The white and yellow rice paper is used as the skin, supported by four layers of inner bones, and the candlelight is fixed in the middle, bringing a touch of light into the darkness.
It also illuminates the big word "无" on the rice paper.
The word "无" written with a brush is particularly conspicuous and attracts attention under the illumination of candlelight.
Hui Lijing was attracted by this word.
But Hui Lijing's scream was not because of this word.
It was the hand she saw lifting up the thin bamboo pole of the lantern, that person.
The thin bamboo pole has long turned yellow-green, with yellow occupying most of it. There is only a touch of green at the root joint, which is revealed from the gap of a gray-white palm.
Except for the color, the palms look like ordinary people.
Neither slender nor stout.
Just ordinary people.
Just like half of the other person's face exposed to the candlelight.
Just following the other person's footsteps, when the other person's face was all revealed, it made people feel a chill down their backs.
On one side of that normal face is... a skeleton.
Not just a face but a skeleton.
This half of the opponent's body is also a skeleton.
The half-human, half-skeleton figure walks in the darkness, flickering in and out of light under the candlelight.
Suddenly, the already terrifying scene became even more bizarre.
Especially when the other person holds a lantern, looks into the car, and smiles.
Hui Lijing's screams stopped abruptly.
All that's left is——
"This, this, this..."
Hui Lijing wanted to say a complete sentence to express her thoughts at this time.
But when the words came to his lips, they couldn't come out at all.
At this moment, Jason's voice came to her ears.
"Turn on high beam."
The voice was unhurried and slow, with Jason's unique indifference.
Such indifference made Hui Lijing instinctively choose to believe.
Click!
The car's high-beam headlights were turned on, and the glare was so bright that it enveloped the half-human, half-skeleton figure.
Immediately, the half-human, half-skeleton smile froze.
It had anticipated many situations, but it really did not expect this situation.
Holding back the dazzling pain, the half-man, half-skeleton stepped around the area illuminated by the high-beam headlights.
Although the half-human and half-skeleton was very careful, Hui Lijing still noticed this obvious move.
"It shoots high beam?"
Hui Lijing asked blankly.
"You will be afraid if you do it."
Jason answered.
"B-but...shouldn't it be a monster?"
"How can monsters be afraid of high beams?"
Hui Lijing still couldn't accept it.
"A monster is also a kind of creature. After being illuminated by high beams, it will naturally follow the instinct of the creature - just like I am not afraid of a certain degree of attack, but when I eat chili peppers, I can still feel the spiciness."
Jason continued to answer.
"Jason, are you saying that everything follows the instinct of living things?"
Hui Lijing seems to have some realization.
"You can also understand that northerners shivered with cold when they spent the winter in the south."
Jason said, opened the door and got out of the car.
Hui Lijing, who was still understanding at first, was stunned again.
What's the meaning?
She was completely confused.
However, after seeing Jason push open the door and get out of the car, Hui Lijing immediately followed.
Of course, she didn't forget to bring her weapon.
The half-human, half-skeleton being had been waiting by the car. When he saw Jason and Hui Lijing stepping out of the car, he immediately saluted very politely.
"Xiao Monk has met Mr. Jason, Detective Hui Lijing."
The other party has a pleasant voice and elegant manners. If his appearance is not terrifying, he can definitely be called graceful.
Hui Lijing's eyes were looking at the top of the other person's head.
On the human side, there is also fine short hair.
Hui Lijing's focus is on these hairs.
Shouldn't monks be bald?
Perhaps seeing Hui Lijing's doubts, the half-human and half-skeleton man who called himself the Little Monk showed a smile and replied very gently: "The Little Monk is practicing with his hair on, and has not yet reached the level of tonsure."
"So, you're afraid of high beams?"
Hui Lijing asked straightforwardly.
The smiling half-human, half-skeleton figure suddenly froze.
"Even if you become a monk, you will still be afraid of high-beam lights."
The half-human, half-skeleton monk suppressed his temper and explained.
"In other words, you can't even use high beam?"
Hui Lijing continued to ask.
This time, the half-human, half-skeleton self-proclaimed monk couldn't stand it any longer.
Its completely human side clearly showed anger.
"Detective Hui Lijing, are you provoking me?"
The half-human, half-skeleton asked gloomily.
"Huh?"
"Discovered?"
Hui Lijing looked at the half-human and half-skeleton in surprise. Her expression of "How could you possibly find out with your intelligence?" completely angered the half-human and half-skeleton being who called himself a monk.
roar!
The other party let out a roar like a wild beast and rushed towards Hui Lijing.
Then--
Bang, bang bang!
Hui Lijing held the pistol in her hand and pulled the trigger repeatedly.
Under gunfire, the half-man, half-skeleton retreated continuously, but it was obviously not fatal.
"Do you think a shot like this would work on me?"
"You underestimate my practice, little monk."
"I...fuck!"
The half-human, half-skeleton creature couldn't help but sneer at Hui Lijing's shooting, but before it could finish speaking, Hui Lijing pointed to the ground with a smile.
The half-human, half-skeleton creature looked down and was completely stunned.
Because, at some point, a grenade with a ring appeared at its feet.
boom!
The grenade exploded, causing shock waves and shrapnel raging around.
Hui Lijing put away her gun and turned to look at Jason, as if she was coming to praise me.
She remembered what Jason just said.
'How should I purify myself if I encounter a monster?'
'Guns and Explosives!'
'If it doesn't work, try using a larger diameter.'
Because of Jason's guidance, when she got out of the car, she specially brought four grenades and hid them under her leather jacket.
"good."
Jason praised.
This is the truth.
Hui Lijing's adaptability is quite good, especially the method of throwing grenades. She obviously has considerable skills, a bit like the throwing method in [Gryphon Shooting Technique], but it is at the entry level.
Maybe you can teach the other party [Gryphon Shooting Technique].
Jason thought this way.
In the smoke from the previous grenade explosion, there was the sound of bones cracking, and a strong smell of blood spread, along with the cold voice filled with murderous intent——
"The young monk treats others with courtesy, but you are aggressive. If this is the case..."
Yi
Jason raised his hand and pointed.
The [Protection from Evil] force field enveloped him, and immediately, the cold, murderous voice completely disappeared.
All that remains is the sound of decaying bones.
Hui Lijing stared at this scene with wide eyes.
Although Jason has always called himself an exorcist, he has also shown extraordinary performance.
But the extraordinary things before were nothing compared to the finger in front of me.
"Jason, what was that just now?"
"A finger of death?"
"Can I learn?"
Hui Lijing asked.
"no."
"cannot."
"secret."
Jason said, and strode towards the market. He had already seen the temple called 'Tongshou Temple'.
As for the half-human, half-skeleton guy who just called himself a monk?
Jason didn't pay attention to the other party's words at all.
What to treat others with courtesy?
What practice.
If he really believed the other party, Jason would have died in the 'City That Never Sleeps' long ago.
The cold murderous intention shown by the other party at the end, Jason could be sure that the other party had evil intentions when he appeared here.
In other words, do the monsters who appear here have good intentions?
joke.
However, there was one thing that made Jason feel pity.
The other party didn't even smell of 'food' at all.
Neither did the other party's lantern.
"Wait for me!"
Hui Lijing said as she ran away and picked up the lantern.
In the explosion just now, the lantern was blown away and fell to the ground in the distance. However, this lantern was obviously specially made. Not only was it exquisite in workmanship, but it was also made of rice paper.
Even though it was burning, it was completely fine.
When Hui Lijing picked it up, the candle light naturally lit up.
Holding a lantern, Hui Lijing quickly caught up with Jason.
"This lantern is very nice."
Hui Lijing said.
"Then keep it."
"Maybe it's for you."
Jason said this.
Hui Lijing, who was still filled with joy, was immediately stunned, and her steps forward were also paused.
She turned around and looked at the car behind her, as well as the two low pillars blocking the car - these two pillars were specially designed by the market to prevent vehicles.
Of course these are nothing.
But following Jason's words, Hui Lijing discovered something unusual.
That half-human, half-skeleton existence seems to be waiting for them here?
Otherwise, how could it be a coincidence that the other party appeared just after they arrived here?
Thinking of this, Hui Lijing chased after him and asked.
"Is it waiting for us here?"
"Who knows?"
"Maybe they're waiting for us."
"Maybe... taking advantage of the situation."
Jason's words made Hui Lijing even more uneasy. She instinctively looked around. Except for the area illuminated by the lantern, it was completely dark.
Even late at night, such darkness is too much.
And the sky!
There are no stars and no moon!
Apparently it was just dusk before!
When did this change?
It seems, it seems... when the nursery rhyme "Sunset" is playing?
Everything seems to have changed since then!
Hui Lijing was thinking, but there was a "squeak" in her ears.
That was the sound of the wooden door opening.
In the distance, the gate of Tongshou Temple opened. A kind-hearted old monk stood in the temple and looked at Jason who was approaching. Hui Lijing saluted with her hands clasped together.
"You two are finally here."
"Everyone and I have been waiting for a long time."
"Come quickly."
Saying these words, the old monk turned around and walked into the temple.
Hui Lijing didn't move and turned to look at Jason.
Jason looked towards the Tongshou Temple.
Although he had not crossed the threshold, Jason had already roughly seen the entire Tongshou Temple. The door of the main hall directly opposite was open, and a golden Buddha statue looked gentle and kind under the light.
The side hall door on the left is open and the lights are on.
The door to the side hall on the right is closed and it is pitch dark.
The old monk was walking towards the main hall at this moment.
Then, under Jason's gaze, the opponent bypassed the Golden Buddha and disappeared from Jason's sight.
"What do we do?"
Hui Lijing asked.
Jason didn't answer, he wiggled his nose and confirmed.
About two or three seconds later, Jason stepped into Tongshou Temple.
Hui Lijing followed closely behind.
Jason did not go to the side halls on both sides, but walked straight towards the main hall. After bypassing the Golden Buddha, Hui Lijing, who was following Jason, couldn't help but speak out.
"Eh!"
The original old monk didn't see it.
What I saw was... Ryousuke!
The middle-aged detective whom he had met in the afternoon was leaning unconscious behind the Buddhist altar.
There were obvious gunshot wounds on the arms and shoulders.
Apart from that, there is only one small door left.
There is a lock on the small door.
Jason checked the lock. It was completely made of metal and had most of the characteristics of a lock, but it had no keyhole.
In other words, this lock is solid.
Or rather unintentionally.
This result made Jason frown.
While Jason frowned, Hui Lijing helped Ryousuke treat the wound.
At the same time, Hui Lijing made a discovery.
"Jason, there's a letter here!"
"It's behind Officer Ryousuke!"
Hui Lijing picked up an envelope.
After Jason confirmed that there was no trap, he took the letter. After opening it, a piece of letter paper appeared with very beautiful small capital letters written on it——
Mr. Jason, Ms. Hui Lijing welcomes you.
Some changes have taken place in Tongshou Temple, and it requires the strength of the two of them to overcome the difficulties together.
Please don't worry.
It's not too life-threatening.
In addition, Officer Ryosuke will also be a support to the two of them.
Please three people work together.
Regards the poor unknown monk
…
“Get through this together?”
Hui Lijing turned her head and glanced at the letter, frowning.
She always felt that this 'anonymous monk' was being mysterious.
Although the situation in front of me is very strange, it is not a difficulty, right?
That……
Where do you come from to overcome difficulties together?
Hui Lijing was thinking while telling Ryosuke about the situation.
"Officer Ryousuke is fine."
"The bullet is not stuck in the body. As long as you take a good rest, there will be no sequelae in the future."
"His coma was not caused by gunshot wounds, but by other external forces."
"I found a bruise near his chin - he must have been hit hard and fell unconscious."
Hui Lijing said, showing Ryosuke's bruised chin to Jason.
"Um."
Jason nodded, raised his hand, picked up Ryosuke, and walked out.
"Shall we go back?"
Hui Lijing blinked.
"Otherwise, do you want to stay?"
Jason asked rhetorically.
"But, what about the letter just now?"
Hui Lijing turned around and pointed at the letter thrown by Jason next to the Buddhist altar.
"Would you believe the words of an unknown person or whether he is an enemy?"
Jason asked again.
Such rhetorical questions instantly convinced Hui Lijing.
Jason carried Ryosuke.
Hui Lijing is carrying a lantern.
He quickly walked out of Tongshou Temple and headed towards the entrance of the market.
But when she reached the entrance, Hui Lijing's expression suddenly changed.
