Back outside the Buddhist hall, she found the incense scent spilling from within even stronger. Ye Qiutang didn't dare go inside. Instead, she turned and carefully crept back to the half-open window, peering inside through the gap.
The interior was shrouded in incense smoke. Ye Qiutang narrowed her eyes. Wang Fugui was now, like Jiang Cheng, kneeling on a prayer mat in a strange pose. Song Tianming, with the face of a dead man and stiff movements, brought over a candlestick and placed it diagonally in front of Wang Fugui, then lit it.
There was only one empty prayer mat left. Ye Qiutang understood that this final mat had been prepared for her.
As the sound of the wooden fish being struck grew faster and faster, all nine people, including Jiang Cheng and Wang Fugui, pitched forward at once, prostrating themselves. In an instant, the enormous painting on the wall began to change. Bubbles rose continuously from the pitch-black lake, accompanied by the sound of rushing water.
Ye Qiutang froze. A moment later, a wave of dread enveloped her. She had never imagined that this painting... this painting had actually come to life. And as she stared at the black water where the bubbles were appearing, she was certain something unknowably terrifying was hidden beneath it.
This confirmed what her father's subordinates had said: when the Invincible Corpses gathered to worship, they would summon a great evil.
"No! I have to stop the ritual, no matter what!"
Fortunately, she herself was the final piece required for the ritual. With that thought, Ye Qiutang slowly backed away and circled around to the front entrance of the Buddhist hall. It was the only way in or out for the Invincible Corpses.
And when the Invincible Corpses had abducted Wang Fugui not long