When I returned to the shop, I found the front door open. It seemed Master was in the shop instead of out fishing.
I walked inside but didn't see Master, so I headed straight up to the second floor.
But the moment I reached the second-floor entrance, I caught a very strong smell of incense and candles.
The scent made my heart tighten slightly.
Logically speaking, the only one on the second floor who needed offerings was Grandmaster.
But did burning incense for Grandmaster require such heavy incense and candles?
Smoke was even billowing out through the stairwell.
If it was this smoky at the entrance, just how much smoke was there upstairs?
Just as I was about to head up, I faintly heard Master's voice:
"It's only the last few days now. Have your fill for this meal first. You've endured twelve years already. I only hope these final days pass safely..."
My body trembled violently when I heard that.
Master wasn't offering incense to Grandmaster. He was offering incense to the "senior brothers and sisters" next door!
Before the New Year, I had caught a few scattered hints that their time was almost up.
Thinking about it, it really was around this time.
It looked like I would be able to meet them in a few days.
I said nothing, nor did I deliberately try to listen further.
I tactfully turned around, returned downstairs, and sat on the sofa.
I had suppressed my curiosity about their secret for more than a year now.
In a few days, I would learn what they had gone through and the karmic ties behind it all.
I was truly curious. Master had locked them up for twelve years to "atone"—what sin were they atoning for?
I had also overheard someone say before,