Chapter 16: The Little Girl In The Temple (2/2)

On this island was a dense forest in which only the sound of water could be heard. Deep within that forest, not far from where Qin Mu was, was a dilapidated, ancient temple.

Walking into the forest and toward the temple, Qin Mu could see that the structure was in shambles and had cobwebs everywhere. It clearly hadn’t been maintained for a long time. However, it could still serve as a good spot to take a break in.

Qin Mu stopped in front of the temple. One of the doors that made up its entrance had collapsed, revealing a dim light within. He could see that a towering Buddha statue covered in gilded leaves stood inside of the temple, radiating a golden glow.

However, since no one had been here for a very long time, most of the gold on the leaves had peeled off to reveal copper enamel. Peculiar, squiggly writing could be seen on the copper. It looked as if the writing could be drawings of tadpoles.

Gigantic, thick chains wrapped around the Buddha's body, restraining it to where it was. Following the length of the chains with his gaze, Qin Mu saw that they extended from the small temple, stretched all the way to the shore of this island, and plunged deep into the raging river.

”How strange… Why are these chains tying down this giant Buddha?” Qin Mu thought to himself. ”Grandpa Blind said there was some rule about lighting incense before entering a temple. Since I don’t have any incense, I can only rest just outside the entrance.”

Qin Mu cleared his throat, bowed, and paid his respects.

”This little one is from Disabled Elderly Village which is located near the river. I have come across your temple and would like to rest my legs here for the time being. If I have alarmed the owner of this land, I am deeply sorry.”

He hesitated a moment before continuing to recite a prayer that Blind had taught him.

”Since I was young, this little one has weak kidneys and frail body. My primordial yang has long since dispersed. If a goddess sister is present in this temple, please don’t hurt me.”

Blind was an old and experienced wanderer, so Qin Mu firmly believed his words. There shouldn’t have been any problem with reciting the prayer just like Blind had taught him.

After finishing his prayer, Qin Mu sat down on the stone steps to the temple. He removed the iron boots from his feet and the iron weights from his calves then began to recover his stamina using his breathing technique.

He had been wearing both the boots and the weights the entire time he sprinted across the river. This set had been forged by Mute the Blacksmith and weighed much more than his previous set had.

Suddenly, gentle laughter echoed from behind Qin Mu.

”You said something pretty interesting,” a feminine voice said. ”Hm… I guess I won’t eat you anymore. Oh well!”

Qin Mu immediately turned around to see who had spoken.

Sitting on the palm of the Buddha, laughing at him, was a little girl that looked to be around his age. She was barefoot and wore a simple dress. Her hair had been done up in three braids. Two thin ones came down to dangle in front of her chest, and the third, thicker one hung behind her.

Her legs hung over the edge of the Buddha's hand, swinging back and forth. The golden bracelets around her ankles jingled with each movement, complimenting her laughter and making it sound even more beautiful like the sunshine of early spring.

Qin Mu quickly got to his feet and said, ”How may I address goddess sister…”

”What goddess sister?” The girl jumped down from the Buddha's hand and gave him a wide smile, revealing her small canine teeth. ”My name is Xian Qing’er and I live nearby. I’ve never seen a goddess sister, though. What is your name?”

Seeing the girl’s beautiful smile, Qin Mu figured she couldn’t be bad and sighed in relief. ”My name is Qin Mu, which means the boy who herds cows. Qin is my surname. The elders in the village would always let me herd the cows.”

”Oh?” Xian Qing’er walked to behind the remaining temple door and pulled it open so she could get a closer look at him. She then looked behind him and giggled. ”Where’s your cow then?”

Qin Mu hesitated for a moment before saying, ”It transformed into a woman, so there no longer is a cow.”

”Such an interesting thing can still happen?” Xian Qing’er asked in astonishment, then became excited. ”How did it transform? Can you transform?”

Qin Mu shook his head. ”I am currently unable to, but my granny can.”

”I thought you knew!” Xian Qing’er replied in disappointment. ”What other interesting things have you seen? Quickly! Come in and tell me all about them!”

Just as Qin Mu moved his leg to step forward and enter the temple, his gaze went past Xian Qing’er and noticed a few white bones sticking out from behind the Buddha statue. A bad feeling suddenly appeared in his heart, his leg came to a stop in mid-air, and he hesitantly said, ”Grandpa Blind told me to always light incense and pay respects to the Buddha before entering a temple. Since I don’t have any incense with me, it’s best for me to stay out here.”

”Just come in!” Xian Qing’er smiled sweetly.

”I think it would be better for me to stay outside.” Qin Mu blinked his eyes and moved his foot back, giving her a smile that was much more sincere than the ones that Cripple would wear. ” ”Why don’t you come out instead? Then I’ll be able to tell you about some fun, interesting stuff.”

Xian Qing’er’s gaze wavered slightly, and she bit her lips and giggled. ”I know some shameful things that only a boy and a girl can do. Come in and I’ll teach you about them.”

Compared to her bright, youthful demeanor from before, her sweet breath and charming breath now seemed slightly seductive.

Qin Mu’s face turned red, and he took short, ragged breaths.

”I’ve had weak kidneys since I was young…” he said stubbornly.

”Get in here right now!” A guttural roar came out from the little girl’s mouth.