Chapter 331: Absorbing Merit
Without wasting another second, Bai Hanyun stepped into the main temple. In her haste, she forgot to wear her veiled hat.
When the people praying inside saw her face, they froze in astonishment. Then, as they came to their senses, they turned to look at Fairy Bai’s golden statue on the altar, then back at Bai Hanyun again.
After a brief silence, someone suddenly shouted in disbelief, "It’s Fairy Bai!"
Startled by the man’s exclamation, Bai Hanyun realized she had forgotten her hat. "Oh no! I forgot my hat!"
Just as she was about to run away, the people suddenly knelt before her, bowing deeply as they shouted in unison, "This devotee welcomes Fairy Bai! May Heaven bless us all!"
Bai Hanyun froze mid-step and turned to look at them.
Seeing everyone kneeling with their foreheads pressed to the ground, she moved closer to Feng Wu and whispered, "Feng Wu, do you think they are going to do something bad to me?"
The moment Feng Wu heard her question, his aura went cold, and a wave of murderous intent burst forth from his body.
Gripping his sword tightly, he swept his gaze across the main hall of the temple and said coldly, "Who dares?"
Surprised by his extreme reaction, Bai Hanyun hurriedly patted his back and whispered, "Calm down, calm down. I was just asking."
One of the female devotees overheard her and quickly said, "Fairy Bai, you have saved us and our families. If anyone dares harbor ill intentions toward you, this devotee will protect you even at the cost of my life. It’s the least this devotee can do to repay your kindness and benevolence."
Hearing this, Bai Hanyun looked at the thin woman who spoke and thought, ’I wonder what they would think if they found out I only saved them because Feng Xiyan traded some antiques with me.’
The Yang Mirror chuckled when he overheard her thoughts and said, [No matter what your reason is for helping Feng Xiyan, it’s a fact that you saved them. Girl, just accept it. You should learn to open your heart and accept people’s kindness.]
Bai Hanyun pressed her lips together at his words.
Sensing her complicated feelings, the Yang Mirror changed the subject and reminded her, [Girl, stop standing there in a daze. Go and sit on the altar. We need to absorb as much merit as we can in these two days.]
Hearing this, Bai Hanyun said, "Everyone, please rise. I have something to attend to here, but you can continue to do your activity. Don’t mind me."
After saying that, she walked to the altar and climbed up.
When Feng Wu and the crowd saw her sitting on the altar in a lotus position with her eyes closed, they fell silent.
Moments later, some of them quietly stood and resumed their prayers, offering incense, bowing, and placing their offerings on the long table. At the same time, Bai Hanyun meditated on the altar up there as if nothing had happened.
Watching this odd yet strangely harmonious scene, Feng Wu was speechless.
"...." What the hell is this absurdity?
Standing outside the door, Yi Bai took out her small notebook and brush and began to write excitedly.
Meanwhile, sitting on the rooftop of a small temple across from the main temple, Gui Ying witnessed everything—and laughed so hard that he fell backward.
In the evening, the rain gradually eased before finally stopping as the moon slowly climbed up the clear night sky.
After finishing the long discussion with Tuluo Cheng and the generals, Feng Xiyan rode his warhorse back to the Great General’s Mansion.
Throwing the reins to one of the soldiers guarding the main entrance, he walked toward his courtyard. Before he could take a few steps, Xiao Cui saw him from afar and hurried over.
Curtsying to Feng Xiyan, she lowered her head and greeted him, "Young Master."
Seeing her waiting there, Feng Xiyan glanced behind her but did not see Bai Hanyun. "Where is Miss Bai?"
"Answering the Young Master, Miss Bai went to visit the temple this afternoon and said she would stay there until it was time to depart for Xiquan City. Miss Bai instructed this servant to inform you, so this servant has been waiting here."
Feng Xiyan listened to Xiao Cui’s report and frowned slightly.
Recalling how uneasy and anxious Bai Hanyun had been when he mentioned being busy in the barracks and not returning to the mansion, Feng Xiyan said, "You may return to your duties."
"Yes, Young Master."
After giving out his order, Feng Xiyan left the Great General’s mansion, mounted his warhorse, and rode straight to the Fairy Bai’s temple.
Watching his hurried figure disappear into the distance, Xiao Cui smiled and shook her head lightly. "Young Master truly cares for Miss Bai."
Riding a warhorse was much faster than traveling by horse carriage. What would normally take forty minutes or more by horse carriage was shortened to only fifteen minutes of travel by horse.
When Feng Xiyan arrived at the temple, he tied his warhorse to a large tree outside.
Seeing him approach, the two soldiers guarding the entrance clasped their fists and greeted in unison, "This subordinate greets the Great General!"
Feng Xiyan nodded to them, then hurried into the temple. He scanned the area for a moment but could not find Bai Hanyun amongst the crowd.
Just as he was about to instruct Feng Yi to search for Bai Hanyun, the Yin Mirror suddenly spoke, [If you are looking for your beloved young lady, you should follow this path straight ahead.]
Upon hearing this, Feng Xiyan looked in the direction indicated by the Yin Mirror and thought, ’That’s the way to the main temple.’
’The last time we visited the main temple, Miss Bai asked a few questions and seemed very interested in it. Could it be that she wants to investigate something there?’
With that thought, Feng Xiyan quickly made his way toward the main temple.