66: With a pure and clear mind, what fear is there of external aggression?

However, the tree may desire calm, but the wind keeps blowing.

Just two days later, a new storm arose.

This time, it was no longer a war of words online, but a direct attack on the Qingfeng Temple's "core resource"—the Spirit Well.

First, a locally well-known "Anti-fraud Blogger" released a video, claiming he had "gone to great lengths" to obtain a sample of Qingfeng Temple's spirit well water and sent it to an "Authoritative Testing Agency" for analysis.

In the video, he swore that the test results showed the well water contained several types of "unknown microorganisms" and "trace radioactive elements," implying these might be the cause of the so-called "therapeutic effects" and could even pose a "potential risk" to the health of long-term drinkers.

The video was well-produced, featuring screenshots of seemingly professional test reports, and the blogger's dramatic performance of deep regret while appealing for relevant departments to intervene and investigate. It was highly inflammatory and instantly exploded across the internet.

Immediately following this, a small local newspaper in Lianhua County published an "expert interview." An individual claiming to be an "Environmental Health Scholar" extensively discussed the "potential hazards of untreated natural water sources," specifically mentioning that "certain Religious Affairs sites exploit the superstitious mentality of their followers to promote so-called 'Holy Water,' which is an irresponsible act."

Even worse, several "victims' families" suddenly popped up, posting accusations online claiming that after their relatives drank Qingfeng Temple's well water, not only did their old illnesses fail to heal, but they also experienced "adverse reactions" like diarrhea and dizziness, accusing the temple of "showing callous disregard for human life."

With this three-pronged approach, mixing truth and falsehood, the rumor that "Qingfeng Temple's well water is poisonous" instantly ran rampant. Some nearby villagers and pilgrims who had previously been skeptical of the online rumors were completely shaken this time. After all, when it concerns personal health, it is better to believe it than to ignore it.

Divisions also appeared among the villagers of Zhaojiaao Village. Staunch supporters like Zhao Desheng got into arguments with villagers who harbored doubts. The mountain path leading to the temple became visibly desolate. Occasionally, one or two pilgrims would ascend the mountain, but they looked hesitant, lingering by the Spirit Well repeatedly yet not daring to draw water.

This strike was far more vicious than the previous smear campaign, directly shaking one of the Qingfeng Temple's Foundations.

Zhao Xiaowen was nearly driven mad with anger. She immediately contacted media friends and testing agencies she knew, hoping to obtain a genuinely authoritative test report to counterattack, but found the process fraught with difficulties—either being politely refused or being told that complex approval procedures and long waiting times were required.

Just as panic spread, a joint investigation team from the Jin Province Religious Affairs Bureau and the Health Department suddenly arrived at Yuntai Mountain.

Leading the team was Deputy Director Sun from the Religious Affairs Bureau. His attitude was courteous enough, but the sense of official business was obvious: "Daoist Master Li, the recent online public opinion regarding your temple's spirit well water is extremely intense, involving public health and safety, and the social impact is significant. The Bureau takes this highly seriously, and we specifically teamed up with comrades from the Health Department to come here. Our main purpose is to understand the situation and, if necessary, conduct sampling tests on the well water to set the record straight and quell public sentiment. We hope the Abbot will cooperate."

Behind him followed technical personnel from the Health Department, carrying professional sampling kits.

Zhao Desheng, who had remained calm until now, couldn't help but step forward excitedly: "Director Sun! Those things online are all rumors! So many people in our village drink this well water, and their health is getting better and better! This well water only became sweet and effective after the Abbot arrived. How could there be a problem?"

"My friend, please don't get agitated," Deputy Director Sun waved his hand. "We are not listening to rumors; on the contrary, we are here to clarify them. Conducting a proper test and issuing a credible report is being responsible to your temple, as well as to the vast number of believers and surrounding residents."

His gaze turned toward Li Muchen: "Daoist Master Li, what do you say..."

All eyes were fixed on Li Muchen. Zhao Xiaowen nervously gripped her camera, her knuckles white. Zhao Desheng watched eagerly. The investigation team members remained expressionless, awaiting a reply.

Li Muchen's gaze swept over the cold sampling kit, then over Deputy Director Sun's seemingly gentle but actually non-negotiable face, and finally rested upon the ancient and simple Spirit Well.

The faint Spiritual Qi swirling around the wellhead, invisible to ordinary people, was crystal clear in his eyes. It was born from the essence of the earth's veins combined with his own cultivation of dao rhyme, pure and gentle, nourishing all things. Yet now, it was to be examined and judged as a suspicious substance under the guise of "scientific testing."

He suddenly smiled.

The smile was faint, but it caused Deputy Director Sun, who had been observing him, to feel an inexplicable jump in his heart.

"If Director Sun wishes to conduct a test, it is naturally within his duty," Li Muchen said slowly, his voice calm. "This humble Daoist will certainly cooperate."

He stepped aside, vacating the space by the well: "Please proceed."

Deputy Director Sun secretly breathed a sigh of relief and motioned for the technical personnel to step forward and take samples. The technicians, wearing white coats, skillfully opened the box, took out sterile containers, and, under the watchful eyes of everyone, drew the clear well water, divided it, sealed it, and affixed labels.

Throughout the entire process, Li Muchen simply watched silently, without saying a word.

After sampling was complete, Deputy Director Sun said: "We will send the samples to the Provincial CDC for authoritative testing, and the results will be announced to the public as soon as they are available. Before that, for the sake of caution and to avoid potential risks, we suggest that your temple temporarily stop providing the well water for believers to drink. This is for everyone's benefit."

"Director Sun!" Zhao Desheng cried anxiously. "There's nothing wrong with this well water! What about the pilgrims if you stop it?"

"My friend, this is procedure, and it is the responsible approach," Deputy Director Sun's tone was unquestionable. "Once the test results are out and prove there's no problem, you can naturally resume. Daoist Master Li, what is your opinion?"

Li Muchen looked at the water samples, labeled and placed inside the insulated box, his gaze profound.

He knew that the test results would most likely show no issues. The special nature of this well water lay in the Spiritual Qi and dao rhyme it contained, which conventional physical, chemical, or even microbiological testing could not capture. The opposing party might also be aware of this. The purpose of this action was probably not to genuinely find some "toxic substance," but in the "investigation" process itself—it sent a clear signal to the outside world: Qingfeng Temple and its Spirit Well were under official "investigation," and their "safety" was questionable.

This was enough.

It was enough to make most concerned believers hesitate, keep onlookers away, and make the rumors appear even more "credible" against the backdrop of an "official investigation."

What a cunning move to pull the rug out from under them, and all in the name of "compliance" and "responsibility."

"Since Director Sun has said so, this humble Daoist will obey the instruction." Li Muchen withdrew his gaze, his tone still betraying no emotion. "Before the test results are announced, the temple will temporarily cease providing the well water for direct consumption."

Deputy Director Sun showed a look of satisfaction: "Daoist Master Li is truly sensible and cooperative with our work. That is excellent. We won't disturb you further. We will notify your temple once the results are available."

The investigation team came quickly and left just as fast. On the mountain path, the sound of the car engine gradually faded into the distance, leaving behind a suffocating silence in the courtyard.

The setting sun stretched the shadow of the ancient cypress tree long, enveloping the Spirit Well and the few silent people standing beside it.

"Abbot... they, they did this on purpose!" Zhao Xiaowen's voice was choked with sobs. "What testing? They clearly came here to ruin our reputation!"

Zhao Desheng squatted on the ground, holding his head and sighing: "It's over now. If they can't drink the well water, who will still come..."

Li Muchen walked to the well, bent down, and scooped up a handful of clear, cool well water. The water leaked through his fingers, shimmering like fragmented gold in the sunset.

"Lay Practitioner Zhao," he suddenly spoke, his voice quiet but exceptionally clear, "do you know why this well water is effective?"

Zhao Desheng and Zhao Xiaowen both looked up, staring at him blankly.

"It is not because there is any miraculous medicine in the water, nor because I cast any Spell," Li Muchen straightened up, flicking the water droplets from his hands, and cast his gaze toward the distant mountains where dusk was gathering. "It is because this mountain, this temple, and this Dao are connected by Qi and shared intent with me, and with everyone who comes here with sincere faith and good intentions. If you believe, it exists; if you are sincere, it is efficacious. The so-called effectiveness is half nourished by the earth's veins and half due to the aspiration of the human heart."

He turned and looked at the two bewildered individuals: "Now, someone is using a sharp blade to sever this bond of 'faith' and polluting the soil of 'sincerity' with doubt. The well water may still be clear, but a rift has already formed in the hearts of those who draw the water. Naturally, the effect will be greatly diminished, or even lead to counter-doubts. What they are attacking has never been this well, but the hearts of the people."

Night slowly descended, and the mountain wind began to rise, carrying the chill of late autumn.

Li Muchen's voice was exceptionally calm in the evening wind: "Since they want to see what Qingfeng Temple has left without this 'Spirit Well'..."

He paused, looking toward the scattered lights that had begun to glow down the mountain, and deep within his eyes, stars seemed to slowly ignite:

"Then we shall let them see."