Chapter 56: Worship Love

Chapter 56: Chapter 56: Worship Love

When Yizhou and Sui Sui entered the courtyard of Yaowei Pavilion, they were met with a scene that stood in stark contrast to the world outside.

While the streets outside were cold and gloomy, the courtyard was filled with the warmth of spring. Lush grass covered the ground, and peach blossom trees stood in full bloom, their delicate flowers adding a romantic charm to the surroundings.

If Sui Sui had to describe it, it reminded him of the popular dating spots that could be seen in the modern world—carefully designed to create a romantic atmosphere.

"It’s done by a formation," Yizhou said in a hushed tone as they walked.

Sui Sui continued looking around, fascinated by the scenery. It was only then that he noticed several wooden plates hanging from the branches of the peach blossom trees.

Curious, he moved closer and found names carved into each one. Every plate bore the names of a couple, making him wonder about the significance behind them.

"Greetings, guests. Is there something we can help you with?" A woman’s voice came from behind them. Sui Sui and Yizhou turned around and saw one of the Matchmaker Pavilion’s workers approaching them.

She wore bright red robes, while her phoenix eyes were accentuated by delicate red makeup. Rather than resembling the elderly matchmakers Sui Sui had read about in books, she looked more like a bride herself, her appearance youthful and graceful. Sui Sui soon noticed that the other workers nearby were similarly young and well-dressed, giving them quite a different eyesight.

Hearing her question, Sui Sui was about to explain that they were cultivators here to investigate when Yizhou spoke before him.

"We would like to pray for love talismans."

Sui Sui was slightly puzzled by his response. Were they not here to investigate the disappearances? However, he did not question Yizhou’s decision and simply followed along. His senior brother must have had a reason for approaching the matter this way.

Upon hearing their request, the female matchmaker led them to another part of the courtyard. The peach blossom trees grew denser here, their branches heavy with flowers, while fallen petals scattered across the ground like a soft pink carpet.

At the center stood a shrine, with a statue of a person seated within it. It was difficult to tell whether the figure was male or female, as its features were distinctly androgynous. Yet regardless of its gender, the face was undeniably exquisite, carved with such lifelike detail that it almost seemed capable of coming alive.

Many people were kneeling before the statue, their foreheads touching the ground as they offered their prayers.

Seeing the scene, Sui Sui was reminded of the images he had seen in the modern world of people worshipping Yue Lao.

In a sense, the purpose was almost identical—both were places where people came to pray for love and hope to find their destined partner.

What surprised Sui Sui was that the concept of worshipping gods actually existed here. Gods and goddesses had never been mentioned in the novel’s setting. In this world, strength was what commanded respect.

Anyone with enough ability could transcend the limits of humanity and reach heights others could only dream of. There was no need for mortals to worship an unseen deity when they could pursue the path of cultivation themselves.

As far as Sui Sui knew, the only existence above all others was the Dao of Heaven. Yet even the Dao of Heaven could hardly be considered a god. It was not a humanoid entity that answered prayers or interfered with the affairs of mortals, but an impartial force that governed the natural order of the world.

As long as no one did anything that threatened the world’s balance, the Dao of Heaven would not meddle in human affairs.

"This statue is...?" Sui Sui asked, unable to hide his curiosity.

"This statue represents the epitome and personification of love." The woman’s voice carried a reverent undertone. "In our culture, we believe that love is the most powerful force in the world. It can make a person stronger, yet it can also make them lose themselves. It can bring joy, but it can just as easily bring sorrow. It is a blessing and, at the same time, the most powerful curse."

She clasped her hands before her chest, her gaze resting on the statue with undisguised devotion.

"That is why we created an entity to represent it. As long as you sincerely revere love, it will guide you toward finding your own."

As Sui Sui listened to her, he couldn’t shake the strange feeling that lingered in his mind. There was something about the woman’s reverence that felt off. Yizhou seemed to notice it as well, his gaze lingering on her as he quietly studied her expression.

The woman continued explaining the customs of the Pavilion, including how every couple who successfully found their destined partner would leave their names on the wooden plates hanging from the trees.

Once she had finished, she led the two of them closer to the statue and handed each of them a brush and a sheet of paper.

"On the paper, please write down your name, birth date, and your desire. Then, pray sincerely before the statue. Once you are finished, bring the paper to me, and I will give you the talisman. However, keep in mind that not every prayer will be answered. Only those who offer their prayers with sincere devotion will receive an answer."

After explaining the procedure, she stepped aside and waited, leaving the two of them to proceed on their own.

Sui Sui looked down at the brush and paper in his hands before turning toward Yizhou, silently seeking his opinion on what they should do.

Yizhou lowered his gaze to the paper in his hand, his fingers resting lightly against the brush as he considered their situation. His eyes briefly swept across the shrine, the woman waiting nearby, and the talismans hanging from her sleeve before he finally spoke.

"I want to take a closer look at the talismans they have here. It would be best if we can obtain one ourselves."

Sui Sui understood immediately. If they wanted to investigate the talisman without raising suspicion, obtaining one through the Pavilion’s usual procedure would be the safest approach.

He glanced down at the blank paper in his hand, then back at Yizhou. "Then, should we write down our own information?" he asked.

"I’ll do it. There’s no need for you to."

Sui Sui understood the reason immediately. His Yin-heavy birth chart was something they could not afford to reveal in a place they already suspected of being connected to the disappearances. If they only needed one talisman, there was no reason to take the risk.

Yizhou lowered his brush to the paper and wrote down the necessary information. Once he was finished, he walked toward the shrine and stood before the statue.

Unlike the others, he did not kneel or kowtow. He merely brought his hands together in front of him and lowered his gaze, maintaining the appearance of someone offering a sincere prayer. After remaining there for a few moments, he turned and walked back to the woman waiting nearby.

He handed her the paper.

The woman glanced over it before reaching into her sleeve and taking out a talisman. She placed it in Yizhou’s hand without saying much.

While Yizhou dealt with the talisman, Sui Sui found a nearby peach tree and leaned against its trunk, casually observing the surroundings. With nothing else to occupy his attention, his gaze eventually drifted toward the wooden plates hanging from the branches.

He reached out and took one down, reading the names carved into it.

Earlier, the woman had mentioned that these plates recorded the names of couples who had successfully found their partners, arranged in order from the earliest pair to the most recent. Sui Sui initially looked through them out of curiosity, but as his eyes moved from one plate to another, a familiar name suddenly caught his attention.

He paused for a bit, and while holding the plate closer, Sui Sui read the name again to make sure he had not mistaken it.

A thought then immediately surfaced in his mind as he realized something.

He began searching through the other plates, his movements becoming more deliberate. One by one, he checked the names carved into them until, as he had suspected, he found several names that were strangely familiar.

When Yizhou finished, he gave Sui Sui a subtle signal that it was time to leave. The two of them turned toward the entrance, blending into the flow of visitors as they made their way out of the courtyard.

They had nearly stepped outside when Yizhou suddenly stopped.

Sui Sui, who had already walked a few steps ahead, noticed and turned back. "Senior Brother?"

Yizhou glanced back at the Pavilion, his gaze lingering on it for a moment before he finally followed Sui Sui outside