Chapter 5: Demon Realm (6)
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When the father-daughter duo finally laid eyes on Lin Nan again after a long discussion, they couldn’t help but feel that their previous speculations were spot on. Lin Nan emerged with a frosty, snow-like arrogance, as if she were a celestial being who had descended from the heavens.
How could someone so beautiful possibly exist in this world? It was probably only those long accustomed to looking down upon the masses who could radiate such a high-and-mighty coolness that made everyone else feel like ants.
Thus, the pair became increasingly cautious around Lin Nan. During lunch, they felt an overwhelming urge to bring out every single delicious delicacy from their hidden stash; they ended up preparing two to three dozen dishes for just five diners. Even if each person just sampled a bite, they’d be stuffed in no time.
Midway through the meal, seeing that Lin Nan seemed pleased with the food, Trissa, sighing with relief, asked, “Lord Lin, do you have any thoughts on your next steps? We can make arrangements for your itinerary.”
Lin Nan replied, “I’d like to visit the Goddess of Destiny’s temple first.”
Trissa tightened her grip on her fork and exchanged a glance with Monroe. Their suspicions were, indeed, correct. The first stop for Lord Lin upon reaching the Imperial Capital was to check out the Goddess of Destiny’s temple. Perhaps, with the decline of her followers, even a goddess from afar might feel a sense of doubt and anxiety, right?
Their only hope now was that Lin Nan wouldn’t blow a gasket upon witnessing the temple’s current state. Otherwise, with the goddess’s might, the mere empire wouldn’t even register on her radar.
Noticing that Monroe and Trissa were uncharacteristically silent, Lin Nan said, “What’s up? Any issues? If you’re busy, I can go alone.”
In the eyes of a modern person, temples, shrines, and churches weren’t much different from tourist attractions. Lin Nan simply wanted to explore the sights of the Imperial Capital. She instinctively assumed, due to the Four Warriors, that the Goddess of Destiny’s temple would be the most grandiose building in the empire. A little sightseeing would satisfy her curiosity.
After all, if she was going to launch her imperial conquest, she needed to have a good grasp of the empire first. Exploring was just the first step. As a qualified modern-day tourist, hitting up famous spots was the correct way to operate in a new city.
As soon as she voiced her plans, Trissa hurriedly shook her head and said, “No, no, no! I’m free any time!”
Monroe smiled and added, “That’s right; although Trissa has a title in the military, usually, if there’s nothing major going on, she won’t be called to action. So she has plenty of free time to accompany you.”
Lin Nan replied, “Great, then I’ll be taking advantage of that.”
Adeline jumped in eagerly, waving her hand, “Can I join too?”
Lin Nan smiled, “Of course, let’s go together.”
Having another familiar maid around wouldn’t hurt; after all, Adeline had shown herself to be quite the attentive servant during their journey.
So, after some verbal negotiations, they decided to set off for the temple at three o’clock in the afternoon.
After lunch, Lin Nan retreated to her room for a nap, while Trissa and Monroe rushed to the study.
“Father, should we send someone to scout the temple first? If the Church of Light is holding a service, Lord Lin might feel even more uneasy when she sees it,” Trissa suggested.
“The Church of Light is entirely under His Majesty’s control. Some things are not for a mere subject to intervene in. Don’t think too much; just take Lord Lin to see the sights. It’s best not to pull any tricks in front of the gods; that would be inviting disaster for ourselves.”
“Understood, Father.”
Trissa nodded, looking worried.
Through their time together, she had learned a little about Lin Nan’s character. Although she appeared frosty and cold on the surface, Lin Nan was fiercely protective, especially in the modern small world, where she fought against the powerful for her subordinates’ better treatment, something that made most leaders feel like a bunch of underachievers.
If Lin Nan happened to see someone disrespecting the statue of the Goddess of Destiny in the temple, things could get ugly… Forget it, it was best not to dwell on that.
Since they were already here, she would just have to go with the flow. Her current task was to obey Lin Nan’s orders and maintain stability amidst the likely chaos that would reign in the Imperial Capital soon.
As the afternoon sun began its descent, temperatures soared, making it feel like even if one did nothing, they’d be drenched in sweat, with clothes clinging to their skin.
Trissa wiped her brow as she waited by the door for Lin Nan. When Lin Nan stepped out from her room, a cool breeze hit her like a refreshing slap to the face.
“Lord Lin, the carriage is all set,” Trissa announced.
“Great, let’s go.”
Lin Nan, unaware of the snowflower effect she’d conjured for cooling, had the effect so strong that Trissa and Adeline practically felt like they’d walked into an air-conditioned room, blissfully escaping the sweltering afternoon heat.
“Lady, this temple might not be what you expect,” Trissa said, feeling it necessary to give a preemptive warning. If Lin Nan threw a fit upon seeing the temple’s disrepair, they would really be in hot water.
“Oh? How so?” Lin Nan asked, intrigued.
Trissa pondered her words, “Well, given that it’s been several centuries since the temple was built, people’s faith in the goddess doesn’t seem as fervent as it used to be.”
“Hmm…”
It’s no wonder really; time flies, and no one could guarantee that a nation’s faith would survive the current tides. In times of war, floods, or famine, when civilization’s flame flickers, the loss of faith is practically inevitable.
Lin Nan didn’t know much about the empire’s history, so she instinctively interpreted Trissa’s words as changes in time creating a culture of lost faith.
What she didn’t realize was that the winds of change had tilted towards a new religious system, flourishing under the emperor’s support and continuously encroaching upon the faith of the original temple.
The carriage rolled smoothly down the wide avenue as Adeline leaned against the window, gazing at the passersby and the slowly receding streets.
“Ugh, compared to the modern small world, the Imperial Capital looks archaic and rundown,” she sighed in boredom.
Lin Nan couldn’t help but chuckle at that; as the saying goes, it’s much easier to fall from luxury to poverty than from poverty to luxury. Even someone who had experienced the hustle and bustle of a bustling city like Adeline would find it hard to go back to quaint, countryside life, let alone an ancient city that resembled the Middle Ages.
Before long, as a towering structure atop a hill entered Lin Nan’s view, she couldn’t help but express her admiration for the master craftsmen who built such a magnificent creation.
Yes, there stood a ten-meter tall jade goddess statue in front of the temple, one hand wielding a staff while the other delicately held a sprig of fresh leaves, her gaze steadfastly fixed ahead. The craftsmanship was exquisite, with her features so lifelike.
But just as Lin Nan marveled at the temple’s grandeur, a crowd gathered at the statue’s base, and she soon heard shouts and angry curses rising from the throng.
