The Nuo Ring Hour

"Drip."

A drop of icy water fell from overhead and landed on Manhunter's face. Cold spread across his skin as the droplet broke apart. He shuddered, the chill drawing his scattered thoughts back together.

He slowly sat up. Beyond the soft bed curtains, he saw a gray stalactite. Wooden tables, an altar, cushions, and an incense burner stood on either side of it.

White incense smoke drifted slowly from a hole in the burner. Its gentle fragrance put the mind at ease.

"Do not listen with your ears. Do not listen with your mind. Listen with your breath. Empty yourself and await all things; let all things gather in that emptiness."

A chant echoed through the stone dome overhead. Only then was Manhunter certain he had returned to the Mind Fasting Sect's headquarters.

He let out a heavy sigh, then slowly rose to his feet.

Manhunter knew Master Fleshbound must have used a secret art to drag him back and save his life. From the day she arrived in Sorrow Hill City, her medical aid had always come at the steepest price.

But as long as he was alive, he still had a chance. He could still stop the terrifying madman who called himself Master Danyang.

Truthfully, the moment he saw Master Danyang's portrait, he knew the man was dangerous and beyond the reach of any law.

What he had never imagined was just how deranged Master Danyang had become. The man seemed to scorn every rule, acting without purpose or restraint, yet leaving devastation wherever he went.

Manhunter had lived nearly fifty years, but this was the first time he had encountered a madman as terrifying as Master Danyang.

He had dealt with dangerous people before—vagrants, bandits, wandering heroes. However outrageous their conduct appeared, there was always a motive