The boys and girls who had been keeping their heads down and silent and motionless suddenly turned their eyes to the three uninvited guests who broke in.
"I've already thought of the deal. Why don't you just leave your bodies behind?" An old voice rang out from the Black Water Coffin, low and flat. "No one can refuse the Shen family's business. Not the Hu family, and not you either."
******************
Lu Songping opened his eyes and saw the dome of an ancient palace above his head.
A half moon appeared in the skylight, vaguely a full moon.
He moved his hands and feet and found that his limbs were firmly tied to the temple pillars. Not far away, two people sat on a tattered cushion, staring at him without blinking.
"Excuse me...where is this place? Why are you tying me up?"
Yikong didn't say anything, but Hao Bai beside him shook his head.
"Stop pretending, you're exposed. Lu Songping never says 'please ask'. Besides, I have some old grudges against him."
The 'Lu Songping' in front of the pillar paused, then lowered his head and laughed deeply.
"Master Yikong, long time no see. When did you start interacting with the Qu family?"
Yikong didn't answer, but dropped the golden hammer in his hand, striking the ancient wooden fish.
"Puhuna."
Lu Songping tilted his head, his expression somewhat amused.
"It encompasses all living things and possesses a myriad of auras. I really like the name your master gave me."
Yikong's expression was indifferent.
"It's just a name. It's a pity that you were born without one, so I'm naturally a little happy."
Lu Songping's expression darkened instantly, and he barely concealed the anger and resentment in his heart.
"I'll ask a question, and you answer it. If you have other thoughts..." Yikong paused, picked up the demon-subduing pestle beside him and placed it in front of him, "Let's change the way we talk."
"As a monk, how can you be so arrogant and have such a vicious mind?!"
Lu Songping feigned fear and shook twice, then quickly changed his expression and laughed out loud.
The laughter was so loud and cold that it was like a cold wind blowing on one's face. All the candles in the hall were extinguished in an instant.
"You don't think a mere demon-slaying pestle can do anything to me? Demons and monsters, the lowest of the low, how can they be compared to me? I am a god. I can do whatever I want!"
After a long time, a clear voice finally rang out in the darkness.
"No matter who you are, since you walk in this world, you must abide by its laws. Moreover... judging from your current situation, you can't really do whatever you want."
There was a rustling sound, it was Hao Bai getting up to look for a fire starter.
Moonlight poured in from the skylight, illuminating the top of Lu Songping's head. He still had his head half-bowed, his brow bone below the level of his head in shadow.
"You are very similar to your master. But you are not him after all. He couldn't exile me, so why waste your time here?"
Yikong spread out the scriptures, clasped his hands together and placed them in front of his chest.
"Even if you don't tell me, I know why you're here. After all these years, you're still searching everywhere. It's a pity that you'll never find him."
After he finished speaking, the young monk began to recite scriptures softly.
"Musan does possess some wisdom, understanding the principle of hiding from the light. But that's all." 'Shika Matsudaira' at the pillar finally raised his head, his two large, hollow pupils fixed on Iso's peaceful face. "Don't forget, he's destined to be mine. And those prophecies will surely come true."
After a moment, the fire lit up.
Hao Bai came closer holding an oil lamp, but found that Lu Songping had closed his eyes and his body was leaning against the pillar.
"He is..."
"It's gone." Yikong brushed the scroll lightly and let out a long sigh, "But it will come back again."
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