The cargo ship finally docked at a small, unassuming fishing port in Sihanoukville, Cambodia. The fierce battle at sea was like a heavy scar, leaving the four men both more silent and more resilient. They declined the ship owner's offer to stay and quickly disappeared into the crowd. The Gene Alliance and the "Shadow Serpent" were like two invisible nets, forcing no slack.
The streets of Sihanoukville were filled with the same signs of chaos brought on by the sacred rain as elsewhere, yet Cambodia's unique blend of Buddhist tranquility and tropical laziness still permeated the air. Phnom Penh was a necessary stop, but they dared not linger for long, as it was a gathering place for spies from all sides. They boarded a simple local bus, packed with people and goods, and headed along the national highway towards Siem Reap Province.
The bus bumped along the tropical plains, and outside the window were endless rice paddies, swaying sugar palm trees, and the distant silhouette of Litchi Mountain. Unlike the vibrant water towns of Vietnam or the bustling cities of the Philippines, Cambodia evokes a sense of antiquity, tranquility, and even a touch of melancholy. The air is thick with the scent of dust, spices, and incense. Monks in saffron robes and villagers, though poor but peaceful, dot the roadside.
"The 'earth spirit' here feels heavy, yet also... tolerant," Aisha whispered, leaning against the window. She has a keen sense of energy and can sense the rich history and faith woven into this land.
Lin Xingyun shared the same sentiment. The resonance of his Kris dagger became intermittent upon entering Cambodia, as if disrupted by a more powerful energy field. However, its direction remained vaguely northwest—toward Siem Reap, the site of Angkor Wat.
The bus stopped at a roadside rest stop. It was spartan, with only a few stalls selling baguette sandwiches and iced coconut. The four of them disembarked to stretch their legs and gather information. Buakaw bought a few young coconuts, split them open with his bare hands, and handed them to everyone. The sweet coconut milk temporarily dispelled the fatigue of the journey.
Just then, a commotion erupted from the other side of the rest stop. A few scoundrel-looking local youths were shoving and jostling a small vendor selling handmade stone carvings. The owner, a frail old man, was protecting his stall, which contained small stone statues of Buddha and the Naga snake god, and pleading with them.
"Old man, it's time to pay your 'safety fee' this month!"
"If you don't pay, I'll smash your stall!"
Buakaw hated this kind of bullying of the weak. He frowned and was about to step forward.
"Wait." Lin Xingyun stopped him, looking behind the group of thugs. There, a young man in a simple white short coat, with dark skin but unusually clear eyes, sat quietly at a tea stall, sipping tea. He looked ordinary, but Lin Xingyun sensed a restrained, pure spiritual energy emanating from him, gentle yet resilient, like ancient jade polished for millennia. Even more alarming was the feeling that something in the young man's arms resonated faintly with the token in his backpack!
The young man seemed to sense Lin Xingyun's gaze. He raised his head, his eyes meeting Lin Xingyun's. There was no hostility, only a hint of inquiry.
Just as Buakaw was about to unleash his anger and strike a blow against the thugs, the young man moved. He put down his teacup, slowly stood up, walked behind the group, and spoke calmly in Khmer.
The thug leader turned back impatiently, about to curse, but upon meeting the young man's eyes, his arrogance inexplicably subsided. "Di... Dilawang, this has nothing to do with you!"
The young man, Dilawang, remained silent, simply staring at him. His gaze wasn't sharp, but it possessed an indescribable penetrating power, as if it could see right into a person's heart. He slowly pulled an object from his bosom—a thumb-sized, exquisitely carved, white jade Buddha statue, its entire body radiant and lustrous. The Buddha emanated a subtle, tranquil aura.
He held the Buddha statue in his palm and faced the thugs. Something strange happened: the thugs, once menacing, began to lose their gazes, their expressions becoming hazy and dazed, then revealing a mixture of awe and unease. They exchanged bewilderment, finally mumbling a few words in frustration before slinking away, forgetting even to ask for their "safety fee."
The old man thanked Dilawang repeatedly. Dilawang simply nodded, took the Buddha statue back into his arms, and turned to leave.
"Please stay," Lin Xingyun said in English, stepping forward. At the same time, he secretly infused a trace of spiritual energy into the dagger, enhancing its resonance slightly. Dilawang paused and looked at Lin Xingyun again, this time with a look of greater understanding. He glanced at Lin Xingyun, then glanced behind him at Aisha, Nguyen Thi Mai, and Buakaw, finally resting his gaze on the item box Lin Xingyun was carrying.
"Your aura is unique. You're not from the Alliance, nor are you a snake from the 'Shadow,'" Dilawang's English was thick with a Khmer accent, but his meaning was clear. "You carry the guidance of the 'Ancient Echoes.'"
Lin Xingyun's heart skipped a beat, knowing he had found the right person. "Guided by the stars, we searched for scattered relics and journeyed to Angkor Wat to uncover the truth. Is the one in your hand... one of them?"
Dilawang didn't answer directly, but instead asked, "Angkor Wat is in turmoil right now. The 'Shadow Serpent' writhes in the shadows, and the 'Iron Behemoth' (referring to the Gene Alliance) spies in the open. What are you going there for?"
"To stop the looting, to uncover the secrets of the 'Reapers' and the 'Sleeping Gods,' and to protect the ancient heritage of this land that must not be tarnished," Lin Xingyun confessed.
Dilawang was silent for a moment, his clear eyes seeming to gauge the sincerity of Lin Xingyun's words. Finally, he slowly nodded. "My name is Dilawang, and I am one of the guardians of the Smiling Stone of Bayon Temple. The answers you seek may indeed lie hidden deep within the great stones of Angkor. But the path to them is paved with thorns and fog."
He paused, then continued, "I can guide you through some unnecessary troubles, but the true test will be for you to face on your own. Moreover, I need to confirm whether you truly possess the qualifications to 'touch the ancient heartbeat.'"
Clearly, Dilawang, the bearer of the Jade Buddha, is a cautious and wise guardian. His joining the cause will not be a simple companionship, but more likely a test of conviction and qualification.
Lin Xingyun extended his hand, his gaze firm: "We are willing to accept any test. The ancient covenant needs all its fragments to remain complete."
Dilawang looked at Lin Xingyun's outstretched hand, then at the three people behind him, whose styles differed but whose gazes shared a similar determination. Finally, he extended his own hand and shook Lin Xingyun's tightly. "Then follow me. We need to reach a location outside Siem Reap before sunset. There, the first gate for qualification verification is located."
New allies, ancient trials, and the mysterious Angkor Wat are just around the corner. The Star Sea Shamans have added another member to their ranks.
(End of Chapter 16)