frightfiction Chapter 8: Prayer in the Temple
Chapter 8: Prayer in the Temple
She silently recited her wish in her heart, hoping to find a way to return to the modern world. She took a deep breath and slowly walked up the stairs, her heart full of expectation and trepidation.
"Fang'er, have you really decided to pray here?" A gentle voice came from behind her, interrupting her thoughts.
Chen Fang turned around and saw her good friend Li Yao, who was dressed in plain clothes, with a beautiful face and concern in her eyes.
"Yaoyao, I must try. The temples here are said to be extremely effective and may be able to give me some guidance." Chen Fang said firmly, with a glimmer of hope in his eyes.
Li Yao sighed slightly, walked up and held Chen Fang's hand: "I know you want to go back, but life here is also very good. Do you really want to reconsider it?"
"I know, but... I have too many concerns." Chen Fang's voice lowered, and a trace of sadness flashed in her eyes. "I still have parents at home and my job. I can't just give up like this."
Li Yao nodded and looked at her with understanding: "Okay, I support you. No matter what decision you make, I will be with you."
Chen Fang smiled slightly, with gratitude surging in her heart: "Thank you, Yaoyao. You always understand me so well."
The two walked into the temple, which was filled with incense, offerings were placed all around, and the walls were covered with prayer boards from pilgrims. Chen Fang slowly walked to an ancient statue and prayed silently in her heart: "I hope I can find a way to return to the modern era."
"Fang'er, do you believe in these gods?" Li Yao asked softly beside him, with a hint of doubt in his eyes.
"I don't know, but I hope a miracle will happen." Chen Fang replied in a firm voice.
At this moment, a middle-aged Taoist priest in a Taoist robe and with a kind face walked into the temple. He walked up to Chen Fang and smiled slightly: "Little girl, you seem to have something on your mind. Do you want to ask for clarification?"
Chen Fang was stunned for a moment, then nodded: "Master, I would like to ask you, can I find a way to return to the modern times?"
The Taoist smiled slightly, his eyes deep: "Between modern times and ancient times, there is not only time, but also the choice of the heart. Do you really want to go back, or do you want to stay here?"
Chen Fang was silent for a moment, and the details of modern life emerged in her mind. Her home, friends, and busy work were all her concerns that she could not let go.
"I...I want to go back, but life here also makes me happy." She finally said, with a hint of struggle in her voice.
The Taoist nodded, as if he had seen through her thoughts: "Everyone has a choice in their heart. The key lies in how you view these two worlds. You can choose to stay here or return to the modern world, but no matter what, the concern in your heart will not disappear."
Li Yao was listening quietly beside him, and she was also touched. She said softly, "Master, how can I help her?"
The Taoist smiled and turned to Li Yao: "Your company is her greatest support. Help her find the answer in her heart, and maybe she will find her own way."
Chen Fang looked at Li Yao gratefully, with a warm feeling in her heart: "Thank you, Yaoyao. No matter what decision I make, you are willing to accompany me."
"Of course, I will always be with you until you find your own answer." Li Yao said firmly, with a gleam of friendship in her eyes.
Seeing this, the Taoist priest said softly: "If you wish, you can light a stick of incense in the temple and pray to the gods for your wishes. Perhaps the gods will give you guidance."
Chen Fang nodded, walked to the incense burner, lit a stick of incense, put her hands together, closed her eyes, and silently prayed for her friend. Li Yao also lit a stick of incense and prayed silently for her friend.
The smoke from the incense rose up and filled the air of the temple, as if it took away their wishes. Chen Fang felt a sense of peace, as if all her troubles had dissipated at this moment.
At this moment, a burst of hurried horse hoof sounds came from outside the temple, breaking the tranquility inside the temple. Chen Fang and Li Yao looked at each other, feeling vaguely uneasy.
"What happened?" Li Yao asked nervously.
The Taoist smiled slightly, as if he had foreseen it: "Perhaps it is fate's arrangement, and something unexpected will happen next."
In the temple, incense smoke lingered, as if time had stopped at this moment. Chen Fang and Li Yao prayed quietly in front of the statue, silently reciting their wishes in their hearts. As they were communicating with each other, a mysterious old man slowly walked into the temple. He had white hair, a kind face, and was dressed in a simple robe. His footsteps were light, as if he was not stained by dust.
"What are you praying for?" The old man's voice was low and gentle, carrying an incredible power.
Chen Fang and Li Yao looked at each other, and couldn't help but feel a little curious and awed. Li Yao nodded slightly, and mustered up the courage to ask: "Grandpa, we hope to find a way to return to the modern era."
The old man smiled slightly, with wisdom shining in his eyes: "Modern and ancient, in the long river of time, they are all the choices of your heart. Do your wishes really come from your heart?"
Chen Fang was stunned for a moment, and felt a little shocked in her heart. She thought of her life in modern times, which was busy but fulfilling. She said softly, "I want to go back, but life here also makes me happy."
The old man nodded, as if he had seen through her heart. He slowly approached, staring at Chen Fang with a sharp gaze: "Little girl, have you ever struggled and been confused deep in your heart?"
"I... I don't know." Chen Fang lowered her head, with a complex emotion surging in her heart. She wanted to return to the modern world, but she was full of curiosity and yearning for this ancient world.
"I can sense your hesitation," the old man said softly, "Life choices sometimes do not depend on external circumstances, but on inner pursuits. Are you willing to listen to my revelation?"
Li Yao held Chen Fang's hand tightly and encouraged her: "Fang'er, listen to Grandpa's words, maybe it can help you find the answer."
Chen Fang took a deep breath and nodded: "Okay, please tell me."
The old man smiled and said slowly: "In your heart, there are two worlds. Modern life is full of technology and convenience, while ancient life is the harmony between man and nature. You must find the life you really yearn for, so that you can make a wise choice."
"But how can I find the life that I really want?" Chen Fang asked, with anticipation gleaming in her eyes.
The old man smiled and pointed outside the temple: "In this land, there are many unsolved mysteries and opportunities. You can explore and experience. Only through experience can you find your true self."
Li Yao interrupted, "Grandpa, are you saying that we can live here for a while to understand this world?"
"That's right." The old man's voice was like a spring breeze. "In the process of exploration, you will find out what your heart really desires."
Chen Fang's heart was shaken, and she seemed to understand something. She said slowly: "I understand. Maybe I need to give myself some time to experience all this."
The old man smiled slightly, with a look of relief in his eyes: "Remember, young man, the choice of life lies in your heart. Don't be afraid to pursue the life you want, explore and discover bravely."
"Thank you, grandpa." Chen Fang said gratefully, her heart filled with emotion and hope.
"One more thing." The old man suddenly said in a serious tone, "No matter what you choose, you must keep a kind heart. A kind heart will lead you to a bright future."
"I will." Chen Fang nodded firmly, determination flashing in her eyes.
The old man nodded with satisfaction and turned to leave: "I'll wait for your good news here."
"Grandpa, where are you going?" Li Yao asked, with reluctance in her eyes.
"I still have some things to do, but I believe you will find your own answers." The old man smiled slightly, and like a gust of wind, he floated away gently, leaving behind a faint fragrance.
"Fang'er, do you think he is a god?" Li Yao said half-jokingly, with surprise in his eyes.
"I don't know, but his words made me feel very warm." Chen Fang responded softly, but her heart was full of expectations for the future.
The two walked out of the temple, the sunlight shining through the leaves onto them, as if injecting strength into their souls. Chen Fang took a deep breath, feeling the fresh air, and her heart gradually became clear.
"Where are we going next?" Li Yao asked, with excitement shining in her eyes.
"I want to go to the village. I heard the scenery there is beautiful." Chen Fang replied, with a yearning for the unknown in her eyes.
"Okay, I want to go too!" Li Yao responded happily, and her mood seemed to be affected by Chen Fang's decision.
The two walked along the path toward the village. Wild flowers bloomed in the sun, and the air was filled with the fragrance of soil and grass. A warm power gradually surged in Chen Fang's heart, as if the old man's words were echoing in her ears: "Be brave to explore and discover."
She knows that the road ahead is still long, but she is no longer afraid of making choices. Whether she returns to the modern era or stays in the ancient times, she will experience every moment with her heart to find her true self.