Chapter 17
Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW
Chapter 17
Coincidentally, it had rained in Silu County the night before.
If their accommodation had been shabby, sleeping on the ground would likely result in rheumatism.
Gong Wu vaguely felt that her senior brother’s tricks were no mere illusions.
She slept so comfortably that it far surpassed the softness of the cotton beds in Tianhua Palace.
It felt like she sank into thick, soft goose down, with a warm quilt close against her, and the pillow at just the right firmness, where even in her dreams, she could smell the soothing fragrance of fern flowers.
The next morning, they gradually woke up. Ji Yang pulled back the tent and rolled the robe neatly back into his bag.
In contrast, those waiting in line, even after curling up in their carriages for a night, could hardly hide their fatigue when they rose.
The two stood in line, feeling refreshed, and Ji Yang asked, “Are you hungry?”
The morning mist was slightly chilly, making them feel hungrier after a deep sleep.
Gong Wu pulled out a grass cake filled with peach blossom jam, about to offer it to him, but then withdrew it, focusing as warm energy surged from her palm.
The dry cake was immediately softened and steaming.
Ji Yang took a bamboo tube and smiled as they shared a cup of light wine.
The two enjoyed their time in the queue, completely unbothered by the discomfort of sleeping outdoors.
As the hour of the hare struck, the line began to move forward slowly, moving noticeably faster than usual.
Gong Wu had quietly counted the day before and noted that there were forty-six people ahead of them, not counting the family members and servants who accompanied them.
By the time they had finished their morning tea, only about twenty people remained in front.
She sensed that the situation was more complicated than it seemed. She handed a sweet cake to a woman in front of her who was holding a small child and politely inquired, “Do you know why the questions are answered so swiftly?”
The woman, without hesitation, asked for another cake and gave it to her husband.
“It’s obvious this is your first visit here.”
“The Rebirth Temple is incredibly potent. There are no restrictions on the questions you can ask.” She held up three fingers: “First, you can inquire about the causes and effects of all matters; second, you can ask about your future in this life; third, you can seek advice on marriage and offspring.”
“These three aspects are dealt with more accurately and clearly here than anywhere else; it’s truly remarkable!”
While the woman spoke, Gong Wu glanced toward the front of the line.
Ji Yang whispered, “Notice how those offering incense and praying are heading inside, while those asking questions remain outside the wall.”
The wall of the Rebirth Temple appeared thick and circular, with the inner walls reportedly adorned with carved statues.
Those at the front knelt by the wall, whispering their questions through the crevices, and after a few moments, they quickly departed.
Recognizing the woman’s experience, Gong Wu complimented her and then asked, “How do they manage to answer so quickly?”
The woman sighed, “Do you think answers come just by asking?”
“They’re not doing this out of charity; otherwise, how would the hundreds of people at the Rebirth Temple sustain themselves?”
“Oh?”
Gong Wu glanced at her senior brother, pondering how much spare change she had on her. “So, you mean…”
“It generally depends on the complexity of the question,” the woman pointed to the child she was holding. “I had trouble conceiving for many years, and four years ago, I consulted them. They only asked for two strings of cured meat from me and predicted that by autumn, I would be blessed—and it was just that precise!”
“Isn’t that right, Lala?”
The child, munching on a sweet cake, smiled and nodded with a soft “Mm-hmm.”
“But some questions are as challenging as ascending to the heavens,” the woman continued gossiping. “The person behind me back then wanted to know how he could see his deceased wife again, and their conditions were quite stringent.”
Before they could finish their conversation, most of the questions at the front had been addressed.
Someone who had the required item from inside the wall handed it over through a hidden compartment, received their answer immediately, and left joyfully.
Others, upon hearing the terms of exchange, frowned with concern, shook their heads, and quickly departed.
Beside the line, two nuns held prayer beads, maintaining order.
As the sky gradually brightened, a few individuals with tokens arrived as arranged, standing before the hidden compartment to receive their answers without queuing, leaving satisfied.
When it was the woman’s turn to ask her question, both Gong Wu and Ji Yang intended to step aside, but the woman waved her hand, indicating it was unnecessary.
At that moment, they stood by the bluestone brick wall, where they could see the deeply carved image of the Maternal Buddha gently holding flowers, her smile full of compassion.
A family of three knelt before the statue of the Maternal Buddha, murmuring prayers to show their devotion.
The nun stood respectfully to the side, slowly turning her prayer beads.
After the homage was paid, a voice emerged from the hidden wall: “Ask.”
The woman remained kneeling and wiped her tears, saying, “My sister suffers from a parasitic eye disease; she not only coughs up blood daily but also…”
“It cannot be treated,” the voice from the wall responded. “Your sister’s illness can only be cured by the Immortal Herb.”
“But with your fate, such a miraculous herb is beyond your reach—neither to be found, bought, nor begged for.”
The woman gasped in panic, her tears flowing more heavily.
“Is there truly no way?”
The voice from the wall replied, “She has six months left to live; let her enjoy good food and drink until then.”
“Yes… I understand.”
“Today, I will not accept any tokens; you may leave.”
The family of three quickly bowed three times in gratitude and then took their leave.
Once they left, it was the turn of the two junior brothers and sisters.
Gong Wu glanced at the Maternal Buddha, hesitating and unsure whether to kneel.
Before she could act, the nun spoke instead.
“You are from a different path; there is no need to force yourselves. Speak your mind directly.”
Both of them had knelt before the heavens, earth, and ancestors, so kneeling before the Buddha felt like a breach of taboo.
With her leniency, the matter became much easier to handle.
Ji Yang listened intently as Gong Wu recounted the intricate mysteries they faced. After she finished, he added a few details.
The person behind the wall remained silent for a long time, perhaps calculating or seeking guidance from above.
Not long after, a voice emerged from the wall.
“The matter of your Master Ancestor and your own are one and the same.”
“Even the future concerning him is part of the same matter.”
Ji Yang frowned, “How does this involve me?”
“If you wish to hear the answer, you must bring a token to exchange.”
The voice came from beneath the Maternal Buddha’s feet, muffled slightly by the moss-covered brick hole but still clear enough to understand.
Gong Wu surmised that beneath the Rebirth Temple lay stone chambers and corridors where the speaker was concealed.
Hearing the word "token" made her slightly uneasy.
She hoped it wouldn’t involve demanding a hundred gold ingots or He Zhao Li’s head—something too extreme.
They had only intended to inquire about past causes and effects, but the person behind the wall had included her senior brother’s future as well.
…Surely they wouldn’t suddenly raise the price, would they?
The voice from the wall continued, “Since you have both reached the Yaoguang realm, go on a journey for me to the secret realm.”
“Once you enter this secret realm, bring back the first rare treasure you obtain; the rest, you may sell or keep as you please.”
“What if we return empty-handed?”
“You won’t.” The voice asserted firmly, “If you doubt it, take out the jeweled Eight-Flower Compass now; entering the realm will surely reveal its wonders.”
Ji Yang narrowed his eyes at the hole beneath the wall and retrieved the jeweled Eight-Flower Compass from his bag.
The compass was an item their master had taught them to craft by hand, adorned with eight floral patterns, fired, and inscribed with their own unique judgments.
Perils, Illusory Sea, ferocity, simplicity, unresolved, treasures…
Anyone who enters the secret realm will have their fate revealed that day by the spiritual energy flowing through the jeweled Eight-Flower Compass.
Gong Wu felt that the person behind the wall was like a divine being. Seeing the look in her senior brother’s eyes, she joined him in taking out the compass, placing their fingers together at their foreheads to gather and infuse spiritual energy.
At that moment, the compass’s needle began to twist rapidly, emitting a barely audible humming sound.
Before long, the two compasses stopped at the same flower pattern.
— Both verdicts indicated peril.
Ji Yang took back the compass and thanked her as he and Gong Wu stepped aside to allow the next people to ask their questions.
He used his spiritual energy to draw formations in the air, forming seals and casting spells. Suddenly, the empty grassy ground filled with plum-colored mist, swirling like clouds.
“This is my first time accompanying you into the realm, and I didn’t expect it to be for this.”
He gazed at the mist and said after a long pause, “I think I was about this age the first time I entered the realm with my master.”
Gong Wu remembered the verdict of the compass at that time: “It was something like ‘simple’?”
“Yeah, we went to a desolate mountain and brought nothing back.”
He took a step forward, half his body already immersed in the mist, then turned back to look at her, ready to say something about the dangers inside, urging her to be careful.
But the words paused on his lips and faded away.
I will keep an eye on you.
___
