God's Descent in the Magical City

Chapter 27: The Intimidation Operation

Yuantong took the pass, shined his flashlight on it, and saw that it bore the private seal of Abbot Chen, with a note that read, "Unrestricted entry and exit at any time. Any interference will be dealt with according to temple rules."

Yuantong stood there dumbfounded.

A Lai sternly said, "Is this still not enough? I'm leaving!"

Startled, Yuantong quickly put on a smile, pressing his palms together in respect, "Please proceed. My apologies, benefactor. It was my duty, I meant no offense. Amitabha."

Yuantong offered to lead the way, but A Lai sharply ordered, "Don't follow us. Don't ask what we're doing, and don't tell anyone we were here, or the Abbot will punish you according to temple rules. Believe it or not, it's your choice!"

Yuantong, sweating profusely, repeatedly nodded, "Yes, yes, of course. I'll act as if I know nothing. I'll stay far away."

Mile and A Lai exchanged a knowing smile, then stealthily entered the hidden room in the annex. They moved to the area near the safe, shining their flashlight on the floor. When they opened the safe, they found that the tea canister was already gone.

A Lai said, "The lock was picked by a professional, with ease and precision."

"Mile, how do you know?" asked Mile.

A Lai replied, "Look at the footprints around the safe. They're perfectly orderly."

"Oh," Mile nodded in understanding.

A Lai then asked, "Who was on duty last night?"

Mile answered, "It was Yuantong."

A Lai said, "Yuantong is usually cautious, but it seems he was careless last night, letting someone slip in."

It turned out that the scripture library was heavily guarded, with three types of personnel on duty: those in the reception area to check people in and out, those patrolling, and hidden sentries like Yuantong who didn't reveal their identities.

Mile, following A Lai's instructions, had been inspecting the area daily. When he noticed footprints on the floor, he promptly notified A Lai.

A Lai said, "We can move on to the third step now. Do you dare to go with me to the Thunder God's graveyard on the back mountain?"

Mile replied, "I follow the Abbot's orders and will do as you instruct."

The two quickly arrived at the graveyard. A Lai shined his flashlight on a tombstone, checked to see that it was Fangfang's grandfather's grave, and placed a small box he had prepared earlier into a crevice at the base of the tombstone.

Mile asked in confusion, "What's this for?"

A Lai replied mysteriously, "It's part of the plan, to buy us some time. I have more arrangements to make."

He then led Mile to a small clearing, explained the surroundings and some specific locations, which Mile memorized carefully.

A Lai instructed them to meet again in three days at the first watch, bringing Miyue with them, and to gather in the small forest behind A Lai's house. The two then quietly disappeared into the night.

Three days later.

At the first watch.

"Coo-coo, coo-coo."

The sound of an owl echoed from the small forest behind A Lai's house. A Lai dressed quickly, grabbed a bundle, and slipped out silently, answering with a similar owl call: "Coo-coo."