USWHC -Chapter 475 In Disarray (Part 5)

“The rain is getting heavier. Let’s take shelter in that abandoned temple up ahead!” Ji Yi turned back and said to Princess Lanyi.

Princess Lanyi kept her head lowered, not daring to look at him. She only gave a small nod, as if still a little hesitant.

“Relax, I’m not interested in underage kids!” Ji Yi said in an exaggeratedly carefree tone.

Princess Lanyi froze for a moment, then stubbornly retorted, “I’m not a child anymore, okay? I understand a lot of things now!”

“Still underage!” Ji Yi snorted lightly, then added with mock pride, “This uncle here is quite grown up!”

Hearing this, Princess Lanyi raised her head, then immediately protested, “Liar! You’re only about twenty—how can you call yourself an uncle!”

Ji Yi turned back with a faint smile. But that smile inexplicably made Princess Lanyi feel hurt—because it was clearly the kind of smile one gives to tease a child.

The temple ahead had clearly been abandoned for years. It was dilapidated and covered in dust. Just as they pushed the door open, a thunderclap and flash of lightning struck—

“Ah!” Princess Lanyi screamed, throwing herself forward and hiding tightly behind Ji Yi.

Feeling her trembling hands clutching him, Ji Yi gently patted her arm and said softly, “It’s just a Heavenly King statue—nothing to be afraid of.” As he spoke, he pulled her out from behind him.

But Princess Lanyi kept her eyes tightly shut, trembling all over. Her feet felt as heavy as lead, rooted to the ground—she simply didn’t dare move forward.

“N-no… I’m scared!”

“It’s just a clay statue, no need to be afraid!” Ji Yi’s chuckling voice sounded by her ear.

Princess Lanyi immediately grew angry. “Why are you so inconsiderate! I’m already this scared and you’re still pushing me forward! You should be saying you’ll protect me!”

Seeing her puff out her cheeks cutely, still not daring to glance at the Heavenly King statue, Ji Yi deliberately teased her, lightly flicking her nose. “Alright, I’ll protect you. Just stay behind me!”

The moment she heard that, Princess Lanyi darted back behind him again, muttering softly as she ran, “What kind of place is this? So scary!”

Ji Yi looked around. It was just a small temple, its layout resembling a Buddhist hall. Judging by its condition, it hadn’t been used for many years. In the main hall stood a statue of Shakyamuni.

“This should be an old Buddhist temple,” he said.

“Buddhism is so frightening! No wonder the late emperor wanted to suppress it!” Princess Lanyi sighed emotionally.

“Not really. Look at the one in the main hall—doesn’t it look solemn? That Heavenly King is just meant to catch bad people. You’re not a bad person, so what’s there to fear?” Ji Yi replied.

But Princess Lanyi immediately asked nervously, “Do you believe in Buddhism?”

“No!” Ji Yi quickly answered. “I don’t believe in anything!”

“That won’t do—you must follow Daoism!” Princess Lanyi said very seriously. After speaking, she herself froze, staring blankly at the man before her.

Ji Yi smiled. “Why?”

“Because the people of Great Liang all revere Daoism,” she said softly, though even she seemed to find the explanation unconvincing.

“In reality, it’s mostly people in the capital who still believe that strongly. Outside, things have already loosened up. Back in my hometown, Buddhist temples are thriving again. People don’t really care which god it is—whoever can bless them is a good god,” Ji Yi said with a faint sneer, clearly holding little respect for any deity.

“No! The gods of Daoism are kind and benevolent. Unlike those in Buddhism—they’re so scary! You should follow Daoism too in the future!” Princess Lanyi insisted stubbornly.

Ji Yi didn’t reply. He simply found a spot and quietly sat down. Princess Lanyi hurried over and sat beside him. She seemed very tired—her head leaning against his shoulder again and again.

Whenever he turned to look at her, she would flusteredly sit up. But when he wasn’t looking, she couldn’t help secretly leaning against him once more.

“The ground is damp and cold—you’ll catch a chill,” Ji Yi suddenly stood up. “I’ll go find some firewood.”