Can't save, give a grand burial!
This was the final thought of quite a few viewers.
However, more viewers scoffed at it.
If you are already superstitious, why fear this place?
"To be honest, a minor incident scared you this much? We live in a scientific society; metaphysics has long been buried, rotting in the ground."
"I'm a staunch materialist. If this wish-making really works, why do we need science? We might as well all sit in temples and daydream in broad daylight."
"I also find it hard to believe. If there are real gods, let them demonstrate something beyond human capability."
...
Looking at the anxious woman in front of him, Ning An spoke swiftly:
"These incense sticks are ten bucks each, please pay before worshipping, ma'am."
The woman didn't hesitate and started rummaging through her pockets, carefully picking out three of the newest crumpled bills from a pile and placing them in the Merit Box.
People face much hardship.
Ning An sighed inwardly, but some things still needed to be said in advance.
"Ma'am, there's something you need to know in advance. One can only wish for things not meant to be in their fate, so if the incense and wishes are answered, there will be a price to pay."
"What? A price?"
The woman's initially relaxed demeanor tensed up in fear again, her face turning a bit red.
"Daoist Master, I don't want to die. I still have two kids, and especially my little one, he can't live without me."
Ning An twitched his mouth awkwardly and said, "Auntie, it's not that serious. We are a legitimate Daoist temple, registered with the city, not some new Evil God cult, nothing related to life safety."
Upon hearing this, the woman finally felt relieved and muttered quietly, "That's good, as long as it doesn't cost me my life."
Hearing this, viewers in the livestream burst into laughter.
"What a rural woman, absolutely ignorant! If there was truly a god that could grant wishes, even if they demanded a life, I think the nation would worship it as a rightful god."
"If such a god existed, I'd painfully sacrifice those monkey skins under the cherry blossom tree in exchange for some advanced technology, okay?"
"You don't want any losses, do you? You want everything. The Daoist Master tricks people in the temple, and you're copying that online, huh."
Seeing the comments in the livestream, Ning An smiled faintly.
Tricking?
Don't keep whining to me!
Just wait and see, I'll show you what real power looks like!
Meanwhile, the system's voice arrived as promised.
[Gender: Female]
[Occupation: Farmer]
[Name: Wang Yan]
[Wish: The pressure from the kids is too much, hope for a few days of peace in the world]
[Unorthodox wish fulfillment: After half an hour, Wang Yan, due to water entering her ear, suddenly develops acute otitis media. She recovers in three days, but during this time, no matter how loud the sound, she can't hear it at all!]
The system panel flickered away, and Ning An shuddered at the thought of being deaf for three days.
The viewers in the livestream, ever keen, noticed Ning An's worried expression, and wicked speculation surfaced again.
"Haha, yesterday someone wished for peace and was sent to prison for life; today, it's a simple rural woman. Who knows what the outcome will be."
"Host, smile a bit. I'm scared, have a bad feeling."
"Remember how the auntie asked if it would cost her life? Could it be a demon's prophecy?"
Ning An glanced at the barrage of comments, feeling stuck and choked.
Alright, alright, treating this place like an Evil God Temple!
But the woman soon got up, and Ning An didn't say much, guiding her to the main hall.
Bowing, striking the bell, the ceremony was completed.
The woman wanted to leave, but Ning An couldn't just let her go!
After half an hour, if she became deaf, he'd be the one accountable if anything happened on the way.
Listening to Ning An's comforting words, the woman gradually opened up, chatting endlessly.
"My kid's not dumb. His high school homeroom teacher said the same – he just doesn't spend his time studying."
"He's just a bit lazy, but there's nothing major wrong with him. Part of it is my and his dad's fault; we spoiled him too much when he was young, and now he still acts childish."
"Job market pressures are high now. He graduated from a second-tier university, hard to find work, doesn't really want to go, and spends his days messing around with shady people, enjoying video games."
"Every day he comes home, expecting meals on the table and clothes ready. What can I do? No matter what, he's still a piece of me, I have to care for him."
"I don't wish for much, knowing my own child well. I can't possibly ask the Immortal to transform my kid; that's too demanding. I just want a few peaceful days..."
Although speaking lightly, the woman talked more and more, leaving Ning An awkwardly nodding along.
The auntie's words weren't just about her son; they applied to a lot of college students...
The viewers in the livestream, as if pointed out, immediately felt restless.
"Why does it feel like she's talking about me? I was just trying to relax watching a stream for a bit, now it feels like when my mom pulls open the curtains in the morning!"
"Don't even mention it, I'm kind of jealous of him. Even after graduating, he still gets a warm maternal love. When I went home for summer, I wanted ribs on the first day. My mom happily made ribs, but on the second, I asked for braised pork, and she said I looked like a pig..."
"Hahaha, so everyone's the same, which is reassuring. I thought only I experienced the fading of maternal love."
The comments were a mixed bag, with topics ranging far and wide.
After all, at this time, only college students skipping classes have time to watch a livestream.
"Auntie, what's your wish?"
Seeing the chaotic comments, Ning An decided to steer the conversation himself.
Sure enough, as soon as he asked, the comments quieted significantly.
The woman shook her head with a wry smile, sighing: "What can I ask for? Just hope the Immortal looks after me, grants a few peaceful days."
"If the world is peaceful, would you have any other wish?"
Peaceful.
After peace in the world?
In the woman's mind, her daughter Da Ni's annoyed expression from the last video call came to mind.
She complained in the video, but no matter how much she asked, Da Ni would just dismissively say "you don't understand" and not elaborate, leaving the woman largely clueless about her daughter's situation.
Thinking of this, the woman suddenly had an idea, immediately getting up and speaking urgently:
"Daoist Master, I want to burn incense and make another wish, hoping my girl's studies go smoothly."
The viewers in the livestream, feeling like they had nothing to lose, commented with even more gusto.
"Wow, as expected from the Daoist Master, in just a few words managed to sell another three sticks of incense, I really wonder if they worship the Great Sage and Master in his hall."
"What are you saying? It's one thing for scholars not to trick, how could a practitioner be accused of that? This is clearly a heist, a money grab!"
"Sigh, Daoist Master should open a class. I'd attend on my knees. Seriously, with such charisma and influence, it's a shame not to perform in the KK district."