After verifying his identity, Prefect Ma Bonde also heaved a sigh of relief and exchanged pleasantries with Taoist Xi Menzi for his righteous intervention to maintain local law and order.

Although there were no explicit laws stating so, Buddhist and Daoist individuals indeed enjoyed privileges in this world. They could own vast tracts of land and paid very little in taxes, and could meet officials without bowing or kneeling. Even in criminal cases, they were not tried by the government but handed over to a higher department that specifically managed the affairs of Zen Buddhism and the Taoist Door.

Of course, all this was contingent upon monks and Daoists possessing an official document, scarce in quantity and provided only to Direct Disciples of Reputable Sects.

Therefore, it was not surprising that Prefect Ma Bonde treated Li Ang with such respect.

A moment later, the Government Official who went to check the inn returned to the County Government. He informed Prefect Ma Bonde that there were no issues. Prefect Ma then proceeded with concluding the case, allowing the Innkeeper and others to return home. However, he cordially invited Li Ang to stay and visit his mansion for a chat.

Inside The Magistrate's Mansion, Li Ang, clad in a black robe, sat opposite the magistrate, with a table laid out with warmed wine and dishes brought by servants.

Li Ang took a sip of tea and said to Ma Bonde with a smile, "Did Prefect Ma invite me here to discuss Taoism? I have heard from the city's citizens that Prefect Ma has done considerable research on the Odd Arts of the Taoist Door, like medicine, fate, divination, and physiognomy, rivaling that of an ordinary Daoist."

AHEM. Ma Bonde felt slightly embarrassed upon hearing this, took a sip from his cup, and masked his awkwardness.

According to what the Innkeeper said, this Prefect Ma Bonde had been a county official in Goose City for more than a decade. He started off diligent and dedicated, taking personal charge of both significant and minor matters within the county. He resolved backlogged cases, eliminated corruption, and punished the crooked, garnering good public opinion. It was presumed he would soon be promoted and prosper.

But the good times did not last long. Prefect Ma's diligent style lasted less than a year before he degenerated into neglecting his duties. He no longer inquired into county affairs and only stayed in the County Government office, studying some vague and esoteric arts, acting like an ineffectual Buddha statue.

As a result, he remained stuck at the rank of county prefect, unable to advance or prosper for over a decade.

"The Immortal Master jests. Taoism is profound, and what I have studied is merely scratching the surface," Prefect Ma Bonde replied, setting down his cup, and asked with some curiosity, "Based on what that Innkeeper said earlier, did the Immortal Master employ a spell for Exorcising Spirits and Demons to subdue those violent men?"

"Indeed," Li Ang answered with a mild smile. He dipped his finger into the tea and, with an idle flick into the air, the droplets thrown out instantly turned into eight blurry figures undergoing brutal punishment.

"These are the malefactors who have committed acts of violence." With another wave of his hand, the figures vanished in an instant, leaving behind only their wails echoing in the room.

Prefect Ma was entirely unaware that the figures were an illusion created by Li Ang, and that the anguished screams were a splendid performance by Miss Chai, who was hidden in the rafters. Prefect Ma swallowed hard, his eyes filled with both fear and a touch of excitement.

Goose City was a true backwater. In his years as Prefect, Ma Bonde had indeed encountered some monks and Daoists. Each time, he would invite them to his mansion to discuss Taoism.

Unfortunately, those monks and Daoists either practiced only rules and precepts with no Mana, or they were fraudsters and charlatans, not as knowledgeable as Prefect Ma himself.

Today, he had finally seen a person of true Mana, and there was no reason to let such an opportunity slip by.

Without further hesitation, Ma Bonde stood up from his chair and bowed deeply, "Immortal Master, save me!"

Li Ang turned aside to avoid the bow and supported Ma Bonde, "Why is the Prefect acting this way?"

"There is something Immortal Master does not know!" Ma Bonde stood up, letting out a long sigh filled with a flood of emotions. "I have contracted an incurable disease."

"Oh?" Li Ang raised an eyebrow. "If the Magistrate has an illness, you should seek medical doctors and medicines. I only know Odd Arts, not the Qihuang Technique of healers."

Ma Bonde gave a bitter smile. "The ailment I suffer from cannot be cured by ordinary medicines. I can only seek help from the mysterious ways of Taoism."

Li Ang pondered for a moment. "Could it be... infertility?"

"No, no, not at all!" Ma Bonde hastily waved his hand. "I have a son and a daughter. There's no problem in that regard."

"Then what is it?"

"Dreams," Prefect Ma said somberly. "Strange dreams."

Ma Bonde sat down slowly and spoke in a low voice, "Thirty years ago, there was a great drought, and the area around Lvzhou was especially hard hit, turning the land to barren red clay. Back then, tens of thousands of refugees swarmed like locusts across the countryside. To survive, they gnawed on tree bark, ate Wild Grass, consumed 'Guan Yin' clay, and even... resorted to exchanging children to eat."

At this point, Ma Bonde couldn't help but shiver all over, pausing for a good while before continuing, "At that time, I was only an eight-year-old child. Both of my parents had passed away from illness and hunger. Before they left, they only left behind a family letter and some coins, telling me to keep them on my person and seek out relatives.

"I was among the refugee crowd and saw the strong ones start to lead the division and consumption of those who fell sick or starved. Terrified, I took the chance to escape from the group and fled all the way into the mountains.

"In the cold and desolate night's bitter wind and harsh rain, I hid in a tree hollow clutching the family letter given by my parents, enduring hunger and cold, feeling as if there was no way left to live in the world."

Ma Bonde downed his drink in one go, his complexion turning slightly red. Looking at the cup in his hand, he gave a bitter smile. "Under the torment of hunger, I fell into a heavy sleep. In my dream, I climbed a tall mountain, saw a pavilion, and met an old Taoist."

Li Ang frowned slightly and asked, "What did that old Taoist look like?"

"I can't remember clearly anymore," Ma Bonde shook his head. "That old Taoist had an aura of Immortality, benevolent eyes and a kind smile, white hair yet a youthful face—just like the Immortal Elders described in legends. He said he saw my sorrow and misfortune and took pity on me, so he gave me a pill that would help me survive the famine.

"This pill wouldn't satiate hunger or fill my belly, stopping me from gnawing on tree bark or eating Wild Grass; nor would it make me ascend to immortality to live on air and dew. But there was one thing: this pill could give me the courage to continue living."

Li Ang raised an eyebrow. "Courage?"

"Exactly." Ma Bonde heaved a deep sigh. "According to him, after taking this pill, I would have a second life. The more miserable and painful my days, the more affluent and content my nights in dreams would be."

Li Ang asked, "Did you take it?"

"Of course, I took it," Ma Bonde spoke softly. "With nowhere to turn and unable to seek death, what did such things matter? Especially since it was just a dream."

Li Ang shook his head. "Judging by the Magistrate's expression, that probably wasn't just a dream."

Ma Bonde silently nodded and picked up the entire ceramic jug, gulping down all the liquor in it.

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