Hearing the quarrel, the buyers stopped buying, and the sellers stopped selling. Some craned their necks, trying to get a look, while others simply gathered around.
Directly ahead, to the left, and diagonally forward!
Nan Shiying keenly sensed the gazes from these three directions, different from the excited, onlookers' stares of ordinary folk.
Were there hidden sentries here?
Did that mean Wang Xun had not fallen into Yu Dab's hands?
Where might Wang Xun be now?
After the wanted poster was issued that day, the yamen runners of Wucheng had turned Linlong Temple upside down. They hadn't found Wang Xun there. Had Yu Dab planted hidden sentries all over the city, or did he still believe Wang Xun was hiding within Linlong Temple, just undiscovered by them?
Seeing Nan Shiying clutching the vegetables with her head bowed, Mrs. Wang recalled the girl's misfortunes and a wave of pity washed over her. She turned her ferocity on the vegetable vendor, "Look, everyone, look! Look how frightened this little girl has been made by this black-hearted fellow. When those burly men were picking vegetables, why didn't you shout at them? Now you're showing off your authority in front of a little girl. Bah, you dog who bullies the weak!"
"Hey, what are you talking about? Do you believe I'll hit you!"
The vegetable buyer, enraged by the scolding, rolled up his sleeves and stood up, making a gesture as if to strike.
Mrs. Wang was no pushover. Rolling up sleeves, who couldn't do that? Instead of retreating, she stepped forward, her broad chest almost pressing against the vegetable vendor. Mrs. Wang's family had been butchers in her younger days. Although she no longer practiced the trade, a certain ferocity still emanated from her glare. "Hit you? Do you believe I'll hit you!"
As she spoke, she rolled up her sleeves, revealing a wrist that was a full circle thicker than the vegetable vendor's.
The vegetable vendor: ...
Unbeatable, unbeatable, unbeatable!
Nan Shiying, holding the vegetables, which were now a copper cheaper than before, left Jilin Street with Mrs. Wang.
After crossing the bridge, Nan Shiying turned her head and looked west from the arched bridge, vaguely seeing the rooftop of Linlong Temple. "Auntie, is that a temple?"
Mrs. Wang followed her gaze, saw the rooftop of Linlong Temple, and nodded. "Yes, that's Linlong Temple."
"Linlong Temple?"
"That..."
"You want to ask if it's efficacious?"
Nan Shiying nodded.
Mrs. Wang smiled. Though she appeared coarse, she occasionally uttered profound truths. "Sincerity moves the heavens!"
Mrs. Wang paused for a few seconds, as if waiting for something. Nan Shiying blinked, looking at her with an innocent expression. Mrs. Wang saw no look of amazement on Nan Shiying's face and thought to herself that the girl truly lacked discernment, but she continued nonetheless, "In these past years, whenever a child has gone missing in a family, they would go to Linlong Temple to burn incense and pray for divine mercy, but it has never been effective. However, if you pray for other things, like injustice, your grievances can be redressed."
"So, many people in our Wucheng believe in Linlong Temple, and many do not."
"If it's not for the saying 'sincerity moves the heavens' to whitewash the situation, how else can this matter be explained? The Buddha says all beings are equal, so why the differential treatment?"
"However, if you wish to go, it wouldn't hurt. At your age, you should be praying for a good marriage. Perhaps after you go, you'll find a husband you're pleased with?"
"In that case, since we're already here, Auntie will accompany you!"