Guyuan.
The town was nearly as large as a small city. Its streets bustled with pedestrians, and the place was full of lively, everyday activity.
Yet as the three of them walked through town, the subject they heard discussed most often was still the temple halfway up the mountain to the west.
Listening to the townspeople's conversations, Ahri gradually became interested and suggested, "Should we go see that temple on the mountain? Everyone says its blessings are remarkably effective."
Through people's memories and the stories she had heard during their journey, she had learned many legends about gods.
Every one of those gods was supposedly omnipotent, possessing incredible divine powers.
Yet she had never seen one before.
She wondered whether such a god truly lived on the mountain near Guyuan. Otherwise, why would everyone claim that its blessings worked?
Akali curled her lips. "How effective could they really be? If they worked that well, wouldn't everyone in Guyuan be rich by now? Still, there's no harm in taking a look."
The main reason was that she heard people talking about the mountain temple everywhere they went. Her own curiosity had been stirred, and she wanted to see what was really going on.
What kind of temple could earn praise from practically everyone in town and draw so many visitors from elsewhere?
"Let's go take a look, then."
Luke had no objections.
The three headed west and soon reached the foot of the mountain where the temple stood. A long flight of steps stretched before them, winding its way upward.
People traveled both up and down the steps. Even though it was nearly lunchtime, there were still plenty of worshippers heading up the mountain.
The three slowly climbed the mountain. Before long, they reached a broad, open area halfway up the slope, where a sizable temple complex had been built.
The complex consisted of a main courtyard and two side courtyards, all constructed from red brick and tile. Thin trails of incense smoke drifted from within, while worshippers constantly entered and left.
There were fewer people around at noon than during peak hours, but visitors could still be seen everywhere.
Just then, a man wearing ceremonial robes approached them. His expression was solemn and serene as he initiated a conversation.
"Forgive the intrusion. My name is Guwu. You three possess an extraordinary bearing. Have you also come to worship the mountain god?"
He directed the question at Luke.
Of the three, Luke was dressed the most normally. Ahri wore a cloak, while Akali had a mask covering her face.
Luke alone stood openly before him, handsome and dignified, with an unmistakable air of importance.
Luke replied, "That's right. The three of us are passing through Guyuan. We heard that the mountain god answers prayers, so we wanted to come and pay our respects."
Guwu smiled calmly. "The townspeople give us far too much credit. It is true that the mountain god answers prayers, but the rumors outside have become somewhat exaggerated. Please, follow me. We can talk while we walk."
It seemed that he intended to guide them through the temple.
Luke and the others followed him.
After thinking for a moment, Akali asked, "What do you mean when you say the stories are exaggerated?"
"Rumors now claim that every wish made to the mountain god will come true. But how could the mountain god fulfill every wish without limit? Only those who catch his favor may have one or two of their wishes granted."
Guwu answered while walking ahead.
Akali continued, "So you're saying the mountain god is real?"
Guwu stopped and glanced back at her. "Of course he is. Why else would so many people come here?"
Akali found that strange. "Then why had no one heard about him before?"
She knew that the land of Ionia possessed spirits. Countless spiritual beings had been born throughout this land, which overflowed with magic.
Some were strong, while others were weak.
According to her understanding, this mountain god was probably Guyuan's guardian spirit.
However, as far as she knew, most guardian spirits remained within the spirit realm. How could one actively interfere with the material realm and fulfill the wishes of so many people?
"Before the war, the mountain god never interfered in mortal affairs," Guwu said as he resumed leading them forward. "But when the flames of war spread to Guyuan, he saw the town left devastated. He decided to reveal himself and help this land recover.
"At first, people climbed the mountain merely to pray for safety. After receiving his protection, more people began coming, and word of the mountain god gradually spread.
"As the number of visitors grew, their wishes also became more varied. Some prayed for safety, some for romance, and others for wealth. Naturally, the mountain god could only satisfy as many prayers as possible. Eventually, not everyone received a response. The mountain god began answering only those with whom he shared a certain affinity."
As he spoke, he led the three of them through the main gate and into the large courtyard, then headed toward one of the temple halls.
Many people were lined up to worship inside. Each one bowed with utmost sincerity before a stone statue of the mountain god.
The statue was enormous, standing nearly ten feet tall. Its body was thick and almost round, with a wide mouth, narrow eyes, no nose, and two long whiskers.
It resembled a person without truly being human, giving off an impression that was both weighty and benevolent.
The three of them did not find its appearance particularly strange. Runeterra was filled with creatures of every conceivable shape.
Luke merely thought it looked vaguely familiar, though he could not remember where he might have seen anything similar.
His sixth sense would not deceive him, however. From the moment he entered the temple, he had felt a pair of eyes watching him from the shadows. The gaze did not come from anywhere around them, but from somewhere above.
It was as though some presence within the temple had fixed its attention on him.
After considering it, Luke suspected that only the mountain god nearby would possess such an ability.
"Is this the mountain god?" Akali asked as she examined the statue.
"This is only a statue of the mountain god, not the god himself." Reverence entered Guwu's eyes as he looked at the stone figure. "The mountain god rarely reveals his true form. Even I have seen him only once, when this temple was on the verge of collapse."
"I see."
Akali nodded and surveyed their surroundings again. She still felt that something was wrong.
The feeling had been with her ever since she entered the temple.
Yet everything around them appeared harmonious, and she could not identify what was bothering her.
Ahri felt the same way. She had detected an unpleasant scent within the temple.
By then, the three had followed Guwu into the hall and stopped about ten feet from the stone statue.
"Even though you are not residents of Guyuan, you may still make wishes to the mountain god. Receiving his response would surely be a fortunate thing."
Smiling, Guwu handed each of them a stick of incense.
Akali accepted hers and asked, "What kind of wish are we supposed to make?"
"Any wish you desire. Should there be something you wish to obtain, you may pray for it. Many people who visit this temple pray for children, wealth, or a plentiful harvest." Guwu continued smiling. "The mountain god possesses vast divine powers. As long as he is willing, any wish may potentially be fulfilled. However, one must first share an affinity with the mountain god and be chosen by him.
"The mountain god also understands restraint. Even if he has the power to fulfill certain excessive or outrageous wishes, he will generally refuse to do so."
"Come to think of it, I once encountered a criminal carrying a protective charm from this temple," Akali said in a conversational tone. "If the mountain god protects mortals, why would he give charms to criminals?"
Guwu sighed softly. "The protective charms are created by us using the mountain god's divine power, but the mountain god himself does not personally distribute them. Assuming what you say is true, it can only mean that we failed to recognize the man's wicked nature."
That explanation was reasonable enough. Akali gave a quiet snort and did not press the issue.
After all, even she had been deceived by Ox's harmless appearance.
"It is your turn."
Seeing the worshippers ahead of them leave, Guwu gestured for Luke and the others to approach.
"Simply pray with sincerity. Should the mountain god fail to respond, please do not be disappointed."
The three nodded and stepped forward.
They lit their long incense sticks. Fragrant smoke rose from them and spread throughout the temple hall.
Standing directly before the statue and looking up at it from close range, they instinctively felt small beneath its towering presence.
Akali remained somewhat doubtful.
First, this mountain god was supposedly incredibly powerful, yet she had never heard of him before. According to Guwu, he had revealed himself only during the war.
Then there was the claim that he could choose which prayers to answer whenever he pleased. That sounded like an outrageous boast.
Akali cast aside her unnecessary thoughts and cleared her mind. Holding the incense in both hands, she bowed slightly and made her wish.
"If you really answer prayers that well, then make me stronger."
She closed her eyes and waited for two seconds.
She felt nothing.
Opening her eyes, she stepped forward and placed her incense into the burner before glancing at Luke and Ahri.
The two of them soon opened their eyes as well and placed their incense into the burner.
"Should the three of you be interested in the temple's protective charms, you may follow me to the side hall," Guwu said again. "In addition to protective charms, we also have talismans that ward off evil, protect the household, and provide other blessings."
Luke shook his head. "That won't be necessary. We aren't carrying much money."
"You three possess an extraordinary bearing. I would be willing to give each of you one talisman for free, simply to establish a favorable connection."
As Guwu spoke, he pulled three talismans from his pocket and offered them.
Luke did not accept them. Instead, he smiled and said, "In that case, please give those three talismans to ordinary people on our behalf."
A smile appeared on Guwu's face. Without showing any embarrassment, he withdrew his hand.
"That would also be good. Safe travels. May all three of your prayers receive the mountain god's blessing."
He watched Luke and the others depart until they vanished from sight, then turned and walked toward one of the secluded side courtyards.
The courtyard was empty. He hurried to a small room, looked around cautiously, then pushed open the door and entered.
Once inside, he bowed slightly and spoke with deep respect.
"Great God, the three of them have left. I also failed to give them the talismans."
After two seconds of silence, the mountain god's response suddenly came from an unknown location.
"Yes, I am aware."
Guwu immediately asked for instructions. "Great God, what should I do next?"
The voice echoed through the air again.
"Proceed as you normally would."
"There is no need for this humble servant to approach them more often?" Worry appeared on Guwu's face. "From what they said, they seem to be merely passing through. They will probably leave within the next two days. Should they depart tomorrow..."
"There is no need for concern."
The mountain god seemed to chuckle faintly.
"Human greed is limitless. Once they glimpse a certain hope, even the slightest trace of one, they will never be willing to abandon it.
"Excessive interference on your part would only arouse suspicion. Simply behave as you usually do. I have already cast out the bait. You need only wait for them to return and continue guiding them when they do.
"They are the finest ingredients I have obtained after untold hardship. Nothing can be allowed to go wrong."
His voice grew increasingly distant and ethereal until it vanished completely.
Guwu lowered his head respectfully. "Understood."
By then, Luke and the others had already descended the mountain.
Only then did Akali ask, "What do you two think?"
"About what?" Luke replied.
"The mountain god, obviously. What else would I mean?" Akali glanced at him. "Don't either of you find it strange? What god would be so generous as to fulfill people's wishes for nothing?"
"It isn't exactly for nothing," Luke said after some thought. "He gains their faith in return. Don't some gods survive on that?"
"That's true."
Akali nodded at first, but soon continued, "I still think it's strange. Any wish might be granted? Isn't that boast a little ridiculous?
"Besides, I felt something strange from the moment I entered that temple."
Her instincts were not as absurdly keen as Luke's, but she was still one of the exceptionally perceptive few.
Ahri also spoke. "I smelled something unpleasant inside the temple."
Akali immediately furrowed her brow. "Explain."
"But the scent disappeared almost immediately," Ahri said, uncertain of the reason. "Maybe there were too many people inside the temple, making it difficult for me to distinguish the different scents."
"I see."
Akali sighed softly. That possibility did make sense.
She knew that Ahri still lacked precise control over her abilities.
Perhaps she had truly mistaken the scent, or maybe it had merely been something left behind by another visitor.
Akali suddenly remembered something else.
"By the way, what did you two wish for?"
"Aren't wishes supposed to stop working once you tell someone about them?" Luke asked.
"Enough nonsense." Akali glared at him. "I only want to test what that Kunai guy said. I'd like to see whether this mountain god really answers prayers as well as he claims."
So many people visited the Mountain God Temple, and countless worshippers claimed that its blessings worked. She did not think all of them were lying.
There was no way so many people had joined forces to deceive others.
Such a fraud would be far too obvious, and there would be no point in doing it.
That was why she desperately wanted to understand what was truly happening. Perhaps one of their three wishes would actually come true.
"My wish was to receive information about my origins," Ahri said.
She possessed few worldly desires. Aside from her hunger for life essence, all she truly wanted was to learn where she had come from.
Luke said, "I wished for a lot of money."
Akali rolled her eyes. "What a shallow wish."
Luke chuckled. "How am I supposed to feed you two bottomless pits without being shallow? Don't you know how much food you eat every day?"
Ahri, who had somehow been dragged into the attack, blushed and silently lowered her head.
She had admittedly been eating a little more recently, but it was not her fault that Luke's cooking tasted so good.
Akali also immediately fell silent. Looking slightly guilty, she shifted her gaze away and suddenly pointed ahead.
"Why are so many people gathered over there?"
She quickened her pace and hurried over like an eager spectator drawn to a commotion.
Luke smiled as he watched her retreating figure, then followed.
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