The cramped alley fell suddenly quiet.

The two senior brothers stood with their hands at their sides, staring silently at the monk Zhikong. At last, the corners of their mouths curled up. “Good.”

“Then do hurry the Great Dragon-Tiger Scripture back to the Teaching, Junior Brother. The elders are waiting.”

Zhiqing patted Zhikong on the shoulder. “We won't keep you, then. Go about your business. Farewell.”

With that, they turned and headed out of the alley without a backward glance, smiles hidden in their eyes. Only their steps were noticeably quicker than when they'd come.

The monk Zhikong kept his palms pressed together. He slowly opened his eyes, but he didn't turn around. His gaze stayed on the tips of his sandals. “Senior Brothers, the elders of the Teaching once taught us what compassion is.”

He was inexperienced in the ways of the world. That didn't make him a fool.

He knew no one would believe the way he'd answered.

Fellow Immortal Shen had read the Great Dragon-Tiger Scripture, it was true. But people were born curious, and there was no sin in not knowing. Besides, he had saved two innocent lives from Senior Brother Lingguang, and kept the scripture from spreading and bringing disaster on the mortal world.

His merit outweighed his fault.

The two slowed to a stop and exchanged a look. Their voices turned cold. “Did the elders ever teach you that those who have left the household do not lie?”

As they spoke, they glanced at the house beside them. The half-closed wooden door swung open with no wind behind it, revealing the old woman listening in.

Caught, the old woman's sagging cheeks trembled. She turned to flee inside, but her hunched body was yanked backward through the air.

She thrashed like a chick in a fist, her head already clamped tight in a big, rough hand.

Within a breath, she stopped struggling. Her eyes went vacant. Even after she was released, she didn't think to run. She only stood there in a daze.

Zhiqing took the golden booklet off her and flicked it away.

Swish—