Chapter 131
The Little Priest of the Gods (Part 1)
Patro carried a tray of clean food and water, bowed his head, and climbed the long steps leading up to the majestic temple with the utmost reverence.
Dozens of Doric columns, cast out of marble, formed this grand, resplendent edifice. Patro traversed the interplay of light and shadow in the vestibule and the long corridors, sidestepping clusters of flowers gently hanging from trailing vines; he finally arrived in the main sanctuary, lit by the glow of candlelight.
At the center of the main sanctuary stood a ten-meter-high statue cast in gold and ivory. The statue's golden robes and wings were splendid with their color, the gem-studded eyes shimmered and shone. Yet, such an intricately carved work of art failed to steal Patro's attention. His eyes, consumed with fervor, were entirely fixated on the individual kneeling in front of the statue.
It was their Oracle Priest, Mu Cai.
The man kneeling on a cushion wore a robe symbolizing purity. His long dark hair cascaded gently, resting against his slender waist. A loosely tied blue silk band circled his waist, accentuating the curvature of his hips beneath. Further down were his legs, made bare due to his kneeling posture.
His feet were elegantly shaped, their skin as white as snow, making the robe he wore seem dim by comparison.
Perhaps hearing Patro's footsteps, the oracle priest turned his head. His face was delicate and fair, his lips as crimson as roses, and his sparkling eyes seemed to shimmer like the stars in the sky.
When the other party saw Patro coming, he rose from the kneeling mat, welcoming him with arched eyebrows and a natural, gentle smile on his face. "You're here. I appreciate the food you've brought for me."
Mu Cai acts as the oracle priest in this city-state, taking the highest rank among all priests, and is in charge of astrology. Like other priests, he stays in the temple three times a year, each time for a month. During this period, priests cannot consume impure food or wear impure garments. Thus, Mu Cai's current diet and clothing are provided by designated individuals.
His slender, soft fingers rested on the edge of the porcelain tray. The oracle priest in front of him looked at the food on the plate and smiled. "It's my favorite stewed mutton and fruit. Thank you, you're thoughtful."
Patro, looking at his gentle and beautiful face, suppressed the fanatic feelings in his eyes. Quietly taking a deep breath, he respectfully asked: "Honorable priest, the monarch asked when you are going to start the divination?"
As the new sowing season is about to arrive, the priest in charge of divination needs to schedule farming times according to the calendar. The year's calendar requires the oracle priest, Mu Cai, who is in charge of astrology, to design. Simultaneously, he needs to make rough predictions about major events that might occur in the upcoming year using astrology, such as possible coups, floods, and so on.
The cold season had passed; the spring wind swept across the land. Mu Cai was already prepared to commence with the divination. Hence, he was not taken aback when he heard the question but smiled and said, "Please convey my message to the monarch, Priest Patro. Tomorrow evening, when the morning star appears, I will perform divination at the observatory on the top of the temple."
Patro was also a priest, but his status was significantly lower than that of the Oracle priests. He did not oversee major disciplines like sundial studies or astrology which had significant impact on the city-state. Rather, as a clergyman, he served the Oracle priests, assisting them in fulfilling their duties of devotion and sacrifice.
So when he heard what the person in front of him was saying, he simply lowered his eyes and bowed respectfully, saying, "Yes."
Mu Cai carried the porcelain dish to a small table next to the cushion and ate his meal in a disciplined manner. Once he had nearly finished eating, he then handed the tray back to Patro, who had been waiting patiently nearby.
As Patro was handed the tray, however, he inadvertently touched the cool, soft tip of Mu Cai's fingers. He quickly pulled back his hand and lowered his head even further.
Unaware of Patro's reaction, Mu Cai continued to express his gratitude and left instructions, "Tomorrow night, before I evoke my astrology art, I will have to trouble you again."
Patro's hand trembled, and he almost dropped the porcelain tray.
Before Oracle priests perform their duties, they often engage in a thorough cleansing bath. Although bathing was a regular occurrence — any priest residing at the temple was required to bathe three to four times daily to maintain cleanliness — Patro had long learned to hold the towel while standing by, keeping his eyes firmly ahead.
However, the task of "purification" wasn't something he could avoid through self-deception or willful ignorance.
As a "Purifier" amongst the priests, he was required to pluck some of the body hair from the Oracle priests.
Before Mu Cai entered the temple this time, Patro had already undertaken the task of removing hair from the beautiful priest's arms and lower legs. He still remembered the moment when he held that slender and pale leg, the skin beneath his palm was extremely smooth. Even though there were hardly any hairs visible, he still held a small knife deceiving himself, gently shaving off the tiny bit of fuzz.
At the time, the beautiful, pure priest was somewhat shy, his rounded toes curling on Patro’s knee. His slender arms were supported by cushions. His long, white neck was slightly raised, and the sun behind him turned his black hair a light yellow.
He was reminiscent of a vulnerable lamb sacrificed to the gods on the altar.
Thinking about this scene, Patro's fingers tightened around the edge of the porcelain tray, almost shattering it. Even his body began to straighten up instinctively. His dark eyes flashed crimson, but he could only lower his head even further to conceal the turmoil within his heart, saying, "The Oracle priest doesn't need to be so polite. It's my duty to serve."
After Mu Cai finished eating, he continued his prayers before the statue of the god, and their exchange came to an end.
Holding the porcelain tray, Patro left. He passed through the front hall filled with interweaving light and shade, striding down the long aisle. As he passed by tendrils of gentle vines, his ears seemed, momentarily, to elongate.
A cluster of hanging flowers swayed at the brush of the sharp, devilish ears. But in a blink of an eye, the sharp ears vanished. With an expression of solemnity, Purifier Priest Patro emerged from the corridor, handing the porcelain tray to the awaiting temple attendant who had been standing there for a long time, not daring to lift his head.
Only that cluster of softly swaying flowers remained within the long corridor.
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The following evening, many townfolk flocked near the temple, prostrating themselves on the ground, looking up in hope of witnessing the much-revered Oracle Priest perform his astromancy.
The Oracle priest was pure and beautiful, noble and kind. A couple of years ago, he had prophesied a plague, prompting the ruler to order the cleaning of every corner of the town and strict control of its entry and exit points. He had also instructed the healing priests to be on high alert. He himself, dressed in a white robe, went down to the slums to distribute food and medicine to the poor. He even accepted a flower wreath from a small, skinny child, placing it atop his own head.
As prophesied, the plague did break out. Its origin was another town, and nearly all the surrounding towns were affected. But thanks to the Oracle priest's prophecy and the effective measures taken as a result, the spread of the plague was promptly controlled in their town, resulting in minimal casualties.
Therefore, all the townsfolk deeply admired the Oracle priest. Even though they knew he was not in need, they would often bring fresh bread, meat, and fruit to Mu Cai's door. When they heard that the Oracle priest would be performing an astrological reading in the evening when the morning star rose in the east, they came voluntarily to witness the event, hoping to catch a glimpse of the man who had stayed secluded in the temple for many days.
Mu Cai, dressed in his white robe, flower-crowned, and holding a scepter symbolizing the power of the Oracle priest, stood under the setting sun. His long, black hair blew in the evening breeze. His face, pale as snow, was now painted warm yellow by the sunset. He nodded slightly to the monarch of the city-state before him and said, “Your Highness, I shall ascend to the observatory now.”
The young monarch, tall and immersed in the silhouette of the quiet yet stable sunset, was captivated. Before he could grasp the priest’s hand to encourage him, Mu Cai was already heading toward the observatory tower.
It was almost time for the morning star to rise in the east, an opportune moment for divination. Mu Cai, unconcerned by the monarch’s reaction, hurried toward the observatory tower. Fresh flowers were spread across the top of the temple. Barefoot, he walked along the silk-covered path to the observatory.
By the time the morning star had completely risen, the sky had darkened. Mu Cai arranged the astrolabe on the observatory, waiting for the guidance of moonlight and starlight.
The practice of astromancy involved continuously observing the astrolabe and celestial phenomena, often ending only by midnight. After studying the astrolabe for a while in the growing dark of night, noticing the prostrating crowd below who hadn’t left, Mu Cai delicately descended from the observatory tower.
Patro, who had been patiently guarding the Oracle priest, turned his head. He saw Mu Cai, treading steps bathed in starlight, approaching from beneath the moonlight. Adorned with a crown of fresh flowers, half of his body illuminated by the full moon, his exquisitely handsome facial features and slender figure were being showcased.
This scene was like a hazy dream.
Upon seeing a gentle smile on the Oracle priest’s face directed at him, Patro heard Mu Cai say, “Patro, it’s quite late. Let the townsfolk go home first. Prolonged prostration on the ground can result in catching a cold.”
After saying his piece, he paused for a moment, his captivating eyes conveying a hint of worry, "Patro, are you okay? If you feel tired or cold, go and rest for a while in the inner temple. There's not much to do here — I will watch the astrolabe."
After Mu Cai finished speaking, he thought he caught a fleeting flash of red in the solemn eyes of the loyal cleanser standing at the bottom of the stairs. Before he could take a better look, Patro looked down. His deep voice reached Mu Cai, carried over by the evening wind, "My Lord, I will convey your wishes to the people."
He paused before adding, "As for myself, I will forever guard you."
His voice was deep and magnetic, as if coming from his chest – a voice filled with strong emotion.
Mu Cai was taken aback, and before he could respond, the purifier had turned around and started descending through the top of the temple to pass on the message.
Unable to force Patro to leave if he did not wish to, Mu Cai had no choice but to return to the observatory and continue observing the astrolabe.
Through the relay of numerous priests and temple attendants, the people below finally heard that it was the Oracle priest's wish for them to leave. One by one, they prayed devoutly before departing. Patro stood at the turning point of the staircase, gazing through the temple wall's window, watching the townspeople disperse. Only then did he return to the top of the temple along the stairs.
At this moment, amidst the ever-changing stars, Mu Cai watched the shifting celestial patterns, his face gradually paling.
According to the signs in the sky, the region where their city-state is located would suffer a severe drought for three years.
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Author's Note:
The small world involves the white rabbit and the carrot spirit in their marital harmony
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