Holy Lord Emperor Guan

No one else knew the specifics of Huang Huai's condition, but he himself was very clear about it.

Back then, Huang Huai's father sent him to Taihe Mountain's Xunzhen Temple precisely because Huang Huai was born prematurely and was congenitally weak, asking for help in regulating Huang Huai's body.

After years of long-term conditioning and exercise, Huang Huai's body could be considered healthy. However, a few days ago, when Huang Huai contracted a virus, the Great Daoist Master had personally taken his pulse. Compared to now, if he hadn't been certain his hand was on Huang Huai's wrist, the Great Daoist Master would have thought he had mistaken the pulse.

Even so, the Great Daoist Master couldn't help but carefully feel the pulse under his fingertips. Confirming it wasn't his imagination, the Great Daoist Master looked at Huang Huai with astonishment, momentarily speechless.

Chen Wei, standing nearby, noticed the change in the Great Daoist Master's expression and couldn't help but ask, "Master, is Xiao Jiu alright? He looks quite well..."

The Great Daoist Master snapped back to attention, first glancing at Huang Huai before saying to Chen Wei, "Xiao Jiu is fine. However, if you don't hurry, by the time you finish cleaning the incense burners in the side hall, it'll be dark!"

Chen Wei said anxiously, "Oh, I'll go to the side hall right away."

After Chen Wei left, the Great Daoist Master looked Huang Huai up and down, a smile on his face. He patted Huang Huai's shoulder and said, "Good. I was worried that the high fever would have severely depleted your vitality, but it seems I was overthinking it!"

Without waiting for Huang Huai to speak, the Great Daoist Master added, "There's still food left for you in the kitchen. Go eat quickly."

Watching the Great Daoist Master's retreating figure, Huang Huai couldn't help but sigh inwardly. It was clear that his physical changes hadn't escaped the Great Daoist Master's notice. After all, with the Great Daoist Master's profound medical knowledge, if he couldn't detect the changes in his body, he wouldn't be so highly regarded by so many people.

He, who was congenitally weak, had suddenly become full of vitality and strong. He couldn't possibly claim that he had just caught a cold and had become a completely different person after recovering.

Fortunately, the Great Daoist Master didn't pry, which made Huang Huai breathe a sigh of relief. Otherwise, he wouldn't have known how to explain it.

Although he had eaten something in another world, Huang Huai felt a bit hungry now. After eating in the kitchen, he headed towards the side hall where the lights were still on.

Entering the side hall, he saw the flickering lamplight. Statues of various sizes were placed around. There was a statue of Holy Lord Emperor Guan, statues of the Three Gods of Fortune, Prosperity, and Longevity, and a statue of Guanyin Who Sends Children, among others.

Huang Huai walked forward, took three incense sticks from the side, lit them, and devoutly bowed to the statue of Holy Lord Emperor Guan before placing the incense.

A figure was busy scooping out the ashes from an incense burner. It was none other than Chen Wei.

Chen Wei seemed to have already noticed Huang Huai's actions. After Huang Huai finished offering incense, he spoke to Huang Huai, "Xiao Jiu, there are at least a dozen deities enshrined in our side halls, big and small. Why is it that over the years, you've only offered incense to Holy Lord Emperor Guan the most?"

In fact, Chen Wei had long noticed that there were at least twenty or so large and small statues enshrined in Xunzhen Temple. Yet, Huang Huai rarely offered incense even to the main deity enshrined in Xunzhen Temple, True Warrior Great Emperor.

However, Huang Huai frequently offered incense and candles to this statue of Holy Lord Emperor Guan, which puzzled him greatly. Seizing the opportunity, Chen Wei, with some confusion, looked at Huang Huai while tidying up the ashes.

Huang Huai stepped forward, took a cloth, carefully picked up the rather heavy statue of Holy Lord Emperor Guan, wiped it clean, and then placed it back. He looked up at Chen Wei and said, "Brother Chen, you've forgotten who invited the statue of Holy Lord Emperor Guan up the mountain!"

Upon hearing Huang Huai's words, Chen Wei was stunned. This statue of Holy Lord Emperor Guan had been enshrined in the side hall for at least ten years. If Huang Huai hadn't suddenly mentioned it, he would have forgotten that Huang Huai was the one who invited it up the mountain when he first joined Xunzhen Temple.

Although it had been ten years, Chen Wei now remembered the scene of Huang Huai ascending the mountain back then.

When Huang Huai first joined Xunzhen Temple, they, the disciples of the Great Daoist Master, had witnessed the entire process of Huang Huai's arrival.

Huang Huai, not even ten years old, was frail and pale, giving the impression of a short lifespan. The small figure, carrying a heavy statue of Holy Lord Emperor Guan, walked into Xunzhen Temple. Chen Wei admitted that the scene back then had left a deep impression on him.

Therefore, when Huang Huai mentioned it now, Chen Wei immediately recalled that scene from years ago.

"I remember now! You carried this statue of Holy Lord Emperor Guan into Xunzhen Temple back then!"

Huang Huai chuckled as he wiped the statue, "Yes. A physiognomist once told me that I was congenitally weak and prone to attracting evil spirits, with a short lifespan. So, my father asked the Abbot to let me join Xunzhen Temple and specifically had someone sculpt this statue of Holy Lord Emperor Guan to ward off evil and protect my life."

This was the first time Chen Wei had heard Huang Huai talk about his connection with the statue of Holy Lord Emperor Guan. A look of realization appeared on his face. "No wonder you've offered the most incense to this statue of Holy Lord Emperor Guan over the years."

Huang Huai looked at the statue of Holy Lord Emperor Guan with a reminiscent expression. "When I was young, I didn't understand anything. I just did what my parents told me to do, offering incense to Holy Lord Emperor Guan every day. When I grew up and became sensible, even if I had free time, offering a stick of incense to the Emperor daily had already become a habit."

Chen Wei nodded. Thinking about Huang Huai's past years, it was indeed as Huang Huai had said.

Looking at Huang Huai's ruddy complexion, and then at the statue of Holy Lord Emperor Guan, filled with supreme majesty and sanctity under the swirling incense smoke, Chen Wei couldn't help but say, "I must say, with the blessings of Holy Lord Emperor Guan, you've been free from illness and disaster over the years, and now your body is even stronger. Come, come, let me also bow to Lord Guan Gong and share in your good fortune."

Watching Chen Wei light incense and bow to the statue of Holy Lord Emperor Guan, Huang Huai couldn't help but laugh, "Brother Chen, you're like they say, 'You don't burn incense normally, but you clutch at the Buddha's feet when in need.' Holy Lord Emperor Guan, if he has a spirit in heaven, would probably be furious!"

Chen Wei burst into laughter, "No, no, don't you know the saying, 'The gods do not blame excessive politeness'!"

As they chatted and laughed, they spent some time and finally finished cleaning the side hall. Looking at the sky, Chen Wei stretched his body and said, "Xiao Jiu, I really have to thank you for your help today. Otherwise, who knows how long it would have taken. You know, these people nowadays, they really have nothing better to do. Far more people are burning incense and worshiping Buddha than before."

Huang Huai chimed in, following Chen Wei's words, "In the past, most people who burned incense and worshiped Buddha were elderly, mostly seeking psychological comfort. But now, there are so many young people burning incense and worshiping Buddha..."

"People's lives are much better now than before, but they are much more spiritually empty than before. Young people burning incense and worshiping Buddha is now a trend!"

As they spoke, the two left the side hall and returned to their respective residences.

Xunzhen Temple was located amidst the mountains and forests, and it was naturally quiet at night. The solitary courtyard where Huang Huai lived still had its lights on.