At first, the three little children were a bit hesitant, but they couldn't resist Xia Qingtian's tempting words.
They had truly suffered great grievances before and were also worried about the safety of the elder sister.
Being at an age where imagination runs wild, coupled with the influence of cop dramas, their own minds could conjure up an epic masterpiece.
The adults naturally didn't believe them, dismissing them as being mischievous and lying to avoid their tasks.
Now that someone was willing to prove their innocence, they couldn't be happier.
After a brief discussion among the three, they decided that the older child would stay put, while Xiaoni and Xiaopang would lead Xia Qingtian and Mobius to the so-called "divine mountain."
Upon hearing "divine mountain," Xia Qingtian had imagined a dreamlike scene shrouded in mist.
In reality, it was just an ordinary small hill, with the location being a bit difficult to discern due to passing through a small patch of woods.
The path up the mountain wasn't easy either, though the two little ones hopped along merrily.
Mobius and Xia Qingtian, with their good stamina, found it not difficult to keep up.
The further they went up the mountain, the lusher the vegetation became.
"What is this..." Xia Qingtian noticed a lot of black-grey dust particles falling on the leaves and branches, or hanging in clusters on the treetops.
"It looks like ash left after burning paper," Mobius said, looking up. "It should be blown down from the mountain."
Xiaopang and Xiaoni nodded, telling the two that this was from the talismans, paper money, and prayer scrolls that the locals burned for the mountain god.
Xia Qingtian didn't know where to start with her commentary.
The group soon reached the mountaintop, where a Daoist priest in a yellow robe was mumbling something, his peach wood sword dancing with great vigor.
The people around watched the Daoist priest with serious expressions, either clasping their hands or reciting prayers.
The Daoist priest picked up a gourd, opened its lid, chanted a few words, and then poured the liquid from the gourd directly onto a yellow cloth banner.
Immediately, blood-red characters appeared on the banner.
"Wow..." Xiaoni and Xiaopang were wide-eyed, and the crowd surrounding the Daoist priest also looked astonished. After a moment of bewilderment, their expressions became even more solemn and sincere.
"Sodium carbonate solution is alkaline and turns this shade of red when it encounters phenolphthalein," Mobius stated calmly, observing the scene.
"He's a Daoist who plays with science," Xia Qingtian twitched her lips slightly.
On the other side, the Daoist priest in the yellow robe performed more incantations, then twirled his peach wood sword and sheathed it, saying, "This humble one has completed the ritual; the mountain god has returned to slumber."
"Thank you, Daoist Master!" Upon hearing the Daoist priest's words, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, feeling as though they had narrowly escaped disaster.
"You must never disturb the mountain god carelessly again, or it won't be so easy to have the mountain god subdue his powers!" the Daoist priest warned.
"Daoist Master, this is just a small token of our appreciation." A person who seemed to hold some status among the group stepped forward and handed over a thick envelope, a smile on his face.
"There's no need for such effort. This humble one only seeks to foster good karma and repay a favor," the Daoist replied, pushing the envelope away with his hand. He clasped his hands in a bow, bid them farewell, and turned to leave.
The Daoist priest's disciples gathered the items and followed their master.
Seeing the Daoist preparing to descend the mountain, Xia Qingtian and Mobius immediately pulled Xiaopang and Xiaoni behind the greenery.
Those people were still praising the Daoist as a true recluse, and then turned to thank a refined-looking man wearing glasses: "This time, we have Mr. Song to thank!"
"Not only does Mr. Song teach the children well, but he also knows such an accomplished master. Thank you, Mr. Song."
"You're too kind," Mr. Song chuckled. "Everyone, please help to pack up."
"Alright," the others responded, starting to help each other pack.
The brushes, ink, paper, knives, and swords used by the Daoist were his own, but the tables, stands, and chairs belonged to the villagers.
"Who is he?" Xia Qingtian asked quietly.
"He's Mr. Song, who teaches math and drawing. He lives over there," Xiaoni said, pointing to an old-looking house not far away, and then quietly asked, "Why are we hiding?"
"Because..." Xia Qingtian had hidden in a moment of panic and hadn't thought of a reason herself.
"Because entering during the ritual would disrupt the effect, and if there were any problems, the adults would scold you," Mobius interjected.
"Is that so?" Xiaopang and Xiaoni found this reason plausible and didn't press the matter further.
Xia Qingtian silently gave Mobius a thumbs-up.
Mobius merely curled his lips without saying anything, his gaze deepening.
If the Daoist priest in the yellow robe was only after money, then it would be fine; he was just a charlatan.
But seeing him refuse the money now... it proved that he was after more than just that small sum; there had to be a greater benefit.
What was this benefit, and who gave it to him?
What was the other party's objective?
Mobius found the Daoist priest very suspicious, while Xia Qingtian had her eyes on Mr. Song.
The Daoist priest was brought by Mr. Song, and this Mr. Song also happened to live on the divine mountain.
"You children go back for lunch now," Xia Qingtian said, ruffling Xiaoni's hair. "We'll go down after looking around nearby."
"Aren't you going to explain for us?" Xiaopang asked, looking at Xia Qingtian.
"We saw that Mr. Song seems very popular. I'll go and explain to him, ask him to tell the other adults, okay?" Xia Qingtian asked.
"Mm." Xiaoni and Xiaopang glanced at each other before nodding. They said goodbye to Xia Qingtian and Mobius, reminded them to return the way they came, and then quickly ran down the mountain.
After seeing the two children descend, Xia Qingtian and Mobius walked towards the house Xiaoni had pointed out earlier.
It was an ordinary house. Although it looked a bit old, the yard was tidily kept, with vegetables planted in front and back, and a simple greenhouse nearby.
He seemed like a person with some taste.
Mobius's gaze was drawn to the greenhouse. Just as he was about to walk over, he heard a male voice.
"Who are you looking for?"
Upon hearing the voice, Xia Qingtian and Mobius exchanged a look.
Xia Qingtian turned back and said with a smile, "We're looking for a teacher named Song, who teaches math and drawing."
"What is it you need?" the man asked, his eyes full of suspicion.
"Xiaopang and Xiaoni sent us," Xia Qingtian said. "The children were misunderstood by the adults, and when they tried to explain, no one listened. They said Mr. Song has a lot of influence here and listens to children, so he should believe they are innocent. That's why they sent me to explain to Mr. Song."
"Is that so..." At this, the man revealed a faint smile. "I am Mr. Song."