LEGEND OF THE GOLDEN TIGRESS 158 She Owes A God?

This was the first time Xing had entered any kind of temple in her eighteen years of life. She had known G.o.ds as long as she remembered but never visited or looked inside a temple. She was surprised to see the big and exquisitely made wooden statue of the G.o.d of wind in the form of a dragon.

She remembered that tiger G.o.d saying that the original G.o.ds used to take the form of a dragon as it was considered a divine beast but by the time-worn usage of dragons by human Emperors made them abhor that form and the G.o.ds preferred other forms.

There were many lanterns and bells hanging inside the temple and Xing noticed there were some other G.o.ds already present there. Xing remembered the presence of the female G.o.d there as the one who took the form of the tiger G.o.d and the one she made a deal with.

Xing bowed to the G.o.ds followed by Shengli and the Emperor. Even though she didn't have much respect for the G.o.ds those G.o.ds felt so powerful and provoking them might not end well for them as they can literally end you with a snap of their fingers without a trace. It's not wrong bowing to power when you are clearly at a disadvantage.

Xing gave the sweet buns to Fei Lian and he opened the package to see only four buns, "Where is the other one?", he asked because Xing always gave him five buns and one is missing today. He looked really enthusiastic to know and wronged even as if he was cheated off.

Geez! Can't you just let it go? It's just a bun! Xing sighed, "I got hungry and ate it on the way here", Xing told the truth. Is he really a G.o.d? And how come he is not as stone faced as always? Recently he is much more casual with me, why?

"Oh", FeiLian was casual about it and stuffed the buns in his mouth as he usually does with no reservations. He looked like a starved kid seeing food after days while eating those buns making Xing smile unconsciously.

"Is this the way you treat dogs?", the female G.o.d snorted at Fei lian. Letting them do what they please and eating what's left of their food? How despicable!

Xing could feel the same strength of presence from the female G.o.d as from Fei Lian. She must be one of the great four G.o.ds, she concluded. But her words are not that great! Xing might bow to power but still she cannot forgo her self-respect for anyone. She only respects those who are worth it.

"I see no dog here", Xing looked straight in the eyes of the female G.o.d. She was really p.i.s.sed at her att.i.tude and her tone was confrontational. If they need her for some reason she'll need some kind of respect, not this kind of condescending tone.

"Us G.o.ds see you mortals as dogs and filths", she sneered and Fe Lian paused for a moment seeing the situation getting tense.

"Is that so?", Xing snorted, " But us mortals don't lie to a dog to make it obey us and we certainly won't peep at what dogs do behind bushes", Xing pursed her lips and her eyes emitted the deep disgust she had for those G.o.ds coming between her and Shengli that day and for trying to cheat her by taking the tiger form.

"You..", the female G.o.d gritted her teeth when Fei Lian interjected, "Enough ZhuRong. We have something important to discuss", he wiped his hands and looked at Xing, "By the way, Little one.. Did you know it was not me you met the other day?", he looked at her deeply.

ZhuRong? So she is the G.o.d of Fire?

Xing looked at FeiLian's eyes as blue as the clear sky with silver streaks in it that was s.h.i.+ning and looked like they were concealing various emotions and she could not help but feel angry. He abandoned her when she needed him! But...Even after everything that had happened, she could not hate him... She was angry at herself for that.

" I've known you as long as I've known my mother. How can I not recognise another G.o.d in your form?", she bit her lower lips and averted her eyes from him when Shengli held her hands and patted it with his other hand a.s.suring her. He knew no matter what she says, this G.o.d has a special place in her heart. Xing is now hurting and feeling betrayed.

There was a momentary silence and the mountain G.o.d who usually took the form of a white stag sitting beside Fei Lian saw the momentary flash of extreme guilt in his face. Even though G.o.ds don't hold the sentiments of family, they knew the role of a mother for a human and Fei Lian knew how much she loved her mother. Is she actually putting him on the same pedestal as her mother? As her family?

"Why are you listening to this impudant mortal?", ZhuRong became restless and Fei Lian returned to his usual stone face.

"I want to ask you why too... Why? Why are you interfering in my life? Why did you force me to enter the palace knowing you cannot protect me in here? If not for Master Yuan, I'd be burnt to a crisp by now. And why is the G.o.d of Death a pervert? "

"Yuan?",Fei Lian mumbled and Xing caught it and looked at him but got distracted when another G.o.d beside ZhuRong answered her,

"It's because of me. I had to ask the Heavenly Emperor for you to serve here as a way of repaying what you owe me"

Xing didn't remember meeting this G.o.d previously and she didn't know what he was talking about. What might she owe to a G.o.d?

"What do I owe you?", she asked.

"You trampled on my writings and wrote your own fate. You and your mother... Even others help you", he looked accusingly at Fei Lian and Xing looked at Fei Lian who was indifferent. He didn't even try to refute him and event the prideful ZhuRong was silent and looked a bit respectful towards this G.o.d.

OK... If he commands this much respect, who might he be, Xing wondered. He didn't seem too powerful to be the Heavenly Emperor...Xing noticed the scrolls he had and the writer's calluses in his fingers. That only means this is Siming - G.o.d of Fate. Xing took a deep breath.

Oh, Xing! How did you ever manage to p.i.s.s of the G.o.d of Fate? He writes your fate for fracks sake! And mother too..? How? Even G.o.ds try to be on the good side of Siming and here you are...p.i.s.sing him off... Him and G.o.d of death too... Nice going, Stupid Xing.... You have successfully made enemy of the two G.o.ds even other G.o.ds are afraid to make enemy of! Well done!

Shengli noticed her dejected look and his grip on her hand tightened. He himself was surprised that this many G.o.ds would appear to have a talk with a mortal and the Emperor was standing awfully close to Shengli almost hiding behind him.

The Emperor felt an immense pressure on him and he just wanted to leave this place as soon as possible. He saw the not so fazed Xing and only then he knew how she isn't that humble towards the Emperor or even the Great General. These G.o.ds hold a presence a hundred times powerful than the great General. No wonder she finds any human worth kneeling before!

"Great G.o.d!", Xing grinned, "May I know how I might have offended you?", she looked so humble with her drooped shoulders and her bowed head.

Pen sure is mightier than a sword! This G.o.d can write awful things and change everything. It's not wrong to bow to him right?

Fei Lian saw the not so genuinely humble Xing bowing in front of the G.o.d of fate and rolled his eyes. He is very well versed of her acting skills. He does know her from her toddler days! At least she knows what is best for her, he was content.

The G.o.d of Fate was pleased with her att.i.tude and he relaxed his haughty att.i.tude too. He gave three scrolls one for each to her, Shengli and the Emperor.

Xing opened her scroll to see.... Her fate! Wait... Isn't it taboo to show one's fate to them? Why am I given this? Is it okay to read it?

While Xing was wondering, Shengli opened the scroll and read the entire thing within a short time. Xing turned to look at Shengli whose face had that slight disappointment and then it turned into a dry smile as if he knew this was supposed to happen and he rolled back the scroll and kept it in his hands.

Yes! He knew his life should have ended when he was twelve on that snow by that a.s.sa.s.sin who tried to sneak up on him! The extraordinarily genius and exceptionally talented Prince buried in the snow, forgotten by everyone! That was his fate!

But... His moon was there... She changed his fate ... He always knew it!

Xing looked at the Emperor who was still reading and his eyes widened with each line he read. His mouth was open too.

Just what is written in his fate?

Xing looked at Fei Lian who signalled her to read her fate and she bowed her head to read it.

Eh! Why is my fate longer than what they have?