"Open –"
Accompanied by a long exhale, full of energy,
A bright red brocade fell to the ground. A crowd of a thousand people,
Immediately erupted into cheers that soared to the sky.
This was a golden Crown Prince statue. With one hand holding a sword and the other holding a flower, it meant "Sitting with the power to destroy the world, yet not losing the heart to cherish flowers". The statue's face was soft and beautiful, with long eyebrows and elegant eyes,
Beautiful lips,
The corners of his mouth slightly raised,
A smile that wasn't a smile. To say that it was passionate but not frivolous, to say that it was emotionless but not cold,
It was a benevolent and handsome face.
This was the land of Xian Le,
A whole eight thousandth Crown Prince Palace.
In the three years since he ascended, eight thousand temples had been built. Such an unprecedented and enthusiastic pursuit,
It was absolutely unprecedented,
There would be no one like it in the future,
But this eight thousandth palace,
Was also not the most luxurious Crown Prince statue. On Mount Taicang, the mountain peak where His Highness the Crown Prince lived when he was young.
Now it had been named "Crown Prince Peak". It was there that the first Xian Le Palace was built. After the first Crown Prince statue was cast,
It was also there,
It was personally unveiled by His Majesty the King. That Crown Prince statue was five zhang tall, and the craftsmanship was even more vivid. Its entire body was made of pure gold,
It was a genuine "golden body".
Inside Xian Le Palace, there was an endless stream of worshippers, breaking the doorsill. The long and short incense tripod in front of the palace was filled to the brim. The merit box was also taller and sturdier than the merit boxes in ordinary temples. If it wasn't made a bit bigger, it would often be filled with offerings in less than a day, and later people wouldn't be able to put it in. As soon as they entered the temple, there was also a clear pond that was also filled with coins. Under the clear and crystalline light, the old turtles in the pond were beaten by the coins of worshippers on the stone bridge until they shrank into their turtle shells, not daring to poke their heads out. No matter how the Taoists tried to dissuade the tourists, it was useless. The tall and wide red walls of the temple were filled with plum blossoms, and the branches were tied with countless bright red prayer ribbons. In a sea of flowers, the red ribbons fluttered in the wind, creating a flourishing scene.
Meanwhile, inside the main hall, Xie Lian sat upright and still under his statue of God, overlooking everyone. No one could see him, but he could sit and watch the worshippers below him discuss:
"Why isn't there a praying mat in the crown prince's palace?"
"That's right. The abbot also said that we can't kneel. The monastery has already opened. Why can't we kneel?"
One of them said, "This must be your first time coming to Xian Le Palace. Xian Le Palace was like this. It was said that after His Royal Highness the Crown Prince ascended, he appeared in a dream to many temple attendants and monastery heads, saying that those who believed in him did not need to kneel. Therefore, there is no place to kneel in the Crown Prince's palace. "
Even though no one else could see him, Xie Lian still nodded. Unexpectedly, the others laughed and said, "What kind of logic is this? Weren't immortals meant to be knelt? It's just a false rumor. "
Xie Lian choked. Someone else echoed, "That's right, kneeling is a must. Only by kneeling can you show your sincerity! "
"It doesn't matter even if we don't have a praying mat. Let's just kneel on the ground."
Thus, one person knelt first, and immediately, a large number of people around him followed suit and knelt on the ground. Hundreds and thousands of people crowded inside and outside the hall, kowtowing to the statue one after another, muttering incantations and secretly making wishes and praying for blessings. Xie Lian silently dodged, thinking, "Forget it, I'll take it slow."
In the next moment, countless noisy voices came crashing at him from all directions like a huge wave.
"High school! High school! This year, I must go to high school! Wish for success! "
"Have a safe journey!"
"All the girls I like have taken a liking to my senior, please make him a bit uglier, I beg you."
"Damn, I don't believe I can't give birth to a big fat boy!!!"
… … There were all kinds of requests. Xie Lian listened to them, feeling a headache coming on. He quickly made a hand seal, isolating all the noise. Just as his ears quieted down, he heard a loud shout. A black-clothed man covered his ears with both hands and ran out from the back of the hall, roaring, "What the hell is this!!!"
The devotees were completely unaware of this person's appearance, continuing to kowtow. Xie Lian sighed, patted his shoulder, and said with a smile, "Feng Xin, you've worked hard."
Xian Le Palace's incense was so prosperous, Xie Lian could hear more than a thousand prayers every day. In the beginning, he still rushed forward with a sense of novelty, doing everything personally, regardless of whether it was big or small. Later on, there really were too many people praying for blessings, so he gave a portion to Feng Xin and Mu Qing. The two of them went through which were within the scope of his duties, and which could be ignored. Then, they filtered out the ones that needed attention and gave them to him.
Mu Qing reported everything to him after he was done, never complaining. Feng Xin, however, could not understand why people loved to blindly pray, even coming to the Xian Le Palace to pray for things like sexual harmony. Xie Lian was a Martial God, how could he manage this kind of thing? In the long run, the other Heavenly Officials also had their opinions, secretly saying that they were occupying the latrine without taking a shit. Even if they couldn't manage, they still wanted to win over the believers. Feng Xin couldn't put down his hands covering his ears, even though covering his ears was useless. He said, "Your Highness, why do you have so many female believers!"
Xie Lian hid his hands in his sleeves, sitting in the lingering fragrant cloud, and said with a smile, "Isn't it good to have many female believers? Beautiful women are like clouds, pleasing to the eye. "
Feng Xin was horrified, "It's not good at all. It seems like the female believers have no other desires besides looking good, marrying well, and giving birth to sons. Not a single one of them is serious. Just looking at them gives me a headache!"
Xie Lian smiled, and just as he was about to reply, the crowd suddenly became restless. The two of them looked towards the outside of the hall, only to hear someone say in a suppressed voice, "The Little Mirror King is here, quickly leave! The Little Mirror King is here! "
As soon as they heard the three words' Little Mirror King ', it was as if everyone had heard the words' Great Demon King '. They all turned pale with fright and scattered like birds and beasts. In the blink of an eye, it was as if a tornado had passed through. The worshippers who were originally worshipping the God's statue all fled. In the blink of an eye, a luxuriously dressed young man in a cloak held a Glazed Lantern in his hands as he crossed the threshold and swaggered in. Without looking at those eyes, this youth's appearance was thirty to forty percent similar to Xie Lian's. But looking at those eyes, one would feel that he was too flamboyant and bright. If it wasn't Qi Rong, who else could it be?
Today, Qi Rong was already seventeen or eighteen years old. His face had matured, and he had calmed down. He could be considered to have the elegance of a noble man. He entered the door, but he didn't allow his subordinates to enter. With both hands holding the lantern, he stepped into the hall, lifted his cloak, and knelt on the clean ground. He raised the lantern above his head and solemnly kowtowed a few times. On the altar above, the two people looked at each other. Feng Xin smacked his lips, and Xie Lian understood the impatience in his eyes.
Three years ago, when Xie Lian left the Imperial City to wander around, Qi Rong was still confined. After he returned, he didn't have the time to see this cousin of his. That night, in his dreams, he flew away with a rumble. Within these three years, Xie Lian had asked his parents, the State Preceptor, and the others many times in his dreams. He had also asked Qi Rong once, warning him that from now on, he had to be kind to others, restrain his temper, and not act recklessly. Thus, Qi Rong actively participated in the construction of temples and temples, donated merits, and worshipped the lantern.
Although he worked hard and was devout, he would still cause some trouble from time to time, making Feng Xin so tired that he had to clean up the mess. Therefore, Xie Lian could understand why Feng Xin was so impatient.
On the other side, after Qi Rong finished his worship, he complained, "Cousin Crown Prince, this is the 500th lantern I've worshipped for you. As your younger brother, I'm so loyal to you. When are you going to come see me? It's fine if you give me another dream. Uncle and Auntie also miss you very much, but you don't even pay attention to us. You're really aloof and cold. "
He simply didn't notice that Feng Xin was standing next to him, reminding Xie Lian, "You absolutely must not pay attention to him. The Emperor told you before, unless it's a major event, the Heavenly Officials absolutely cannot privately appear in front of mortals. You must especially avoid it when it comes to relatives. "
Xie Lian replied, "Don't worry, I naturally understand."
Holding the lantern, Qi Rong stood up, took a pen, and lowered his head to write on the lantern. Xie Lian and Feng Xin both had a shadow in their hearts when it came to him, so they couldn't help but move closer to see what he was writing. Seeing that it was a very normal 'the country is prosperous, the people are at peace, the weather is good and the weather is good' and so on, instead of praying for someone's entire family to be beheaded at the entrance of the market and so on, the two of them both let out a sigh of relief. Looking again at Qi Rong, who was writing in an orderly manner, Xie Lian couldn't help but think of another matter.
When Qi Rong had just returned home with his mother, there was once a time when a group of nobles came together to pray for blessings on Mount Taicang. Qi Rong's mother had eloped with a lowly commoner and fled back home. She didn't dare to come out and meet people, but she also wanted to pray for her son and let him gain experience. She wanted him to not hole up with her all day long and become a frog at the bottom of a well. Thus, she asked the Empress to bring Qi Rong along.
Although they had tried their best to keep a low profile, the scandals of nobles had always spread faster than an arrow with wings. Who in the imperial city didn't know what was going on with this mother and son pair? Therefore, the children of nobles on the road consciously excluded Qi Rong and didn't talk or play with him. When Xie Lian saw the swing, he ran up to play. All the children of his age played with him, taking turns to help the Crown Prince push the swing. They all took pride in doing so. When Xie Lian swung to the highest point, he inadvertently looked down and saw Qi Rong hiding behind his mother's shadow. Qi Rong poked his head out and looked up at him enviously.
When they arrived at the Hall of Divine Martial, the adults first went to the Imperial Advisors to ask for, interpret, and talk with them. They left a group of children in the Hall of Divine Martial for the little lanterns to play with. It was Qi Rong's first time seeing the Empress. He didn't know that the Empress had already offered a lantern for his mother and son. Seeing that the lanterns were exquisite and beautiful, he also wanted to offer a lantern and pray for blessings. He was young and didn't know much, so he went around asking people how to write a blessing for his mother. The children of Qi Rong's clan usually hated him at home. Under the influence of the elders, they felt that he and his mother had embarrassed their family, so they deliberately tricked him. Xie Lian concentrated and finished writing his lantern. He put down the brush and heard someone laughing behind him. The laughter was very strange. Looking back, he saw that Qi Rong's hands were stained with ink and he was holding a lantern like it was a treasure. He was full of smiles and was about to offer it. And on that lantern, was written in a crooked way, "May you and your mother return to heaven soon.
Qi Rong ".
Xie Lian threw the lantern on the spot and flew into a rage.
At that time, he wasn't very old, but he scared all the young nobles into kneeling on the ground, not daring to speak. After venting his anger, Xie Lian personally wrote a new lantern for Qi Rong. No one dared to play tricks anymore. Later, when they went down the mountain, he went to play on the swing again. This time, Qi Rong ran out from behind the Empress and took the initiative to push the swing for him. He was shorter than Xie Lian, but he pushed with all his might. He still looked up at him from below, but his gaze changed from envy to worship. Later, he became Xie Lian's tail, swaying behind his' Cousin Crown Prince 'all day.
He had to admit that Qi Rong used to be a relatively normal person. He didn't know what was going on, but the more he grew, the more crooked he became. However, in these three years, Xie Lian had too many people and things to pay attention to. He had no time to pay attention to old friends, so he didn't know if he had grown or not.
Thinking of this, Qi Rong finished offering the lantern and was ready to leave the hall. Unexpectedly, as he retreated, he bumped into someone behind him. Qi Rong staggered and suddenly turned around. He didn't even look and started scolding, "What the hell? Are you blind or do you not know how to get out of the way? "
When he opened his mouth, Xie Lian and Feng Xin both facepalmed and thought, "He hasn't changed. He's still the same! "
Perhaps it was because he had lived with his father until he was five years old, so he couldn't help but be infected with the temperament of the marketplace and his father's violent temper. Even if the Empress patiently taught Qi Rong, once he got agitated, using the words of the State Preceptor, he would 'reveal his true colors'. The one who blocked Qi Rong was a young man in ragged clothes. He was about twenty-four or twenty-five years old, and he carried a simple bag on his back. His straw sandals were so worn out that they seemed to have no edges. However, although this young man's face was haggard, his lips were dry, and his cheekbones were slightly sunken, his facial features were very upright. He was thin, but not weak. His eyes were bright as he asked, "What is this place?"
Qi Rong replied, "This is Xian Le Palace, the Crown Prince's Palace!"
That person muttered, "Crown Prince's Palace? Crown Prince? Is this really the Imperial Palace? " He looked at the statue of a deity inside the palace. His face was reflected by the glistening gold, and he asked, "Is this gold?"
He saw that this temple was too luxurious, and thought that the temple was the Imperial Palace. An attendant came forward to chase him away, and said, "Of course it's gold. The Crown Prince's Palace is the Crown Prince's Temple, not the Crown Prince's Palace in the Imperial Palace! You don't even know where this place is, where did this savage come from? "
That person said, "Then where is the Imperial Palace?"
Qi Rong squinted his eyes, "Why are you asking this?"
The other person said seriously, "I want to go to the Imperial Palace to see the Monarch. I have something to say to him. "
Qi Rong and a few other attendants laughed, and their faces were full of contempt, and said, "Where did this country bumpkin come from, what do you want to go to the Imperial Palace for? And to see the Monarch? Do you think I'll let you see him just because you say so? When you reach the Imperial Palace, I'm afraid you won't even be able to enter the main gate. "
That person was not moved by the mockery, and said, "I'll try. Maybe I can. "
Qi Rong laughed, and said, "Then go and try." As he said this, he raised his hand, and purposely pointed in the opposite direction. That person said, "Many thanks." He carried his bag, and turned to walk out of the temple. When he walked to the stone bridge, he suddenly stopped and looked down. Through the clear water of the pond, he could see layers upon layers of coins at the bottom of the pond.
This youth seemed to think for a moment, and in the next moment, he flipped over the railing of the bridge, and jumped into the pond.
He was very agile, and after jumping into the pond, he bent down to scoop up the coins from the bottom of the pond, and stuffed them into his chest and bag. Because they had never seen someone who dared to steal even the money of a god, Xie Lian and Feng Xin were stunned. Qi Rong was also stunned, and immediately flew into a rage. He rushed over and slammed the railing, and shouted, "F * ck! What are you doing?! Quickly pull him up!!! I'm really f * cked!!! "
A few attendants also hurriedly jumped into the water to pull that person, but who knew that this youth's skills were very good, and no one could do anything to him. Qi Rong flew into a rage from above, and the group of Daoists in the temple were helpless. That youth scooped up a body full of coins, and with his bag on his back, he prepared to climb ashore. Who knew that he would step on some moss, and with a splash, he fell into the water, and fell face up. Only then did the attendants take the opportunity to capture him, and drag him ashore. Qi Rong raised his leg and gave him a kick, and scolded, "You dare to steal this money!"
When Qi Rong raised his leg, Feng Xin was standing at the side, and when he saw the opportunity, he used his hand to block. Although Qi Rong's kick was fierce, in reality, it didn't land on the other party's body very hard. Although Qi Rong couldn't see him playing tricks on the side, he still felt that something was wrong. It was as if a ghost was pressing on his leg, and it still felt like this even after being kicked seven or eight times. It was very gloomy. That youth might have choked on the water, and coughed a few times, and said, "This money is just sitting in the pond, why can't I take it to save someone?"
Qi Rong kicked to his heart's content, and finally became annoyed, and said, "Save who? Who are you? Where did you come from? "
He asked this because he wanted to frame this youth with a crime and throw him in jail. That youth was honest, and answered, "I'm Lang Ying, and I live in Yong 'an. There's a drought there, and there's no water, so the crops can't grow. Everyone has nothing to eat, and there's no money. There's water here, there's food, and there's money. They use gold to make statues, and throw the money into the water. Why can't they share some with us? "
Yong 'an was a large city within the borders of Xian Le Country. Xie Lian stood up, and with a grave expression, he said, "Feng Xin, there's been a drought in Yong' an recently? Why haven't I heard about it? "