Chapter 33: A Blessing to the Masses, a Perfect Solution for All

Seeing the first man boast so highly, the others nearby could not help but clamor, "Pass it on quickly! The Daoist told us to share it!"

"Yes, yes, quite right!"

The man did not dare to delay and hurriedly passed the bowl. He watched the bowl go with a lingering reluctance; the flavor he had just experienced was unlike anything he had tasted in all his years. It was truly unforgettable, and he was loath to part with it.

The second person took the bowl and immediately took an impatient gulp. After the water reached his stomach, he handed the bowl to the third person, rubbing his belly in disbelief. A moment later, he shouted in surprise, "It’s truly miraculous! This water feels as if it can sate one's hunger!"

As he spoke, he tentatively flexed his arms and, after a moment, declared loudly, "My body feels much lighter, too!"

Hearing this, the crowd scrambled to take a drink. Sure enough, everyone who drank the water appeared refreshed and invigorated. It was not merely a subtle change in feeling, but a tangible benefit!

Du Yuan watched from the side with a gentle smile. When he had first seen the serpent's body, he had caught a glimpse of a small cluster of pure energy hidden beneath its foul, jet-black scales. After guiding Wu Dadao to cut it open, he had obtained the demon core. Du Yuan remembered that the moment Wu Dadao extracted it, he felt the object was quite extraordinary. It lacked the stench of the monster, instead carrying the sensation of a refreshing breeze. This led Du Yuan to conclude that it was a fine thing.

However, upon holding it, Du Yuan sensed a power that was gentle yet far too immense for an ordinary person. It was not something a commoner could simply play with or consume. Yet, to discard it would be a pity. Thus, Du Yuan had come up with a compromise: soaking the demon core in water for others to drink.

The crowd continued to share the bowl, but a single bowl of water was limited. Before long, it reached the bottom. The people had no choice but to return the bowl and the demon core to Du Yuan, looking at him with eager eyes. It was clear they wanted more, but they dared not speak, for the object belonged to the Daoist.

Seeing this, Du Yuan scanned the crowd, removed the demon core from the bowl, and returned the empty vessel to little Bao, who had brought it. A wave of disappointment rippled through the crowd; it seemed they lacked the fate and opportunity for more. No one was angry, though; they only lamented their own lack of fortune in not receiving more of the Daoist's water.

But to everyone's surprise, Du Yuan did not put the demon core away. Instead, he held it in his palm and asked, "Is there a well in the town?"

"Yes, Daoist. There are about eleven wells in the town."

Du Yuan nodded and continued, "Which well is used the most?"

The people thought carefully, and someone spoke up, "That would be the one on Mule and Horse Road in the east of the town. That's where merchants enter the city. Not to mention the daytime, there are plenty of people there even at night!"

"Oh? And do people drink from this well?"

The person he asked laughed, "Daoist, you jest. We aren't that refined; we don't distinguish between wells for people and livestock. So, both men and beasts draw water from that same well."

"Then please, take me there."

Hearing this, the clever ones immediately realized what Du Yuan intended to do. They looked at him and the demon core resting in his palm in disbelief. After some breathless silence, they hurriedly called out, "Quick, quick! Show the Daoist the way!"

Escorted by a large crowd, Du Yuan arrived at the well. "Daoist, this is the well."

Du Yuan stepped forward to peer into the mouth of the well. Seeing that the water was clear, he held up the demon core and said, "Now, everyone, watch closely."

No sooner had he spoken than he tossed the demon core into the well before the eyes of the crowd. A gasp of shock erupted from them.

"Daoist, why did you throw away such a treasure!"

"Quick, someone get it out for the Daoist!"

"You fools, the Daoist put it there on purpose!"

"Why?"

"Oh, how dense can you be? He gave it to us!"

"Ah—!"

...

Watching the restless crowd, Du Yuan smiled and said, "Please, everyone, be quiet."

In Qing County, Du Yuan was undoubtedly the pillar of support for everyone. As soon as he spoke, the restless crowd immediately fell silent. Yet, someone gathered the courage to shout, "Daoist, are you really going to leave this treasure in our county?"

Du Yuan pointed at him and laughed, "That is exactly the plan!"

"But that is your treasure!"

The monster had been slain by Du Yuan, so the treasure naturally belonged to him—this was the simple understanding of the people of Qing County. Although they knew this was clearly better for them, they could not help but say it.

Du Yuan waved his hand. "To benefit all people is the foundation of my Dao! Therefore, this demon core is naturally meant for all of you."

As he spoke, Du Yuan pointed to the well again. "The demon core is a creation of heaven and earth, born from the essence of all things, while water is the source that nourishes all life. By placing the core in the water, I unite the forces of nature; the two complement each other, creating something quite extraordinary."

"Thus, if you do not find it too much trouble, you may come here to draw water. It may not cure all ailments, but over time, it will certainly prolong your lives and strengthen your bodies."

Looking at Du Yuan, who stood by the well with his hands behind his back and a smile on his face, the people were moved to tears. They knelt and bowed, shouting, "The Daoist’s great kindness and virtue! The people of Qing County will never forget it as long as we live!"

"We will build a shrine and carve a stele for you, to be sung of for generations to come!"

...

Watching the emotional crowd, Du Yuan only waved his hand with a smile, signaling that it was unnecessary. But this only made the people bow even more fervently through their tears. He could perceive the secrets of heaven, had come specifically to slay the demon, and even after doing so, had left the benefits for them—the common folk who had done nothing! Throughout history, who had ever seen a true immortal like this Daoist?

The reaction of the people made Du Yuan feel somewhat bashful. Leaving the demon core in Qing County was indeed for the well-being of the people, but it was also a move for his own benefit. After all, from now on, everyone who drank the water would think of him. And with such a miraculous well, word would inevitably spread, drawing more people to seek a sip of the legendary immortal water. Once they experienced the benefits, they would know the rumors were true.

He could almost envision the crisp clinking of coarse ceramic bowls, the foam of soapberry flying as women washed clothes, and the silver droplets splashing as children stood on tiptoe to draw water—every ripple in the water would etch his name, Du Yuan, into the human world. By the time he left this place, he would continue to grow in influence here.

So, he was not acting entirely out of pure altruism.

But...

As Du Yuan turned to look at the well, pressing his palm against the cold blue stone of the wellhead, he clearly sensed a profound, warm energy circulating through his meridians. After a long while, a faint smile curled his lips—even with a bit of self-interest, the people were ultimately receiving tangible benefits. Moreover, as the fame of the miraculous well grew, the spiritual vitality of the land would become increasingly abundant, and the blessings received by the people would only deepen, like the rising tide of the well water itself.

A perfect outcome for both!