"Yes." Felman nodded and said solemnly, "I think it goes beyond that. To put it bluntly, I think he's a member of the Soul-Returning Cult."
"I've seen this happen many times late at night before-a black-robed figure meeting an ordinary citizen and accepting things from them, such as severed fingers, toes, internal organs, skin... then handing them a bloodstained steamed bun or loaf of bread. I don't know whether you've seen it, but it must be some sort of ritual of the Soul-Returning Cult, a way of recruiting followers."
"You're probably right. I've seen that before too. The Temple Master even stepped in to stop it that time, but unfortunately, the fellow escaped."
"How many members do they have, and when was the cult founded?"
"No one knows. The Soul-Returning Cult's origins and numbers have always been a mystery, as has the source of their faith. At least to outsiders, no one has any idea what they actually believe in and worship, or what sort of person their leader is. All of it remains a mystery."
"But..." Felman hesitated, then said uncertainly, "According to some unofficial information, someone suspected their leader was a member of the Elf Race. That was never confirmed, though, because that person is already dead."
"A member of the Elffolk?" Zeng Mu's eyes lit up. He suddenly thought of the female elf Okelo. Could she be so close to the Soul-Returning Cult precisely because its leader is one of her people?
"Can that be confirmed now?"
"It's just a rumor. No one can verify it."
"Is that so?" Zeng Mu replied, but inwardly murmured, Perhaps I can find a chance to prove it.
"So what does Sen Miao's whereabouts have to do with the Soul-Returning Cult?"
"Here's what happened," Felman said. "When Sen Miao first fell