I Dragged the Gods Down from Their Altars

There is a solitary island in the East Sea. On it stands a magnificent temple, said to enshrine a supreme god who controls all things. The god has no fixed image, and each person sees the face they imagine.

Countless people crossed mountains and seas to kneel before the supreme god and pray for their wishes to come true.

Under a gloomy, stormy sky, Liu Xinqing shivered as she warmed herself by a fire outside the temple. Her little face had gone deathly pale from the cold, but she stubbornly waited until sunrise, when she had dried off, before straightening her clothes and entering the hall.

The young woman stood before the prayer mat with utmost reverence, hands clasped. She said earnestly, "My Lord, I grew up listening to stories about you. Everyone says you exist. I really, really like you, so could you be with me?"

Gu Huaishu had lived for tens of thousands of years, but he had never heard such an absurd request.

*

Liu Xinqing was intensely curious about Gu Huaishu, who had suddenly bought the house next door.

Gu Huaishu had strikingly handsome features and an air of refined elegance. His long, deep-set phoenix eyes could captivate all who beheld him.

After careful consideration, Liu Xinqing knocked politely and asked, "Can I climb over the wall into your home?"

"..." Gu Huaishu looked at the charming, lovely girl, narrowed his phoenix eyes, and handed her a key. "Use the front door."

Liu Xinqing asked again, "Then can I stare at you?"

The house stood on a busy street, and someone was peering in. Gu Huaishu grabbed Liu Xinqing by the wrist and pulled her inside. His thin lips parted, and he said coolly, "Go ahead."

*

Liu Xinqing had a secret. Besides being a good girl who was weak and helpless, she also had a violent, beautiful, combat-obsessed alternate personality.

One day, dressed in a red gown like a raging flame, she pointed her sword at the heavens, intent on killing a Buddha.

She cursed, "What are gods and Buddhas, anyway? I cast them aside like trash."

Gu Huaishu came riding the wind and draped his white robe over her. He pulled her forcefully against his chest, gripped her chin, lowered his head, and kissed her lips.

His eyes were dark, his voice hoarse. He repeated again and again, "You can kill a Buddha. Wait, and I'll help you kill it. You can count a fortune, but he's your beloved. You can throw him away only if I'm dead."

The synopsis was saved as evidence in a screenshot on November 11, 2021.

Theme: Science and democracy