After dark.
There was finally news about the matter Seventh Master had asked someone to look into.
Sure enough, another elder had been attacked and killed.
This elder was named Shi Yong. He was also one of the men who had followed Seventh Master in driving the organization out of China all those years ago.
Seventh Master went to the mourning hall and offered a stick of incense to Elder Guo. Facing his memorial portrait, he said, "Your big brother has to go. The situation is urgent, and I can't see you off on your final journey."
"Forty years ago, we beat them. Forty years later, they killed you and our other brothers."
"I've grown old, too. I can't boast of the courage I had back then, or claim I'll win. But as long as I have a breath left, I'll fight them to the bitter end."
"Guo Ying. Oh, Guo Ying."
Seventh Master let out a long sigh, grief-stricken.
He took me away from the Guo home.
The two of us drove back to Huangshikou alone.
Seventh Master didn't go to pay his respects to the fourth elder, Shi Yong.
He said time was life. The organization's retaliation and provocations wouldn't stop. Each time, two people would die: an elder and an innocent person.
He could only hurry to find the killer, protect those still alive, and comfort the souls of the dead.
When we got home, Seventh Master burned another handful of spirit money at the door, this time for Elder Shi Yong.
"Shi Yong. Shi Yong, oh, Shi Yong!"
"Your big brother can't come to see you off. I can't come to see you off, brother!"
"Brother, may your journey be peaceful!"
I went over and helped Seventh Master back into the main room to sit down.