Night had fallen by the time Hu Xiaotian emerged from the Bamboo Grove. The bodyguards outside the Samantabhadra Courtyard were all braced for action. Although Fu Yuhong had narrowly escaped Hu Xiaotian, he did not dare return to the courtyard. He had fled in haste, without even stopping to warn Chi Feixing.
Those at the Samantabhadra Courtyard had heard several screams, but no one knew what had happened in the Bamboo Grove.
In the distance, a group of Staff Monks approached the Samantabhadra Courtyard under Mingzheng's leadership. The people of the Heavenly Dragon Temple must have heard the commotion as well.
Inside the Zen Room, the Fake Emperor, Chi Feixing, was so nervous that his palms were sweating. Eliminating Hu Xiaotian before leaving the Heavenly Dragon Temple was his mission. Fu Yuhong's appearance proved that his master had already lost faith in him. Whatever happened, he hoped this operation would go smoothly. Chi Feixing pressed his palms together and prayed silently.
A cold, merciless voice sounded inside the room. "You're the emperor?"
Chi Feixing's heart jolted. "Who's there?" As he spoke, he aimed the Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needles concealed in his sleeve toward the voice. Before he could pull the trigger, someone seized his wrist. The grip tightened only slightly, but Chi Feixing felt as though his wrist bones were about to shatter. The Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needles clattered to the floor.
The intruder struck his acupoints, snatched him up like an eagle catching a chick, and tucked him under one arm. Then he sprang into the air. Boom! A great hole burst through the Zen Room's roof, sending tiles, rubble, sand, and gravel raining down.
The tremendous crash drew everyone's attention. They saw a strange old man, ghostlike in appearance, burst through the roof of the Zen Room with