The Demon's Menu-Chapter 967: Tongshou Temple (2)

She definitely remembered what Jason had just said.

"If I encounter a monster, how should I purify it?"

"Firearms and explosives!"

"If that doesn’t work, try a larger caliber."

It was precisely because of such guidance from Jason that when she got out of the car, she deliberately brought along four grenades, hiding them beneath her leather jacket.

"Not bad."

Jason praised.

He was speaking the truth.

Hui Lijing’s adaptability was quite good, especially her technique in throwing grenades, which clearly possessed considerable skill. It was a little like the throwing technique in the [Griffin Shooting Technique], but still at a beginner’s level.

Maybe he could teach her the [Griffin Shooting Technique].

Jason thought to himself.

In the lingering smoke from the grenade explosion, there was the sound of bones cracking, and a thick sense of bloodthirstiness spread, accompanied by a cold, murderous voice—

"Little monk treated you with courtesy, yet you pressed and hassled. Since it has come to this..."

Yi

Jason raised his hand and pointed.

The force field of [Protection Against Evil] enveloped the area, and immediately, the cold, murderous voice completely vanished.

Only the sound of decaying bones remained.

Hui Lijing’s eyes widened as she watched this unfold.

Although Jason always claimed to be an exorcist and had indeed shown himself to be extraordinary,

His previous feats were nothing compared to the one he just performed with a single gesture.

"Jason, what was that just now?"

"A Finger of Death?"

"Can I learn it?"

Hui Lijing asked.

"No."

"Can’t."

"A secret."

Jason said, then strode towards the marketplace; he had already spotted the temple known as ’Tongshou Temple’.

As for the half-person, half-skeleton who just called himself a young monk?

Jason didn’t pay any attention to his words.

Talks about treating others with respect.

Spiritual practice.

If he had truly believed what the other said, Jason would have died in the ’Nightless City’ long ago.

Jason could be sure that the cold, murderous intent the other showed at the end meant he had ill intentions in being here.

Or rather, would any monsters appearing here harbor good intentions?

What a joke.

However, there was one thing Jason did regret.

The other party didn’t have even a hint of a ’food’ aroma.

Nor did they have that lantern.

"Wait for me!"

Hui Lijing said as she ran off to pick up the lantern.

During the recent explosion, the lantern had been blown away, rolling to the far-off ground. However, it was clearly specially made, not only finely crafted but also, despite its rice paper exterior, it remained completely unharmed by the candle flame.

When Hui Lijing picked it up, the flame naturally reignited, burning brightly.

Holding the lantern, Hui Lijing quickly caught up to Jason.

"This lantern is very nice."

Hui Lijing said.

"Then keep it."

"Perhaps it was meant for you."

Jason said so.

Hui Lijing, who was still feeling joyful, was suddenly taken aback, and her steps faltered.

She turned her head to look at the car behind her and the two short bollards that blocked the car— designed by the marketplace specifically to prevent vehicles.

Of course, those weren’t anything unusual.

But following Jason’s words, Hui Lijing noticed something extraordinary.

Was that half-person half-skeleton perhaps waiting here for them?

Otherwise, how could it be such a coincidence that just as they arrived, it appeared?

With this thought, Hui Lijing caught up and asked.

"Was it waiting here for us?"

"Who knows?"

"Maybe it was waiting for us."

"Or maybe it was just... taking advantage of the chaos."

Jason’s words made Hui Lijing even more uneasy. She instinctively looked around; aside from the area illuminated by the lantern, everything else was pitch black.

Even for the dead of night, this darkness was too much.

And the sky!

No stars nor moon!

It had just been dusk moments ago!

When did it change?

It seems, it seems to have been... during the playing of the nursery rhyme [Evening Glow]?

Everything seemed to have changed since then!

As Hui Lijing thought this, she heard a ’creak’.

It was the sound of a wooden door opening.

In the distance, the gate of Tongshou Temple opened, and an old monk with a benevolent face stood inside, watching Jason and Hui Lijing, who clasped her hands in salute, approach.

"You two have finally arrived."

"We’ve all been waiting for a long time."

"Come quickly."

Saying this, the old Monk turned and walked towards the temple interior.

Hui Lijing did not move, instead turning to look at Jason.

Jason was looking into Tongshou Temple.

Although he had not stepped over the threshold, Jason had already roughly made out the entire overview of Tongshou Temple; the main hall doors directly ahead were open, and a Buddha statue cast in gold appeared gentle and amiable under the light.

The side hall door to the left was open, with the light on.

The side hall door to the right was closed, pitch black.

The Monk was, at this moment, heading towards the interior of the main hall.

Then, under Jason’s gaze, the figure circumvented the golden Buddha and disappeared from Jason’s line of sight.

"What should we do?"

Hui Lijing asked.

Jason didn’t answer, he was flaring his nostrils, confirming something.

About two or three seconds later, Jason took a step and walked into Tongshou Temple.

Hui Lijing followed closely behind.

Jason did not head towards the side halls, but went straight for the main hall. When he had passed the golden Buddha, Hui Lijing, following behind Jason, couldn’t help but exclaim.

"Ah!"

The original old Monk was not seen.

What they saw... was Ryosuke!

The middle-aged detective they had met in the afternoon was now unconscious, leaning behind the shrine.

There were visible gunshot wounds on his arm and shoulder.

Besides that, there was just a small door.

There was a lock on the small door.

Jason checked the lock; it was entirely made of metal, with most of the characteristics of a lock, but there was no keyhole.

Meaning this lock was solid.

Or rather, heartless.

Such a discovery made Jason frown.

While Jason was frowning, Hui Lijing was tending to Ryosuke’s wounds.

At the same time, Hui Lijing made a discovery.

"Jason, there’s a letter!"

"It’s behind Officer Ryosuke!"

Hui Lijing picked up an envelope.

After Jason ensured there were no traps, he took the letter, opened it, and a piece of letter paper appeared, written on it in very neat and small script—

Mr. Jason, Ms. Hui Lijing welcome your arrival.

Some changes have occurred at Tongshou Temple, we are in need of your strength to tide over this difficulty together.

Please do not worry.

It will not be too life-threatening.

Also, Officer Ryosuke will also become a support for you both.

Please work together in unity.

Respectfully, the troubled Nameless Monk

...

"To tide over this difficulty?"

Hui Lijing turned her head to glance at the letter paper, her brow furrowing.

She always felt this ’Nameless Monk’ was being deliberately mysterious.

Although the situation in front of them was bizarre, could it really be considered a difficulty?

Then...

Where was this difficulty that needed to be faced together coming from?

As Hui Lijing pondered, she was informing of Ryosuke’s condition.

"Officer Ryosuke is alright."

"The bullet is not lodged inside his body, he just needs good rest; there won’t be any aftereffects."

"His unconsciousness isn’t caused by the gunshot wound but by some other external force."

"I found a bruise near his chin—it must have been a heavy hit that knocked him out."

Hui Lijing said and showed Ryosuke’s bruised chin to Jason.

"Mhm."

Jason nodded, lifted Ryosuke up, and walked outside.

"Are we going back?"

Hui Lijing blinked.

"Otherwise, do you wish to stay?"

Jason asked in return.

"But what about the letter just now?"

Hui Lijing turned and pointed at the letter Jason had tossed aside by the shrine.

"Do you believe the words of someone unknown, unsure if they’re an enemy?"

Jason questioned back.

This retort instantly convinced Hui Lijing.

Jason carried Ryosuke.

Hui Lijing carried the lantern.

They quickly left Tongshou Temple, heading towards the entrance of the market. ƒгeewёbnovel.com

But when they got to the entrance, Hui Lijing’s expression drastically changed.

Their vehicle was gone.

Even the road was no longer there.

Instead, there was a...

River.