NOVEL WEB Chapter 10: Lankā Temple
Chapter 10: Lankā Temple
———–
The grand performance had concluded.
Lankā stood beside Lin Yao and spoke, “Holy One, would you join me in cultivation?”
“I’ve no interest in becoming a monster like that.”
Seeing his refusal, Lankā continued, “As my disciple, you would never share their fate.”
“Oh?”
A flicker of interest appeared in Lin Yao’s eyes—
but vanished the moment he glanced at the Weaver Girl.
“Monks can’t take wives. Hard pass.”
A trace of anger flashed across Lankā’s face.
Lin Yao noticed the filth beneath his feet darken slightly.
“Worry not, Holy One. You may join as a lay disciple—free to live as you please, save for Buddhist practice.”
Lin Yao’s face brightened. He pointed at the Weaver Girl.
“Is this my senior sister? She looks quite lovely. Could you introduce us, Master?”
Before Lankā could respond, Lin Yao strode over and examined the Weaver Girl.
“Hmm, good childbearing hips.”
Crack.
The wine cup in the Weaver Girl’s hand shattered.
Lankā stepped between them.
“This honored guest is not to be disrespected, Holy One.”
Lin Yao looked between them, feigning deep thought.
“Monk, you’re a lecherous one, aren’t you?”
The words made Lankā tremble. The lotus of Buddha’s hands beneath him wavered, as if on the verge of collapse.
“This humble monk has long transcended worldly desires through Buddhist practice.”
“Liar.”
The voice came from Not-Hearing’s head on the three-faced monstrosity.
Lin Yao hadn’t expected that.
“So Lankā doesn’t fully control that thing.”
Cornered, Lankā finally snapped. A hand emerged from the lotus,
swelling rapidly to seize the three-faced arhat and drag it back into the flower.
The sickening sound of chewing echoed from within.
Lin Yao eyed the lotus throne. “Your seat eats people?”
“Merely discipline.”
Lankā clearly wished to say no more.
When the chewing stopped, a new layer appeared beneath the lotus—
a palm bearing three marks:
an ear, a mouth, and an eye.
“The Six Transcendental Powers, then.”
Lin Yao began forming a theory.
This monk was desperate to make him a disciple.
The Weaver Girl’s behavior suggested she’d known this would happen.
“Did she think the ox hide would give me clues?”
If so, he was in trouble.
This time, the ox hide had only mentioned the three monks—
not a word about Lankā Bodhisattva.
Bodhisattva?
Lin Yao recalled that bodhisattvas often manifested in feminine forms despite being male.
Lankā’s muscular yet delicate features fit that description.
Himself and the Weaver Girl—one man, one woman.
There had to be more to this.
“Have you decided, Holy One? Will you join me?”
“In these troubled times, power is valuable. And with this lovely sister here, it won’t be dull.”
Lankā exhaled in relief at Lin Yao’s acceptance.
“You seem weary today. Rest tonight. Tomorrow’s Robe Banquet will precede your formal initiation. I have matters to attend.”
[Translator: sauron]
The lotus carried him into the sky.
Lin Yao crouched beside the Weaver Girl.
“Pretty sister, let’s take a walk. This place is dreary, and those things are grating.”
He jerked a thumb at the devotees.
“Mindless puppets of faith.”
She scoffed but stood.
“Touch me, and I can’t guarantee Lankā will find you intact tomorrow.”
Lin Yao hastily withdrew his outstretched hand, patting his chest in mock relief.
“Worry not, I’m a gentleman. But what exactly is our dear master?”
The Weaver Girl eyed him. “How did a mortal like you get here? To break Lankā’s trap yet act like a lecher—”
“Luck, mostly. Fell down a well, found three monks fighting, stabbed one, and voilà! But where is this place?”
“Lankā Temple.”
The name rooted Lin Yao to the spot.
Lankā Temple?
How?
Where were the fox spirits? The scholar? The Black Mountain Demon?
“What was the monk’s name before becoming a bodhisattva?”
Her frown deepened. “Fahai, I believe.”
Lin Yao’s mind reeled.
Fahai.
Lankā Temple.
What twisted reality was this?
The Cowherd and Weaver Girl tale had fit his knowledge.
But Legend of the White Snake and Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio were unrelated—how could they merge?
He bit back further questions.
This was Lankā Temple—Fahai’s domain.
The Weaver Girl’s refusal to acknowledge him meant she feared something.
“The missing players, perhaps?”
Weaving Fate pulsed faintly—confusion and concern.
“Too much wine. I’m afraid our stroll must wait.”
A devotee emerged to guide him.
“Were you not Lankā’s disciple, such insolence would see you dead by midnight.”
Red threads shredded the devotee before him.
Lin Yao stumbled back in feigned terror.
“Madwoman. Best not provoke her.”
Another devotee took the first’s place as if nothing had happened.
The temple quarters were immaculate.
His status as Holy One granted him a private chamber.
Alone, Lin Yao lay on the bed, replaying the Weaver Girl’s words.
Lankā Temple. Fahai. White Snake. Strange Tales.
Four incompatible fragments, now his reality.
Countless questions swirled.
“Midnight, then.”
The Weaver Girl’s threat had set the hour. Presumably, Lankā’s control lapsed then.
“Dead by midnight?”
Were the devotees the danger?
Out of the frying pan, into the fire.
His desire to cultivate grew stronger. This helpless dependence chafed.
“The old ox followed the Six Paths. Lankā pursues the Six Powers. That three-faced abomination gave him divine sight, hearing, and mind-reading—why the Weaver Girl stayed silent.”
“But the Rebirth Inn’s laws hide our bond. Lankā left to refine those powers. What happens tomorrow?”
A sudden heat flared in his chest.
The ox hide’s prophecy had arrived.
He bolted up, retrieving it as he barred the door.
[I am Lin Yao. I die tomorrow!]
(End of Chapter)