Just as Feng Yunqiu had expected, the local magistrate Dong Fu, as well as Pei Xiu—the newly appointed regional governor—had already been informed in advance of commoners fleeing from warfare and plague, crossing into Xiang Prefecture territory and ultimately settling at the base of Purple Mountain, refusing to leave.

If it had been anywhere else, Dong Fu would’ve simply dispatched some constables. But Purple Mountain was different. It was special. Dong Fu didn’t dare show the slightest negligence and rushed over overnight.

Just as he arrived, Pei Xiu also showed up in haste right behind him. This made Dong Fu mutter to himself: Is this Prefect master being a bit too eager to curry favor with the Celestial master?

But this was clearly judging a noble man by the standards of a petty one. Even without the celestial  miracle of master Taiyi, Pei Xiu would’ve still come.

Along with them, many physicians and doctors from within the city of Xiangyang had also been brought.

Among the accompanying groups were also Daoists from the Azure Dragon Monastery.

After refusing those deadly mercury and lead pills that could’ve killed his own master, Xu Xuanzhi had survived by relying on herbal-based alchemical pills. He naturally possessed some genuine medical skill.

However, as a Daoist priest, he had not come this time with the primary purpose of healing.

Where there’s plague, there’s death.

And where there is death, rites must be performed.

Setting up altars, performing rituals, and dispelling plague disasters—these were core skills of the Daoist sects, though most of the time, they didn’t actually help much.

Pei Xiu clearly hadn’t slept in days—his face showed heavy dark circles, and deep fatigue lingered in his eyes.

He pinched his philtrum to forcibly rouse himself and personally oversaw the refugee resettlement efforts.

His attendants had tried several times to persuade him to stay away from the refugees, but were scolded and driven off each time.

«This official’s salary is paid by the people’s toil and sweat! Now that the common folk suffer, their lives hanging by a thread, how could I stand by in safety?»

Pei Xiu’s gaze was fierce. He understood all too well—if he weren’t here to hold things in check, Dong Fu would definitely take the easy way out and round up all the refugees into one spot, waiting either for them to die off or to be confirmed completely free of infection—only then would they be allowed to go.

With Pei Xiu standing here, even if Dong Fu and the constables were unwilling, they could only grit their teeth and start organizing the refugees to build makeshift straw huts.

The doctors stepped up and began treating the people.

Pei Xiu was strict with government-paid officials, but far more lenient with these civilian doctors. These physicians had not been compelled—they had volunteered to follow the Prefect here to save lives.

Because of this, their numbers were extremely limited.

Pei Xiu personally stepped forward—seeing a small child in his mother’s arms, shivering from the cold, he took off his own robe and draped it over the child.

He walked among the refugees, heart heavy with sorrow, nearly moved to tears.

Not far away, the shamans exchanged glances. In the end, Wu Xian sighed deeply and brought his people forward to assist.

These refugees had journeyed long and far in the bitter winter. Who knew how many had died along the way? Those who had managed to reach the base of Purple Mountain were already on the verge of collapse. Expecting them to build shelters on their own by dawn was simply impossible.

With Wu Xian leading the shamans to join in, the local mountain folk and villagers—who had been watching with wary hesitation—also began to participate.

The local people naturally didn’t want these refugees lingering in the area. If it had been anywhere else, they would’ve been chased off long ago. But this was the site of Celestial master Taiyi’s celestial  revelation. They feared provoking the Celestial’s wrath, and that alone was what had caused this deadlock.

In the midst of the busy chaos, a shaman stole a glance toward the distant Taiyi Shrine.

«Why hasn’t Lady Spirit Maiden returned from her divination yet?»

«Hm… wait—what’s that in the sky!?»

In the night sky, a ball of radiant light descended.

At first, only a few shamans noticed, but soon, everyone saw the beam of light descending from above.

As it drew nearer, people could finally see—it wasn’t just light. It was a flying imperial carriage soaring through the skies!

«A Celestial… A Celestial has appeared!»

«Grandpa Taiyi! Grandpa Taiyi has shown a miracle!»

«O Celestial, save us!»

The refugees erupted into loud, wailing cries, and even Pei Xiu and the hardworking villagers all let out a collective sigh of relief. The boulder in their hearts was finally lifted.

Celestial Grandpa Taiyi had revealed his presence.

Celestial Grandpa Taiyi had indeed seen this human tragedy.

As the imperial carriage descended, Feng Yunqiu stepped down with a deliberately straight face, keeping her expression blank. Only then did people realize—it wasn’t Celestial master Taiyi descending in person, but rather the Spirit Maiden personally chosen by the Celestial!

Following behind her was a golden-armored celestial  being, standing over three meters tall, radiating golden light all over. Even at night, he was clearly visible.

«Th-th-this… it’s a celestial  Soldier! A celestial  General!»

Xu Xuanzhi nearly ripped out his own beard. His eyes bulged as he stared at the celestial  Soldier No. 1 behind Feng Yunqiu, shivering like a madman.

«This Spirit Maiden can command celestial  soldiers! It’s the Calling-Celestial technique! The Calling-Celestial technique!»

Of course, this wasn’t any Calling-Celestial technique, and Feng Yunqiu couldn’t command celestial  Soldiers. But that didn’t matter—Daoist Xu was a mature Daoist now. He had long learned how to convince himself of whatever he wanted to believe.

Wu Xian, who had still been working, quickly led a group of shamans to greet her. They knelt before Feng Yunqiu with utmost piety and reverence.

Feng Yunqiu still felt as though she were in a dream. She was dazed, as if sleepwalking.

It wasn’t until she felt the burning gazes of the crowd upon her that she bit the tip of her tongue to wake herself.

(I am the Spirit Maiden of the Celestial master.)
(I represent the Celestial master.)

She repeated this mantra in her heart several times before finally speaking aloud in a clear voice:

«By order of the Celestial master, I have descended with the Golden-armored celestial  Soldier to dispel the plague and protect the people.»

«All pious men and women here—whether mountain folk, Han people, or refugees—may come forth to drink the Celestial medicine.»

«This medicine shall shield you from the plague.»

«Furthermore, the Celestial master has bestowed a celestial  prescription from the heavens. Though it is of celestial origin, mortals may also use it. All physicians must carefully remember this prescription and use it to treat future refugees!»

«The rest must strictly uphold the Five Commandments of the Celestial master, that evil may not invade!»

«Those who violate them shall be deemed the source of plague and disaster, forsaken by both man and Celestial—condemned by celestial and earth!»

Behind Feng Yunqiu, celestial  Soldier No. 1 stepped forward, holding a refined golden security case.

As the case was opened, those nearby clearly saw—it was filled to the brim with celestial  medicine.

Each dose was stored in a tiny thumb-sized glass vial. The vials were crystal-clear and flawless, without the slightest impurity.

Let alone the celestial  medicine—the box full of such perfect glass vials alone was already worth a fortune!

The entire refugee camp fell silent—you could hear a pin drop.

After a long time, a woman suddenly wailed, «My son… he’s saved! Aaahhh!!»

This mournful cry unleashed a flood of emotion—everyone’s pent-up despair burst forth like a dam collapsing.

Feng Yunqiu glanced toward the source of the voice and realized—it was the same woman who had come pleading at the Taiyi Shrine earlier that day. She let out a quiet breath.

Good… that child made it in time.

The cold night wind brushed across Feng Yunqiu’s face, making her tense up once more.

She took a breath and walked toward Pei Xiu. When she saw him about to bow to her, she instinctively wanted to stop him—but then remembered that she now represented Celestial master Taiyi, so she let him proceed.

«This official, on behalf of the people here, expresses our deep gratitude for the Spirit Maiden’s great favor, and for the celestial  grace of the Celestial master!»

Seeing Pei Xiu’s sincere expression, the Spirit Maiden’s face softened a little. She suddenly remembered another matter and immediately said:

«Prefect Pei, the Celestial master has entrusted me with another task—one that will likely require your assistance.»

Pei Xiu bowed again.

«How dare I defy the Celestial master’s will? Whatever is required, I shall carry it out without hesitation!»

Feng Yunqiu then explained in detail the plan to build a city.

When Pei Xiu heard that Celestial master Taiyi actually wanted the people at the base of Purple Mountain to construct a new city—and that it would be a city with no precedent, a city without walls, he frowned in concern:

«If there are no city walls, the rest becomes easier, but without defenses…»

In ancient times, building a city, the greatest expense was not in the houses but in the towering walls.

Without walls, constructing the city would indeed be far simpler.

«Prefect Pei, do you believe—under the feet of the Celestial master, who would dare act with impudence?»

Pei Xiu froze—then came to a sudden realization.

In his heart, he even thought—if they could borrow this celestial  wind, perhaps they could protect not only Xiangyang City… but all of Xiang Prefecture from war and calamity.

His joy was unrestrained. He exhaled a long breath and exclaimed:

«Indeed!»