Hu Xiaotian felt a pang of pity as he watched the monk writhe on the ground. He sighed, silently lamenting, What a sin, what a sin. I never meant to kill you, but it was you or me. Mercy to an enemy is cruelty to yourself. He glanced at the blade tucked between his fingers. Without that concealed scalpel blade, he would probably have died at the monk's hands today.
He drew two long breaths. Despite the commotion they had made, none of the other monks in the temple seemed to have noticed. The lightning, thunder, and raging storm had provided perfect cover for the slaughter.
Remembering Murong Feiyan, whom the two Evil Monks had taken away, Hu Xiaotian dared not delay. The lame monk, Wuxing, had just ordered them to take her to his room. His words had made it perfectly clear that the bald donkey was a lecherous monk through and through. At the thought, anxiety burned through Hu Xiaotian like fire. If Murong Feiyan's chastity were ruined at that lecher's hands, wouldn't he regret it for the rest of his life?
He retraced his route. Although he did not know where the lecherous monk's room was, common sense suggested the rear courtyard. While the monks had carried him here, he had secretly studied the route and memorized several landmarks. Thus, despite the torrential rain, Hu Xiaotian did not lose his way. He made his way back near the side hall, where faint voices came from ahead.
Hu Xiaotian hurriedly pressed himself against the foot of the wall and edged along it. Through the wind and rain, he heard Wuxing say, "Fourth, go see why those two aren't back yet."
The monk called Fourth answered in acknowledgment.
Wuxing laughed again. "I'm heading back to my room."
"Big brother,