Be a lord in the world of Indian mythology

Chapter 21 Yesterday Once More

As dawn broke outside, the morning sun shone through the window and onto Vijay.

The hostel's morning bell mingled with the faint chanting of morning prayers from a distant temple, filling the room with the lingering scent of sandalwood.

The Tyndall effect weaves together a rainbow of divine light.

Vijay stood up in the divine light and personally dressed himself in clothes that were completely in accordance with the rules.

He wore a plain-colored, coarse cotton long gown that reached his ankles. It had no gold thread patterns or jewel trim. A clean white linen belt was tied around his waist, and he wore a light brown plain-colored shawl. His bare feet were wrapped in thin linen foot cloth.

With the help of the bronze mirror in the room, Vijay finished the final tidying up and then pushed open the door.

Bim was already waiting quietly at the door.

Upon seeing Vijaya emerge, he immediately greeted him: "Shiva, my master, you look radiant and divinely blessed today!"

The perfectly timed flattery pleased Vijay, who smiled and asked, "Did you retrieve the items?"

"Yes, master, the shopkeeper personally sent the offering!" Old Bim grinned, proudly boasting, "He seems to know that this offering of ten taels was presented by you, Mithar Vijaya, to the Brahma priest to pray for smooth trade routes! That's why he was so polite!"

Although the shrewish shopkeeper from yesterday certainly had his own sources of information, there was no doubt that news of his preparations to travel to the Eastern Trade Route had gradually spread throughout Harappa City.

This is something that concerns almost everyone with even a little bit of fame, and those with connections will naturally hear about it.

But will I find myself in a difficult situation?

Although everything was his own arrangement, Vijay still felt a little guilty.

"Then let's set off!" Vijay nodded, his face hardening, and added in a serious tone, "Do as I told you yesterday: take all the gold coins from the warehouse and pay those merchants every single one!"

"At the same time, firmly reject their unreasonable demands... The Mittal family's trade routes are not something they can covet!"

"As you wish, Master!" Bim respectfully led the way.

The oxcart smoothly entered the bustling streets of early morning and headed towards the school.

Hundreds of students are always in class at the academy, and Bodhidharma, as the highest instructor, should be starting his busy day.

But when Vijay arrived at the small, dilapidated house, he saw the old servant sweeping the stone steps. He was invited to walk into the courtyard, and when he looked up, he saw Bodhidharma sitting under a tree in the courtyard.

Holding scriptures and fragrant tea, he seemed to be waiting for Vijay's arrival.

Vijay immediately ran up and knelt before him: "Brahma above, Guru, this junior thanks you for your help!"

"Good day!" Bodhidharma put down the scripture and looked at Vijay's face, his expression showing a hint of surprise and doubt, as if he were meeting Vijay for the first time.

Vijay took in the whole scene.

Bodhidharma didn't say much, but slowly stood up with the help of the old servant. "Now that you're here, come with me to pay your respects to the Brahma priest!"

The old servant drove out his own oxcart, and the tall, white zebu hummed heavily.

After Bim had moved all the offerings, the old servant drove the oxcart and loaded it onto Darmo.

Vijay had no choice but to obediently follow behind the oxcart, as it entered the heart of Harappa's temple district.

Here, temples stand in abundance, incense burns continuously, and towering city walls keep the secular world at bay.

Only about a hundred noble Brahmins and their few Vaishya servants live here. All their needs are provided by outsiders, and many of them never leave this area from birth to death.

The laws of the city are invalid here, and anyone who enters without permission will be severely punished. This place is almost a world separate from the other districts of Harappa.

Vijay had never been inside the temple area; he only knew about it from what his classmates had told him.

But when they arrived at the city wall, which was over ten meters high, they found that there were no guards at the only gate, and the gate was wide open, as if people could come and go as they pleased.

This seems to contradict the rumors he had heard before!

The oxcart tracks etched across the cobblestone path and went straight through the gate, with Vijay following closely behind, stepping out with one foot.

Suddenly, a sacred golden light seemed to emanate from Bodhidharma's body, enveloping Vijay in an instant, as if guiding him through an invisible barrier!

Vijay could clearly sense the existence of this barrier!

It was a membrane that was both a physical barrier and seemed to contain an even greater terror. He paused, turned his head, reached out, and his arm passed through the barrier he had just felt.

There was nothing there but air!

No wonder no one was guarding it...

Before he could investigate further, Vijay quickened his pace and caught up with the oxcart before Bodhidharma could turn his gaze to him.

Only then did he notice the ancient temple standing silently before him, its stone walls covered with dark brown moss, its carved statues standing silently, wisps of smoke rising gently, and the low chanting of Buddhist hymns filling the air with an inviolable holiness.

But a shadow seemed to linger deep within the colonnade, the wind whistled through the corridor like a whisper, sunlight could hardly penetrate the depths, and an inexplicable chill permeated the air. The divine solemnity was shrouded in a heavy oppression, inspiring awe and secret fear.

Gods are unfathomable, and their power is unknowable!

Vijay lowered his head, deeply concealing his presumptuous thoughts.

The oxcart passed by people who were quietly sweeping and serving like servants in a mythological relief, and finally stopped in front of a huge courtyard.

Golden pillars, enormous statues, and bas-relief gates—Brahmin servants greet visitors.

As if they had foreseen Vijaya's arrival, the servants said nothing, skillfully taking the offerings from the oxcart and following Darma and Vijaya into the inner chamber.

A magnificent chapel, shrouded in a light mist, with incense burning continuously at a small altar, and two statues of gods, dozens of meters high, directly in front of it.

A Brahmin was kneeling in front, with a small oil lamp beside him casting a faint but strong flame.

Vijay has seen this place before!

In the instant he raised his hand, Vijay immediately remembered the revelation he had seen before!

This is the source of the curse within me!

The noble Brahmin priest Agni Bharadvaja, who represents purification, is the very culprit who cursed him!

Vijay's immediate humility and bowing of his head concealed the turbulent emotions within him.

Vijaya took small steps forward and came up behind Agni Bharadvaja, then prostrated himself in deep respect.

Why? What should I do?

Vijay was in a state of turmoil, with all sorts of distracting thoughts flooding his mind, which instantly shattered all the words he had planned to say.

My brain was working at full speed; I had to come up with a new story immediately!

"Honorable Agni Bharadvaja," Dharma said, bowing as he stood beside him, "I have brought Mithar Vijaya."

The jumble of thoughts in his mind seemed to have affected his body, and Vijay felt himself trembling uncontrollably.

"Ding!" A crisp sound rang out, instantly shattering Vijay's distracting thoughts.

A few lines of Sanskrit chanting entered his ears at just the right moment, calming Vijay's panic.

"Mital Vijay, you've finally arrived!"