The initial hesitation of the three children was overcome by Xia Qingtian's enticing words.
They had truly suffered great grievances before and were worried about the older sister's safety.
Being at an age where imagination flourished, amplified by the influence of crime thrillers, they could conjure up an epic masterpiece in their minds.
The adults, of course, did not believe them, dismissing it as the children playing around, neglecting their tasks, and lying.
Now that someone was willing to prove their innocence, they were naturally eager.
After a brief discussion among the three, they decided that the slightly older child would remain in place, while Xiao Ni and Xiao Pang would guide Xia Qingtian and Mobius to the so-called sacred mountain.
Hearing "sacred mountain," Xia Qingtian had imagined a dreamlike scene shrouded in mist.
In reality, it was just an ordinary small hill, with the location being slightly difficult to discern due to a small patch of woods.
The path up the mountain was not easy either, but the two little tots hopped along joyfully.
Mobius and Xia Qingtian had good stamina and could easily keep up.
The further they ascended, the more lush and verdant the plants and trees became.
"What is this..." Xia Qingtian noticed a lot of black and gray dust falling on the leaves and branches, or clustered on the treetops.
"It looks like ash left from burning paper," Mobius remarked, looking up. "It must have blown down from the mountain."
Xiao Pang and Xiao Ni nodded, informing the two that these were charms, paper money, and petitions burned for the mountain god by the local people.
Xia Qingtian was momentarily at a loss for words.
The group soon reached the summit. A Taoist priest in a yellow robe was mumbling something, his peach wood sword dancing with great vigor.
The surrounding people watched the yellow-robed Taoist with earnest expressions, some with their hands clasped, others murmuring prayers.
The yellow-robed Taoist picked up a gourd, opened its lid, chanted some incantations, and then poured the liquid from the gourd onto a yellow cloth banner.
Immediately, blood-red characters appeared on the yellow banner.
"Wow..." Xiao Ni and Xiao Pang watched with wide eyes, as did the people gathered around the Taoist. After a moment of surprise, their expressions became even more solemn and sincere.
"Sodium carbonate solution is alkaline. When it encounters phenolphthalein, it turns red like this," Mobius stated calmly, observing the scene.
"A Taoist priest who plays with science," Xia Qingtian's lips twitched slightly.
Over there, the yellow-robed Taoist performed more hand gestures and chanted more words before twirling his peach wood sword back and declaring, "This humble Taoist has completed the ritual. The mountain god has returned to slumber."
"Thank you, Daoist Master!" Hearing the yellow-robed Taoist's words, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, feeling a sense of having survived a calamity.
"You must never disturb the mountain god carelessly again, otherwise, it won't be so easy to ask the mountain god to retract its divine powers!" the yellow-robed Taoist warned.
"Daoist Master, this is a small token of our appreciation from everyone." A person who seemed to hold a position of authority among the group stepped forward and handed over a thick envelope, a smile on his face.
"No need for such effort. This humble Taoist only seeks to foster good karma and repay a favor," the Taoist replied, pushing the envelope away with his hand. He clasped his fists in a bow, bid them farewell, and turned to leave.
The yellow-robed Taoist's disciples packed up their belongings and followed their master.
Seeing the Taoist about to descend the mountain, Xia Qingtian and Mobius quickly pulled Xiao Pang and Xiao Ni behind the green foliage.
Those people were still praising the Taoist as a true master, and then turned to thank a refined-looking man wearing glasses, "We are greatly indebted to Teacher Song this time!"
"Teacher Song not only teaches the children well but also knows such a high-ranking master. Thank you, Teacher Song."
"You're too kind," Teacher Song chuckled. "Please help collect the things."
"Alright," the others replied, and began helping each other pack up the items.
The brushes, ink, paper, knives, and swords the Taoist used were his own, but the tables, stands, and chairs belonged to everyone.
"Who is he?" Xia Qingtian whispered.
"He's Teacher Song, who teaches math and drawing. He lives over there," Xiao Ni said, pointing to a somewhat aged house not far away. She then asked in a low voice, "Why are we hiding?"
"Because..." Xia Qingtian had hidden herself in a moment of panic and hadn't thought of a reason herself.
"Because intruding during the ritual would affect its efficacy, and if anything goes wrong, the adults will scold you," Mobius chimed in.
"Is that so." Xiao Pang and Xiao Ni found this reason plausible and no longer pressed the issue.
Xia Qingtian silently gave Mobius a thumbs-up.
Mobius only curved his lips slightly without saying anything, his gaze deepening.
If the yellow-robed Taoist was merely after money, then it would be fine; it was just a charade.
However, seeing him refuse the money now... proved that he sought more than just that small sum. There must be a greater benefit involved.
What was this benefit? And who gave it?
What was the opponent's objective?
Mobius found the Taoist highly suspicious, but Xia Qingtian had set her sights on Teacher Song.
The Taoist was found by Teacher Song, and this Teacher Song coincidentally lived on the sacred mountain.
"You two go back and have lunch first," Xia Qingtian said, rubbing Xiao Ni's cheek. "We'll walk around nearby and then come down."
"Aren't you going to explain for us?" Xiao Pang asked Xia Qingtian.
"We saw that Teacher Song seems very popular. I'll go explain to him, and have him tell the other adults. Okay?" Xia Qingtian asked.
"Okay." Xiao Ni and Xiao Pang exchanged glances 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.
Seeing the two children descend, Xia Qingtian and Mobius headed towards the house Xiao Ni had pointed out earlier.
It was an ordinary house. Although it looked a bit old, the yard was tidily maintained, with vegetables planted in the front and back, and a simple greenhouse beside it.
He seemed like a man with good taste.
Mobius's gaze was drawn to the greenhouse. Just as he was about to approach, a male voice called out.
"Who are you looking for?"
Hearing the voice, Xia Qingtian and Mobius exchanged glances.
Xia Qingtian turned back and said with a smile, "We're looking for a teacher named Song, who teaches math and drawing."
"What business do you have?" The person's eyes were full of caution.
"Xiao Pang and Xiao Ni sent us," Xia Qingtian said. "The children were misunderstood by the adults, and no one listened when they tried to explain. They said Teacher 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 Teacher Song."
"Is that so..." At this point, the man showed a faint smile. "I am Teacher Song."