Chapter 309 Bodhi
This was the highest mountain Ashley had ever tackled. Sure, she took a cable car up, so it wasn't exactly a feat to brag about, but that didn't kill her buzz. The view from the top was absolutely killer.
The peak was the tallest in Coastal City, and from up there, everything could be seen. The rivers in the distance looked like a white ribbon wrapping around the city, making it look like something out of a fairy tale.
Finally, she got to feel what it was like to stand on the highest peak.
Climbers risked their necks to conquer one mountain after another because they lived for this feeling. It was like a drug, leaving everyone hooked.
Ashley stretched her arms and took a deep breath. The air up there was so clean and fresh, it felt like a spa treatment for her lungs.
Damian stood next to her, staring out at the horizon. "Looks like this trip was worth it."
"Totally worth it. It's a whole different vibe from being on top of a skyscraper. No matter how fancy human-made buildings are, they can't hold a candle to nature. Compared to mountains, rivers, and lakes, stuff like railways, bridges, or even rockets seem pretty small-time," Ashley said.
Damian laughed, "Climbing a mountain has turned you into a philosopher. Definitely a trip worth taking."
Ashley wasn't so lost in the view that she forgot why they were there. She glanced back at the temple perched on the mountain's peak. Outside the temple was a tall oak tree, its roots wedged into the rocks, finding a way to thrive.
Almost every temple had these big trees covered in ribbons and little gifts for blessings, holding the unsigned wishes and dreams of countless people.
Ashley flipped through them; most were about marriage, career, and health, all pretty similar. "Do you think these things actually work?"
Damian scoffed, "If praying to gods got you everything you wanted, who'd bother working hard? Relying on gods is for the weak. The strong make their own luck."
Ashley looked up at the ancient tree, her fantasies about gods shattered. "People need something to hold onto. When they're desperate, they need something to believe in, or they might not make it."
Damian glanced at the red ribbons covered in writing. "Can't make it? If someone reaches that point, is there any point in continuing?"
Ashley gritted her teeth. "Why are you being so harsh?"
Seeing her anger, Damian softened his tone. "Most people who feel they can't go on just aren't strong enough inside. They think their problems are unsolvable. What they need to do is calm down and find a way out, not climb a mountain and pray. Do you really think bowing will make their problems disappear?"
Ashley walked inside, her face dark, lips pressed together. She kicked herself for talking too much. She should've known better than to bring up such topics with the atheistic and stone-hearted Damian.
Damian trailed behind her. Pilgrims and tourists were milling about, some bowing at the mountain top, hands clasped and foreheads touching the ground. They were super devout.
He frowned. "What I'm trying to say is that everyone has their own battles. The best way to not get crushed by them is to work on yourself, not..."
Ashley spun around and glared at him. "Please, just shut up."
She was fuming, her temper flaring, and her words were sharp.
Damian wisely dropped the subject and followed her into the inner hall.
If Martin's apprentice was on the level, the person they were hunting for was inside the temple. But from what he knew, these types were usually stubborn and tough to crack.
Ashley might've managed to get into Martin's house, but getting into the temple's side room might be a whole different ball game.
In front of the treasure hall stood a tall, majestic golden Buddha statue, one hand raised, fingers spread, with a kind and benevolent look.
Whether it worked or not, the sheer size of the statue made visitors feel tiny and unconsciously respectful.
That's why Buddha statues were made so big and imposing, to give off a silent sense of awe.
Damian sighed. It was just playing on people's fear of big things. It was a shame that someone with a Ph.D. still bought into it.
Ashley didn't buy into Buddhism and didn't hang around the main hall. She walked around the Buddha statue and went down the steps. There were still tourists snapping photos, all speaking softly to keep the temple's peace.
Damian followed quietly, neither fast nor slow, half a step behind.
Ashley looked around. "So many rooms, I have no clue where he lives."
Damian said, "Isn't Buddhism all about fate? If you have fate, you'll meet. If not, even if he's right in front of you, you might not see him."
Ashley scoffed.
The temple was packed with tourists, and monks were nowhere to be seen. Ashley was getting worried. "These rooms look like they're for show. Where do the monks actually live?"
Damian said, "In the back."
"How do you know?" Ashley asked.
"Common sense," Damian replied.
This wasn't Damian's first rodeo at a temple. In the past three years, his mom, unable to let go of Faye's situation, often sought comfort in several temples in Rochester City. He'd gone to find her and got pretty familiar with the layout of temples.
Walking past the main hall, across a winding path, they saw there were a few more houses scattered around in an orderly fashion.
Ashley felt a bit nervous. She'd never dealt with monks before. How was she supposed to start?
As they got closer to the row of buildings, a young monk in a robe hurried over, hands clasped together, reminding them, "Hello, this is not a tourist area. Please stop."
Ashley mimicked his gesture, clasping her hands together. "I'm not a tourist. I'm here to find someone."
The young monk looked at the man and woman, wary. "Who are you looking for?"
Ashley said, "Bodhi."
Upon hearing the name, the monk's expression changed noticeably. "You... why are you looking for Bodhi?"
A surge of joy flashed through Ashley's heart. "Bodhi is still alive?"
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