Master of Strange Dao

Yu Ziqing was originally quite cautious. Being new to the place, coming on too strong could easily cast him as a villain in the end.

Even though Cece had already told him that this small town beneath his feet, situated at the junction of Dali, Daqian, and Kuihou Country, was inherently chaotic and lawless, essentially a muddy pit if spoken in an unkind manner.

Those who committed crimes would be unusually numerous here. A left turn leads to Dali, a right turn to Daqian, and a few steps forward takes you to Kuihou Country.

Trying to apprehend someone here could easily spark another dispute, and it would be easy for others to find fault with you.

Even the notoriously infamous Jinyi Wei wouldn't want to venture into this quagmire.

The role of the City Lord here could be discerned by looking at that demolished city gate.

On the surface, as long as a business paid its taxes, everything that happened in the shadows could be ignored.

As for those who evaded taxes, see who they were dealing with. If they could handle it, they'd strike hard; if not, they pretended to be blind.

Of course, generally speaking, those whom the City Lord couldn't afford to offend likely wouldn't come to this quagmire.

The burly man, seeing the tax collector here turn and leave without a second glance, immediately understood he had hit a tough spot.

He looked pleadingly and raised his hands with difficulty.

"Brother, could you tell me when I offended you?"

Yu Ziqing used his strength, making it impossible for him to speak any further. With just one hand, he lifted the burly man and walked toward the outskirts of the city.

It wasn't convenient to interrogate him in the city, and it was also about giving a bit of face to the City Lord here.

Once outside the city, by a small grove by the road, Yu Ziqing casually threw him to the ground.

"Brother..."

Before he could finish, Cece, who had been holding the Little Hungry Ghost, gave him a slap laden with yin qi, freezing him stiff and causing him to fall to the ground.

"What are you, to address my young master like that?"

Yu Ziqing took out a round stool, sat down, and looked down at the guy.

"I'll ask you something. Answer honestly, and I won't kill you. I'm kind-hearted, rarely killing anyone myself."

Recognizing the situation, the burly man submitted thoroughly and did not dare to stand.

"Young Master, ask whatever you wish. I will answer everything I know without reservation."

"Where did you get this Little Hungry Ghost?"

"Over there in a village in Dali. I just happened to see it and caught it."

"Are those things you said in the city true?"

"Of course, they are true." The burly man's voice rose as he laughed awkwardly, lowering his voice, "Actually, it's what I heard from others. I don't really know the truth, but that's what everyone says. Many who have gone deranged seek a glimmer of hope in Dali, so I just..."

"You've been deceived. The Almsgiving Hungry Ghost requires the Almsgiving Ceremony, combined with the Almsgiving Spell and the Almsgiving Seal, along with the sweet rain. Besides, it must be with a heart of compassion, a willing almsgiving, to complete the ritual. Only then can it resolve the Devil Thought in the heart, otherwise, it would be of no use."

Yu Ziqing explained seriously once again, then took out a Jade Scroll and handed it to the burly man.

"In the absence of sweet rain, as long as benevolence is cherished in the heart, almsgiving to the hungry ghost, relieving its hunger and suffering, with time, there will naturally be a virtuous outcome, making it difficult for Devil Thought to arise."

The burly man looked at Yu Ziqing's demeanor, unsure of what Yu Ziqing intended to do.

After explanating seriously, Yu Ziqing extended his hand and gave a slap, knocking out a few of his teeth.

"This slap is because I don't like you. If I don't hit you, I can't quell my anger. I won't kill you. Go."

Clutching his face, the burly man was overjoyed. Regardless of anything, he tentatively took a few steps, and seeing that Yu Ziqing didn't follow, he dashed off madly, disappearing into the forest within a few breaths.

"Young Master, you're not killing him?"

"Don't harbor such aggressiveness." Yu Ziqing shook his head and glanced at the still-cowering Little Hungry Ghost.

"Killing him wouldn't change anything. It's not like he spread these rumors. His brain couldn't have thought of it.

Better to let him work. The Jade Scroll I gave him, with his willingness to earn any kind of money, he's bound to keep copying and selling it.

Thus, more and more people will know. Once everyone knows that kidnapping hungry ghosts is useless, no one will do it anymore.

There's always someone willing to risk their head for profit, but no one is willing to engage in a losing business."

"Wise, Young Master." Cece smiled and complimented.

"Stop with the flattery." Yu Ziqing smiled, reaching out to pet the head of the Little Hungry Ghost that was like a little monkey.

Instantly, the Little Hungry Ghost that had been cowering and scared slowly began to relax.

"It's rare to see such a young hungry ghost."

Upon birth, a child's fontanelle hasn't closed, their Divine Soul is weak, even in untimely death, many have no concept of death. Some who turn into ghosts are also without spiritual wisdom and struggle to survive.

In Jinlan Mountain, the smallest hungry ghost Yu Ziqing had seen was actually like Wu Shuangge, starving to death in their teens.

Anything smaller did not exist.

According to Yu Ziqing's experience from his first time starving to death, basically, young children did not die of hunger.

They were usually the last to die, with the last bite of food saved for them, but after all the adults were dead, many froze or fell ill and died in the Wilderness.

According to the simplest view of ordinary people, small children eat less, are seen as legacy, as hope, with greater chances of survival, so the chances were given to them.

The Little Hungry Ghost felt Yu Ziqing's presence and slowly relaxed.