a young man suddenly shouted from the crowd:

"Taoist Master, please wait! We don't even know your name yet!"

The crowd instantly snapped out of their daze; indeed, they didn't even know Du Yuan's name!

The stranger's steps paused briefly before the city gate. After a long while, the spring breeze brought the answer the people longed for:
"This humble Taoist is Du Yuan!"
-
"Du Yuan. Is the Taoist priest's name Du Yuan?"

Magistrate Fang listened to the reports from the yamen runners and then looked at the people who had come to the county government office.

"Yes, sir, the Taoist priest said his name is Du Yuan."

After nodding slightly, Magistrate Fang suddenly addressed the crowd outside the county government office:
"Fellow villagers, I wish to erect a monument for the Taoist priest by the well. Are you all willing to contribute your money and effort to this endeavor?"

"Yes, yes!"

“I happen to have a piece of high-quality bluestone that I can take out.”

“My family has been carving inscriptions for generations, and I am willing to carve inscriptions!”

"I have strength, I can help!"

"I can contribute money and food. Any amount is fine, but you must let me help you!"

The people responded enthusiastically to Magistrate Fang's proposal.

From the moment the idea was proposed until it was implemented, they didn't even wait until noon the next day to burn the monster's corpse. They not only erected the stone tablet by the well, but also repaired the wellhead.

To make it more elegant and beautiful.

As the stone tablet was quickly erected, the craftsman carving the inscription looked at the magistrate of Fang County who was inspecting it and said:
"Your Excellency, don't you think you should write an inscription?"

Normally, the stone tablet should be made first before it is delivered and erected, but everyone feels that this matter cannot be delayed!

Therefore, the practice of erecting a monument first and then carving inscriptions became the norm.

"No rush, let me think about it carefully."

Everyone immediately held their breath, waiting for the good news from Magistrate Fang.

A moment later, Magistrate Fang's eyes lit up and he stepped forward to write three large characters on the stone tablet: "Du Gong Well!"

Upon seeing this, everyone unanimously praised it:
"Du Gong Well! Very good, very good! This is a divine well that the Taoist priest gave us, so we should use the Taoist priest's name!"

(End of this chapter)