The dim hallway was filled with a stale, musty smell mixed with the choking scent of cheap cigarettes, making one frown.
Just as Shino stepped out of his room, his path was blocked by two uninvited guests.
"Master, our boss would like to invite you to perform a ritual."
The speaker was the monkey-faced man. He tried to force a smile, but his constantly darting eyes betrayed his sneaky intentions.
Beside him, the fellow with dyed yellow hair impatiently shook his leg, his heel tapping the floor with a "da-da-da" sound, like a wild dog waiting for its prey.
"The reward is generous. We will make sure you are satisfied."
The blonde added, his tone flippant, as if discussing a trivial transaction.
Shino pressed his palms together, his solemn face as calm as a still well, showing no emotional fluctuation.
However, his deep eyes were like two profound ancient wells, seeing through the clumsy lies of these two fellows at a glance.
"Amitabha. Subduing demons and exorcising evil is part of This Poor Monk's duty."
Shino's voice was deep and magnetic, carrying a hint of compassion, like a high monk who had seen through the mortal world and understood all its suffering.
He lightly brushed his monk's robe and gestured for the two to lead the way, his demeanor calm and composed, as if everything were under control.
The two exchanged a look, secretly rejoicing. The plan seemed to be progressing exceptionally smoothly, as if the fish had taken the bait.
"Master, this way please." The monkey-faced man led the way eagerly, bowing and scraping like a fawning lapdog.
Downstairs, an old van was parked. Its body was covered in rust, looking as if it had been salvaged from a scrap heap.
Shino sat in the back row, slowly closed his eyes, and began to chant the Six-Syllable Great Bright Mantra in a low voice.
"Om Mani Padme Hum..."
The low Sanskrit sounds echoed in the cramped cabin, carrying a mysterious power that seemed capable of dispelling all evil spirits.
The car engine started with a piercing roar, like a dying beast struggling, and wobbled toward the outskirts.
The monkey-faced man occasionally peeked at Shino through the rearview mirror.
Seeing Shino completely unguarded, he felt even more smug. The corners of his mouth curled into a sinister smile, like a fox that had stolen a chicken.
The blonde whistled and hummed a little tune, looking relaxed and at ease, as if they were on an outing.
Outside the window, the tall buildings gradually thinned out, replaced by desolate fields.
The road became increasingly bumpy, with weeds growing on both sides, a scene of dilapidation, like a corner forgotten by the world.
Shino remained with his eyes closed, chanting sutras, seemingly oblivious to the changes in the surroundings.
The faint golden Buddha light appearing around him formed a sharp contrast with the dim light inside the car, like a bright lamp in the dark night.
The car finally stopped at an abandoned construction site, surrounded by piles of construction waste, like a giant garbage dump.
"Master, we're here." The monkey-faced man got out and opened the rear door.
The smile on his face had vanished, replaced by a fierce expression, like a wolf tearing off its disguise.
"Get out, little monk." The blonde's tone was arrogant as he toyed with a dagger, the blade glinting coldly in the dim light.
Shino slowly opened his eyes, his gaze calmly sweeping over the two of them like two sharp swords piercing through their disguise.
"Benefactors, what is the meaning of this?"
His voice remained calm without a hint of panic, as if he had long expected all of this.
"Meaning? Hand over everything valuable you have on you!"
The blonde spoke fiercely, waving the dagger in the air as if threatening a lamb waiting to be slaughtered.
"Otherwise, do not blame us for being impolite!"
The monkey-faced man threatened, pulling a steel pipe from his waist and weighing it in his hand, making a whirring sound.
Shino sighed softly, a trace of pity flashing in his eyes, as if looking at two wayward children.
"The sea of suffering is boundless. Turn back and you will find the shore."
"Cut the crap!" the blonde interrupted impatiently, a fierce light flickering in his eyes. "Refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit!"
He brandished the dagger and lunged at Shino, his movements vicious, like a hungry wolf pouncing on its prey.
The monkey-faced man also grinned hideously, swinging the steel pipe and following close behind, wanting to attack Shino from both sides.
Shino's eyes sharpened. His body shifted slightly, and he easily dodged the dagger thrust from Yellow Hair.
Slap!
He raised his hand and accurately grabbed his wrist, clamping down like an iron pincer, firmly restraining him.
He gave it a slight twist.
Crack!
The crisp sound of bone breaking echoed through the silent construction site, exceptionally piercing, like a death knell rung by the Grim Reaper.
The blonde screamed like a slaughtered pig, the dagger in his hand falling to the ground with a clang. His face instantly turned pale, and pea-sized beads of sweat rolled down his forehead.
In his eyes, Shino's hand was like steel and iron. The moment his wrist was grabbed, it felt as if it were clamped by a hydraulic press.
He clearly felt his wrist twisting at a bizarre angle, with white bone fragments piercing through the skin, exposed to the air and dripping with blood.
Seeing this, the monkey-faced man shuddered all over. The steel pipe in his hand almost slipped out, and his legs felt as if they were filled with lead, unable to move another step.
In his eyes, Shino was like a phantom, subduing his companion in an instant. Those crisp and precise movements were like those of a martial arts master from a movie.
Shino struck the monkey-faced man's chest with a backhand palm.
Bang!
A dull thud sounded, and the monkey-faced man flew backward like a broken kite.
He slammed heavily onto the ground, spitting out a large mouthful of fresh blood mixed with fragments of internal organs, a shocking sight.
He struggled to get up but felt powerless all over, as if his body had fallen apart.
Shino slowly walked up to him, looking down from above like a god looking at an ant.
"Now, can you turn back?"
His voice was calm yet carried unquestionable majesty, like a judge sentencing a sinner.
The monkey-faced man's eyes were filled with fear, and he shook his head repeatedly like a rattle drum.
"Ma... Master, spare me! We were only following orders!"
He pleaded in a trembling voice, like a mouse scared out of its wits.
"Whose orders?"
Shino pressed, his gaze like a torch, as if trying to see through his soul.
"It's... it's our President, Inukai!" The monkey-faced man tremblingly uttered the name, as if revealing a heavenly secret.
"Take me to see him," Shino commanded, his tone brooking no argument.
"To eradicate evil completely is true compassion."
In truth, Shino wanted to go for a bigger haul. How much money could two punks have? Only by taking down the gang behind them could he earn more.
The two secretly cursed Shino for meddling, thinking he was out of his mind, but they did not dare to disobey and could only swallow their resentment.
Supporting each other, they limped back to the van like two stray dogs.
"Ma... Master, please take a seat." The monkey-faced man endured the sharp pain in his chest and forced a smile that looked worse than crying.
"Drive," Shino said indifferently, his voice devoid of emotion.
The van started again and drove toward the other side of the city, like a demon escaping from hell.
The atmosphere inside the car was oppressive. The two did not even dare to breathe loudly, fearing they would provoke Shino and receive another beating.
Shino closed his eyes to rest, but his mind was thinking.
"Inukai... that name sounds a bit familiar."
The car stopped in front of a dilapidated building. A sign hanging at the door read "Inukai Group," crooked as if it would fall at any moment.
"Master, we're here..." The monkey-faced man's voice trembled like the hum of a mosquito.
Shino opened his eyes and got out of the car.
"Someone's here to pick a fight! President, save us!" The blonde suddenly shouted, his voice shrill, as if his parents had died.
The monkey-faced man also began to howl, his voice hoarse like a duck being strangled.
Clatter!
Instantly, more than twenty punks armed with clubs and sticks rushed out of the dilapidated building, each looking fierce and malicious, like demons crawling out of hell.
They completely surrounded Shino, leaving no way out.
"Kid, you've got some nerve coming to our Inukai Group to cause trouble. Are you tired of living?"
A burly bald man stepped out from the crowd, glaring at Shino with a fierce light in his eyes.
...
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