Mage Zhang was very pleased with the villagers' attitude. But he didn't immediately begin the exorcism. Instead, he sighed, feigning reluctance. "I do want to save your lives—after all, we're all fellow villagers. But performing an exorcism consumes a great deal of Essence, and it could even shorten my own life! It puts me in a very difficult position!"
Hearing this, the villagers' pleas grew even more frantic.
But it was Granny Xing who understood how these things worked. She immediately grasped the crux of the matter and hastened to say, "Mage Zhang, you have to save us! We're willing to pay, to buy you restorative tonics to replenish your lost Essence."
The other villagers caught on and quickly chimed in.
"Yes, yes, we're willing to pay!"
"Mage Zhang, as long as you save our lives, we'll pay any price!"
