Chapter 492: The Gods Bear Witness

Jiang Qingli glanced at the time. It was already one in the morning.

At this hour, there were hardly any tourists. The massive temple was empty and silent, with only the occasional sound of footsteps passing by—devout believers who had come for late-night worship.

Jiang Qingli recalled that Zhou Yanli had once served as the Great Divine Servant in the First District’s temple. His position was second only to the Goddess, and his influence was profound. Because of this, he maintained close ties with the temple even after marrying.

When they were children, she and Xie Youchen were often brought to various temples.

Beneath the sacred statue of the Beast God, they had knelt side by side many times, hands clasped in prayer.

However, their activities were mostly confined to the Upper City District. The Ninth District... as far as Jiang Qingli could remember, this was her first time here.

Unlike her unfamiliarity, Xie Youchen moved with practiced ease, his steps never hesitating as he walked toward the deeper parts of the temple.

Jiang Qingli followed in Xie Youchen’s footsteps, passing through a long corridor. Further in was an area not open to the public, guarded by two Divine Servants on either side.

The black-robed Divine Servants both possessed A Level superpowers. One of them immediately noticed Jiang Qingli’s presence, his gaze questioning.

Jiang Qingli hadn’t intended to hide, but being caught secretly tailing Xie Youchen was still a bit awkward.

"Still awake?" Xie Youchen asked with a smile, taking her hand.

He wasn’t surprised. He had sensed her following him from the start and had even slowed his pace a few times to accommodate her.

Jiang Qingli rubbed the tip of her nose. "I saw you leave and wanted to come see what was going on."

"Then let’s go together."

Xie Youchen’s smile deepened. He relished the concern from his beloved.

The two Divine Servants clearly recognized Xie Youchen and stepped aside to let them pass.

Their path was unobstructed.

As they entered a deep courtyard, Jiang Qingli looked around, pulled him a little closer, and whispered in his ear, "Are you here on a mission?"

At the mention of it, Xie Youchen brought a fist to his lips and coughed lightly. "I stopped by on my way back before."

’So... he’s here to fulfill a vow?’

Jiang Qingli blinked. It finally came back to her. She had heard Zhou Yanli mention before that some temples in the Lower District held prayer ceremonies in the dead of night at the beginning of each month, just as the new moon was rising.

Only the most devout believers were given the opportunity to witness the ceremony.

But Jiang Qingli remembered that Xie Youchen never used to believe in such things.

Just as she was thinking this, two Divine Servants approached. The elder one in the lead smiled and greeted Xie Youchen, "Marshal Xie, it’s been a few months. You seem to be in much better spirits."

Xie Youchen thanked him and introduced him to Jiang Qingli. "Ah Li, this is Divine Servant Yang."

"Divine Servant Yang, this is my..." He paused, a smile playing on his lips. "Female master."

The two of them exchanged greetings.

Divine Servant Yang’s gaze fell upon Jiang Qingli, and as if recalling something, he asked, "Are you here to fulfill a vow?"

Xie Youchen had come alone precisely because he didn’t want Jiang Qingli to know he had done something only a reckless young man would do.

But since she was already by his side, Xie Youchen didn’t hide it. He simply squeezed her hand and nodded. "Yes."

The Divine Servant smiled, his expression one of gratified blessing. "Her Grace, the Goddess, has just entered the temple. Please, follow me."

After the couple had walked away, hand in hand, the Little Divine Servant beside Divine Servant Yang studied Xie Youchen’s back and asked in a low voice, "That male looks so familiar... Was he the one who was kowtowing in the torrential rain last spring, one kneel and one bow at a time? He’s a Marshal? I never thought someone from the military could be so devout. The rain was so heavy that day you couldn’t even open your eyes, and he knocked his head until it bled..."

Divine Servant Yang patted the boy on the head. "Don’t gossip about esteemed guests behind their backs. Let’s go."

...

「Inside the temple.」

Dozens of people stood in orderly rows.

On the central platform, the Goddess stood in the very center, dressed in elaborate ceremonial robes.

The Goddess was over a hundred years old, with hints of gray in her hair, yet she was in exceptionally high spirits. Her gaze swept over the crowd, pausing for a moment on Jiang Qingli’s face before she offered her a smile.

After a moment of silence, a crisp bell chimed softly. It was followed by a continuous stream of solemn music and prayers, washing over them in successive waves, as if cleansing one’s very soul.

By the time the ceremony ended, the sky was already beginning to lighten with the dawn.

Surprisingly, Jiang Qingli didn’t feel tired, but her legs were a little numb from standing for so long.

After the Goddess left, Jiang Qingli and Xie Youchen prepared to leave as well.

Just as they turned, a voice called out to them.

"Miss Jiang." A Great Divine Servant in a red robe stepped forward and handed a peace charm to Jiang Qingli. "Her Grace, the Goddess, asked me to give this to you."

Jiang Qingli accepted it. Recalling the smile the Goddess had given her earlier, she found it a bit strange. "I believe this is the first time I’ve met Her Grace."

"Perhaps this is fate." The young man’s expression was gentle. "Her Grace said that your return journey has been arduous. She wishes you and your friends peace and happiness."

’The friends he mentioned didn’t seem to include Xie Youchen.’

’Who could it be, then?’

Somewhat puzzled, Jiang Qingli put the charm away and thanked the Great Divine Servant.

The Great Divine Servant glanced outside the temple. "It’s a beautiful day. The main hall should be open by now."

A few minutes later, the two entered the main hall and knelt before the statue amidst the sounds of prayer.

Just like many years ago, they were side by side, hands clasped in prayer.

The scent of burning incense filled the tranquil air.

Xie Youchen opened his eyes and looked at the girl beside him, his heart softening.

He had never truly been a believer in gods.

He had seen many nobles worship idols, bowing their heads in submission while letting their greed run rampant amidst the incense smoke. He had also seen many who were hurting, kneeling for ages before the ever-burning lamps, begging for release.

Yet, the effect was always negligible.

Greed could not be sated, and wounds already inflicted could not disappear.

Praying to gods was nothing more than an inability to face the truth, an escape from reality.

During a thousand unbearable days and nights, Xie Youchen had wondered more than once, ’If gods truly exist in this world, why were they so cruel to her?’

When Jiang Qingli was gone, Xie Youchen loathed everything, including the gods.

That year, on his way to his post in the Twelve Cities, he passed through the Ninth District. An official accompanying him checked the date and said, "The Goddess will be arriving today. Would you like to go see her?" Xie Youchen had merely replied coldly that he had no interest in such things.

Three years later, Jiang Qingli returned.

Before rushing to the First District to meet her, Xie Youchen once again passed by this temple in the Ninth District.

The official receiving him remembered his previous refusal and made no arrangements.

But when the official went up the mountain in the middle of the night, he was surprised to see Xie Youchen’s figure.

He approached and asked what was going on. Xie Youchen calmly replied, "I heard the prayers here are very effective."

Xie Youchen was not a believer in gods.

But that night, he kowtowed in the pouring rain, and with utmost piety, he made a wish that she would never leave him again.

’Let her stay. Let her be happy. No matter what she thinks of me in the future, no matter what our relationship becomes, I can accept it all. As long as we are never separated again.’

And now, his wish had come true.

...

Jiang Qingli slowly opened her eyes, meeting Xie Youchen’s gaze, which he hadn’t had time to pull away.

The young man’s eyes were focused and full of affection, his long lashes clearly visible in the morning light.

A warmth spread through Jiang Qingli’s chest. She asked, "What did you wish for? It wasn’t the same as when we were kids, was it?"

Not long after Xie Youchen arrived at the Jiang Family’s home, they went to a temple with Zhou Yanli. She had made a whole list of wishes in her head, but when she opened her eyes, she saw that Xie Youchen had already finished and was looking at her.

She had asked curiously, "Brother, what did you wish for? You were so quick."

Back then, Xie Youchen had said, "I don’t have any wishes, so I told the Beast God to give my wish to you."

But now, Xie Youchen curved his lips into a smile and patted the top of her head. "It’s a secret."

As the number of worshippers gradually increased, they left the temple.

Just then, a few tourists were heading toward the wishing tree with red ribbons to make their prayers.

Jiang Qingli asked, "Did you write one of these last time you were here?"

Xie Youchen said, "I did."

Jiang Qingli was curious. "What did you write?"

Xie Youchen was being deliberately mysterious. "Want to go see?"

"Yes!"

Her competitive spirit ignited, Jiang Qingli jogged over to the tree. She had Xie Youchen point out the general area and began earnestly searching for his ribbon.

All was quiet around them.

Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the leaves, falling on the girl’s upturned face and making her eyes shine with a translucent light.

Xie Youchen stood behind her, silent for a long time.

There were countless wishes, but Xie Youchen hadn’t wanted to make it too difficult for Jiang Qingli, so he had pointed to a fairly specific spot. Soon, amidst the sea of red, she recognized his handwriting.

The wind rustled the red ribbon. Jiang Qingli reached up, took hold of it, and slowly unfurled it. She saw the words written on it—

May I be with Ah Li, year after year, forever inseparable.

The leaves rustled gently, bathed in the soft sunlight.

He gazed at her, just as he had all those years ago, his eyes reflecting only her.

The longing and love he had harbored for so many years were finally, unreservedly, laid bare before her—

"Ah Li, I love you."

"As the gods are my witness."