e-booksonline Chapter 107 The Temple of the Goddess
Chapter 107 The Temple of the Goddess
Black fog billowed, and all around was silent.
The illusory image of Immovable Wrathful King, stirring up the mist, gradually took shape. Its ferocious face slowly sank down, and its millstone-sized eyes were scrutinizing Li Chengxiang in front of it.
The heavy magic sword crushed all the bluestone bricks in its path. The rope wrapped around its left hand seemed to engulf everyone in it.
"Is there something wrong with this...?"
A pair of red eyes shone with a terrifying light from within the black mist. As the mist gradually thinned, Fang Hongxuan's figure slowly became visible.
"If what Captain Fang said is true, then it involves more than a few hundred houses. At that time, some villains might throw dirty water on Captain Fang."
Moreover, this place is protected by the Goddess of Fertility; I imagine that within two days, the thief and criminal will be brought to justice…”
When Li Chengxiang spoke of the Goddess of Fertility, the darkness surrounding the streets began to tremble violently, its precarious appearance suggesting it would shatter at any moment.
"Interesting. After devouring this evil spirit... my strength should increase to a higher level..."
"....."
The jade pendant became scorching hot again, and all the evil thoughts in Fang Hongxuan's mind vanished like the receding tide in an instant.
"The condition has worsened again..."
Fang Hongxuan, whose clothes were soaked with cold sweat, took a long time to calm himself down.
"In that case, I will await good news."
"Buzz..."
The darkness shattered with a crash, and dazzling sunlight pierced through the gaps, but the sunlight that shone on everyone was not warm at all; instead, it felt chilling and biting.
Li Chengxiang's smile remained unchanged, and he bowed slightly before cupping his hands in a respectful gesture.
"Although I, Li, hold no official position, I still have some influence in Wugu Town..."
As the group left with Li Chengxiang, just as he passed Fang Hongxuan, Fang Hongxuan delivered his indifferent words.
"The monks at Daruo Temple said I have a connection with Buddhism, and I've long heard of the local goddess who grants children. I wonder if I could meet her..."
Li Chengxiang paused slightly, his expression revealing neither joy nor sorrow.
"The Empress never hesitates to cast her gaze upon those who are devout..."
"....."
Once both sides had completely dispersed, the quiet street became noisy again.
"He doesn't look very old, and his physique isn't as robust as a constable's. I never expected him to be a demon-slaying captain..."
"No wonder, he managed to suppress a hundred or so people all by himself..."
"Hmph, so what if he's a demon-slaying captain? In the end, doesn't he just grab a bunch of money and leave? If you ask me, we still have to rely on the Li family and the Goddess of Fertility. These outsiders can't be trusted at all..."
"That's true..."
...
In just half a day, Fang Hongxuan had already become a household name in the entire Wugu Town.
Even when walking through alleys, one cannot escape the pointing fingers and whispers of the people.
Fang Hongxuan ignored everything and walked towards the Niangniang Temple. After several twists and turns, he entered the center of Wugu Town by following the street corner.
The temple spans two streets, with the river flowing freely and ceaselessly below it. From a distance, it appears as if the entire temple is suspended in mid-air.
If the morning mist hadn't already dissipated, this place would have once again become a celestial, otherworldly sanctuary.
However, before Fang Hongxuan could get close, the belt around his waist suddenly began to sway.
After he calmed Cuo Jin down, he looked up and saw a woman standing outside the Niangniang Temple.
She had her hair tied in a coiled dragon bun, held a clean bottle in one hand and a willow branch in the other, and had a kind and benevolent face.
However, that plain silk robe perfectly accentuated her curvaceous and graceful figure.
Where is there even a trace of the dignified, holy, and compassionate bodhisattva demeanor? She is clearly a seductive and alluring femme fatale!
Before Fang Hongxuan could examine her closely, the woman vanished without a trace as wisps of mist drifted over.
"Was that a provocation, a challenge, or a warning...? It seems this evil spirit is truly extraordinary..."
"Hmph... No wonder they say lust is a bone-scraping steel knife... No wonder the people here have such faith in this Goddess of Fertility..."
Although it was a joke, it didn't stir the slightest ripple in his eyes. On the contrary, his desire to devour this divine thought intensified.
"These days, there are too many people around, and if I go there rashly, I'll definitely be watched... Although the Goddess of Fertility is a bit more powerful at night, it's still better than during the day... At least I won't have to deal with those ordinary people who I can't kill..."
While pondering, Fang Hongxuan completely abandoned the idea of investigating the Niangniang Temple during the day.
"When the curfew arrives here at night, that will be the time to explore..."
...
"Uncle, are we really going to search for fugitives for that Demon-Slaying Captain?"
Although Li Zhixu appeared quite unwilling, he still brought up Fang Hongxuan again.
"I initially thought they were just here to make some money, but it turns out they're here to cause trouble. Hmph, just a mere Demon-Slaying Captain, it's not like I haven't killed them before..."
Once we ascertain his true strength, Your Majesty, please kill Fang Hongxuan on the spot!
Li Chengxiang's words naturally struck a chord with Li Zhixu. For someone as vindictive as him, unless Fang Hongxuan died, it would be difficult to quell his hatred.
"You dared to slap me repeatedly in front of so many people! When you die, I'll chop your flesh and blood into pieces and feed it to the dogs!"
As if imagining his triumphant self, a slight smile appeared on Li Zhixu's swollen face.
"Uncle, have you dealt with Cousin Li Yang's two unfilial sons?"
Li Chengxiang gave Li Zhixu, who was bowing deeply, a long look.
He was well aware of his nephew's character; he simply thought that Li Yang had two children, which would lead to the deaths of Li Chengxiang's entire family.
At that time, his enormous fortune will be inherited by his gambling-addicted nephew.
However, what no one knew was that the real reason for the death of the eldest son of the Li family was that the Goddess of Fertility had chosen Li Yang to be her mortal incarnation.
In other words, without the blessing of the Goddess of Fertility, Li Yang would have had no chance of escaping Wugu Town or becoming pregnant with Lu Yong's child.
"If it weren't for some dirty work, we wouldn't need you... Hmph..."
Initially, Li Zhixu was a man of integrity who neither drank alcohol nor played cards.
Unfortunately, Li Chengxiang's scheme not only led him to become addicted to gambling, but also taught him all the ways of eating, drinking, and having fun.
With Li Chengxiang's undisguised pampering, Li Zhixu was completely controlled by him and became his black glove for doing dirty work.
"That demon-slaying captain will surely patrol and investigate at night. You must have the brothers in the gang keep a close watch. I need to know his every move!"
Also, are the offerings to be made at midnight tonight ready?
"We've checked them all; they are indeed young boys and girls from the outer villages... How about my nephew presides over this ceremony instead? I'm sure he won't disappoint his uncle..."
A barely perceptible glint of murderous intent flashed in Li Chengxiang's eyes. But as Li Zhixu looked at his uncle with longing, Li Chengxiang reverted to his amiable demeanor.
"It will ultimately be handed over to you, so just go ahead and do it..."