Jeweled Temple.
A bitter wind howled, and crows cried out.
The once-peaceful Buddhist sanctuary now seemed steeped in an indescribable chill.
Inside the meditation room.
Abbot Wangyou sat cross-legged.
He lowered his head and gazed at his hands.
His skin was smooth, a faint radiance flowing beneath it. There was no trace of his former withered old age.
Even now, he still felt as though it were all a dream.
"Senior Brother."
The young monk Wangchi sat opposite him, idly rolling a string of prayer beads in his hand, a smile on his lips.
"How does this new body feel?"
Wangyou drew a deep breath, a glint flashing in his eyes.
"Wonderful beyond words."
"I have you to thank for bringing me that secret art, Junior Brother. Otherwise, these old bones of mine would have long since turned to dust in the grave."
Wangchi waved a hand, his expression casual.
"We're brothers. No need for formalities."
Then,
he changed the subject and looked toward the rolling mountains beyond the window.
"But..."
"I heard the senior brothers mention that the Longyou Demon Suppression Bureau seems to have a grudge against our Treasure Monastery?"
At that, Wangyou's ruddy complexion darkened at once.
A violent demonic aura spilled uncontrollably from his body.
"Hmph!"
"The Demon Suppression Bureau has gone too far!"
"First, that girl from the Bureau killed our disciples—and even killed Junior Brother Wangchen, bringing shame upon our Treasure Monastery."
"Then there's that Wei He. Relying on his status with the imperial court, he's sent people up the mountain to search every few days for months."
"And just the other day, he used some report as an excuse to seal several of our manor fields at the foot of the mountain. He even wants to audit our temple's accounts!"
As he spoke,