Bodhisattva Manifests

Lu Bian timed the completion of the stone statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva to coincide with the forty-ninth day.

Lu Bian did not know the specific significance of the number forty-nine, but among the common folk of the Great Song, it was said that a specific event or object would undergo a mysterious transformation after forty-nine days.

Lu Bian sticking to this forty-nine-day carving schedule was simply a case of "when in Rome, do as the Romans do."

The statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva was finished, and its appearance was lifelike.

Although it was made of stone, the plain white robe of the Bodhisattva possessed a lightness as if it were fluttering in the wind, with natural textures and folds that appeared just like real fabric.

The Bodhisattva's face was compassionate and dignified, her gaze gentle, and her eyes lowered as if in pity for the suffering masses, while the corners of her mouth held a faint, ethereal smile that made one feel warm and intimate.

One hand held the Jade Purifying Vase, which bestowed grace and salvation upon the world, while the fingers of the other hand pinched a willow branch; she seemed both moving and still, as if the nectar from the willow leaves were about to drip down.

The Great Merciful and Great Compassionate Guanyin Bodhisattva of South Sea Putuo Luojia Mountain, who saves the suffering and hears the cries of the world, stood upon a lotus pedestal. Her image appeared before the eyes of the world, yet she gave the impression of being aloof and independent from it.

"Rain? Why is it raining?" A passerby raised a hand to feel it.

A light rain suddenly began to fall, continuing for several hours.

In the rain, Lu Bian stared blankly up at the statue he had finished with his own hands, and the passersby who had stopped to watch also gazed at the Bodhisattva in a trance.

The rain fell, soaking everyone's clothes, yet no one present felt the damp chill.

The rain washed the statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva clean, carrying away every speck of dust, and the water that flowed to the ground was absorbed by the earth, making people forget the messy, dust-filled scene that had surrounded the statue during its carving.

"Ah?"

Lu Bian felt a gaze, but when he tried to pinpoint it, it vanished.

Following the lingering sensation of that look, Lu Bian stared at the statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva with a mix of shock and uncertainty.

"..."

Could it be that Guanyin Bodhisattva had just been looking at him?

The possibility could not be ruled out.

The rain gradually stopped.

The clouds in the sky shifted, and a ray of sunlight spilled through, landing perfectly upon the statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva.

"Ah!! The Bodhisattva has manifested her spirit!!"

On the body of the Guanyin Bodhisattva statue, a miraculous optical phenomenon appeared for some unknown reason, and a hazy, auspicious glow emerged behind her.

Everyone who had come to watch the spectacle knelt down.

Even Lu Bian bowed and paid his respects to Sister Guanyin Bodhisattva.

This was no longer a coincidence.

Guanyin Bodhisattva was currently paying attention to what was happening here.

After the worship, Lu Bian stood up and looked back at the people behind him.

These people kept their heads bowed, whispering something to the statue and praying for the Bodhisattva's protection.

"This..."

An old man walked to Lu Bian's side and grabbed his wrist.

He looked at the handsome and dashing Lu Bian, unable to think of how to address this creator of the statue.

"You must be an attendant by the Bodhisattva's side, right?!"

"No, I am not. I am just a mortal."

Lu Bian gently removed the old man's hand from his wrist.

"This old one dares to ask, could you, Master, carve a statue for me?"

"What kind of statue?" Lu Bian asked.

"Naturally, a statue of the Bodhisattva."

"Not here in Dongjing City, but in this old one's hometown." The old man pleaded with Lu Bian, grabbing his arm again for fear that Lu Bian might suddenly ride the clouds and fly away.

"Very well." Lu Bian nodded in agreement.

"My hometown is in Luzhou. I hope you can understand that the journey will be long and arduous."

"I am not a delicate person; it is merely a trip to Luzhou."

"However, I cannot depart just yet. I must find a place for the Bodhisattva," Lu Bian said.

"!!!"

When those present heard Lu Bian say this, they all looked at him, their faces struggling to contain their excitement.

Some wanted to shout something to Lu Bian, but seeing the statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva in the corner of their eyes, they immediately closed their mouths.

Interfering with Lu Bian's thoughts and actions was absolutely forbidden.

Where the Bodhisattva statue would go was a decision made by the unseen forces of fate.

Lu Bian stood beside the Bodhisattva statue for three days.

He simply stood there in silence.

He was deep in thought.

The devotees who came to pray arrived and departed, yet the surroundings remained exceptionally quiet. No one spoke loudly, and the Dongjing City authorities had even dispatched men to maintain order at the scene.

"Your Majesty, look..."

"I see it..."

"Is that the divine man?" the Emperor asked, gazing toward Lu Bian.

The Emperor of the Great Song referred to himself as "Your Majesty." News of Guanyin Bodhisattva manifesting had reached the imperial palace over the past three days, prompting the Great Song Emperor to arrive in plain clothes.

"Why is that divine man not moving? What is he thinking about?" the Great Song Emperor asked.

"It is said he is contemplating how to properly house the Bodhisattva's statue."

"On the side of this road, with carts and people coming and going, it is somewhat disrespectful to the Bodhisattva," the guard beside the Great Song Emperor whispered in explanation.

"Hmm..."

"How about we select a site outside Dongjing City to build a new Guanyin temple for the Bodhisattva?" the Great Song Emperor suggested.

"Good, good, let it be so." The Emperor laughed and clapped his hands.

"Your Majesty, where will the land come from, and where will the funds for building the temple come from?" a civil official disguised beside the Emperor asked.

"I will provide the money," the Great Song Emperor said.

"And the land as well."

"Go and see this matter through..." the Great Song Emperor commanded.

"Heh..."

The Emperor's gaze rested on the statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva as he let out a long breath. After seeing the statue, his mind felt perfectly clear; all complex thoughts and troubles were wiped away, leaving his ears sharp and his eyes bright.

"This is truly real..." the Great Song Emperor muttered to himself.

"A divine man," the Emperor praised toward Lu Bian.

Standing beside the Bodhisattva statue, Lu Bian looked like a divine statue himself—handsome in appearance and martial in stature, a peerless man.

"Hey, you fellow!"

Suddenly, someone spoke in a loud voice, drawing the attention of everyone present.

A bald, burly man standing eight feet tall walked up to Lu Bian.

Seven feet against eight, Lu Bian had to look up at this dark, sturdy man who seemed to be looking for trouble.

"Why did you bring the Bodhisattva here?" the bald man asked Lu Bian.

"..." Lu Bian looked at the man, offering no reply.

"Sigh." The bald man heaved two sighs.

"There is a place that is currently in need of a Bodhisattva statue."

"You need not worry any longer."

As soon as the bald man finished speaking, a cool breeze suddenly swept across the ground!!

Everyone was forced to squeeze their eyes shut by the sudden gust.

When the wind died down and the crowd opened their eyes, both the bald man and the statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva were gone.

Lu Bian had not been forced to close his eyes by the wind.

At this moment, dust blew into his eyes, causing him to tear up.

"Why is the divine man crying?"

The Emperor was astonished. Was this another manifestation of the immortal Bodhisattva? Where had the compassionate statue gone? And where was that burly man?