Despite being trapped with no way out, with the one person he relied on missing and possibly dead, the young man in the brocade robe remained perfectly composed. There was no trace of panic in him.
Zhou You did not agree right away. Instead, he looked at the Eight-Treasure Arhat beside him.
I can't stand the man, but this is life or death. No point settling scores now. We'll work together first.
As for what happens once we're out...
That depends on whether Marquis Lie makes it out. If he does, we part on good terms. If he doesn't...
The Eight-Treasure Arhat would show this fellow what the Criminal Affairs Hall of Eastward Temple kept among its secret methods.
The Eight-Treasure Arhat gave him a confirming look, and Zhou You turned to the young man in brocade.
"Sir..."
"Heaven-Piercing Sword, just call me by my lay name, Li Zhengfa."
"All right, Brother Zhengfa. That direction where the yin energy is weakest..."
The young man in brocade pointed.
"This way." Zhou You nodded, said no more, and strode forward with his sword.
At the same time, the yin energy around them finally condensed. In an instant, ten shadows came hurtling toward them!
Zhou You was about to strike, but the Eight-Treasure Arhat stopped him.
"Brother, your techniques aren't suited to this. Save your strength... Leave this to me."
With that, the Eight-Treasure Arhat swept aside his robe and formed a hand seal.
The faint outline of a golden wheel appeared behind his head. Only then did he speak.
"Hum!"
It was one syllable of the Six-Character Mantra.
But unlike the version Zhou You had used before, this was an orthodox mantra passed down by the Buddhists. The instant the word left the Eight-Treasure Arhat's mouth, boundless golden light flared beneath his