freenovelworld Chapter 387: How was it? Any discoveries?
Chapter 387: How was it? Any discoveries?
Fang Xiaoxiao looked at the monk, a sense of surprise rising in her heart. In this desolate, dilapidated temple, with such terrible weather outside, it was truly unbelievable that the monk could beg for porridge.
Pei Yan was equally surprised; his brows furrowed slightly, and his eyes showed confusion.
The monk placed the porridge on the table and turned to leave.
Pei Yan was already starving, and he couldn't wait to reach for the porridge, ready to devour it.
"Wait!" Fang Xiaoxiao suddenly reached out to stop her, her voice urgent and tense.
Pei Yan looked bewildered and asked, puzzled, "What's wrong?"
Fang Xiaoxiao leaned closer to the bowl of porridge, took a gentle sniff, and her expression instantly turned serious. She lowered her voice and said, "This porridge smells like cartilage-softening powder."
Upon hearing this, Pei Yan was shocked. His eyes widened, and his voice trembled as he asked, "Who exactly is this monk? Why is he trying to harm us?"
Fang Xiaoxiao frowned deeply, her eyes filled with vigilance. After a moment of contemplation, she said, "Don't act rashly. Let's see how things go first."
Just then, a very faint sound of footsteps came from outside, barely audible due to the sound of rain.
Fang Xiaoxiao's nerves instantly tensed, like a fully drawn bowstring. Her eyes widened as she stared intently at the door, her body leaning slightly forward, ready to respond to any unexpected situation. Pei Yan calmly concealed a sharp dagger in his sleeve, his fingers gripping the hilt tightly. His eyes revealed determination and resolve, like a cheetah poised to pounce.
Just then, the dilapidated door creaked open with a sickeningly loud sound. The monk reappeared in the doorway, his figure somewhat distorted in the dim candlelight. This time, he held several steaming white steamed buns in his hands.
"Esteemed benefactors, this humble monk has found a few more steamed buns to satisfy your hunger," the monk said, still wearing that seemingly kind smile, as he handed the buns to Fang Xiaoxiao.
A hint of hesitation flashed in Fang Xiaoxiao's eyes, but she still reached out her slightly trembling hand to take the steamed bun and said in a low voice, "Thank you, Master."
The monk nodded, turned and left, the door closing softly behind him with a dull thud.
Even after the monk left, Pei Yan remained highly vigilant, his eyes fixed on the door like a hawk's, his muscles tense, his voice low and serious: "This monk's behavior is so strange, we must not let our guard down."
Fang Xiaoxiao carefully examined the steamed bun in her hand, gently rubbing it with her fingers, then sniffed it carefully. After confirming that there was nothing unusual, she breathed a sigh of relief and said, "It seems that this steamed bun is not poisonous."
Night, like a giant black curtain, enveloped the entire world. The rain continued to fall tirelessly, the "whoosh" of the rain sounding like countless hands forcefully pounding against the window.
Fang Xiaoxiao and Pei Yan gradually fell asleep, exhausted and uneasy.
After an unknown amount of time, a mournful cry suddenly rang out in the deathly silence of the night, like a sharp arrow piercing the darkness. Fang Xiaoxiao was jolted awake from her sleep; her heart pounded as if it would leap out of her throat. Fine beads of sweat covered her forehead, and her eyes were filled with terror and confusion.
"Pei Yan, listen!" Fang Xiaoxiao's voice trembled like a leaf in the wind as she gripped Pei Yan's arm tightly.
Pei Yan was also instantly awakened, sitting up abruptly, his ears perked up, listening carefully to the eerie crying sound, his expression becoming extremely solemn.
Fang Xiaoxiao pursed her lips tightly, her expression resolute, her eyes revealing a determination to find out the truth. She said, "No, this crying is so strange, I have to go out and investigate."
Upon hearing this, Pei Yan's expression changed drastically. He hurriedly stretched out his arm to stop him, looking extremely nervous. He lowered his voice and said urgently, "Absolutely not! It's the middle of the night, the situation outside is unknown, and it's too dangerous. I'll go instead."
Looking into Pei Yan's firm and fearless eyes, Fang Xiaoxiao, though still worried, nodded and readily agreed, "Alright then, please be careful."
Pei Yan gently pushed open the door, like a cautious cat, his footsteps so light they were almost inaudible. He hunched over slightly, his eyes scanning his surroundings warily, and groped his way towards the sound of crying.
The night was as dark as thick ink, swallowing everything. The rain was still drizzling, hitting his shoulders and bringing a slight chill.
Pei Yan finally arrived at the eerie, dry well, following the direction of the sound. The moment he approached, the mournful cries abruptly ceased, and an eerie silence descended upon the surroundings.
Just then, the monk appeared suddenly like a ghost. His face, which looked particularly sinister in the darkness, made Pei Yan's heart skip a beat. The monk frowned and asked with a tone of doubt, "Benefactor, what are you doing here so late?"
Pei Yan tried to calm himself down, forcing an awkward smile, and said casually, "Master, I just got up to use the restroom and happened to pass by here."
The monk gave him a deep look, remained silent for a moment, and then turned and left without saying a word.
Pei Yan quickly returned to the guest room, where Fang Xiaoxiao eagerly greeted him, her eyes filled with anticipation and excitement. She asked, "How did it go? Did you find anything?"
Pei Yan was panting heavily, his face still pale, and he said in a trembling voice, "The sound seemed to be coming from the dry well."
Upon hearing this, Fang Xiaoxiao frowned deeply and fell into deep thought.
Outside the dilapidated temple, the night was as dark as ink, and a richly decorated carriage was hidden in the deep shadows. Pei Zuo sat inside, his face so gloomy it seemed to drip water. He gripped the warm jade pendant tightly in his hand, his knuckles turning white from the pressure. Zhang Xuzi, on the other hand, calmly held a teacup beside him, gently blowing away the tea leaves floating on the surface, and leisurely taking a sip.
"Get to work quickly! Surround this dilapidated temple completely, so that not even a fly can get out!" Pei Zuo lowered his voice and gave a vicious order to his men, his eyes flashing with a sinister light.
Upon receiving the order, his men scattered swiftly like ghosts, crouching low and moving so quietly that their footsteps were almost inaudible, stealthily flanking the dilapidated temple.
However, none of these subtle movements escaped the monk's keen senses. His previously peaceful eyes narrowed instantly, revealing a hint of cunning. Without making a sound, he took out a carefully prepared packet of sleeping pills from his robes, clutching it tightly in his hand, his heart pounding involuntarily.
As Pei Zuo's men stormed into the dilapidated temple, the monk seized the opportunity and forcefully threw out the sleeping potion in his hand. Instantly, a cloud of white smoke filled the air, quickly enveloping Pei Zuo and his men.