The Mystery

As Qin Wei and the others entered the temple one by one, Ling Yun's eyes flickered slightly, and he also stepped inside.

"You all follow me."

Jie Wu glanced at Ling Yun and the others indifferently, then walked away without looking back in one direction.

The group exchanged glances and silently followed behind him.

Crossing the temple gates, they were met with a dense cluster of buildings. The space inside was far more complex than they had imagined.

Several braziers had been lit in various places, but the surrounding light remained dim. The air was filled with a strong scent of incense and candles, along with a smell akin to decaying food.

On both sides were dark side rooms, where faint shadowy figures could be seen moving.

Ling Yun's pupils shifted. With his eyesight, he could naturally see that these so-called shadowy figures were a group of expressionless little monks.

At this moment, these little monks were either standing by the window sills or hiding behind doors, each revealing only their heads. With bloodshot eyes, they stared intently at the newcomers.

Something was wrong here!

It wasn't just Ling Yun who thought this; the other Demon Suppression Envoys had also sensed the strangeness of their surroundings.

Their expressions were grave as they warily surveyed the area.

Qin Wei, however, seemed completely unconcerned. He simply strode along with Jie Wu, heading towards the deepest part of the temple.

After walking for an unknown amount of time, they finally arrived before a courtyard.

The courtyard looked somewhat dilapidated. As far as the eye could see, there was only a dead old tree and a dust-covered chessboard.

And in the room ahead, there was a faint flicker of firelight.

From within, the rhythmic sound of a wooden fish being struck and chanting could faintly be heard.

"Abbot, they have arrived."

Jie Wu clasped his hands together, speaking respectfully.

As his words fell, the sound of the wooden fish in the room ceased, and a hoary voice echoed, "Amitabha, esteemed guests, please come in."

The group strode forward at the words, pushing open the door and entering.

The room was very simple.

A large Buddha statue, a wooden fish, and an old monk seated on a meditation cushion.

The old monk wore a tattered kasaya. Before him was an altar, upon which lay several Buddhist scriptures and an incense burner filled with lit incense sticks.

Wisps of smoke curled from the incense burner, emitting a strange sandalwood fragrance.

"This humble one is Zhi Kong, greetings to all the Demon Suppression Envoys."

"May I ask why you grace this temple with your presence so late at night?"

After they entered, the old monk opened his somewhat cloudy eyes, his tone calm and his appearance benevolent.

Jie Wu, standing beside them, also changed his expression, clearly having not realized their identities earlier.

Qin Wei, however, shed his previously fierce demeanor. He clasped his hands together and said with a serene expression.

"Master Zhi Kong, greetings. We have come tonight for but one matter."

"A few days ago, several of my subordinates visited your esteemed temple. Have you seen them?"

"If it is convenient, I would trouble you to inform me of their current whereabouts."

Monk Zhi Kong pondered for a moment upon hearing this, then shook his head slightly.

He then looked up at Jie Wu beside him and asked.

"Jie Wu, have any outsiders entered the temple these past few days?"

"Replying to the Abbot, those who have come up the mountain recently were all devotees offering alms. I do not believe the people you are looking for are among them."

Jie Wu said, lowering his head. He particularly emphasized the words "Demon Suppression Envoys," likely still holding a grudge from earlier events.

Qin Wei waved to stop his restless companions behind him and cupped his hands.

"If that is the case, then we have disturbed you greatly today."

"However, it is late, and the mountain is fraught with tigers and leopards. We wish to borrow lodging here for the night. Might I ask if the Master could accommodate us?"

Monk Zhi Kong looked at the "fierce and menacing" appearance of the Demon Suppression Envoys behind him, and hesitated for a moment, not answering immediately.

Seeing this, Qin Wei immediately took out a silver note from his embrace and gently placed it on the offering table.

"As I walked here, I noticed many of the temple's facilities are in disrepair. Consider this my humble donation as incense money."

"I implore the Master's compassion. We shall depart early tomorrow morning."

Ling Yun looked at Qin Wei with a strange expression, completely unable to imagine this fellow being capable of calmly reasoning with others.

In his impression, this fellow should have kicked over the old monk and threatened him by the neck by now.

At this moment, Monk Zhi Kong sighed and slowly closed his eyes.

"Good, good."

"Since that is the case, Jie Wu, find our guests a superior room to rest for the night."

"Also, remember to tell the kitchen to prepare some hot vegetarian meals."

Although Jie Wu showed dissatisfaction on his face, he did not dare to retort. After performing a Buddhist salute, he snorted coldly and walked out the door.

Qin Wei also cupped his hands in thanks and turned to leave.

Ling Yun's eyes flickered, and before leaving, he cast a deep glance at the monk Zhi Kong.

The fluctuations of blood essence within this old fellow were very strange, sometimes as powerful as a Spirit Conduit, and sometimes weaker than even a Force Conduit user.

It was as if... two completely different people had been forcibly pieced together.

But he didn't say much more, silently following the others out of the room.

Not long after, chanting sounds once again echoed from the room.

After many twists and turns.

Led by Jie Wu, everyone finally arrived in front of a side room.

"You can rest here. Don't wander around casually if there's nothing important. After all, there are many large beasts in the mountains."

"As for the vegetarian meals, someone will deliver them later."

Jie Wu spoke two cold sentences, then turned and left without looking back, quickly disappearing around the corner.

"Damn it, boss, if you just say the word, I'll kill this bald donkey with one palm!" One of the Demon Suppression Envoys gritted his teeth, having never been treated like this before.

But Qin Wei merely glanced at him indifferently, and the man immediately flinched, not daring to complain further.

He then looked up at the side room in front of him and pushed the door open without hesitation, walking inside.

The side room was not too large, with only a few tables and connected beds. However, it seemed sufficient to accommodate them.

As soon as they entered the room, these Demon Suppression Envoys displayed their unique skills, taking out all sorts of strange and peculiar items from their waistbands.

Some were splashing foul-smelling liquids everywhere with bottles and jars, some were chanting awkward incantations, and some even took out a handful of talismans and waved them around.

The scene was like a dance of demons, leaving Ling Yun utterly bewildered. He even felt a strange sense of watching Taoist priests perform shamanic rituals in movies from his past life.

Fortunately, they soon stopped these actions and gathered around Qin Wei.

"Sir, we haven't found any trace of Evil Spirits."

"The tracking insects also have no reaction. It seems the second team really isn't here."

Qin Wei glanced at the two golden beetles spinning in place, his expression sinking slightly.

He then looked at another person and asked in a deep voice.

"Ma Xiu, did you find anything?"

At this moment, Ma Xiu was standing still, with countless wriggling dark shadows emerging from various cracks and returning to his shadow.

Hearing his boss's question, Ma Xiu also immediately opened his eyes and shook his head helplessly.

"Boss, I've searched the surroundings, and found nothing unusual."