Qu Zan set down his teacup, its porcelain base striking the wooden table with a faint, crisp clink.
He raised his eyes to Bianba, his gaze as still as water, showing not the slightest surprise.
"When did they say the exorcism would take place?"
"Tonight." Bianba said helplessly, "Lama, let's discuss buying the horse another day."
Qu Zan nodded and said nothing more about it. He had never intended to sell Bodhi to him; he had merely used it as a pretext to learn more of the village's secrets.
It looks as though that Red Guanyin has some connection to this old woman, Qu Zan thought.
He pressed his palms together toward Bianba and said, "Benefactor, it is getting late. Might you let me stay the night? I have been traveling all day and am rather weary."
"Of course, Lama," Bianba said. "I'll prepare a fine guest room for you."
With that, he went outside. His father-in-law happened to be returning, and Bianba told him that a monk would be staying in their home.
"A monk?" his father-in-law said. "What is he like? Do you know whether he is good or bad? Taking in a stranger just like that."
"The monk is very young. He doesn't look like a bad person. Father, being charitable and respecting those of the Buddhist faith will help accumulate blessings for Zhuoma."
At these words, a trace of gloom crossed his father-in-law's deeply furrowed face. His clouded eyes flickered in their sockets, like a venomous snake flicking its tongue, as he stared fixedly at the room where Qu Zan was.
"A monk..." he muttered, a barely perceptible note of wariness in his voice.
Bianba's father-in-law entered the room and met Qu Zan. He found that the latter was indeed young-clearly a boy.
He inwardly breathed