Chapter 43: Chapter 40: Divine Monk’s Exorcism Wine, the Demon Flees in Panic
"Amitabha Buddha. Elder General, you grasp the greater good. How very virtuous."
Xu Lei said, "What you must do, Elder General, is very simple.
You must present the Exorcism Wine that I have offered to all the guests at today’s banquet and to everyone in the mansion.
Furthermore, you must lock down the mansion.
And I must ask you, Elder General, to once again take full command of the household’s authority.
Allow no one to aid that Spirit Monster.
As for everything else, I will naturally handle it."
「Half an hour later.」
After the Elder General had arranged everything Xu Lei had requested,
Xu Lei and the wheelchair-bound Elder General Qin appeared once more at the banquet hall.
Hui Ming still followed silently by Xu Lei’s side.
"Everyone, please listen to this old man!"
Elder General Qin began to speak, "Recently, the Prefecture City has been plagued by a case of heart-stealing. The culprit remains at large, and terror grips the hearts of the people.
There are even rumors that this is the work of a demonic Spirit Monster.
But these are just rumors, without any proof.
Nevertheless, they have left everyone feeling deeply anxious.
Because when it comes to these Spirit Monsters, many people are ignorant and do not know how to respond.
However, today is my birthday!
And I am fortunate enough to be visited by Divine Monk Wu Tan of Longyuan Temple!
The Divine Monk has even specially presented ’Exorcism Wine’ to celebrate my long life!
I am deeply honored!
Therefore, today, I shall take the Divine Monk’s Exorcism Wine,
and distribute it to all the guests present at today’s banquet, as well as all the guards, servant girls, and everyone else in my Qin Mansion.
In short, today, everyone who sees the Divine Monk’s Exorcism Wine gets a share!
Drink it, and you shall be safe from Spirit Monsters and immune to a hundred evils!"
As soon as he said this, the guests and everyone in the mansion were all stunned, and a buzz of discussion immediately followed.
"Amitabha Buddha."
Xu Lei, dressed in white robes, stood tall and poised beside Elder General Qin.
He bore the gazes of everyone present and, at this moment of utmost attention, brought his palms together and said, "I ask all you benefactors to honor this monk by drinking the Exorcism Wine I have presented today!"
After that, Xu Lei said no more.
The guests erupted into another uproar, looking around at each other and whispering amongst themselves.
"Many thanks to the Divine Monk for gifting the Exorcism Wine!"
"We are truly fortunate!"
"This is all thanks to Elder General Qin’s good fortune!"
Of course, it didn’t take long for Elder General Qin’s sycophants to speak up.
The others quickly chimed in with their agreement.
Elder General Qin’s trusted aides began distributing the Exorcism Wine one by one.
Although some people felt that this whole Exorcism Wine business was probably just a trick by this handsome Monk,
they considered that Longyuan Temple was a well-established institution.
And Divine Monk Wu Tan had been personally vouched for by the previous holy monk.
It seemed unlikely that he would use such a face and reputation to cause any trouble.
Plus, Elder General Qin was a man of high prestige and respect.
And the recent chaos caused by the Spirit Monster in the Prefecture City had indeed left everyone feeling terrified.
So, one by one, they followed the crowd and drank it down.
Zhao Xiaocha and Liang Fangying were also in the crowd, watching Xu Lei.
Of course, the two of them believed in Xu Lei even more than the others.
They were among the very first to drink the Exorcism Wine.
Wei Qingning was wearing her Jade Pendant at this time. Her belly hadn’t started to show yet, so she still had the appearance of a dashing young gentleman.
Naturally, she also had great faith in Xu Lei and was one of the first to drink the Exorcism Wine.
Her companion, Zhang Xiaomai, also drank it down quickly.
This so-called Exorcism Wine wasn’t actually real wine.
That was just a name.
In reality, it was a specially made beverage.
It was all a bluff for the Painted Skin Spirit.
So, it was safe for pregnant women to drink.
"Alright, has everyone drunk the wine gifted by the Divine Monk?"
After the Exorcism Wine had been completely distributed, Elder General Qin spoke again, "Actually, this Exorcism Wine has another function, one I didn’t mention just now!
And that is, this Exorcism Wine also has the ability to identify and poison demons!
If any demon has mixed into the banquet today, as long as it drinks this Exorcism Wine!
It won’t be long before it reveals its true form and its Demonic Power wanes!
Therefore, ladies and gentlemen, be vigilant!
Was there anyone beside you just now who refused to drink this Exorcism Wine?
Or perhaps secretly poured it out?
If so!
They could be a demon!"
As he spoke!
Elder General Qin clapped his hands!
RUSTLE! RUSTLE!
Two rows of fully armored soldiers entered from the left and right of the banquet hall!
It gave everyone present a start.
"I didn’t drink!"
Just then, a middle-aged man spoke up voluntarily. "But I’m no demon, Elder General Qin. My apologies, I simply do not believe in talk of ghosts, gods, and Spirit Monsters!
I certainly don’t worship the Divine Buddha!
So, for this kind of exorcising item!
My heart rejects it!
Um, Divine Monk Wu Tan, I’m sorry, but I really have no issue with you personally.
Please don’t be offended!
And I am truly not a demon!
I have no ill intentions!
Bring the Exorcism Wine, I’ll drink it now!"
And after this person,
"Uh, a cup for me as well! Divine Monk, my apologies!"
"To be honest, I had the same thought just now. I’m ashamed! Divine Monk, I’m sorry."
Several more people stood up, one after another, and drank the Exorcism Wine in front of everyone.
"Amitabha Buddha."
At this moment, Xu Lei strode forward, planted his feet, and once again announced in a clear voice, "I can understand why you benefactors would think this way.
I am certainly not offended.
There are many in this world who do not believe in ghosts and gods!
There are also many who do not worship the Buddha.
I understand.
Regardless, today, I must still thank all of you for placing your trust in my Exorcism Wine.
Now, I would like to ask, is there anyone else present who has not drunk the Exorcism Wine?"
Xu Lei’s gaze swept across the entire hall, but no one else responded.
"Amitabha Buddha."
Xu Lei spoke again. "It seems that everyone today has already drunk the Exorcism Wine.
Anyone who hasn’t must be a demonic Spirit Monster!
How virtuous."
As he spoke to this point,
Xu Lei’s expression changed slightly, his eyes turning sharp. "In truth, I did not fully explain to you benefactors earlier.
My presence here today was not merely to offer Exorcism Wine!
But rather—to vanquish a demon!!!
The Spirit Monster that has recently plagued the Prefecture City, stealing and eating hearts, is in this city, right here at this very scene!
And just now, this Exorcism Wine... it was not meant to poison any demon!
It was merely to identify one!
Anyone who used some trick to avoid drinking the Exorcism Wine!
Is possibly a demon!
Though there are certainly some among them with resolute minds, who staunchly refuse to believe in the Divine Buddha and hold this monk in disdain!
Who avoided the Exorcism Wine and refused to drink it!
But, no matter!
Because with the Exorcism Wine distributed like this, I presume the number of people who have not drunk it is extremely small!
And the constitution of a demon and a human are different!
We need only drag out those who have not drunk,
and cut their flesh a little!
Those who bleed normally are human!
The opposite, then, is a demon!"
Xu Lei delivered this speech with forceful, resonant words, his pace quickening like a sword being drawn from its sheath!
"What?"
Everyone present was thoroughly shocked.
"That’s right, this Exorcism Wine is not some demon-poisoning wine!"
Elder General Qin also spoke. "The Divine Monk already told me this directly beforehand.
But the Divine Monk is a man of the cloth, and monks do not tell falsehoods, so it could only be I who presented the Exorcism Wine this way!
To lure the demonic Spirit Monster into a trap!
At this moment, no one is to move without permission!
Anyone who thinks of moving now to belatedly drink the Exorcism Wine!
Will be treated as a demon!"
By the end, Elder General Qin’s tone was filled with authority, even carrying the killing aura of his many years in the military!
It completely intimidated everyone present!
Everyone in the hall was now staring intently at Xu Lei and Elder General Qin!
Their minds reeled from the words the two had just spoken!
Everyone was a little dazed!
They had never seen a demon in their entire lives!
Their understanding of demonic Spirit Monsters came entirely from village legends!
Many of them even scoffed at the idea of demons!
They thought it was just superstitious nonsense.
But today, the words of Xu Lei and Elder General Qin contained too much information!
Some people were still thinking to themselves:
’Is this a joke?
It can’t be, right?
What’s this about a Spirit Monster committing crimes, and it’s right here at the banquet?
Are they messing with us?
Is this some special game to liven up today’s banquet?’
However!
Just then!
BOOM!
By a window in the Qin Mansion, a woman with a graceful figure, her face changing wildly, quietly backed away. She pushed off with her foot, and her body shot out!
She burst directly through the window!
"Miss Xiaoyin, what are you doing?"
"The mansion is sealed!"
"No one is allowed to leave the mansion!"
"She’s the Spirit Monster!"
"Damn it!"
"Stop her!"
And from outside, the voices of the Qin Mansion’s Government Soldiers rang out continuously.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
But a series of explosions sounded.
By the time everyone rushed out of the banquet hall, all they saw was a field of the Qin Mansion’s Government Soldiers on the ground, groaning in pain.
A slender, beautiful figure had already vaulted the courtyard wall and vanished like an afterimage.
Everyone was utterly horrified!
"Could there really be demons?"
"Do Spirit Monsters really exist in this world?"
"Was the heart-stealing case before done by a Spirit Monster?"
Some people felt their entire worldview collapsing.
They had thought Spirit Monsters were just legends, but now, it seemed they were actually real!
"But what’s going on now? Did that Spirit Monster escape?"
someone asked.
Hearing this question, everyone turned to look at the handsome, white-robed Divine Monk beside Elder General Qin!
However, upon seeing the look of calm confidence on the Divine Monk’s face, they knew that perhaps everything that had happened today, including the Spirit Monster’s escape, was all within this Divine Monk Wu Tan’s predictions!
