349 Comprehension Before the Fish (2/2)
Ning Que looked at the blue flames dancing in the air and did not know if it was considered a success or a failure. It felt obviously different from the talisman that he used in the past. However, why did the size of the flame not change significantly?
The blue flame landed on the lake's surface as he thought about it.
There was a light poof, and the blue flames disappeared completely, leaving behind a hole the size of a bucket on the ice. One did not know how deep the hole extended from the shore.
There was a sudden gush, and a fat fish jumped from the hole, flapping its tail on the icy surface.
It turned out that the insignificant looking blue flame had actually burned through the lake's thick ice in an instant!
The fishermen's loud horns were heard from the distance. The work of ice fishing was at its most critical moment. As the horses pulled harder, the winch turned faster and faster. The net beneath the ice was also dragged up, eventually reaching the surface of the hole, with numerous fish struggling in it.
The air was filled with the sounds of cheering and celebrations by numerous people by the lake.
Ning Que looked at the fat fish that was still flopping about on the ice surface before him. He smiled happily and brushed off the grass and snow from himself and left with the sounds of cheering behind him.
...
...
Chang'an in winter under the twilight was exceptionally beautiful and peaceful.
It reflected Ning Que's mood at the moment. He walked into the teahouse and looked at the two people who were whispering at the side of the window. Then, he suddenly smiled and said, ”Talismans can really change the world.”
Mo Shanshan looked at him quietly and felt that there was something different about him.
Then, Ning Que turned to look at monk Guan Hai and said calmly, ”Let us proceed, whether with analyzing or learning.”
Monk Guan Hai stood up and looked at him with slightly furrowed brows. He, like Mo Shanshan, felt that there was something different about Ning Que. But it had just been half a day, what could have happened?
...
...
Looking up, he saw the winter tree with dead branches and the walls behind it. Ning Que turned away and brought Mo Shanshan and Guan Hai to the Southern Gate Taoist temple at the foot of the city.
They met a Taoist with a yellow umbrella before the temple. He said softly, ”Senior Brother Mingchi, we would like to use this place.”
He Mingchi looked at the tanned monk and smiled, ”Master Guan Hai, you've come early.”
Guan Hai placed his palms together and bowed.
He Mingchi looked at Ning Que and said warmly, ”Master is not in the temple, but since this is happening, I shall be in charge.”
Ning Que said, ”Thank you, Senior Brother Mingchi.”
He Mingchi shook his head. He said, ”This is Mr. Thirteen's first battle since he entered the human realm, and it would be held at the Southern Gate Temple. This is something that would be written in history books in the future. Who would be so dumb to refuse you?”
The doors to the temple closed slowly.
He Mingchi looked at Mo Shanshan and asked, ”What does Hill Master think of the odds?”
Mo Shanshan looked at the tightly shut doors and said, ”I thought that Ning Que would lose for sure. But after half a day, I'm not so sure after all.”
He Mingchi looked at the doors and smiled. ”If he would lose for sure, why would he pick the Southern Gate Temple as his battlefield?”
It was bustling before the usually quiet Southern Gate Temple. While no one said anything, the sounds of breathing and the occasional whispering were sufficient to make it noisy.
Everyone had appeared before the Southern Gate Temple of Haotian, wanting to find out the result of the battle the moment it ended.
Just as how He Mingchi had put it. If Ning Que was not confident about his victory, he would not have chosen this place to be his battlefield. No matter who won, the results would be spread throughout the world in the shortest possible time.