PFC Chapter 57 Assassination Attack at White Horse Temple (2)
Chapter 57 Assassination Attack at White Horse Temple (2)
Before long, Qin Yaoyao and her group arrived at Baima Temple. The carriage slowly came to a stop at the foot of the mountain. Despite hundreds of years of wind and rain, Baima Temple still stands firmly on this land.
Starting from the foot of the mountain, a winding path comes into view. This path seems to be a passage to a sacred place, leading people step by step closer to the temple. Dense forests line the path, with tall and straight trees whose branches intertwine to form a verdant canopy, giving people a sense of tranquility and peace.
As you walk along the path, the sound of a babbling brook fills the air. The water is crystal clear, revealing the stones and aquatic plants at the bottom, and the water sparkles in the sunlight. Occasionally, a bird or two flies by, adding a touch of life and vibrancy to the scene.
Further up the mountain, an ancient stone bridge spans the stream. The bridge railings are intricately carved, bearing the marks of time. Beyond the bridge, a steep stone staircase appears, flanked by neat tea plantations. The lush tea bushes exude a refreshing aroma, invigorating the senses.
Ascending the stone steps, each step seemed to carry a sense of awe towards the divine. Finally reaching the summit, the gates of the White Horse Temple came into view. The vermilion doors were tightly closed, exuding an atmosphere of solemnity. In front of the gate stood a pair of majestic stone lions, silently guarding this ancient temple.
After a long trek, the temple gate finally came into view. It was tall and solemn, inspiring a sense of reverence. Exquisite Buddha statues and patterns were carved on the gate, lifelike and seemingly telling the story of the profound depth of Buddhism. Entering the temple, an ancient bell tower stood in the courtyard, its melodious sound echoing through the mountains, bringing a sense of tranquility and solemnity that transcended the mundane world. The temple's architectural style was unique; the main hall was magnificent and imposing, with flying eaves, intricate carvings, and painted beams—a masterpiece of beauty, every detail showcasing the wisdom and power of Buddhism.
Standing in front of the temple, the view is expansive, with distant, rolling mountains shrouded in mist, resembling a fairyland. The fresh air permeates the surroundings, bringing a sense of joy.
Stepping into the temple, a sense of solemnity and reverence immediately envelops you. The magnificent architecture and towering halls seem to bear witness to the vicissitudes of time. The first thing that catches the eye is the temple gate, with exquisitely carved patterns on the high lintel, full of artistic flair. Stepping through the gate, a spacious courtyard unfolds before you, paved with bluestone, neat and orderly, giving a sense of tranquility and peace.
Walking along the central axis, the main hall suddenly comes into view. The hall is tall and majestic, with flying eaves and brackets, exuding an imposing aura. The vermilion doors and windows contrast beautifully with the golden glazed tiles, creating an exceptionally solemn atmosphere. Stepping inside, the towering Buddha statues, with their dignified and solemn appearance, inspire awe and reverence.
The temple boasts a unique architectural style, with a rigorous and well-organized layout. The painted beams and pillars, and the bas-reliefs on the walls, are all exquisitely detailed and breathtaking.
Strolling through the temple, one can hear the melodious tolling of bells echoing through the mountains, their lingering sound resonating deeply. The clear, pleasant sound seems to tell the story of the vicissitudes of history, bringing a sense of peace to the heart.
Standing atop the temple, overlooking the surrounding mountains, one sees rolling hills and lush greenery. The temple, like a dazzling pearl, is nestled in this beautiful land, blending seamlessly with the natural landscape. The distant mountains appear and disappear in the mist, dreamlike and ethereal; the nearby trees sway gently in the breeze, rustling softly, creating a tranquil and beautiful atmosphere.
Qin Yaoyao and He Yanxi entered the White Horse Temple, where Cheng Ying and He Mingfeng had been waiting for some time. They entered the main hall together and respectfully paid their respects to the Bodhisattva. Qin Yaoyao knelt devoutly on the prayer mat, slowly closed her eyes, and silently prayed, "Bodhisattva, please bless my family with good health, all their wishes fulfilled, and a peaceful and smooth life. Also, please bless my brother Yanxi with eternal happiness. Finally, I hope that all people in the world can live without worry about food and clothing, and enjoy a happy and fulfilling life." After making her wish, she sincerely kowtowed and then stood up and left the main hall. The others also completed their prayers and followed her out of the hall.
Qin Yaoyao suggested, "How about we go for a walk?" Cheng Ying excitedly replied, "Great! I heard there's a beautiful bamboo grove behind the temple, the scenery is lovely." He Mingfeng followed up, "There's also a peach orchard behind the main hall, want to go see it?" Cheng Ying happily agreed and asked Qin Yaoyao's opinion, "Okay, let's go together! Yaoyao, what do you think?" Qin Yaoyao feigned anger and replied, "You've already decided before asking me." Cheng Ying quickly explained, "Oh dear, I was just suggesting it, it's not finalized!"
Qin Yaoyao suddenly whispered to Cheng Ying, "Go find He Mingfeng, we're going to stroll around the bamboo forest, so we won't bother you anymore~"
Upon hearing this, Cheng Ying immediately retorted coquettishly, "Oh dear, how could it be a disturbance? I'd be more than happy to accept it!"
Seeing this, Qin Yaoyao quickly waved her hand and said playfully, "Okay, okay, I know, but I don't want to be bothered by you. You guys should leave now!"
Cheng Ying asked with some doubt, "Really? Then shall we leave now?"
Qin Yaoyao nodded firmly.
So Cheng Ying left with a hint of doubt, while Qin Yaoyao took He Yanxi's hand and walked towards the bamboo forest.
Along the way, He Yanxi said to Qin Yaoyao with a serious expression, "He Mingwen didn't succeed on the way here, and he definitely won't let it go. So in the bamboo forest, he might still try to harm you. Yao'er, are you scared?"
Qin Yaoyao looked at He Yanxi with a determined smile and replied, "With you here, I'm not afraid at all."
After hearing this, He Yanxi gently patted her head and said, "Don't worry, I will definitely protect you."
Qin Yaoyao nodded, her eyes filled with trust.
And so, the two walked and chatted happily. Before long, they arrived deep in the bamboo forest.
Suddenly, a dark shadow swept across the bamboo forest, followed by a group of men in black descending from the sky and rushing towards He Yanxi and Qin Yaoyao.
Although Qin Yaoyao was mentally prepared, she was still startled by the sight of so many men in black. She held He Yanxi's hand tightly and refused to let go.
He Yanxi patted her hand reassuringly, signaling her not to be afraid, then quickly shielded her behind him, preparing to deal with this sudden crisis...
Fortunately, He Yanxi knew about He Mingwen's scheme beforehand and made corresponding preparations. Therefore, the moment the men in black appeared, He Yanxi's pre-arranged subordinates immediately appeared and quickly engaged in fierce combat. Because the men He Yanxi had trained were all top-notch experts with outstanding strength, He Mingwen's men were no match for them and quickly fell into a disadvantageous position.
Hidden in the shadows observing the battle, He Mingwen gritted his teeth in fury upon witnessing the scene. He never expected He Yanxi to be so prepared. Seeing his men fall one by one, none surviving, He Mingwen was filled with resentment. He dared not reveal his identity easily and could only cautiously and quietly slip away. However, he was unaware that his every move had been observed by He Yanxi.
"Damn it!" He Mingwen roared furiously at the guard Zheng Kuan beside him, "I never imagined He Yanxi would be so powerful! What's even more infuriating is that they were prepared all along, causing me to lose so many men for nothing! It's utterly despicable! He Yanxi, Qin Yaoyao, one day I will personally kill you both!"
"He Yanxi! Qin Yaoyao!" He Mingwen spat out these two names through gritted teeth, each word filled with deep hatred, as if he wanted to devour them alive. His eyes widened, flashing with raging fury, as if he wanted to set the whole world ablaze.
Zheng Kuan stood to the side, quietly watching He Mingwen without saying a word. He knew that saying anything now would be superfluous, because He Mingwen's anger had reached its peak, and any words could be the final straw. So, he chose to remain silent, simply watching and waiting for He Mingwen's emotions to calm down.
At this moment, He Mingwen's heart was filled with nothing but hatred for He Yanxi and Qin Yaoyao. The images of those two constantly flashed through his mind; their smiles, their words, their every move filled him with utter disgust. He desperately wanted to rush forward and deliver a fatal blow, to make them taste the bitterness of pain. However, reason told him he couldn't. Therefore, he could only vent his inner turmoil through anger.
Time ticked by, and He Mingwen's anger gradually subsided, but his eyes remained filled with hostility. Zheng Kuan finally spoke, "Master, what should we do next?"
He Mingwen took a deep breath and said slowly, "Don't act rashly yet. Let me think of a solution first." After saying that, he turned and left, leaving Zheng Kuan in deep thought.