Just as the two were about to ascend the altar, a disheveled scholar, appearing to be in his fifties, suddenly rushed out from the crowd, directly blocking their path, and demanded fiercely.
"How dare you!"
At his words, several soldiers beside Zhang Xiaochun immediately prepared to apprehend him.
"Stop!"
As they were about to act, Zhang Xiaochun stopped them.
"Judging by your appearance, you must be a scholar, right?"
After appraising the man, Zhang Xiaochun spoke.
"What? Is Your Excellency planning to kill me?"
Even though Zhang Xiaochun had adopted a humble demeanor, the scholar showed him no respect whatsoever.
"Kill you? Why would I kill you? I, Zhang Xiaochun, am not so narrow-minded. How about this: why don't you stay by my side today! If this so-called Great Array to Protect the Nation proves ineffective, I will entrust you with the task of dismantling it. What do you say?"
"Does Your Excellency speak the truth?"
"Of course, I do!"
"If the array proves effective, I am willing to apologize to Your Excellency in person!"
Upon hearing Zhang Xiaochun's words, the scholar's expression finally softened slightly.
"No, one more condition must be added!"
As the two finished speaking, Zhang Ruhuai, standing beside them, expressed his displeasure with a grunt.
Although he knew last night that cooperating with Zhang Xiaochun in this act of pretending to be divine would earn him a lot of scolding, being challenged in front of so many people by this scholar naturally made him somewhat displeased.
"Daoist Master Zhang wishes to add what?"
"If the array to protect the nation proves effective, I would trouble Your Excellency to stay here and assist the government in transporting supplies! But we must agree, I won't pay you for carrying things, at most I'll give you two steamed buns!"
"Alright! I, Cheng Shuye, agree! I ask all the esteemed elders and fellow villagers here to bear witness. If the array to protect the nation proves ineffective, we will all dismantle it together, and we can even salvage some stone and timber to send to the city walls for the soldiers to use as weapons!"
"Scholar Cheng speaks well!"
In just a moment, the common folk who had come to watch the spectacle began to cheer in agreement.
"Your Excellency, I see the time is getting late. Perhaps we should begin?"
Zhang Ruhuai chuckled wryly as he looked at the impassioned crowd.
However, he understood that these people were not actually targeting the Shenxiao Sect.
It was due to the severe scarcity of supplies in the city. Many families were only able to eat one meal a day, and that meal was a thin, watery gruel.
In such circumstances, seeing such a magnificent building would surely anger anyone.
"Then let's begin. What do you need us two to do?"
"Please trouble Your Excellencies to sit on these two prayer cushions. We will handle the rest!"
"Then shall we go?"
Hearing this, Zhang Xiaochun winked at Wang Bing with a smile.
"Yes!"
Wang Bing smiled and said nothing more. After all, they had provided so many supplies and spent so much money, and now they were even helping to rally the people.
As for the Daoists of the Shenxiao Sect, collecting some ephemeral faith could be considered their reward.
"The auspicious time has arrived, let the ritual commence!"
Seeing that both of them were seated, Zhang Ruhuai immediately shouted, drawing a peach wood sword.
Following his lead, the dozen or so Daoists behind him took out their own ritual implements and began to move rhythmically, following Zhang Ruhuai's steps.
Watching them dart about like butterflies, Zhang Xiaochun watched with great interest, while Wang Bing struggled to stay awake.
It was inevitable, he had been extremely tired these past few days. The defense of Taiyuan City rested almost entirely on his shoulders. For the past three days, he had slept no more than two hours a day.
After nearly half an hour of exertion, by the time Zhang Ruhuai was sweating profusely and the Daoists behind him were drenched in sweat, he shouted and stopped their movements.
"Daoist Master, how is it?"
Seeing Zhang Ruhuai stop, Zhang Xiaochun quickly nudged Wang Bing, who had started to snore beside him.
"All the supplies have been transported and are located beneath this altar. Please follow me, Your Excellency!"
Taking a water flask from a young Daoist attendant and drinking a few gulps, Zhang Ruhuai wiped the sweat from his forehead and said.
"A charlatan who deceives the world and his name!"
With a cold sneer, Cheng Shuye glared at Zhang Ruhuai and said disdainfully.
"Whether I am a charlatan or not, you can follow me and see!"
Glinting at him irritably, Zhang Ruhuai led Zhang Xiaochun and Wang Bing to a massive stone slab.
"I'm afraid I'll have to trouble Your Excellency to send people to assist. When this underground palace was built, to prevent ill-intentioned individuals from entering and damaging the array, I specifically had the 'Dragon-Slaying Stone' lowered. Now, opening it will be somewhat troublesome!"
These supplies were originally intended as the final preparation for Taiyuan City. To ensure that these items were delivered without any mishap, Zhang Ruhuai had no choice but to lower the Dragon-Slaying Stone. Now that these items were finally about to serve their purpose, even Zhang Ruhuai himself felt a sense of emotion.
It was impossible to say he wasn't pained, as the Shenxiao Sect had spent a considerable amount of money to prepare these items.
However, despite his pain, Zhang Ruhuai knew that he had sent a carrier pigeon back to Bianliang City seven days ago. As long as they themselves did not encounter any problems this time, and Bianliang City cooperated with their act, the status of the Shenxiao Sect would be completely solidified.
As long as the Great Song Dynasty still stood, anyone who wanted to deal with the Shenxiao Sect would have to ask the common people of the realm if they agreed!
"That's easily done. Come, open it!"
This charade was their own planning, and Zhang Xiaochun was naturally prepared. With his command, 500 laborers who had just been mobilized pushed several large wooden frames to the Dragon-Slaying Stone.
Although they did not know if the ritual had been successful, the considerable commotion had alarmed many nearby residents.
In less than half an hour, even the rooftops of nearby houses were filled with people.