As he neared the Buddhist Sutra Pavilion, Hu Xiaotian heard footsteps ahead. Although he had changed into a Fan Monk's clothes, he did not understand the Hu language, and meeting someone on this narrow path would likely cause considerable trouble. He sprang into the air and landed on the roof to his right. Looking down, he saw four Fan Monks walking slowly in single file, their steps perfectly aligned and their eyes vacant. Every step seemed precisely calculated, their strides and rhythm almost identical.
He was already close to the Buddhist Sutra Pavilion. According to their plan, Hu Xiaotian was to set a fire there half an hour after parting with Ji Feihua. Their aim was by no means to burn down the pavilion, but to draw the attention of every monk in Brahma Sound Temple.
Once the four Fan Monks had gone far enough, Hu Xiaotian was about to jump down when he heard a door opening in the neighboring courtyard. He hastily stopped and remained hidden on the roof, looking toward the sound. Two people emerged from a room: one was a Fan Monk, while the other was a man from the Central Plains. Hu Xiaotian recognized him at first glance-he was Mute, the attendant of Ghost Physician Fu Wan.
Yet Mute was not only speaking now, his voice was loud and full of vigor. Perhaps their conversation had reached some amusing point, for he burst into hearty laughter. Hu Xiaotian took another careful look. There was no mistake; this fellow was definitely the Ghost Physician's Mute. From their very first meeting until now, Ghost Physician Fu Wan had been nothing but one enormous fraud. He had never spoken a word of truth.
Hu Xiaotian sighed inwardly. Compared with Ghost Physician Fu Wan, he was still a little