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墨書 Inktalez
Mu Qing slowed his pace and began to explain to the group, "According to legend, in ancient times, the ancestors of the Naxi lived deep in the mountains. One day, an unusual phenomenon appeared in the sky, and a gigantic bird flew in from the horizon. This bird was entirely black, with countless human faces on its wings, each expressing a range of emotions—joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness... Our ancestors called it the Rakshasa Bird."
He pointed ahead at a depression in the ground, reminding them to take a detour. Then he continued, "When the Rakshasa Bird descended, it brought wisdom and warnings. It taught our ancestors how to read and write, cultivate the land, hunt, and use plants for medicine. It also warned them against greed and advised them not to attempt to open the gate to the 'Void Realm.'"
"Is that the Guixu Gate?" Fang Zigui asked.
"Yes," Mu Qing nodded. "In our Naxi legends, Gui Xu is the ultimate resting place for all things and also where chaos first emerged. If the Guixu Gate were to open, it would bring great disorder to heaven and earth. Everything would lose its order; life and death would no longer be distinct, and yin and yang would be thrown into chaos."
Xiaoshuang couldn't help but interject, "So where is the Guixu Gate now? Does it really exist?"
Mu Qing shook his head. "I'm not sure about that. I've only heard elders say that the Guixu Gate is hidden somewhere in Yulong Snow Mountain, but no one knows its exact location."
As they spoke, they had already climbed a section of stone steps. The group looked up to see a quaint temple faintly visible halfway up the mountain. Amidst the swirling mountain mist, they could make out the upward-curving eaves and a golden roof glistening in the sunlight.
"That is Yuqian Temple," Mu Qing pointed ahead. "Inside the temple is an ancient well with clear and sweet water. It is said to have life-restoring properties and is called Yuquan. This is how Yuqian Temple got its name."
The mountain path consisted of several hundred steps, worn smooth at the edges from time. The uneven stone steps made climbing quite laborious. The group had no time for conversation as they focused on their footing.
After about twenty minutes of climbing, they finally arrived at the temple's entrance. The gate was wide open, and a young lama was sweeping outside. Upon seeing Mu Qing, he smiled and bowed.
Mu Qing exchanged a few words with him in Naxi before turning to the others. "Come on, I’ll take you to meet Wuchen Mage."
The young lama joined his hands in greeting before leading them into the temple. They passed through a small courtyard and arrived at a row of meditation rooms in the back hall.
"Please wait here for a moment while I inform my master," he said. The young lama knocked on the door of the first meditation room and entered. A moment later, he opened the door again. "Master invites you all in."
As they stepped into the meditation room, they were greeted by a rich scent of sandalwood incense. Then they saw an elderly monk with white whiskers sitting cross-legged on a cushion.
He had a kind yet imposing demeanor, and on the long table in front of him lay a sacred text.
"Wuchen Mage, I have brought a few guests to pay their respects," Mu Qing said respectfully as he bowed.
Wuchen Mage raised his hand and gestured towards several cushions in front of him. "Please, take a seat. You have traveled a long way; what brings you here?"
Once the group settled down in order, Wuchen Mage slowly lifted his gaze, scanning the faces of the four.
When his eyes fell upon Shen Tong, a hint of surprise flickered in his gaze, and his eyebrows slightly raised.
Lin Mingchang was about to respond to Wuchen Mage's inquiry when he noticed Wuchen Mage gesturing for him to wait.
He continued to gaze at Shen Tong's right eye. "So this young lady's right eye... I see now; you are indeed one marked by the Contract Eye."
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