"UNVEIL–"
Along with the strong, spirited call, an enormous red brocade fell to the ground. A
roaring cheer exploded from the crowd of thousands.
This was a golden divine statue of the Crown Prince. A sword in one hand, a flower in
the other, symbolizing 'The power to end the world but with a heart as gentle as the
flower'. The face of that statue was soft and beautiful, the brows long and elegant, lips
thin and clean, slightly curved, as if smiling. Affectionate but not coquettish, fierce but
not heartless. It was a compassionate and handsome face.
This was the eight thousandth Temple of the Crown Prince within the Kingdom of
Xianle.
Three years after ascension, there were eight thousand temples raised in his name.
Such a passionate following was unseen in history and likely would not have anymore
like it in the future; the one and only.
However, this eight thousandth temple didn't have the most glamourous divine statue of
the Crown Prince. Atop Mount Taicang, the summit where the Crown Prince resided in
his youth during training was renamed 'The Crown Prince Summit'. It was where the
first Xianle Pavilion was built. Once the first divine statue of the Crown Prince was
sculpted, it was also there where the king personally unveiled it. That divine statue of
the Crown Prince was five meters high, its craftsmanship legendary. It was built of pure,
solid gold, truly an invaluable 'golden body'.
Within the Xianle Pavillon, devotees were endless, breaking through the threshold. The
incense vessel before the Pavilion were stuffed with incense long and short, and the
donation box was also much bigger than the average donation boxes in other temples
because if it wasn't built big enough, it would be full of offerings before the day's over
and those who come after wouldn't be able to donate. In the courtyard of the temple
was a clear pond, also filled with coins, shimmering brightly in the water. Many of the
turtles residing in the ponds didn't dare to peep their heads out anymore from all the
coins that were thrown by the devotees, many bouncing off their shells. No matter how
the cultivators asked the people not to do so they were fruitless. Within the massive red
walls of the temple were planted full of plum trees, the branches tied with countless
bright red ribbons of wishes, painting an impressive scenery of flowing red amongst a
sea of blossoms.
As for the interior of the temple, Xie Lian was seated just below his divine statue,
watching over the crowd. No one could see him but he could see and hear their chatter:
"How come the Temple of the Crown Prince doesn't have prostration cushions?"
"Yea, even the Temple Master said we can't prostrate. The temple's already unveiled so
why can't we prostrate?"
Another said, "This must be your first time at the Xianle Pavilion. The Xianle Pavilions
are all like this. I hear after his royal highness ascended, he sent dreams to many
temple donors, to the Temple Master, telling them not to have the devotees prostrate.
So, none of the Temples of the Crown Prince have anywhere you can prostrate."
Although no one could see him, Xie Lian still nodded his head. However, a few others
laughed, "What's the logic in that? Aren't we meant to prostrate before gods? That
must've been a rumour."
Xie Lian "eh"-ed, another added, "That's right! We must kneel! Only kneeling can show
our sincerity!"
Thus, one took the lead and knelt down, and soon after, a large number of others
followed suit and knelt down on the ground. Hundreds and thousands of people
squished inside and outside of the great hall and started kowtowing before the divine
statue, their forms rising and falling, muttering and silently praying for blessings. Xie
Lian quietly hid, 'Nevermind, we'll take it slowly.'
The next moment, a large wave of noise came at him from all around.
"Achieve a high rank! A high rank! This year I must achieve a high rank! If I obtain it I
will return my gratitude!"
"Pray for safe passages!"
"The girl I like likes my shixiong, please make him uglier, please I beg you."
"I won't believe I still can't give birth to a fucking chubby brat!!!"
...There were all kinds of prayers, Xie Lian was getting a headache just listening, and
hurriedly casted a spell, blocking out those endless voices. His earside only just quieted
down when there was yelling, and a man clad in black came running out from the back
of the pavilion, his hands covering his ears. He roared, "WHAT THE HELL ARE THOSE
PRAYERS!!!"
The devotees also didn't sense the appearance of this man and continued kowtowing.
Xie Lian breathed a sigh, patted his shoulder and laughed, "Feng Xin, thanks for your
hard work."
Such an exuberant Xianle Pavilion, the number of prayers that Xie Lian could hear
every day exceeded thousands. At first, he was filled with the energy brought forth by
the new position, had little care whether if the matters were big or small, and worked
through them personally. After a while, there were really way too many prayers, so he'd
split off a block and gave them to Feng Xin and Mu Qing. What were within his duties
and what could be ignored, after filtering through the prayers the two would pass over
the important matters back to him.
After filtering through the prayers Mu Qing would report back without ever a complaint,
but Feng Xin on the other hand, just couldn't understand why there were so many who'd
blindly pray over petty business, even blessings for harmonious bedchamber matters
were brought to the Xianle Pavilion. Xie Lian is a martial god and certainly couldn't take
care of such things. This kept up and offended other heavenly officials too, blaming
them for taking matters they had no control over, taking devotees they had no business
to take, to which Xie Lian couldn't rebut.
Feng Xin still had his hands covering his ears, even if that gesture did nothing. "Your
Highness, why do you have so many female devotees?"
Xie Lian shook out his sleeves and remained seated within the clouds of incense,
smiling, "What's wrong with having so many female devotees? Beauties like clouds,
pleasing to the eyes."
Feng Xin dropped his face, "Not good at all. It's like those female devotees had no other
prayers than wishing to look nicer, marry nicer, give birth to a nice son. Nothing of
importance, just looking at them gives me a headache!"
Xie Lian grinned and was about to continue when suddenly there was a commotion
among the crowds. The two looked to the outside the hall and heard someone speak
with a low voice, "Prince Xiao Jing has come, let's get out of here! Prince Xiao Jing is
here!"
Hearing "Prince Xiao Jing", it was like everyone heard "The Devil". All dropped their
faces and dispersed like birds. A moment later, it was as if a tornado blew by, and all the
devotees who were in the hall escaped. Soon after, a young man dressed in lavish
brocade and a cape crossed the threshold swaggering, a glass gem lamp in his hands.
Without looking at his eyes, his face resembled that of Xie Lian, but seeing the eyes,
one would think him overly cocky. It was none other than Qi Rong.
Qi Rong had reached the age of seventeen-eighteen by now, his face broadened, his
disposition much more mature, and finally had an air of nobility. He entered through the
doors but didn't allow any of his attendants to come in. He held that lamp with both his
hands and knelt down on the clean floors of the hall, his cape fluttering down. He raised
the lamp to his forehead and solemnly prostrated. The two on top of the altar shared a
look. Feng Xin smacked his lips and Xie Lian understood the annoyance in his eyes.
Three years ago when Xie Lian first left the royal capital to travel the world, Qi Rong
was still in detention. After his return, he hadn't yet had the chance to see his little
cousin before he soundly ascended that very night in his sleep. Within those three
years, Xie Lian sent a number of dreams to his parents, to the Guoshi, and a few
others. He sent one to Qi Rong once, admonishing him to be kind to others from then
on, to keep his behaviour in check and not to cause trouble. Thus, Qi Rong had been
doing his utmost to build temples everywhere, offering donations and lamps for good
merits.
Although he worked hard, sincere to the bones, but he would still stir up trouble every
now and then, and it would be Feng Xin who had to go clean up after him. Because of
this, Xie Lian could understand Feng Xin's annoyance.
On the floor, Qi Rong finished paying his respects and started whining, "Cousin Crown
Prince, this is the five hundredth lamp I've offered. I'm such a loyal little brother, when
will you come see me? Even a dream is fine. Uncle and auntie both miss you dearly but
you only ignore us. Truly high and mighty and cold."
He did not notice at all that Feng Xin was right there, reminding Xie Lian, "Don't pay
attention to him. The Heavenly Emperor had told you that unless it's a matter of
importance, heavenly officials are not allowed to show themselves privately before
mortals. Families must be avoided."
"Don't worry, I know." Xie Lian said.
Qi Rong rose to his feet holding that lamp, reached for a brush and started writing on
that lamp with his head lowered. Xie Lian and Feng Xin felt bad so they approached to
see what he was writing. Seeing that it was something normal like 'Pray for the
country's prosperity and blessed climate' etc., and not praying for some family to be
beheaded before the marketplace or some such, the two breathed a sigh. Watching Qi
Rong write so carefully and properly, Xie Lian was reminded of something.
When Qi Rong first returned to the palace with his mother, there was once a group of
royals and nobles mounted Mount Taicang to pray for blessings. Qi Rong's mother was
a returnee after having eloped with a lowly peasant and didn't dare to see anyone, but
she always wanted blessings for her son, have him experience the world, and not
stuffed inside like herself turning into an ignorant nobody, so she begged the queen to
bring Qi Rong along.
Although it was already kept fairly low-key, but a royal scandal went around faster than
an arrow, and there wasn't anyone in the royal capital who didn't know what happened
to that pair of mother and son. Thus, along the way, many sons of nobles purposely left
Qi Rong out, not playing with or talking to him. Xie Lian saw a swingset and ran over to
play, and all the children of the same age ran after him, taking turns to push the Crown
Prince on the swings, taking it as an honourable task. When Xie Lian was swung to the
highest point, he subconsciously looked down and saw Qi Rong hiding behind his
mother's shadow, a head peeking out, watching him with envy.
Once they reached the Great Martial Hall, the grown ups, after having offered lights,
moved to beg the Guoshi for fortunes, for deciphering their fortunes, and conversed
amongst themselves, leaving the children within the hall to offer up small lamps for play.
It was Qi Rong's first time meeting the queen and did not know she had already offered
a light in his and his mother's name. He saw how beautiful the lamps were and wanted
to offer one up for blessings too. He was young and didn't understand much, so he
asked all those around how to write words of prayer for his mother. The children from Qi
Rong's branch of the family already detested him, under the influence from their elders,
they all thought that mother and son had shamed the family so they intentionally tricked
him.
When Xie Lian finished writing on his lamp and put down the brush, he heard malicious
giggling from behind, and when he turned his head, he saw Qi Rong with his hands
covered in ink, held a lamp like a precious treasure, his face full of smiles, about to offer
the light. Yet on that lamp, the words "Pray My Mother and I Pass Away to the Heavens,
Qi Rong' were written in ugly scribbles.
Xie Lian broke that lamp on the spot, furious and outraged.
He wasn't very old at the time, but all the noble young men and children were terrified,
prostrating on the ground, afraid to speak. After containing himself, Xie Lian personally
rewrote prayers on a new lamp for Qi Rong, and no one dared play any tricks after that.
Later when they descended the mountain Xie Lian went to swing on the swings again.
This time, Qi Rong emerged from behind the queen and pushed him. He was shorter
than Xie Lian, but he pushed especially enthusiastically, still gazing at him from below,
only this gaze had changed into one of worship. After that, he became Xie Lian's tail,
wagging behind his 'cousin Crown Prince'.
It must be said that Qi Rong had once been somewhat normal, but somehow had
become more and more off the track along the way. However in those three years, there
were too many people and too many matters Xie Lian must care for, and had no time for
relations of old, and certainly didn't know whether if Qi Rong had matured.
Whilst he was still reminiscing, Qi Rong had already offered his light and was getting
ready to leave the hall. Unexpected, as he backed away, he bumped into another. Qi
Rong staggered then whipped around, and started cussing without even seeing who it
was, "WHAT THE HELL? ARE YOU BLIND OR DID YOU DIE ON THE SPOT
FORGETTING TO MOVE?"
The moment he opened his mouth Xie Lian and Feng Xin both covered their faces,
thinking: 'He hasn't changed at all, still the same!'
Maybe it was because he lived with his father until he was five, and couldn't help but be
influenced by the rowdy market environment and his father's violent temper, but even
after when the queen patiently tried to educate Qi Rong, the moment he gets agitated,
by the Guoshi's words, he'd 'reveal his true form'.
The one who bumped into Qi Rong was an unkempt young man, of twenty-four or five
years, carrying a simple satchel, his straw slippers so worn it was almost rimless and
baseless, covered in dust. However, even though this young man was wan and sallow,
his lips dried and cracking, his form slumping, his face was bright, thin but not weak,
and his eyes were shining bright.
"What is this place?" He asked.
"This is the Xianle Pavilion, the Temple of the Crown Prince!" Qi Rong replied.
That man started mumbling, "Temple of the Crown Prince? Crown Prince? So this is the
palace?" He saw the divine statue inside, the gold reflecting on his face, and he asked
again, "Is that gold?"
Seeing how glamourous the pavilion was, he had taken the temple as the royal palace.
A guard approached to chase him away and Qi Rong said, "Of course it's gold. The
Temple of the Crown Prince is a temple, not the pavilion at the imperial palace! You
don't even know where you are, where did you barbarian come from?"
"Then where's the palace?" That man asked.
Qi Rong squinted his eyes, "Why do you ask?"
That man replied in a serious tone, "I need to go to the palace and see the king. I have
something to tell him."
Qi Rong and the guards burst out laughing, their expressions condescending, "Where
did this country bumpkin come from? You want to do what at the palace? Want to see
the king? Is he someone you can see just because you want to? They probably won't
even let you through the gates when you get there."
That man didn't seem to be affected by the taunt, "I'll go try. Maybe it'll work."
Qi Rong laughed, "Then go try!" Then he raised his hand and purposely pointed in the
wrong direction.
"Thanks." That man said, adjusted his satchel, then turned to walk out of the hall. When
he reached the stone bridge, he suddenly stopped in his step. Through the clear pond
water, layers upon layers of coins could be seen sunken below.
That young man seemed to have pondered for a moment and the next second, he leapt
over the bridge railing and jumped into the pond.
He was agile and skilled; once in the pond, he bent down and started fishing up bundles
and bundles of coins, stuffing them into the satchel in his arms. Since they had never
seen anyone who dared rob the offerings of a god, Xie Lian and Feng Xin were both
stunned. Qi Rong was also taken aback and immediately erupted in anger, rushing to
the bridge and slapped at the railing, yelling, "WHAT THE FUCK! WHAT ARE YOU
DOING?! SOMEONE PULL HIM OUT!!! WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK!!!"
A number of guards immediately jumped into the water to pull that young man out, but
unexpectedly, he was also quite skilled, throwing punches and kicks, not letting anyone
close. Qi Rong was jumping up and down in rage, and none of the cultivators in the yard
could do anything. That young man fished up a bag full and heavy with coins, carried
his satchel anew and was ready to climb ashore but accidentally stepped on moss, his
feet slipped, and fell back into the waters in a large splash. The guards thus took this
chance to seize him, wrangling him back ashore. Qi Rong raised his leg to stomp,
yelling, "YOU DARE STEAL THIS MONEY!"
When Qi Rong raised his leg, Feng Xin was already standing on the side, catching the
right moment and blocked, so it looked like Qi Rong's stomp was vicious but it actually
landed lightly. Although Qi Rong couldn't see the one playing tricks, he still felt
something was off, like a ghost clinging to his leg. He kicked a number of times and it
was the same feeling, making him feel rather lousy.
That young man seemed to have choked on water and coughed a few times, "That
money was just lying there in the pond, why can't I use it to save people?"
Qi Rong, unsatisfied by his kicks, finally stopped from irritation, "Save who? Who are
you? Where'd you come from?"
He only asked so he could sentence that young man to a crime and throw him into
prison, but that young man still answered honestly, "My name is Lang Ying, I'm from
Yong'an. We're going through a drought, there's no water, the crops won't grow, and
everyone's starving because there's no income. There's water here, and food, and
money. You use gold to build statues, throw coins into water, so why can't you share
some with us?"
Yong'an was a large city within the Kingdom of Xianle. Xie Lian rose to his feet, his
expression serious, "Feng Xin, there's a drought in Yong'an? How come I didn't hear of
this?"
Feng Xin turned his head back, "I don't know. I didn't hear anything either. Let's ask Mu
Qing later?"