Chapter 81 Ants Block the Elephant's Way

All my hard work over the years couldn't compare to the sincere praise I received from playing against him.

Xie Huaijin twisted his neck from side to side. "Alright, let's end it here."

The next instant, a blur rushed over, and the person dodged abruptly, hiding in Xie Huaijin's arms.

Just then, voices came from outside the door.

Xie Huaijin looked around, holding the man's thin shoulder with one hand and his two slender wrists with the other.

With a light leap, Xie Huaijin landed on a sturdy wooden beam, pulling the person close. He put his index finger to his lips and whispered a shushing sound in the person's ear, "Don't speak."

The two monks who had been speaking had already entered. "There's no one here, so tell me honestly, where exactly is Master Qianjing?"

Xie Huaijin listened attentively to what the people below were saying, but out of the corner of his eye he noticed that the boy's ears were getting redder and redder, and that he was becoming more and more stiff in his arms.

"This kid is so thin-skinned," Xie Huaijin remarked.

Another person below whispered, "No one dares to look for them if they can't be found. Otherwise, why do you think so many monks have disappeared without a trace lately?"

The first monk exclaimed excitedly, "Then I will go to the capital and appeal to the Emperor!"

Another monk quickly covered his mouth, saying, "I'm afraid you'll be gone as soon as you leave the temple."

The ensuing conversation was rather uninformative, consisting mainly of one person angrily berating another while the other tried to dissuade them.

Xie Huaijin looked around boredly, and finally his eyes fell on this kid. How did this person grow up? His ears are so small and fair.

Suddenly, as if he had discovered something, Xie Huaijin leaned over and stared at his ear.

Sensing Xie Huaijin's strong and domineering aura, the man shrank his neck, his chin almost touching his chest.

Through a sliver of sunlight carrying floating dust, Xie Huaijin could clearly see a tiny...

Ear piercing!

Xie Huaijin felt a loud bang, and the person in his arms was a woman!

In a flash, the man's short stature, thinness, and supple body were explained.

Xie Huaijin gently released the person in his arms, leaned back, and muttered to himself, "Why aren't the people below leaving yet? They keep nagging on and on."

He casually picked up a splinter, flicked it with his backhand, and it struck the door frame, making a soft knocking sound.

The two monks immediately quieted down and then left one after the other.

Xie Huaijin breathed a sigh of relief and, holding the little girl's arm, landed safely on the ground.

"You...you're a woman?"

The girl stared at him with her bright, sparkling eyes.

Xie Huaijin rubbed his high nose with his knuckles and asked again, "It's dangerous here, what are you doing here?"

But the girl remained silent and turned to leave. Xie Huaijin quickly tried to stop her, but dared not touch her easily.

It stood there like a wooden stake. The girl got angry, grabbed Xie Huaijin's arm, and bit it hard.

Hearing his muffled groan, the girl released her grip and, taking advantage of Xie Huaijin's inattention, darted to the window and escaped.

Xie Huaijin was stunned for a moment, then quickly turned around and chased after her, but the girl was nowhere to be seen.

As I passed the corner of a long corridor, I bumped into a woman.

"Sir, what a coincidence, you're here to worship Buddha and offer incense as well?"

"Miss Bai Yun?"

Xie Huaijin squinted his narrow eyes, secretly observing Bai Yun.

She wore a white cotton dress with wide sleeves, her long hair simply tied back with a red ribbon, and she appeared to be wearing makeup.

Xie Huaijin leaned forward and noticed that Bai Yun's eyelids were painted with pale yellow, and her eyes were also drawn.

Bai Yun immediately backed away, "My lord, what is the reason for this?"

What are you doing here?

Bai Yun lowered her head slightly, "I came here with my sisters to offer incense today. Have you forgotten? We were captured on the way to Fohua Temple last time, but were fortunately rescued by the master."

Xie Huaijin said casually, "I remember."

Just then, a woman nearby called out to Bai Yun.

"Yes, I'm coming." Bai Yun curtsied to Xie Huaijin. "I won't bother you any longer, sir. Farewell."

Xie Huaijin nodded silently.

Before long, the two passed each other by.

With her back to the other person, Bai Yun reached out to cover the gray-brown fabric inside her collar.

Xie Huaijin pulled up his sleeve, looked at the faint teeth marks on it, and a playful smile appeared on his lips.

Not long after Xie Huaijin left, they walked into the main hall.

After passing the high wall and incense altar in front of the temple gate, they finally saw the Buddha statue they were going to worship.

This was the first time Xie Mianmian had ever seen such a magnificent and splendid Buddha statue.

This golden Buddha statue is as tall as a three-story building. It sits cross-legged, with its left hand hanging down in front of its knee and its right hand with its fingers slightly curled up and placed upright in front of its chest.

With a kind face and a cheerful demeanor, he seemed to be telling the believers who came here not to be afraid, that all their wishes would be fulfilled.

The monk took three prayer cushions and placed them in front of the Buddha statue.

Xie Mianmian had one, and she imitated her sister-in-law and second sister, her knees buckled, and she knelt down on it.

Instead of closing her eyes and telling Buddha her wishes, she tilted her head back and strained to look at the enormous Buddha, her head almost touching his spine.

Xie Mianmian's mouth was unconsciously half-open. This Buddha statue is really big! The fingernails on it are bigger than her head. Wow, they're golden.

Xie Mianmian looked at the enormous creature, feeling a strange mix of fear and excitement. She stared at it intently, unable to look away for even a moment, unsure of what wish she should make.

Suddenly remembering something, Xie Mianmian knelt down reverently, her forehead lightly touching the cool bluestone slab.

Before the enormous Buddha statue, a small group of people knelt, like ants blocking the way of an elephant.

May those I cherish be safe and happy throughout their lives.

After an unknown amount of time, Xie Mingyi stood up and saw Xie Mianmian, a tiny girl, nestled on the prayer mat, leisurely gazing at the Buddha statue.

Xie Mingyi and Wen Shuwan exchanged a smile. Well, let the child be. They walked up to the monk and said, "We would like to ask for amulets for our family members. We would be grateful if you could help us, Master."

The monk put his hands together in prayer and chanted a Buddhist mantra, "Please come with me."

They came to the right side near the temple entrance, where this corner was filled with paper talismans, red silk, ingots, incense, candles, and other items for prayer.

The monk led the two to sit on a bench, fiddling with amulets in his hands while chatting with them.

The monk spoke calmly and steadily, neither fawning nor coldly, and his words were profound and full of Zen wisdom. The two men were stunned by his words and unconsciously let down their guard, immersing themselves in the conversation.

Occasionally, Xie Mingyi would glance at Xie Mianmian, and only when she saw that clump of people would she feel at ease and continue listening to the monks speak.

Xie Mianmian got bored while lying down, so she got up and wandered around the hall, looking here and touching there.

As she walked and stopped, Xie Mianmian bypassed the Buddha statue and discovered a small side door behind it. Curious, she went out and found the outside bright and sunny. At the end of the corridor on the right, a long shadow appeared.

She tugged at the old woman's sleeve, "Look, old woman, isn't there a strange person over there?"