Chapter 187: The Goddess in the Clouds
They arrived at the Monastery of Coalescing Truth. It was an old, somewhat dilapidated building, although parts of it had been renovated. It was nowhere near as grand as the temples in the larger cities.
Shi Hao, having changed his appearance with the Evil Shadow Disguise Technique, led the Yingzhao beasts into the monastery courtyard.
A Daoist nun approached them, “Are you here to offer incense, or are you seeking lodging? We don’t accommodate men. There are inns at the foot of the mountain.”
Sha Lingshan said, her voice melodious, “We’re not here for incense or lodging.”
The nun asked, “Then what is your purpose?”
Sha Lingshan said, “We’re here to appreciate the sunrise.”
The nun said, “I’ve heard of people coming to Wu Gorge to admire the clouds, but never the sunrise. With the mountains and the mist, it’s not a good place for that.”
Sha Lingshan, waving her fan, smiled, “That’s precisely why we’re here. If we could see clearly, it wouldn’t be as interesting.”
The nun said, “Please follow me.”
She led them, not to the main hall, but to the back garden, where two elderly women took the Yingzhao beasts to be stabled.
Shi Hao observed the nuns. Most were either old or plain-looking, a few relatively average, considered attractive by local standards.
This wasn’t surprising. Although this was a Black Lotus Realm base, it was a remote location. They wouldn’t station their more skilled or attractive members here.
And having beautiful women in such a remote and isolated place would only attract unwanted attention.
They were led to a side hall, where, after a while, a middle-aged nun in a light purple Daoist robe and a Maoxi hairpin, holding a horsetail whisk, entered.
She knelt before Shi Hao and Sha Lingshan, “Young Master, Branch Leader Sha, I am Yuan Rong. Greetings.”
“Rise,” Shi Hao said.
Yuan Rong stood up.
Sha Lingshan asked, “Have you found them?”
Yuan Rong replied, “They were last seen heading towards the Scripture Bestowal Platform.”
Shi Hao said thoughtfully, “Scripture Bestowal Platform?”
Yuan Rong explained, “It’s located west of Flying Phoenix Peak, across the river from Goddess Peak, one of the Three Platforms and Eight Scenic Views of Wu Gorge. Legend says that Yu the Great received divine scriptures there from the Goddess, teaching him how to control the floods.”
Sha Lingshan asked, “Still the same four? No changes?”
Yuan Rong said, “That’s right. Miss Du Yuejiao, Hou Bomin, the Monkey Thief, that strange woman with the sack, and the young girl. No one else.”
She lowered her voice, “There have been reports of unidentified martial artists entering Wu Gorge recently. And the Six Gates and the barbarian army are also investigating the strange phenomena here.”
Shi Hao and Sha Lingshan exchanged glances.
Sha Lingshan went to the window, opened it, and looked up at the dark, swirling thunderclouds, “I’ve been meaning to ask, why is the weather like this in autumn?”
Yuan Rong said, “Branch Leader, we’ve never seen weather like this in Wu Gorge, not even in summer. I’ve been stationed here for sixteen years, and this is the first time.”
Shi Hao also went to the window, “When did it start?”
Yuan Rong said, “Three days ago, at noon. These thunderclouds suddenly appeared, covering the entire Wu Gorge region in just half a day. Everyone is worried, wondering what it means.”
Shi Hao said thoughtfully, “Such unusual weather often signifies a coming disaster. Have the local villagers been evacuated?”
Yuan Rong said, “Young Master, most of the people here are mountain folk. With the unrest in Wu Gorge, and the situation outside even worse, they don’t dare to leave.
“Staying here, at least the soldiers don’t bother them. If they leave, they’ll be treated as refugees, their fate even worse. But many factions are investigating this strange phenomenon. And the other villages and settlements in the surrounding mountains are also concerned.”
Sha Lingshan looked at Shi Hao, “Young Master, could Miss Yuejiao’s sudden appearance here be related to this?”
Shi Hao shook his head, “It’s hard to say.”
He turned to Yuan Rong, “We’re tired from our journey. Please arrange some rooms for us, and have some food and hot water prepared. We’ll rest for two hours, then head to the Scripture Bestowal Platform.”
Yuan Rong said, “Yes, Young Master,” and led them to the back of the monastery, not to the guest rooms in the west wing, but to several empty bedrooms.
Shi Hao said to Sha Lingshan, “Sister Sha, you and your companions should rest as well.”
Sha Lingshan smiled and waved her fan, “Very well.” She left with Plum Blossom Lady and Peach Blossom Lady.
Shi Hao wandered around the nunnery.
The main hall housed statues of the Three Pure Ones, as expected. A large incense burner, filled with ashes and burning incense, stood before a side hall.
He entered the side hall. An altar stood before him, a statue of a goddess behind it.
The goddess statue, better maintained than the Three Pure Ones in the main hall, depicted a beautiful woman in flowing robes, her figure tall and slender, her features delicate, her appearance ethereal.
Shi Hao, looking at the statue, felt a sense of familiarity. He stared at it, the resemblance uncanny, then left the hall and called for a nun, “Ask your abbot to come here.”
Yuan Rong arrived and bowed, “What are your orders, Young Master?”
Shi Hao led her back into the side hall and pointed at the statue, “Are all the goddess statues in Wu Gorge like this?”
Yuan Rong smiled, “Not at all. The goddess statues in different temples vary. After all, no one knows what the goddess truly looks like, so they’re all based on imagination. And the people don’t really care about her appearance, as long as it’s a goddess.”
Shi Hao said, “Then there must be a reason why this particular statue looks like this.”
He looked at the statue, its resemblance to the Holy Jade Immortal striking.
It couldn’t be a coincidence.
Yuan Rong said, “There is a story behind it. Three hundred years ago, a great disaster struck the Wu Gorge region, causing widespread devastation and loss of life.
“Then, a beautiful woman appeared in the clouds above. And the tremors and storms suddenly ceased. A local artist painted her portrait.
“After the artist died, his son, following his father’s wishes, donated the painting to our monastery. At that time, this wasn’t a Black Lotus Realm base yet. The abbess then had a statue carved based on the portrait, and the monastery began to prosper.”
Shi Hao said, “Three hundred years ago? Is that painting still here?”
Yuan Rong said, “Yes, it’s in my room. Please wait, Young Master. I’ll retrieve it for you.”
Shi Hao waited. Yuan Rong returned with a long box, which she opened, revealing a scroll. She presented it to him.
Shi Hao took the scroll and slowly unfurled it. A beautiful woman, dressed in flowing robes, her figure ethereal, stood amidst the clouds.
If the statue had merely aroused his suspicion, the painting confirmed it. It was Ye Zi Yin.
Sister Zi Yin has been here as well? he wondered.
Three hundred years ago, during the conflict between the Daoist and demonic sects, Ye Zi Yin had traveled throughout the martial world. It wasn’t surprising that she had visited Wu Gorge.
He said, “May I keep this painting?”
Yuan Rong quickly said, “Of course, Young Master.” She was afraid he wouldn’t accept her gift.
Shi Hao nodded, rolled up the scroll, placed it back in the box, and dismissed Yuan Rong.
After she left, Little Emerald materialized on his shoulder, “Young Master, Ye Zi Yin is Master’s enemy, and therefore, also your enemy…”
Shi Hao said, “I know,” and turned, walking towards his room.
Little Emerald followed him, “Young Master, that woman is cunning and manipulative. Don’t be deceived by her. Master has been so kind to you, teaching you everything she knows. You should be loyal to her, not that Daoist prude…”
Shi Hao said, “I know, I know.”
He returned to his room, rested for a while, then ate the meal brought by the nuns, took a hot bath, and rested again.
He then rejoined Sha Lingshan, Plum Blossom Lady, and Peach Blossom Lady, giving the painting to Peach Blossom Lady to carry in their luggage.
Sha Lingshan said, “Young Master, the thunderclouds above seem to be disrupting the Yingzhao. They can’t fly. And in this mountainous terrain, horses are useless.
“The Scripture Bestowal Platform is on the south bank of the river, near Flying Phoenix Peak, across from Goddess Peak. It’s quite a distance. I’ve had Yuan Rong arrange a boat for us. Shall we travel by river?”
Shi Hao smiled and nodded, “As you wish, Sister.”
They descended the mountain and reached the riverbank, where a small, elegant pleasure boat awaited them.
It wasn’t very large, the kind used by scholars and travelers for leisurely river trips, its cabin furnished with a tea set and refreshments.
Shi Hao and Sha Lingshan entered the cabin, Little Emerald following them. Plum Blossom Lady poled the boat, while Peach Blossom Lady brewed tea.
The small boat glided across the water, the current carrying them downstream—
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