Much like how guilds venerate their founders, Daoist Temples worship their ancestors.
And those who commit heinous acts also worship evil spirits, praying for their protection.
Never mind anything else, just consider where these bandits make their lairs. What sort of places are they?
They're either deep in old-growth forests or on desolate mountain peaks.
These are places where Xingzi naturally outnumber humans.
If you live in a place like that and don't pay tribute to the local powers, wouldn't the Xingzi harass you to death?
That's why they all have to worship the great local evil spirit, begging for its protection.
The two parties fulfill each other's needs.
The bandits offer the evil spirits what they desire—offerings that, more often than not, can greatly increase a spirit's power.
For example, young boys and girls, or someone's heart, liver, spleen, and lungs.
In short, all wicked things.
