Chapter 5: Lady Calico
Virtuous Duke Wang said, “I am a local village deity. My surname was Wang when I was alive. May I know your name?”
Song You replied, “I am Song You, and my master gave me the style name[1]Menglai.”
“Are you a Daoist?”
“I grew up in a Daoist temple.”
“Do you have a Daoist name?” the local village deity asked again.
“Not yet,” Song You said as he calmly met the gaze of this local deity. “What brings you to me, sir?”
“Very well, I will address you as ‘Mr. Menglai’.” Virtuous Duke Wang remained polite. "I apologize for disturbing your rest at this late hour, but this matter concerns the wellbeing of the local commoners. I see that you have profound cultivation skills and have come specially to seek assistance.”
“Sir, please speak directly,” responded Song You.
“This matter started ten years ago.” Virtuous Duke Wang hemmed and hawed, speaking in a long-winded style reminiscent of the previous dynasty. “Ten years ago, a great demon came to this land. It bewitched the hearts of the people and even made the locals build it a temple about twenty li from here.”