Cries of despair filled the roads, and sorrowful faces were everywhere.0

The Daoist passed through the fields, entering the town to inquire with the local officials about the situation. The officials had come up with some measures and were organizing a response. However, their efforts were sufficient only for smaller disasters; in the face of a catastrophe of this scale, they were powerless.0

To the officials and wealthy residents, this might feel like a flood, a drought, or an earthquake—disastrous, but manageable enough to warrant a sigh. For the poorest commoners, however, natural calamities like these left them utterly helpless. They could do little but weep, wail, and endure silently until they no longer had the strength to cry.0

One could easily imagine that after the locust plague, unless the government provided disaster relief, the land would be littered with corpses from starvation, and resentment would run rampant.0

North of Jiyan County’s town, the locust plague was at its worst. The Daoist, having entered the town from the south, made his way through it and continued north toward the areas most severely affected.0

The jingling of the horse’s bells accompanied their journey.0

By this time, it was afternoon.0

Lady Calico was nestled inside a saddlebag on the horse’s back, swaying gently with the rhythm of its steps. She poked her head out and looked ahead.0

Suddenly, a locust flew toward her.0

Swish!0

Lady Calico’s paw darted out like lightning, snatching the locust...0