Chapter 637: Divination at the Temple (2)
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
In the previous timeline, to frame the Scarlet Research Institute, Fog wanted to monopolize the research resources in Star City and even killed all the higher-ups of the Wolf Devourer Domain Combat Team.
Historically, in the timeline where he joined the Science and Technology Research Institute, he managed to ascend to the position of the leader of the Wolf-Devouring Domain Battle Team, thanks to Fog’s clandestine assistance. Time passed quickly as he thought about his next move.
He looked up at the electronic clock hanging on the wall of the training room.
It was 6 p.m.
Today was a special day. He had an appointment with Lin Ran and Mu Qing and planned to go to the temple fair in Star City.
They arrived at the entrance of the Tiger Soul Research Institute and waited for Lin Ran and Mu Qing to arrive.
On the way to the temple fair, Feng Qi did not choose to use the Tiger Soul Research Institute’s car. Instead, he used his phone to hail a car after leaving the base.
He had controlled the Tiger Soul Research Institute and had one of the highest authority.
However, he was very clear about personal matters and business.
The temple fair was located in the east of the city. When they got out of the car, they could see the big red lanterns hanging above the entire street, connected by wire.
!!..
The streets were lively, and crowded with people.
The temple fair had a long history.
After the calamity, human civilization ushered in a new era, but many customs of the old era had not been forgotten.
This was also a kind of mental inheritance.
The temple fair of the new era also incorporates many features of the contemporary era.
Since Star City was originally a conglomerate of several cities, the temple fair here showcased unique performances and traditions from various regions.
He walked forward with Lin Ran and Mu Qing.
Along the way, there were Southern Lions, Northern Lions, Dragon Dance, Stiles… All kinds of performances were available.
The atmosphere of the temple fair was very rich. The sound of firecrackers in the distance and the occasional fireworks in the sky added to the immersion.
The faces of the passersby along the way were filled with joy.
Turning to the left, Feng Qi realized that Mu Qing’s gaze was fixed on the snack stall by the street.
“Senior, go ahead and buy it. Let’s enjoy the day.”
As he spoke, Feng Qi walked to the vendor and said to him.
“Three sticks of candied hawthorn, please.”
“Sure!” The boss immediately smiled and nodded. Then, he skillfully took three candied haws from the wooden stake and handed them to Feng Qi.
After making the payment, he turned around and handed the candied hawthorns to Mu Qing and Lin Ran.
Seeing the candied hawthorn, Mu Qing’s eyes were filled with nostalgia.
“You haven’t eaten one for a long time?” he asked curiously.
“Yes, the last time I had it was when I was very young. I’ve almost forgotten the taste, but I remember it being exceptionally delicious. I used to crave it every day.”
As she spoke, Mu Qing opened her mouth and took a small bite.
The sweet taste spread between her lips and teeth. She narrowed her eyes and smiled happily.
When Lin Ran heard this, he immediately took a big bite and couldn’t help but frown.
“This doesn’t taste… good?”
“What she’s indulging is memories. The taste isn’t important,” Feng Qi explained with a smile. As he spoke, he took a bite of the candied hawthorn.
They continued walking forward.
The trio’s collection of snacks steadily grew. Before long, they found their hands full of snacks.
When they arrived at a less crowded section of the road, they stopped and sat on a stone bench by the roadside. They began to eat the snacks they had bought along the way.
Mu Qing’s gaze swept past the smiling passers-by. She, who was sitting beside him, couldn’t help but mutter.
“I can’t bear to ruin the current stable life in Star City.”
Hearing this, Feng Qi fell silent.
When the war officially started against Future City, the stability of the residents of Star City would be shattered. This was inevitable.
At this moment, Mu Qing continued.
“When I was young, I envied the lives of the people in the city. I knew the city had everything, but I was born a scavenger. The city had long been ruined by the domain faction. I’ve been wandering with my parents since childhood, relying on the assistance of major cities to survive.”
“Compared to the previous generation, I’m considered lucky. My grandfather was one of the first batch of scavengers whose city was destroyed by the domain faction. I once heard my grandfather describe the tragic situation back then.”
“The domain creatures cruelly slaughtered the residents in the city. Only a small number of them escaped. My grandfather’s family was one of the people who escaped. At that time, the situation in the various cities was horrible. They could not spare any resources to help us.”
“Grandpa once shared with me that during the days when I roamed in search of resources, there was a time when Great-Grandpa fell seriously ill, and the pain blurred his consciousness. At that moment, Great-Grandpa lay in the tent, crying to my grandfather. He expressed that if he couldn’t afford to support Father, he would secretly add some medicine to Dad’s food, knowing he would consume it.”
“That’s why we scavengers have known since we were young that stability is hard to come by. However, we also understand that some things have to be given up in exchange for true stability.”
Feng Qi and Lin Ran fell silent.
The scavengers were born with a hatred for domain creatures, but from Mu Qing’s words, they felt another kind of sadness that belonged to the scavengers. They also deeply felt the hatred the scavengers had for domain creatures.
This hatred was endless and was engraved in the bones of scavengers.
Feeling the same way, Feng Qi and Lin Ran looked at the smiles on the passers-by’s faces and felt the beauty in the silence.
“Let’s continue shopping,” Feng Qi said at this moment.
“Okay.” Mu Qing nodded immediately. She started to eat the snacks in big mouthfuls and threw the remaining sticks and trash into the trash can beside the stone bench.
Next, the three of them continued to walk from the west to the east.
As they strolled around, they arrived in front of the Martial God Temple.
“Brother Qi, let’s go in and take a look. I hope the Martial God will bless us with a smooth journey.”
“Alright.” Feng Qi didn’t refuse and immediately nodded.
The Martial God Temple worshiped the Martial Saint Emperor. It was located in one of the most lively areas of the temple fair.
The number of people visiting the Martial God Temple increased drastically. There were residents of the city everywhere who came to worship with incense.
The reason why the area of the Martial God Temple could become one of the liveliest areas of the temple fair was linked to the context of this era.
The cruelty of the front line was well known, and the annual casualty rate was high.
Many of these soldiers who went to the front line were the children, fathers, mothers, elders, and other relatives of the city’s residents.
The residents who visited the Martial God Temple for worship harbored the hope that the Martial Saint Emperor would bestow blessings for the safety of their loved ones on the front line. They eagerly anticipated positive news and the possibility of achieving a complete victory, enabling swift reunions with their families.
In this era, the Martial God Temple took on the responsibility of providing emotional support for the city’s residents through their relatives on the front line, making it one of the most popular areas of the temple fair.
Following the tourists deeper into the Martial God Temple, the hawkers selling incense on both sides shouted.
Finally, they crossed the most crowded area and arrived in front of the Martial Saint Emperor’s statue.
Worship involved no complicated steps.
Feng Qi and the other two faced the image of the Martial Saint Emperor, and bowed respectfully, believing that sincerity would be met with a divine response.
Just as they were about to leave, Lin Ran noticed the lot tube beside him and immediately became playful.
“Brother Qi, let’s draw a lot before leaving.”
When Feng Qi heard that, he turned to look at the lot tube at the side. Then, he smiled and nodded.
“Let’s go ahead and give it a try to see how the luck fares in the combat timeline.”
Upon reaching the lottery tube, Lin Ran was the first to draw a lot. He extended his hand to pick up the thick lot tube and began shaking it. He even started murmuring in concentration.
Finally, a bamboo stick fell from the lot tube.
Lin Ran immediately put down the lot tube and picked up the bamboo stick on the ground.
The bamboo stick was engraved with a line of letters.
Good Fortune: In endeavors and schemes, adopt an active and diligent approach. Work hard and persevere, and you will reap the rewards.
Seeing this line of words, Lin Ran immediately smiled and threw the lot in his hand back into the lot tube.
Observing this, ripples surfaced in Mu Qing’s beautiful eyes. Subsequently, she took two steps forward and picked up the lot tube.
“I wanna try it.”
As she spoke, Mu Qing imitated Lin Ran and started shaking the lot tube.
A moment later, a bamboo stick fell out.
Similar to Lin Ran, Mu Qing also drew a similar lucky lot.
Seeing this, Feng Qi laughed inwardly.
He suspected that this lot tube was filled with similar divinations. The purpose was to make tourists who came to seek luck happy.
“Brother Qi, it’s your turn.”
Feng Qi had never believed in these things, but he did not reject them.
He took two steps forward and picked up the lot tube. After shaking it a few times, the lot fell out of the tube.
Picking it up, he saw a line of words engraved on the bamboo stick. The first thing he saw was “Bad Luck”.
After a brief silence, Feng Qi returned the lot into the tube. Then, he made a few more attempts until he picked a lot with “Great Luck” engraved on it. He held it in his hand.
Mu Qing was speechless.
“My fate is in my own hands. We have ‘Great Luck’ for this combat timeline!”
Looking at the smiling Feng Qi, Lin Ran immediately gave him a thumbs up.
“As expected of you, Brother Qi.. You’re right! Our lives are in our hands, not in the heavens!”