West Mountain Dieyan Temple was a thriving center of worship in Western Prefecture. The thousand-year-old monastery took its name chiefly from the Cliffside Sculptures behind it. Xue Lingjun did not choose to offer incense at Dieyan Temple, instead heading straight to the Cliffside Sculptures at the rear. As they followed the winding plank walkway through the secluded valley, they saw Buddha statues of every size carved into the cliffs on either side. The exquisite carvings looked almost alive, surrounded by lush vegetation, with a mountain stream accompanying them all the way. Hu Xiaotian had never imagined that such a magnificent place lay hidden here.
Compared with the clamorous crowds at Dieyan Temple, this place was noticeably quieter, with only occasional pilgrims in twos and threes. They reached Guanyin Pavilion halfway up the mountain, where a Thousand-Armed Guanyin had been carved. Xue Lingjun's chief purpose in coming was to pay homage to Guanyin.
She knelt before the prayer cushion, pressed her palms together beneath her chin, and prayed quietly, murmuring under her breath.
Not wishing to disturb her devotions, Hu Xiaotian stood to one side and quietly examined the Guanyin sculpture. It stood over a hundred feet tall and was just as wide, its sacred countenance solemn and majestic. Its one thousand and eight hands gleamed gold, each palm bearing an eye, for a total of one thousand and eight eyes.
Hu Xiaotian marveled at the exquisite craftsmanship. After waiting a while, he saw that Xue Lingjun was still kneeling there, praying without pause. He had never expected her to be such a devout believer. At last, growing somewhat impatient, he went outside Guanyin Pavilion.
A monk was sweeping fallen leaves on the terrace ahead. Hu Xiaotian approached him, but the monk lowered his head at the sight of him and