Chapter 109: The Uncanny

"Are there really demons here?" Xie Xiushi gazed at the mountain scenery, listening to the murmuring of the mountain stream beside him, and could not help but ask Wu Yang, his guard, with a sense of doubt.

Among the group, the guard he had personally recruited was the one he was most familiar with. They had been together for a month, though in that time, the man had spoken fewer than ten words to him.

Wu Yang’s sharp, piercing eyes were fixed on the youthful monk walking at the front, occasionally glancing at Cui Dandan behind him. He, too, harbored doubts. It was this young lady from the Cui manor who had told him that his master had been devoured by demons at Faci Temple.

Because the Cui manor had always treated his master with great care, and because his master’s white-ape mother-and-child copper staff had been delivered to him by Cui Dandan herself, Wu Yang had trusted the young lady implicitly.

Yet, it was now evident that this lady had some unspoken connection to Faci Temple. Although this was Wu Yang’s first visit, the mountain scenery was beautiful, and birds and beasts lived in harmony. There was no sign of any sinister or foul atmosphere. The pilgrims walking along the quiet ancient path treated the young monk at the front with great respect, and the monk returned their greetings with equal humility, showing no trace of arrogance.

Was it real, or was it false? Wu Yang found it difficult to judge.

Meanwhile, Cui Ya, who walked behind them, remained silent, head bowed. Despite the beautiful scenery, she did not look up once. Even as rabbits, badgers, and foxes brushed past her feet, she did not pause. Su Yuanbai trailed at the very back, leisurely and unhurried. He would occasionally gaze down at the deep, mist-shrouded pools, listening to the rushing water, or cast a glance at the expressions of those ahead, a faint smile playing on his lips. Then, he would look toward the distant mountain peak, where the majestic temple buildings occasionally revealed themselves through the fog. He offered no opinion and made no comments.

This left Xie Xiushi, caught in the middle and trying to surreptitiously observe Su Yuanbai’s expression, feeling frustrated, unable to decipher what the immortal master was thinking.

The mountain path was long, but it had an end. That end was the majestic Faci Temple standing atop the peak. Moss covered the stone steps beneath the temple gate, and the lush greenery on both sides exuded a natural, harmonious air. A few scattered pilgrims moved about the steps, adding a touch of human vitality. A golden plaque hung above the temple entrance, inscribed with three ancient and imposing characters: Faci Temple.

As the monk led them through the gates, a lush Bodhi tree came into view, its branches hung with countless red ribbons. Beneath the ribbons, wooden plaques bore various wishes. Centered around the Bodhi tree were four lotus ponds, one in each cardinal direction. The lotuses were in full bloom, their fragrance filling the air, and copper coins could be faintly seen at the bottom of the ponds. Turtles rested in the water, and colorful koi swam about.

Pilgrims leaned against the long corridors to admire the lotus ponds, while others stood under the Bodhi tree tying their prayer plaques. More still walked along the corridors toward the Hall of Heavenly Kings. It was a scene of utter peace.

"Are you and your mistress deceiving us?" Seeing this, Xie Xiushi could no longer suppress his thoughts. He walked over to Cui Ya and asked in a low, questioning voice.

Wu Yang’s brow was furrowed tightly. The scene before him made it hard to believe that Faci Temple was a gathering place for demons, and his suspicion of the lady from the Cui manor deepened.

"Benefactor Cui, please follow me to the abbot’s quarters," the youthful monk said, turning back to address Cui Dandan. "And to the rest of you benefactors, please feel free to wander the temple grounds; the scenery of our cloisters is quite renowned. If you are hungry, you may go to the dining hall for some free vegetarian meals."

After bowing to Xie Xiushi and the others, the monk walked deeper into the temple.

"Mistress..." Cui Ya called out softly, watching Cui Dandan follow the monk without looking back.

Cui Dandan paused, but she did not turn around or stop; she continued following the monk along the corridor until she vanished from their sight.

Cui Ya bit her lip. When she turned around, she found a monk in yellow robes standing silently behind her. She was so startled that she stumbled back and fell to the ground.

"I assume you are all first-time visitors to Faci Temple. Would you like me to guide you on a tour?" The yellow-robed monk had a broad nose, wide eyes, and thick lips revealing uneven yellow teeth. He spoke with a solemn expression to Xie Xiushi and the others standing near the gate.

"No need to trouble yourself, Master. We can look around on our own," Xie Xiushi said with a light smile.

The yellow-robed monk stared at him solemnly. Suddenly, his brow furrowed, and his stern face twisted. "Why have you appeared here?"

"Ah? Me? I... I just wanted to come and pay my respects to the Buddha," Xie Xiushi stammered, looking around to make sure the monk was indeed speaking to him, and quickly concocted a reason with an awkward laugh.

"Everyone has their own territory. How can you come here without notice?" The monk’s reaction struck Xie Xiushi as truly strange. He stared at Xie Xiushi with a trace of hostility, his voice heavy. Xie Xiushi was left at a loss for words.

"Benefactors, please, come this way." The yellow-robed monk glanced down at Cui Ya, who was still on the ground, then looked up at Wu Yang and pressed his palms together in a salute.

Wu Yang helped Cui Ya up. He could feel the trembling in her arms and sensed her fear. What was she afraid of?

"Very well," Wu Yang said, nodding at the solemn monk.

Xie Xiushi tried to follow, but the monk suddenly blocked his path with an outstretched hand, his eyes filled with a flash of anger. "Do not push your luck."

"Huh?" Xie Xiushi’s eyes widened. Before he could react, he was shoved outside the temple gates. He stood there, dazed, staring at the tightly closed doors.

What was that about? Why couldn't he go in? Could it be that the pair of curved horns on his forehead had been discovered?

Xie Xiushi reached up and touched his sheep horns, hidden beneath his hat. The brim was very wide, and he had deliberately pulled it low. It looked a bit strange, but it should not have been spotted.

"Ahem."

Seeing a pilgrim walking up the steps out of the corner of his eye, Xie Xiushi quickly adjusted his hat. To his relief, the pilgrim didn't spare him a second glance.

But soon, Xie Xiushi felt something was wrong. As he stood before the gate, he watched the pilgrims climbing the steps. Their footsteps were perfectly rhythmic, and their expressions were identical: devout.

The memories of that night in Mengfu City surfaced in his mind. He shivered, and on a whim, he reached out and secretly tripped the nearest pilgrim.

*Thump.*

The pilgrim stumbled and fell heavily to the ground. Xie Xiushi’s pupils contracted sharply as he watched. The way the pilgrim stood back up was utterly bizarre—the person rose perfectly straight, stiff as a board. Xie Xiushi had clearly seen that the man’s legs had not bent at all. How could he stand up without his feet even touching the ground?