Hu Xiaotian rushed inside. Remembering something, he first held his breath, then lifted Murong Feiyan and gently patted her cheeks. She lay limp in his arms, completely unresponsive.
Hu Xiaotian was horrified. The worst of it was that he did not know whether the food had been poisoned or something had been hidden in the brazier. Just then, a horse neighed outside.
Hu Xiaotian inwardly cursed his luck. Someone must have arrived. There was no time to revive his companions now. He looked around; the only places he could conceal himself were beneath the altar table or behind the Buddha statue. After a moment's thought, he realized hiding would only buy him a little time. Once those monks discovered he was missing, they would certainly search for him. His only option was to feign unconsciousness and fool them. Holding his breath, he gripped a dagger concealed in his sleeve and lay down beside Murong Feiyan.
Four monks appeared in the side hall, led by none other than the lame monk, Wuxing. As soon as they entered, one hurried forward, covered the brazier, and carried it outside. Clearly, the brazier must have contained some kind of knockout drug.
Wuxing swept his gaze over the six people on the floor and gave a sinister chuckle. "This little chick's quite a looker. Fourth Brother, take her to my room. Second Brother, Third Brother, carry the others to the back courtyard and throw them off the cliff!"
Hu Xiaotian heard every word and silently cursed the vicious monk. It seemed his premonition had been right: even the name Orchid Temple was unlucky. There might not be any female ghosts here, nor a Black Mountain Demon, but there was certainly no shortage of wicked monks who murdered people for their money.
Hu Xiaotian was the