Chapter 94: Qing Jingzi and Bing Wengu Demonstrate Their Methods

Three days later, the recruitment fair began, and only then did Proprietor Li and the other merchants realize how seriously Bing Wengu took it.

Every participating merchant had a dedicated booth, with a yamen officer assisting each booth.

Yamen officers patrolled everywhere within the venue.

This recruitment fair targeted the entire Ji County jurisdiction, including its subordinate villages and towns, so the venue was now filled with people in worn-out clothes.

Gou Dan, sixteen years old, had come with the villagers. Seeing the patrolling yamen officers, his knees shook.

"Uncle Chief, did we mess up coming here? Aren’t we here to find work? Why are there so many yamen officers? If I accidentally say the wrong thing, will I be arrested?" Gou Dan was frightened, clutching the village chief’s sleeve and hiding behind him.

The village chief was also just as confused. He looked around and finally spotted a familiar face in the crowd—the village chief from the neighboring Zhang Family Village. He grabbed him.

"Thank heavens, a familiar face! You came too. What’s going on here? Why are there so many yamen officers guarding and patrolling? You think they’re up to something?"

The Zhang Family Village chief shook his head. "I don’t know either. The yamen officer who came to our village just said that today there’s a job fair at the government office, and anyone looking for work could come and try. So I brought the villagers."

"All these yamen officers are giving me the creeps," the village chief said. "Something about this don’t sit right. The government never gave a damn about folks like us before, let alone helped us solve livelihood problems. This new county magistrate just arrived and is already helping us—I can’t shake the feeling that there’s a trap."

The Zhang Family Village chief shared the same concern.

The village chief whispered, "Told ya! No way some official truly cares for the people, right?"

The Zhang Family Village chief replied, "Maybe there are. This County Magistrate Bing is helping us ordinary folks solve our livelihood problems now, isn’t he?"

As they spoke, a patrol of yamen officers approached. "Are you having any issues?"

The two village chiefs were startled and immediately said, "We ain’t causing trouble—we’re going, we’re going!"

They exchanged glances, as if to say, "See? No way some official would do this without a trick."

"Don’t go," the yamen officer quickly called them back, explaining kindly, "I wasn’t chasing you away. County Magistrate Bing knew you were coming from the villages and might be confused, so he specifically ordered us to patrol here to help you with any problems."

"Ah? His jaw dropped. Was he hearing right? Since when did yamen officers ever care to help us?"

"W-We’re here to find work. How do we go about it?" the village chief hesitantly ventured.

The yamen officer showed no impatience. Instead, he patiently pointed to several booths nearby and explained, pointing to each in turn: "See that? The person at the first table is Proprietor Zhou. His family runs a porcelain trade. If any of you know how to make ceramics or got muscle to spare, you can try there. Next to him is Proprietor Chen, whose family specializes in..."

The yamen officer introduced each one and finally pointed to the last three booths. "Those two are for County Magistrate Bing’s own family and his in-laws’ businesses—one makes tofu, the other glass. You can try there. Oh, and the last booth is for the government office’s recruitment. If you have any special skills, you can give it a try. County Magistrate Bing wants skilled tradesmen from all walks of life."

"The government office is hiring too? Does that mean joining would make us yamen officers?" the village chief asked excitedly.

"No," the yamen officer replied. "Lord County Magistrate said it’s for skilled tradesmen. I don’t really understand it myself, but I heard the pay is as much as we earn. However, if you can create something the county magistrate wants, there’ll be hefty bonuses."

"How much?" the village chief asked.

"A lot. At least a few taels, up to a thousand."

"That much!" The village chief was shocked. "That’s like hitting the jackpot! But such high-paying jobs ain’t meant for the likes of us, right? They must be for scholars?"

"No, they’re specifically for you. If you’ve got a green thumb—if your crops always grow better than others’—then go and try. You might succeed," the yamen officer explained.

Gou Dan suddenly spoke up, "Then my mother should come! She’s the best in the village! She’s really good at farming!"

Afraid Gou Dan might offend the yamen officer, the village chief immediately scolded, "Hush your mouth! This is a respectable yamen—how could they hire women?"

"But he said being good at farming is enough, and my mother is really skilled at farming!"

"Shut up! Stop talking nonsense." The village chief fawned with an ingratiating smile at the yamen officer, "The kid’s just blabbering, sir. Don’t mind him."

The yamen officer waved his hand dismissively, showing no concern. "If you’re able-bodied, hurry and sign up. The job openings are limited, and with so many people here today, spots might fill up if you’re late."

"Ah, yes, we’ll go sign up right away."

The village chief hurried the villagers along to sign up. The villagers weren’t choosy about the work—it was the employers who would choose them. They signed up for whatever was available without hesitation.

Just as the crowd was bustling with registrations, a middle-aged Taoist priest in robes appeared, holding a fly whisk.

The priest was lean and dressed in Taoist attire, looking every bit the immortal sage.

His appearance immediately drew the attention of many in the crowd.

Stroking his beard, the priest declared, "This humble priest is the thirteenth-generation senior disciple under the Heavenly Lord of the Primordial Beginning. Hearing that the county magistrate here is a devout follower of the Three Pure Ones, I have come to establish ties."

The yamen officers exchanged glances. They had arrested many fraudulent Daoists before but had never recruited one. They were momentarily unsure how to proceed.

*If you don’t believe in Taoism, why is your yamen recruiting priests?!*

Nan Jinping said to an officer she recognized, "Go fetch Magistrate Bing."

"Yes," the officer replied with a cupped-hand salute.

The priest shot a sideways look at Nan Jinping—initially a haughty glance, but for some reason, his eyes suddenly flashed with shock. He widened his gaze and stared intently at her.

The priest scrutinized Nan Jinping from head to toe, his stare bold and penetrating—though not in a lustful manner, but rather as if he wanted to pierce through her very soul.

His piercing stare made her skin crawl.

"Sir, this is the priest who asked for you."

The priest reluctantly tore his gaze away from Nan Jinping and turned to Bing Wengu. The shock that had just faded surged back into his eyes, this time even stronger than before.

As the priest studied Bing Wengu, the magistrate sized him up in return.

The priest before him looked like one of those traveling charlatans, exuding an air of celestial grace, though it was unclear how much real skill he possessed.

Bing Wengu stepped forward first. "I am Bing Wengu, the magistrate of Ji County. Might I ask your sect and Daoist name?"

His words seemed to snap the priest out of his daze. The priest concealed his astonishment and resumed his lofty demeanor.

"This humble priest is the thirteenth-generation leader under the Three Pure Ones, with the Daoist name Qing Jingzi." Qing Jingzi performed a Taoist salute toward Bing Wengu.

"I have heard that Magistrate Bing is interested in the mystical arts of our Taoist tradition and wishes to form a connection. Thus, I have come specifically—"

Bing Wengu casually waved his hand, cutting him off. "I don’t put stock in Taoism, Buddhism, or any ghost stories. I simply need the alchemical methods your kind possesses. If you have any skills, demonstrate them for me."

Qing Jingzi inwardly grumbled but kept it to himself. Maintaining his dignified expression, he said, "Common folk are blinded by worldly concerns and cannot perceive spirits, hence they lack reverence. Today, this humble priest shall show you what lies beyond the mortal world."

Bing Wengu nodded.

The priest waved his fly whisk mysteriously. "Though I’m still mortal, I require tools to work miracles. Thus, I ask Magistrate Bing to prepare certain items for me."

Bing Wengu nodded again and waved over an officer to help Qing Jingzi. "Please."

Qing Jingzi offered a curt nod to Bing Wengu and followed the officer, his back straight with practiced dignity as he departed.

Not long after, Qing Jingzi returned, followed by a group of yamen officers, along with Zhao Weihai, Chu Hongyu, and Du Yongxun. The merchants and commoners who had come for recruitment crowded around to watch the spectacle.

Qing Jingzi set up a large pot in front of the yamen gate, with a roaring fire burning beneath it and a pot of oil inside.

With his head held high, Qing Jingzi declared, "This lowly Daoist fears that starting with something too grand might frighten you all. Today, I shall first demonstrate a small trick for County Magistrate Bing to witness, so he may understand how skilled I am."

Bing Wengu said nothing, merely gesturing for Qing Jingzi to proceed.

"This is a pot of oil, heated by fire below. If an ordinary mortal were to plunge their hand into boiling oil, their skin would be badly burned," the Daoist said with a smug glance at Bing Wengu. "However, this lowly Daoist is blessed by the Three Pure Ones and may briefly borrow their divine power to shield myself from the scalding oil."

From his satchel, the Daoist produced a copper coin sword, a Three Pure Bell, and a stack of talismans. He began muttering incomprehensible spells, swaying unsteadily as he performed the ritual.

From start to finish, Bing Wengu did not interrupt, silently observing Qing Jingzi’s performance.

After performing the ritual for a short while, Qing Jingzi suddenly let out a loud shout, then shook like he was possessed. After several breaths, he finally stilled.

"The Three Pure Ones have bestowed divine power upon me, turning my arms to steel. My two arms are no longer mere flesh and blood," Qing Jingzi announced to Bing Wengu. "County Magistrate Bing and all present, watch closely as the Three Pure Ones manifest their power!"

With that, he pushed up his sleeves, revealing his bare arms, and moved to stick them into the oil. The children in the crowd screamed in fright, while a few concerned elders pleaded, "No one can survive boiling oil! Listen to an old man’s advice—don’t risk your life for a mere yamen officer position."

"Indeed, how can flesh not be injured in boiling oil?"

Many in the crowd voiced their concerns. Nan Jinping pulled Bing Wengu’s sleeve. "Wen Gu, could this turn fatal?"

Bing Wengu shook his head. "No need to worry. Even you could do it, love. Just relax and enjoy the show."

Nan Jinping was immediately reassured.

Hearing the crowd’s warnings, Qing Jingzi grew even more smug. "Don’t worry, folks. While your mortal flesh cannot endure boiling oil, this lowly Daoist is under the protection of the Three Pure Ones and thus unharmed."

With that, he abruptly thrust both hands into the oil, making the crowd gasp and shriek. Some of the more timid covered their eyes, unable to watch.

Enjoying their shock, Qing Jingzi finally withdrew his hands.

"Behold!" He held up his hands—no burns at all.

"Heavens, he’s truly unharmed!"

"Could the Three Pure Ones truly be protecting him?"

"We’re in the presence of a god!"

The crowd surged forward to inspect Qing Jingzi’s hands—indeed, there was no trace of injury.

Someone knelt and cried out, "God!" Soon, more followed, bowing and calling him a god.

Qing Jingzi stroked his beard, giving a smug side-eye to Bing Wengu, waiting for him to show shock or fear.

Zhao Weihai, Chu Hongyu, and Du Yongxun were genuinely stunned. They had questioned the yamen officers who helped prepare the items and confirmed the oil was real.

Bing Wengu stepped forward, leisurely rolling up his sleeves. "This is a neat trick. However, as it happens, I know how it’s done."

Qing Jingzi went pale. Seeing Bing Wengu about to plunge his own hand into the oil, he hastily warned, "Magistrate Bing, you must not! You’ll burn your hand off!"

Chu Hongyu also urged, "Magistrate Bing, don’t! No matter what trick he’s using, flesh cannot withstand boiling oil!"

"No matter," Bing Wengu replied dismissively.

Seeing that persuasion was futile and Bing Wengu remained determined, Du Yongxun turned to Nan Jinping in desperation. "Please, quickly talk some sense into Magistrate Bing! This is insane!"

Nan Jinping said, "Rest assured, everyone. Wen Gu has it under control."

Qing Jingzi, seeing that Bing Wengu couldn't be dissuaded, hurriedly said, "Magistrate Bing, please wait! This lowly Daoist will once again borrow divine power from the Three Pure Ones to protect you."

"No need," replied Bing Wengu, and with that, he dunked both hands into the oil.

The gruesome scene the crowd had imagined did not appear. Instead, Bing Wengu withdrew his hands, smooth and unharmed, without a single burn.

The crowd gasped in shock.

Qing Jingzi, realizing his deception was about to be exposed, quickly said, "Magistrate Bing, you were too reckless! Fortunately, this lowly Daoist acted swiftly, or you’d have been cooked to a crisp!"

The crowd hesitated, unsure whether to believe Qing Jingzi.

At this moment, Nan Jinping stepped forward and, before Qing Jingzi could react, plunged her hand into the oil. Again, nothing happened.

Nan Jinping withdrew her hand, looking at her perfectly fine hand, amused. "This oil won’t burn you. Anyone who doubts can come and try."

"I want to try!" Before the village head could stop him, Gou Dan rushed forward.

Gou Dan dipped his hand into the oil and, like the others, remained unharmed. "It’s really fine, it’s really fine!" he exclaimed, bouncing around. "This is amazing!"

One after another, people stepped forward to try, and none were injured. The crowd eyed Qing Jingzi with doubt. Qing Jingzi, sweating but holding firm, insisted, "This lowly Daoist has cast a spell on this pot, which is why none of you were hurt. Otherwise, you’d all be sizzling by now! Think about it—when hot oil splashes at home, it burns. How could plunging your entire hand into boiling oil leave you unharmed?"

The crowd hesitated, some superstitious individuals beginning to doubt.

Nan Jinping said, "Wen Gu, tell everyone what’s really going on."

"The principle is simple," Bing Wengu explained. "There’s vinegar under the oil. Vinegar has a lower boiling point—it boils while the oil remains cool."

The crowd turned to Qing Jingzi, who’d gone pale, confirming Bing Wengu’s words.

Some, recalling how their elders had been deceived in the past, pointed at Qing Jingzi and shouted, "Fraud!"

Others, seeing red, tried to rush forward to attack him but were held back by the yamen runners at Bing Wengu’s command.

"Qing Jingzi, now’s your chance."

Qing Jingzi quickly steadied himself and gritted his teeth. "Very well! This lowly Daoist will show you his divine power once more."

He launched into the same routine, jumping and rattling off more mumbo-jumbo, then began darting his eyes around like he was hunting for something.

Suddenly, he pointed into the distance. "What place is that? Why is there such thick ghost energy?"

People turned and gasped. "That’s the direction of the prison!"

"The prison—of course! Many have died there. No wonder it’s crawling with ghosts."

Bing Wengu said calmly, "Let’s see Daoist Qing Jingzi bag us some ghosts."

Determined to prove himself, Qing Jingzi strode toward the prison.

"This place reeks of ghosts. Death’s all over this place," Qing Jingzi muttered, his expression grave. "No need to be picky. This lowly Daoist will perform the ritual right here."

He stopped before a prison wall, rattled off more incantations, and tossed his bag up with a loud shout: "Show yourself!"

As Qing Jingzi finished speaking, an eerie blue flame indeed appeared in the room.

"Ghost fire! Actual ghost fire!"

"There are ghosts here!"

The crowd erupted in panic. Qing Jingzi, observing their reactions, resumed his usual lofty demeanor. He turned to Bing Wengu, hoping to see awe and fear on his face.

Yet all Qing Jingzi saw was Bing Wengu's satisfaction. "Ghost fire, phosphorus powder, chemical expertise—exactly the kind of person I need."

At the mention of phosphorus powder, Qing Jingzi’s face fell.

Nan Jinping watched with great interest and prompted Bing Wengu, "Explain the principle to everyone again."

"What you see as ghost fire is actually phosphine formed from the phosphorus in human bones during the decay of corpses. Phosphine ignites on its own because its ignition point is lower than air, creating ghost fire," Bing Wengu explained. "If you see ghost fire, it doesn’t necessarily mean there are ghosts nearby, but where there is ghost fire, there must be corpses."

"Now that’s our magistrate!" someone exclaimed in admiration.

The yamen officer Cong Lin proudly added, "Indeed, our Magistrate Bing was personally awarded the title of top scholar by the Sage this year. His knowledge is naturally profound."

The crowd began to regard Bing Wengu with newfound respect.

Bing Wengu asked Qing Jingzi, "Got any more tricks up your sleeve? Feel free to show them all."

Qing Jingzi knew he was outmatched—any further attempts would be futile. "Since Magistrate Bing possesses such abilities, why bother inviting a Daoist to the yamen? You could perform the rituals yourself."

Bing Wengu tsked and waved a finger at Qing Jingzi, then led the crowd out of the prison and back to the front of the yamen.

"Master Daoist, I’ve witnessed your tricks. Now, let me show you mine."

He had a basin of water brought out. "My first trick is 'bringing paper to life.'"

He took out a piece of paper from his sleeve, cut it into the shape of a turtle, and placed it in the water. The paper turtle wriggled to life, swimming freely.

"Master Daoist, what do you think of my magic?"

Qing Jingzi’s face turned ashen.

Nearby, Zhao Weihai, Chu Hongyu, and Du Yongxun were stunned. Du Yongxun blurted out, "Our lord actually knows magic too?"

Nan Jinping, delighted, leaned in, curious. "Wen Gu, explain—what’s the principle behind this?"

Bing Wengu replied, "The paper was soaked in a mixture of male dog bile and carp bile beforehand. Once dried, it will swim freely when placed in water. Those interested can try it at home—it’s guaranteed to work."

"Now, let me perform another stunt for you all—'capturing the snake spirit.'"

This time, Bing Wengu had someone bring up a prepared kerosene lamp. He lit it, and as the smoke rose, a smoky snake coiled into view before slithering away.

"Ah! This one’s real, isn’t it?"

Nan Jinping’s eyes sparkled. "Wen Gu, what’s the principle behind this one?"

"The wick was soaked in snake blood beforehand. After drying, lighting it produces a snake-shaped smoke."

Gou Dan whooped, "This is simple! I’ll catch a snake and try it when I get home."

Later, Bing Wengu pulled off more stunts, such as 'gnawing ghost bones' and 'exorcising water ghosts with flames.'

'Gnawing ghost bones' involved declaring a ghost haunted the bowl. The bowl was shattered, and a shard was placed in the mouth and chewed like crunching gristle, then gulped down.

It was actually a piece made from fish bone cartilage, shaped like a broken piece of bowl. When the bowl was shattered, this piece was mixed in, and what was chewed was that fish bone plate.

'The Fiery Water Ghost Trick' was a deception where people were told a ghost had been captured in a water basin, and flames would suddenly erupt from the water, with fireballs circling around it. After the fire extinguished, Bing Wengu dripped a few drops of water into the basin, and blood immediately surged forth.

The onlookers ooh-ed and aah-ed, but Bing Wengu turned to Qing Jingzi, "You know how this works?"

Qing Jingzi gritted his teeth, "Although I have never performed this trick, I suspect the fire in the water was due to the addition of sodium. The appearance of blood was likely caused by adding phenolphthalein."

Bing Wengu nodded in satisfaction, "Stay with us."

Qing Jingzi hung his head in defeat, "Losing to someone blessed with great fortune—I concede."

He extended both wrists, waiting for the yamen officer to cuff him.

Instead, Bing Wengu beckoned to the officer, "Please have the Taoist Priest stay in the rear office for now. Once the research quarters are completed, he can move there."

Qing Jingzi was astonished, "You're not arresting me?"

"I said this was a recruitment—naturally, it's for work," Bing Wengu replied. "Do you know any other masters who might join us? I urgently need talents like you."

Talents? More like con artists! The crowd thought in unison.