The boy ran across the cracked earth.
Before he reached the village, he saw several Taoist priests wearing long robes standing at the village entrance, talking with the village chief.
"It's the Taoists!"
The boy's heart tightened.
Were they here for demon extermination?
He watched for a while, and after the Taoists said a few words, they turned and left.
The boy sighed with relief.
He approached the village chief: "Chief, what did those Taoists come for?"
"A Saint is passing through our area; they were scouting ahead."
The village chief smiled: "Xiaoyun, hurry back home and get your mother to come out to help prepare a communal feast."
The boy was startled: "Prepare a communal feast for what?"
"To entertain the Saint of course!"
The village chief said: "He could help us resolve this drought."
The boy was somewhat skeptical, but still went home and called his mother out.
