Chapter Seven: Punishing Madam Wang, the Sorceress

When womenfolk are confronted with such a scene, panic is inevitable; it is only natural that the neighbors react this way. Wang the Shamaness, of course, knew that the matter had nothing whatsoever to do with the young girl of the Jiang family. Yet Li Zisheng could discern from the neighbors' words that the root of it was a past grievance: the Jiang girl had once offended Wang the Shamaness, who had never forgotten the slight. Now, seizing this opportunity, Wang clearly intended to exact revenge.

Seeing the shameless Wang still roaring and gesticulating, Li Zisheng felt a surge of anger rise within him. He resolved to make Wang taste the consequences of manipulating public opinion and the bitter fruit of recklessly endangering lives.

Yet Li Zisheng was no rash fool; he understood the principle of eradicating evil completely. If careless, one might end up bitten by the snake oneself, suffering losses instead. Wang the Shamaness was most proud of her mystical tricks, deceiving the villagers with her so-called divine rituals. Others might not see through her, but Li Zisheng understood perfectly—they were nothing more than rudimentary chemical reactions. Still, he would not hastily explain; even if he did, the villagers would not comprehend, and Wang would twist his words, shifting the calamity onto him.

The farce in the Jiang family courtyard, incited by Wang, only grew more severe. The father and daughters of the Jiang family stood resolutely at the gate, refusing to let Dame Zhang enter and snatch Jiang Yan from their home, enduring her blows and curses. Wang, meanwhile, continued to fan the flames, and the situation was teetering on the brink of chaos, threatening to spiral out of control.

The village head had arrived by now, but the combined voices of Dame Zhang and Wang were so loud that even his presence could not quell them. He could only pull Dame Zhang aside to prevent the conflict from escalating further.

Wang the Shamaness, seeing this, grew displeased.

“Village head, the Yellow Immortal is here to expel evil! Anyone not involved should withdraw. If you anger the Yellow Immortal Ancestor, your household will know no peace, disaster will come, your descendants will dwindle, and your livestock will suffer!”

At these words, the villagers who had been encouraged by the head to step forward now shrank back, losing all urge to help.

“Enough, Wang! Stirring discord among villagers is a crime worthy of a trip to the magistrate’s jail. I’ve tolerated you because you’re an elder of this village, but now you demand the flesh and blood of Jiang Yan to cure the Zhang family’s grandson? Outrageous! Once this matter is settled, I’ll see you flogged in the magistrate’s court to teach you a lesson.”

The head of Tianshui Village, who had served as a clerk during the reign of Taizong and had read widely over the years, spoke with natural authority. His words did indeed somewhat intimidate Wang.

But the effect was fleeting. Wang quickly recovered, saying nothing but tossing a yellow paper in her hand and tapping it with her peachwood sword. The yellow paper ignited in midair.

“Yellow Immortal Ancestor calls down miraculous fire! Village head, prepare to face the wrath of the Yellow Immortal!”

This feat only deepened the villagers’ belief in Wang’s words.

Seeing this, the village head’s wife could no longer stand aside. She hurried forward, grasped her husband’s hand and, smiling apologetically at Wang, signaled her regret and quietly urged her husband to be silent.

Witnessing all this, Li Zisheng understood perfectly the root of Wang’s rampant arrogance. Despite the flourishing of learning in the Tang era, it was not solely Confucian doctrine that prevailed—rather, all schools of thought flourished. While this fostered a freer atmosphere, it also allowed shams, like Wang, to thrive. With a few wild words, she bewitched the hearts of many. The deepest reason was that the villagers truly believed in her; they chose to accept her claims. Thus, even when Jiang Yan’s life was threatened, Dame Zhang had no fear, speaking with righteous conviction.

Li Zisheng grasped the key: to resolve this farce and punish Wang, he must address the heart of the matter.

He was neither a stubborn scholar nor a manipulative trickster, but a highly educated man with an agile mind. In a flash, he deduced the causes, consequences, and fundamental reasons, and devised a plan.

“Toot!”

Li Zisheng, a seven-year-old child, possessed a sharp, clear voice. That single toot pierced through Wang’s rambling, drawing every eye to him.

His call caught everyone’s attention and put the Li family on edge. Fears realized, Li’s grandmother deeply regretted not stopping her little grandson at home. She had managed to intercept Li Zixiu, but Li Zisheng had slipped away.

“Toot what? Wait till we get home and I’ll deal with you! Can’t you see the grown-ups are handling things? Don’t cause trouble!”

Intent on protecting her grandson from harm, Grandmother hurried forward, clamped his mouth shut, and scooped him up into her arms.

But before she could pick him up, Li Zisheng darted away and let out another toot.

“Ha! I am the Heavenly Saint Child! I see this place steeped in foulness, so I have descended to punish the old witch and bring justice to the villagers!”

And indeed, as soon as Li Zisheng finished speaking, the villagers forgot the conflict between the Jiang and Zhang families. Even Dame Zhang herself calmed down.

Seeing his goal achieved, Li Zisheng focused all his attention on Wang.

Having once held a high position in a company, Li Zisheng’s gaze carried a natural authority, wholly unbefitting a seven-year-old child. As he stared at Wang, she shivered involuntarily.

With all eyes upon him, Li Zisheng let out another toot.

“Old witch, you are but a gray rat from the earth, transformed into human form by accidentally consuming a celestial relic. Instead of gratitude, you mislead the villagers. This Saint Child will not let you off lightly—I send forth the fire dragon as a warning. Should you transgress again, you will never find peace in reincarnation.”

As he finished, a green dragon suddenly burst forth from the distant mountains, its body seemingly wreathed in oily green flames. From the perspective of the Jiang family, it was both majestic and eerie.

In an instant, the villagers were utterly awed—even Wang sat paralyzed in fear, unable to speak.

Everyone present now wholeheartedly believed Li Zisheng to be a celestial child; some even knelt down to pray for their own peace. Originally intent on stopping him, Li’s grandmother and the rest of the Li family were left dumbstruck.

Li Zisheng knew he had achieved his purpose. If his grandmother and mother were to kneel as well, the commotion would only escalate.