Temple of Truth

Chapter 75

The women almost looked like she was half standing inside the wall. She was a bit higher and if the rope they had used to get down were only a bit further to the side they would have needed to step onto her.

The women was standing higher than Wu Xi as if she was on an invisible pedestal. And as much as he could see from where he was, she was holding something in her hand. Not holding onto it – no more like presenting it, so others could see it? He wasn't sure as he couldn't really recognise the thing she had in her hand. Corrosion, probably – after all it was also made out of stone.

If Wu Xi really wanted to see, he would have to approach the carving and get a better look. But he still remembered, he pretty much had promised Zhang to catch up to Fatty.

He hesitated. His flashlight still shining at the stone woman. Was she also a priestess? He doubted it, her clothing looked different, much more elegant – if he was at a different place he would have said regal. Surely getting a proper look at her was most interesting.

But – he had agreed to go to Fatty – really shouldn't have spent as much time there as he already had. Of course he hadn't promised – but he said, and he wanted to stay true to his word especially for him.

Clicking his tongue, and grumbling a bit Wu Xi turned away. This was the only entrance and exit they knew of, surely he could take a proper look later, on their way back.

There was only one problem, a slight one hopefully. Wu Xi could still feel a pair of eyes on him, and it wasn't the cold gaze of that carving, he was sure of that. But he also couldn't tell where it was coming from.

He would just have to tread very carefully on his way to his friend.

Before stepping into the one tunnel that was there, he still allowed his light the swing around the dark corners a bit. He couldn't see anything – couldn't hear anything out of place. Hopeful that he wouldn't be attacked anytime soon he stepped towards the dark tunnel.

He could always hope that it was just Zhang on his way back from the camp, repelling down the broken stairs – god knows that man could be quiet if he wanted to be. And if it only would be him, Wu Xi would be more than happy even if he had to see that reproachful look in his eyes as he hadn't gotten far in the time he took to pick up the first aid kit.

But even Zhang, he remembered himself, crushing his own hopes was human and couldn't be this fast.

What it actually could be was his own imagination, the transfer of his wellness in darkness generally. Hoping it was only his angst acting up, he pulled himself together and walked into that tunnel – he would still be careful.

But after making a few meters down that path, the feeling of being the object of someone's, or somewhat's observation vanished as if it had never been there. Relived he made the next few steps before noticing that the walls of the tunnel were also carved.

He hadn't noticed before, because of that mist that hung inside the tunnel.

x-x-x-x-Extra-x-x-x-x

Only after seeing the shine of Wu Xi's flashlight disappear completely Zhang Qiling stepped away from the edge. He was sure that he would take more time especially after noticing the carving of the female with the bird in her hand.

But it seemed like Wu Xi had noticed something that made him feel – not save? Unwell? He didn't know for sure, but seeing him eying his surroundings with caution before leaving. Zhang hadn't seen anything out of place, and his vision was great especially with Wu Xi lighting the placed up.

Zhang had never seen Wu Xi so tense without a reason, he would need to hurry with picking the first aid kit up. Next time he would also have make sure that Wu Xi had everything on him, instead of well... he probably should generally be more concentrated at doing his job instead on something else.