Bright light shone through the broken windows into the spacious hall, falling across rows of neatly arranged old metal chairs.
A man in a red robe and silver-rimmed glasses sat on the front bench, one hand over his chest and his eyes lowered, as though praying.
Creak—
The old doors slowly opened, and several figures filed in behind someone in a black trench coat.
The red-robed figure in the front row seemed not to hear the doors opening. His eyes remained closed as he continued his "prayer."
The figure in the black trench coat walked to the red-robed man's side. He looked at the man's devoutly prayerful appearance and slightly opened his mouth.
But in the end, he said nothing. He merely stood beside the red-robed figure, lowered his head, and seemed to begin praying as well.
The figures who had followed him in also remained silent, not daring to make the slightest sound.
No one knew how long the pin-drop silence lasted. Only when a cold breeze drifted into the hall through the open doors did the red-robed figure slowly raise his head and open his eyes.
At the same time he raised his head, the black trench-coated figure immediately did the same.
He waved a hand, signaling the people behind him to close the hall doors, then turned to the red-robed figure beside him and gave a slight bow.
"Still haven't found the Grand Elder?"
The red-robed figure returned the bow, then slowly spoke in a gentle, hoarse voice.
"We received definite news from outside that Locke Te is dead. The Grand Elder's operation should have succeeded."
"He may have run into other trouble."
The red-robed figure spoke quietly. "Have you found the exact location where Locke Te died?"
"Apparently, Locke Te's remains were discovered by scavengers near