Chapter 176 (1/2)
Chapter 176
Epiphany
This was absurdAs in the is-this-shi+t-really-happening kind of absurdAll his life, Li Yundong had been scorned, laughed at, bullied,worshi+pped by a bunch of Tibetan BuddhistsWeren't Buddhists supposed to be devoted to their faith?
Maybe the Buddha took a day off or so
”Guys… Come onWhat's with this Mahakala nonsense, eh?”
Truth be told, this wasn't the first tiela had ht when Li Yundong caught hi's ela's intentions to ask what that nas
Miss Liu Xia was staring at hi back and forth between the jeep and himPoor dudesThey were probably so ht need brain condoan to chant
”Mahakala! Mahakala! Mahakala!”
Li Yundong shot Meiduo a desperate look, then dropped his voice into a low hiss”Hey, can you all just stand up and, you know, talk like normal people?”
Meiduo shook her head, then prostrate herself before hireat disrespect to you,him feel aasn't a foruysGet up already!”
The pilgriHe wasn't even sure most of the rolled his eyes”Fine! Mahakala orders all of you to stand up!”
The chanting stopped immediatelyClothes rustled as everyone rose to their feet like obedient soldiers
Li Yundong resisted the urge to do a face paluysLook… I think there's some kind of mistake hereI'm not Mahakala—”
”You're too huela said with a smile
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Meiduo bowed reverently”That's right, Brother LiWe've seen what you're capable ofTwice now, in fact”
”But I don't even knoho this Mahakala is!”
A look of surprise flashed across Meiduo's faceA second later, she schooled her features and assuain”Mahakala is a protector deity that we Tibetan Buddhists worshi+p”
Gee, thanksThat explained a lot
Li Yundong gave Meiduo a blank stare
Meiduo smiled shyly”And he's the Dhar forced out a set to meet this aweso from under her lashes”Perhaps we already did” Reverence shone in her eyes
Li Yundong sighed”Look, like I said, I'm not—”
”We think you're a reincarnation of Mahakala sent to protect our people,” Meiduo said, cutting hi said in a skeptical tone
Meiduo blushed and waved her hands a few times”Oh… I mean I know you don't have six arms, three faces, and all that, but—”
”What did you say?” Li Yundong whispered, his eyes narrowing into slits
Chills travelled down his spine as every single muscle inside his body went tautMeiduo had just described the physical appearance of his personal God, the one he saw inside his Spirit space when he achieved Ishvara
How the hell could she possibly know?
Meiduo frowned and shared a glance with Changbagela”U said sharply, causing Meiduo to flinch”What do you bagela's face
”At ease, kind sirShe meant no har us Tibetans,” Changbagela said gently
Li Yundong raised his brows”Coht, sir”
”That's Mahakala's physical form, Brother Li,” Meiduo explained hurriedly”Six ar stared at Meiduo for a few seconds before relaxing his stanceA ain”Wait a minute…” His eyes snapped to Meiduo”Just now you said I was sent here to protect your people…”
Silence pervaded as Li Yundong waited for Meiduo's explanationWhen he got none seconds later, he raised both hands and sighed heavily”Look, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but you've really mistaken me for someone elseI am not your protectorAnd I'm definitely not here to stayIheld his tongue before he let slip about the true reason he was here
He cleared his throat”I et what I came here for” He finished lamely and let his hands drop to his sides
Granted, it was still a matter of some debate whether or not he was able to leave Tibet alive, but none of the pilgrims needed to know that
Whispers spread over the crowd
People were giving hie looks nowSome of them even looked crestfallen, like they just had all their hopes crushedPerhaps this hy Zi Yuan had warned him to mind his own Goddamn business and to minimize social contact once he crossed Tibetan borders
Li Yundong took a step back, then bent down to put on his shoesA twinge of guilt coursed through hihed and removed the shoes, then stood back upHe approached Meiduo and took her hands before pressing the shoes into her handsMeiduo stared back at him in utter confusion
”You should keep the nodded at the shoes in her hands”The other ri turned towards Changbagela”And about that book you gave hed”I really think you should take it backIt belongs to the teela opened hisaway
”Wait!”