The temple was decorated in such a way that relaxed its visitors.
“Be careful.” Fu Shu said cautiously, “Everything at Dream Break Town is symbolic. Look at the invitation on the wall. In reality, it could be a patient’s brain. The extinguished light can be a cruel experiment related to the Xi God.”
Gao Ming nodded slightly. He looked around. Nothing looked out of place. However, the candles were out, and all the red decorations turned deep red. Gao Ming walked up the wooden stairs that were covered in silk ribbons. The dangerous demons didn’t appear. He reached the second floor easily.
The ceiling of the temple was painted with holy and saintly characters. There were people of all ages and genders. They appeared to be shells that had been blessed by the Xi God before. They struggled deeply when they were alive, but they returned to bliss after they died. There was only peace and joy on their faces when they died.
“Don’t look at them for too long.” Fu Shu whispered, “The paintings are moving. As you look at them, they look at you. They might drag you into the painting at any moment. This temple is one of the few scariest places in this nightmare. We’ll find your friend and leave.”
The painting depicted a world without pain. There was only joy and happiness.
“The first floor has walls covered in wedding invitations. Each invitation represents a nightmare. The second floor is filled with paintings of nirvana. Could the souls drained from the first floor be trapped inside the paintings?” Gao Ming took a closer look. The fairies in the paintings were lovely and graceful. When they sensed Gao Ming’s eyes on them, they waved at him as if inviting him to join them.
The paintings fell like a waterfall of joy. The bliss of the world surged at Gao Ming. Even Fu Shu was affected. He slowly forgot about hatred. His eyes softened with kindness. He could see his young daughter toddling towards him. Fu Shu mumbled his daughter’s name. He forgot his purpose of being there. He just wanted to go home. His home was waiting for him. His wife and stern father were there. They welcomed him.
“Come back home…”
His soul escaped the shackles of his physical form. Just as he was about to step into his home, black water rushed over from the horizon. The smell of rot eroded his home and swept away his family. His little daughter cried among the waves. His wife called his name. Joy turned into pain. He was ready to jump into the water to save his family.Suddenly, a mocking voice entered his ears. “Your legs have been chopped off by Immortal Pharma. How do you plan to save them?”
Fu Shu instantly woke up. His forehead was covered in cold sweat. He realised his neck had been bent at a strange angle. His soul threatened to escape.
He looked at Gao Ming. His eyes were drawn to the wounds on Gao MIng’s arms and stomach. This madman chose to harm himself because he didn’t want to hurt the person who appeared to him in his hallucinations. That was how Gao Ming woke himself up.
“Who… did you see in the paintings?” Fu Shu didn’t get it. Considering how ruthless Gao Ming was, who was capable enough to move him in his hallucinations?
“It has nothing to do with you.” Gao Ming’s eyes were frightening. The altar in his sleeves opened. The butcher’s knife aimed at the painting. The sea of nirvana was sliced through. The shells possessed by the Xi God started to look dull. They were not in true joy. There was no permanent bliss in the world.
“If you traded your joy, it should be called a business transaction, right?”
Gai Ming was about to destroy the paintings when the red lines in the paintings started to unfurl. The lives turned into a wedding dress. A normal woman walked out of the extreme joy. The woman was like a water painting that carried a special air. She didn’t have too many stories but she had become a part of joy.
She wore the phoenix crown and a red veil. She had on an embroidered red robe and a colourful shawl. Her fair arms wore a lot of silver accessories. Her lower body was covered in a red dress and red silk shoes.
The colour red was supposed to be festive. However, the red on the lady felt special. It looked soft and kind, but upon closer inspection, he noticed that it was cold and dangerous.
“Be careful! She is Madam Xi!” Fu Shu’s voice changed. It was clear that he was very afraid of her. She was a shy bride, but she became a monster in Fu Shu’s eyes.
“Young Master Fu, we are a married couple. Your words chill my heart.” A melodious voice came from under the veil. Madam Xi’s voice was amazing. Without even using her looks, her voice could make a lot of men fall at her feet.
“Don’t listen to her, and don’t look at her. The best way to deal with Madam Xi is to kill her directly and shut down any kind of communication. She will shake your determination!” Fu Shu couldn’t cover his ears, so he shared his experience with Gao Ming.
“Young Master Fu, you sure are heartless. Have you forgotten the joy we’ve shared…”
“Quick! Kill her now!” Fu Shu screamed, “She is why I am what I am now. There are a few villagers in Dream Break Town who I didn’t design. Madam Xi is one of them. She appeared to entrap me and wipe out all the anomalies!”
Gao Ming stopped hesitating because he was also an anomaly.
“We were a couple, but we’re now enemies. Everything has changed.” Madam Xi spoke calmly and slowly. Her fingers pointed lightly at Gao Ming, “Humans have seven emotions: joy, anger, sadness, happiness, melancholy, surprise and fear. Joy is placed first. Without joy, the other six emotions will escape.”
Gao Ming realised his body started to convulse involuntarily. Something seemed to crawl in his muscles and blood. Moments later, a giant blind tiger leapt out off Gao Ming’s shoulders. A ferocious roar shattered the nearby ribbons. Then, two snake’s tails grew out of Gao Ming’s legs. They bound his body so he couldn’t move.
“The other three emotions are coming out. Without joy, humans will die in grey chaos. Dream Break Town cannot survive without the Xi God. If the Xi God cannot return, the town will be destroyed by the Ji Gods and the Yong Gods. It will be dominated by sadness and death.” Madam Xi stood transfixed as she turned to look at Fu Shu. “Young Master Fu, have you not told him that?”