A Welcome Feast

Night deepened, and candlelight flickered inside a guest room at Golden Buddha Temple.

Yang Xiao, Zhao Kui, Old Saber, Lu Mingchuan, and several Demon-Suppressing Captains sat together, quietly discussing what they had seen that day.

"The way that golden Buddha heals people is definitely wrong."

Zhao Kui kept his voice low, his brows tightly knit.

"Those patients look healthier, but their energy is much weaker, as though something has been drained from them."

"Only ordinary people wouldn't notice. They think the Buddha's light has really worked a miracle."

Old Saber gave a disdainful snort. "Merciful Buddha's light? Smells like corpse oil mixed with incense ash. Not one of those bald donkeys is any good."

"What's there to discuss? I say we use the cover of darkness to tear down their Golden Buddha Temple!"

Lu Mingchuan considered this for a moment before cautioning them. "Golden Buddha Temple's reputation in Cloud Fir Commandery is too great, and it has many followers. If we act without solid proof, the people outside may not believe the Demon Suppression Division."

"Once the people at the foot of the mountain start making a fuss tomorrow morning, we might not even be able to get down. That would only make things harder."

The captains nodded and looked toward Yang Xiao.

"Deputy General Yang, when do you plan to investigate the temple?"

Yang Xiao was about to answer when a knock sounded at the door.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Three light taps, neither hurried nor slow.

Yang Xiao's eyes flickered as he looked toward the door.

"Come in."

The door opened, and a monk in gray robes entered. Two young novices followed him, each carrying a tray.

The monk approached the table, pressed his palms together, and bowed slightly.

"My lords have come a long way. At the abbot's