Fairy, Don't Be Afraid, I Am Blind

"You have a keen spiritual sense! This Heart-Wanting Buddha is about making your wishes come true!"

"Are you saying this Heart-Wanting Buddha can grant people’s wishes?"

"Of course! I’ve always been known for keeping my word. I’m famous around these parts for it!"

As Old Nine spoke, he spun around with admiration and said, "If it weren’t for worshiping this Heart-Wanting Buddha, how could I possibly wear such luxurious clothing?"

Zi Yiyi instinctively glanced at You Su, thinking that no wonder this person’s demeanor and attire were so out of place, like a nouveau riche trying to act cultured, almost causing a misunderstanding.

"Is this Buddha really that powerful? Uncle Nine, can you take us to see it?" You Su asked pretending to be enthusiastic.

"You can see it, but to meet the true Heart-Wanting Buddha, you must join our Buddhist sect."

Old Nine shook his head. If You Su couldn’t see him directly, he might have really thought he was just an ordinary villager, not a servant of an Evil God.

"This Buddha is hidden deep in this valley. How did you find it, sir?"

"Of course, it was by ’fate.’ Five days ago, I followed my friend into these mountains to mine, but accidentally witnessed the true Buddha. Deeply moved by the profound Buddhist technique, I immediately became a believer of this true Buddha."

You Su’s eyes showed a hint of realization, and he roughly guessed the situation in the valley.

That ’Heart-Wanting Buddha’ is likely the source of the evil presence in the valley, disguised as a Buddha, turning these miners who came here by chance all into his followers, unintentionally becoming his devotees. It’s just unknown what capabilities this ’Heart-Wanting Buddha’ has to create the illusion of wishes coming true...

"Then it seems we’re people with fate too."

"Exactly, it’s not easy for you to have come across this place. In Buddhist teachings, this is called serendipity. You must seize the opportunity. Come, come, I’ll take you to see the true Buddha."

Old Nine said as he prepared to turn around and lead the way.

Ziyi showed hesitation on her face, quietly using the lantern pole to poke the back of You Su’s hand.

You Su returned a reassuring gaze; he feared nothing like this kind of delusion, though it was different for Zi Yiyi.

Zi Yiyi bit her lower lip, "Uncle, do you gain anything by wanting us to join your sect so much?"

Uncle Nine was an honest man in life, and being caught out, he did not continue to hide his intentions, chuckling as he said:

"I won’t lie to you. If I can lead new followers to join the sect, I get another chance to make a wish to the Heart-Wanting Buddha. But no one has been coming to Luoxing Valley for a long time, except us reckless miners, who else would come?

During the day, someone brought in two women, and the Heart-Wanting Buddha granted him two wishes right then and there, making me envious. You two just help Old Nine out, and the Heart-Wanting Buddha definitely won’t disappoint you."

These words were spoken with certainty, no different from those of a simple villager; one might think he was recommending an actual treasure to people.

Two women?

Zi Yiyi suspected in her heart. Luoxing Valley is extremely strictly regulated; no outsiders can get in. Besides Hua Jing and Tiao Yaoyao, who else could these two women be?

"Would a Buddha allow a greedy person to become a follower?"

Zi Yiyi unkindly teased, but she was no longer as resistant to delving deeper as before. If Hua Jing and Tiao Yaoyao were ahead, with Hua Jing present, at least safety was assured.

Old Nine was a little ashamed and explained, "I’m not greedy; I just want my wife and children to live a prosperous life, but my wishes have run out. If I can recruit you, my next wish will be to bring my wife and children here..."

"So why don’t you go out and fetch them yourself?" Zi Yiyi asked again.

"Once a member of the sect, without mastering the Buddhist techniques, how can one easily leave? My deepest regret now is not making my first wish to bring my wife and children in."

Old Nine shook his head, his tone full of regret.

"Then please lead the way, sir."

You Su had already stepped forward, indicating that he was determined to pursue this Heart-Wanting Buddha.

Old Nine, hearing these words, quickly put a smile on his withered face and cheerfully led the way for the two of them.

The sound of the wind gradually ceased, and You Su slightly twitched his nose, clearly smelling the dampness in the air.

"Sir, with Luoxing Valley being so desolate, what do we rely on for food and water here?"

"There is a lake in Luoxing Valley; despite the desolation around the valley, the lakeside is lush and green. So we eat fruits for sustenance and drink the lake water for hydration."

But according to You Su’s knowledge, Luoxing Valley is now nothing but ash and ruin, with crumbling walls in sight; surely, there couldn’t be a lake?

Yet he could distinctly feel the ground beneath his feet becoming softer, indicating the presence of water.

"Could this lake also be something the Heart-Wanting Buddha thought up?"

"You guessed it right; that’s why I say you have a keen spiritual sense!" Old Nine chuckled.

Just then, a flash of red light occurred as Zi Yiyi cast a fire spell at the purple deerskin boots she was wearing.

In an instant, several long, thin worms on her boots were charred and then melted into black water on the ground.

"Miss, no!"

Seeing this, Old Nine appeared very distressed, his eyes filled with a sorrowful expression, "These earthworms are fellow believers of the Heart-Wanting Buddha. We are all part of the same sect. They climb onto our shoes to welcome us; under no circumstances should you harm fellow believers!"

"Earthworms are believers too? Does that mean all the birds and centipedes are as well?"

"Naturally! Miss, you must remember not to attack them again! Be careful not to anger the true Buddha and incur retribution!"

You Su and Zi Yiyi subconsciously exchanged a glance, a look of surprise flashing in both their eyes, as they finally understood why creatures in the form of land travel appeared.

However, what power does this Heart-Wanting Buddha have, to make even such low-level creatures with inferior intelligence worship him...

Zi Yiyi continued walking while observing her surroundings more closely.

Sure enough, there gradually appeared tall grass and towering trees around. Though they were only roadside weeds, they were as dense and tall as bushes, and the trees rose up so high that their canopies connected, blocking out the moonlight completely.

Zi Yiyi felt that everything here, though devoid of any stench or filth, was filled with an indescribable strangeness.

Finally, they heard chanting coming from afar, a group of people gathered together reciting sutras, exuding a mysterious allure.

"Put away the lantern, step lightly, do not speak, and don’t disturb the sacred ground of the Buddha’s sect. Soon, you will meet the true Buddha. Do as I do, say as I say."

Old Nine gave them final instructions before continuing to lead the way in the direction of the chanting.

And upon passing through a stone gate, You Su and Zi Yiyi both widened their eyes, their pupils shrinking like beans—

Surrounded by flickering fireflies, a group of well-dressed servant devils knelt on a giant lotus leaf, worshipping fervently towards the center of the pond. They recited their sutras in unison, their voices clear and loud, reverberating with an ancient scent.

And in the center of the pond stood a magnificent Buddha!

The Buddha’s body was entirely transparent, with a benevolent face and a majestic appearance, seemingly made of crystal glass, such that one could see the stone wall behind the Buddha through its body.

Yet, this glass Buddha was a living entity, lightly turning its head and moving its lips, its awe-inspiring voice suddenly resounding through the heavens:

"Having seen the true Buddha, why do you not bow?"

You Su and Zi Yiyi stood on the shore, keenly aware that this Heart-Wanting Buddha was speaking to them!

Old Nine hastily prostrated himself, reciting the sutra with devotion:

"I prostrate and take refuge in the Heart-Wanting Buddha, bowing with my head seven times. I now praise the Heart-Wanting Buddha, I only wish for compassion and protection."

This villager, who muddled the phrases ’not happy?’ and ’punish severely from afar,’ recited the sutra without missing a word.

As soon as he finished speaking, a lotus leaf rose from the lake and floated in front of Old Nine on its own.

You Su’s lips parted slightly, yet he didn’t speak to recite the sutra.

Because he could clearly see, among the crowd on the lake, two women were looking at him with indifferent expressions.

One had a baby face with an exaggeratedly voluptuous figure; the other’s face seems shrouded in mist, but the luxurious dark purple dress she wore gave You Su a strong sense of intuition:

These two servant devils were none other than Hua Jing and Tiao Yaoyao!