Chapter 934: The Magical Performance

Daoist Liao, dressed in a black robe with a Bagua symbol on the back, holding a horsetail whisk and wearing a Pure Yang headband, walked ahead with a regal air. Behind him were his two “apprentices,” Qingfeng and Mingyue, followed by a group of disciples, creating a scene of grandiosity.

Chen Shi, Lin Dongxue, and KK were in the middle of the group.

Behind them were Old Master Lu, his subordinates, and his two “sons.”

Chen Shi thought to himself, “These con artists have been at it for so long they’ve even started to believe their own lies about the Five Elements Rebirth Ritual. Pathetic and hateful.”

Lin Dongxue whispered, “There’s no chance to slip away!”

“Play it by ear,” Chen Shi said. “When the show starts, we can use the chaos to our advantage.”

“I’m actually curious to see a battle of two fake Daoists. It should be quite a show… KK, where are Xiao Chong and the old Daoist?”

KK whispered back, “They’re hidden, waiting to disrupt the performance. Tonight’s going to be entertaining… By the way, why do you need to slip away?”

KK was still unaware of the bloodstain discovery. Lin Dongxue gestured for silence.

They finally reached the room with the altar. Daoist Liao swung his whisk left and right, and his disciples took their positions. Chen Shi, Lin Dongxue, and KK tried to find a place to sit.

“You can’t sit there, you’re blocking the array!” one disciple shouted.

They moved to another spot. “Not there either, you’re obstructing the feng shui.”

“Where can we sit then?” Chen Shi asked, exasperated.

The disciple looked around and pointed to a spot by the door. “Sit there and don’t move.”

“What if we need to use the restroom?” Chen Shi asked.

“Hold it! Are you here to observe sincerely or not?” the disciple glared.

They had to sit on the floor. KK complained, “Not even a cushion, huh? Great!”

Lin Dongxue noted, “This spot is convenient for a quick exit.”

Once everyone was in place, Daoist Liao reverently placed the knife Chen Shi had bought for nineteen yuan from a supermarket on the altar. He lit some incense, and Chen Shi saw him surreptitiously applying some powder to the incense and candles. Then, Daoist Liao began chanting, and with a swift gesture, the incense and candles ignited with a burst of smoke.

Chen Shi chuckled inwardly, “Typical charlatan.”

Daoist Liao threw his whisk into the air and caught it with the other hand, performing intricate gestures. “Twin images converge, the essence of Xuan Yi, the seven spirits protect life, ascending to the Three Pure Ones. Grand Celestial Lord Chunhuang is here, commanding the Greedy Wolf Demon to appear! Appear now! By the power of the law!”

His body trembled as if channeling immense power. Seeing this, Old Master Lu bowed his head and began chanting.

Suddenly, a disciple stood up. “Master, something’s wrong! Quickly withdraw your magic…” He pointed to the ceiling. “Under the full moon of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Yin energy is overwhelming. Your incantation has opened the gates of the underworld, and demons are pouring in!”

“How many?” Daoist Liao asked.

The disciple, using an exaggerated theatrical tone, looked upwards. “With my celestial vision, I see fourteen million seven hundred thousand and three demons!”

KK whispered, “Is this a joke? Even if he had celestial vision, could he count that precisely?”

Daoist Liao laughed dramatically. “Good! The Demon Lord is testing us. If we don’t show our true power, how will the Demon Lord assist us?”

Chen Shi thought, “That ‘Demon Lord’ is probably picking his toes in jail right now.”

On the table, a stack of yellow paper was blown into the air, transforming into paper figures that burst into flames as Daoist Liao swung his whisk, turning them to ash.

Simultaneously, the lights flickered. KK yawned, and Chen Shi gave him a look, signaling him to take it seriously.

After about a minute of this performance, the floor was covered in ashes from the burned paper figures. Suddenly, a disciple began convulsing and foaming at the mouth. As others tried to hold him down, he dramatically shook them off.

Standing up, the “possessed” disciple shouted, “I am the Great Snake Immortal, sent by the Demon Lord to investigate. You lowly beings dare to summon the Demon Lord?”

Daoist Liao pulled out a sword made of copper coins and waved it at the “possessed” disciple’s forehead. “I am the Grand Celestial Lord Chunhuang. How dare you, lowly demon, be so presumptuous!”

The disciple screamed and flew backwards, hitting a pillar and collapsing.

Chen Shi thought, “This is quite an act!”

Despite the blatant theatrics, Old Master Lu was utterly convinced, watching with bated breath and quickened breath.

Daoist Liao put down the coin sword and chanted, “Greedy Wolf Demon, appear now! Appear now! By the power of the law!”

Suddenly, the incense burner exploded, releasing a cloud of smoke that seemed to form a figure. Old Master Lu, hands clasped, pleaded, “Demon Lord, grant me another cycle of life.”

A sinister laugh echoed through the room as the lights flickered, creating an eerie atmosphere. Old Master Lu trembled, sweating profusely.

“Bold Demon Lord, if you do not comply, I will destroy you,” Daoist Liao threatened.

His disciples chanted, their voices merging into a hum. Daoist Liao opened his hand, pulling the “evil smoke” into his sleeve. The shadow of the Demon Lord flickered, and the hum was intended to mask the sound of a small fan hidden in his sleeve.

Old Master Lu panicked. “Master, don’t dismiss the Demon Lord yet. Let me speak with him. I’ll pay any price for longevity, even my son’s life.” He pointed to the innocent-looking Wang Haitao beside him.

“Do not fear,” Daoist Liao reassured while seemingly controlling the Demon Lord. “I am merely giving it a warning. This creature is very arrogant.”

“Oh, oh,” Old Master Lu nodded and sat back down.

“I command you, show your true form!” Daoist Liao shouted, signaling his assistant.

Suddenly, the smoke and lights vanished, and a ragged sock fell onto the altar.

Daoist Liao was stunned and whispered, “What’s happening?”

“I don’t know! I swear I put…” his assistant stammered.

The sock floated in the air, spinning slowly, revealing a thin string in the dim light. The sock began to speak in Sun Zhen’s voice, “I am the true form of the Demon Lord Zhou Xiao. I am currently imprisoned and cannot leave. Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the prison only gave us half a mooncake with five kinds of nuts. It’s disgusting. I want salted egg yolk!”

KK stifled his laughter, shaking with amusement.

Lin Dongxue and Chen Shi were also invigorated. The real show was about to begin as the saboteurs made their move.