Chapter 118: The Dragon King's Temple
Page 1/3
Lu Chenyuan had originally thought that since Lin Jiyan had already returned to the Demon Suppression Division, the main force of the division would have arrived first. Yet, upon reaching the vicinity of the Dragon King Temple, no sign of the authorities could be seen. It seemed gathering the personnel still required some time.
Though puzzled, he maintained a composed expression and directed his gaze toward the towering temple carved into the mountain ahead.
The Dragon King Temple was perched atop a massive reef jutting into the East Sea, its terrain perilous. A narrow path paved with bluestone slabs snaked upward from the shore, resembling the spine of a giant dragon ready to soar, cutting through the morning mist and leading straight to the temple’s mountain gate, nestled among verdant pines and cypresses.
On both sides of this path lay cliffs, beneath which the waves roared fiercely, crashing against the rocks.
Before even reaching the gate, a cacophony of voices mingled with the sound of bells and chimes drifted from afar.
Drawing closer, Lu saw that the area before the gate was already densely packed with devotees coming to pay homage, their shoulders brushing and footsteps continuous.
The decree forbidding the fishing of certain sacred fish had not diminished the faith of the people of Zhenhaichuan in the Dragon King; rather, it seemed to have made the temple’s incense offerings even more flourishing.
Standing amidst the crowd, Lu suddenly overheard a conversation nearby between a father and son.
The father, a sturdy fisherman, pointed proudly at the vermilion mountain gate and said to his roughly six or seven-year-old son:
“Son, look! Isn’t our Dragon King Temple magnificent? It’s an ancient temple with a thousand years of incense offerings! Our ancestors say that a thousand years ago, the Dragon King’s relics manifested a miracle here over the East Sea, revealing his true form. In that instant, countless rays of rosy light spread across the sky, auspicious clouds gathered, and a myriad of fish came to pay tribute. Because of this, the people of Zhenhaichuan had a full year of bountiful harvest from the sea!”
“Since then, there have been no more storms or disasters. Out of gratitude, the people carved the mountain and hewed the stones to build this temple in his honor.”
The child looked up with curiosity and asked, “Father, is the Dragon King really that powerful? What does he look like?”
The man chuckled, ruffling the boy’s nose affectionately:
“You little monkey, don’t be in such a hurry. When we enter the temple, you’ll see the golden statue of the Dragon King in the main hall, crafted to resemble the form seen back then.”
“Not only that, the two walls inside the temple are painted with scenes of the Dragon King’s divine appearances through the generations—each depicting the marvels witnessed at the arrival of the great tide. But... well, strangely enough, no one has seen the Dragon King’s presence for over a hundred years now.”
As the man spoke with a hint of nostalgia, the boy, unable to contain his excitement, tugged at his sleeve, insisting, “Daddy, Daddy, take me inside quickly! I want to see the Dragon King!”
The man smiled helplessly and, saying no more, took the boy’s hand and followed the crowd through the mountain gate.
Page 2/3
Cheng Xiaoshan standing nearby caught the gist of the conversation, pursed his lips, and whispered to those beside him with a tone of amazement:
“This Dragon King—does he truly exist, or is he a fabrication? If it’s made up, why does the tale only go up to a hundred years ago? Perhaps the storytellers got too close to the truth and dared not continue further.”
Though Cheng spoke softly, he was well aware that this place was rife with gossip and any careless words could stir serious trouble; thus, he spoke with some caution.
Monk Zhifei, hearing this, clasped his hands together and gazed toward the temple gate’s depths, slowly saying:
“Good sir, I must respectfully disagree. I have heard from the elders in my temple that deep within the East Sea dwells an ancient phantom dragon. Though it is only a legend, when it comes to matters concerning deities, it is better to believe than to doubt.”
As his words fell, Lu Chenyuan felt a gaze, half amused and half teasing, fall upon him.
Without turning, he knew it was Miss Chu. She must have recalled his earlier mention of hearing a call from the depths of the East Sea.
Lu subtly shook his head to her, signaling that he, too, did not know whether that call truly came from the legendary phantom dragon.
Standing on the Dragon Path, the entirety of the East Sea’s scene lay before him.
The sea surface was a vast dark mass under heavy leaden clouds nearly merging with the rolling waves.
The sea breeze was unusually damp and cold, carrying a bone-chilling chill.
The eaves and beams of the corridor were covered with a fine layer of dewdrops—some hanging still, others merging into streams that traced the wooden grain, leaving dark water trails.
Lu quietly calculated in his mind: Qian Dahai had said that those who listen to the tide determined the great tide would arrive within seven days. Counting four days passed, it meant the Dragon Tide would come within three days.
With the East Sea’s frequent anomalies, what spectacle would the great tide bring this time?
He had only intended to satisfy his curiosity and watch the excitement; now, his heart was heavy with worry.
His master often said, “Don’t worry so much; if the sky falls, tall people will hold it up.” But now, it seemed those so-called “tall people” were nowhere to be found, nor was it clear what they were doing.
Lost in thought, he suddenly noticed a small commotion at the temple entrance.
Page 3/3
A woman dressed in a simple white gown was setting up a porridge tent by the gate, personally distributing rice and grains to the impoverished and ragged townsfolk.
Her aura was ethereal, like an orchid blooming in a secluded valley, every movement suffused with gentleness and compassion.
Those receiving her offerings were moved to tears, repeatedly expressing their gratitude and calling her “Lady Bodhisattva.”
Seeing this, Shangguan Chuci lightly fanned herself with a folding fan, a flicker of fire passing through her eyes as she mused:
“This woman’s aura flows, yet it does not align with heaven and earth; instead, it subtly connects with the will of the common folk. I suspect she is a cultivator who follows the Way of Sentient Beings.”
Cheng Xiaoshan and Jiang Yingsue, the senior and junior disciples, glanced at her, but ordinary people could not discern much. They did not know what method Miss Chu had used to perceive this.
Lu Chenyuan asked curiously, “Is this the cultivation path of the Way of Sentient Beings?”
Monk Zhifei clasped his hands and replied, “There are countless paths of cultivation; this is but one of them. For cultivators, accumulating the power of vows is a minor path. Take, for example, the Dragon King in this temple, worshipped by the masses with a thousand years of incense offerings—that is the true grand Way. Yet, in doing good deeds, there is no big or small. To relieve someone’s urgent need is a merit in itself.”
Lu nodded thoughtfully, “Little Master, your words are reasonable.”
Cheng Xiaoshan, however, cast a curious glance at Lu Chenyuan. The cultivation methods of the Way of Humanity, Heaven and Earth, and Sentient Beings were basic common knowledge in the cultivation world. For this old demon to still ask such naïve questions was surprising.
Then, looking at Lu’s simple rough hemp garment, he understood somewhat. The questions fit Lu’s current guise; Cheng’s confusion stemmed from already knowing some of Lu’s true strength, whereas to others, especially Monk Zhifei, it was natural.
Reflecting thus, Cheng felt a new measure of respect for Lu.
A powerful and cunning demon is indeed fearsome, but one skilled in concealment is even more terrifying.
Shangguan Chuci looked toward the temple gate and said, “Whether that demon fish is inside will soon be clear. Let’s go in.”
Lu Chenyuan nodded.
The group entered the temple with the crowd, and just as they stepped into the Dragon King Temple, Lu suddenly noticed a subtle movement from the doll in his arms.