After everything was prepared, I called my cousin Howard Zhang into the room. All the furniture had been moved against the walls, leaving a large empty space. In the center, a circle made of candles had been arranged, each candle inscribed with the word "Buddha."
At the four cardinal points stood three monks, each holding a different ritual instrument: a chime, a wooden fish, a bell, and a drum.
“Mr. Zhang, bring your child into the candle circle. Sit cross-legged and pray with sincerity. This child is your karmic burden. Now that his heart is calm and much of his resentment has faded, we hope he can receive the Buddha’s guidance and become one of us. Then, after—”
Suddenly, before Zhou Tian could finish speaking, a sizzling sound filled the air. The lights in the room exploded with a bang, glass shattered, and darkness swallowed everything.
Before I could react, I felt someone grab me and pull me back.
It was John Chou. His expression was grim as he stared into the room.
“Don’t go in.”
I had no idea what was happening inside. Shaking off John Chou’s hand, I rushed in.
I was instantly stunned. The monks were all lying on the ground, and Zhou Tian was barely conscious. What on earth had just happened?
I hurried over.
"Master, what's wrong? What happened?"
Master Zhou shook his head, his breath weak and labored, coughing and gasping.
Howard Zhang and his son were nowhere to be found, which made me anxious.
Then Master Zhou suddenly collapsed, losing consciousness.
"This monk may have some skill, but he's still too inexperienced. What puzzles me is who taught those two kids to eat their own siblings."
I searched the house for any sign of Howard Zhang and his son.
"Stop looking, brother. This time, we're in deep trouble."
Annoyed, I glared at John Chou, then bent to lift Master Zhou. But as soon as I touched Master Zhou's body, it was cold as ice. I checked his nose—no breath.
I jumped in fright, shaking and shouting at him. Then I checked the other monks lying on the ground—they were all cold, their breath gone.
John Chou sat helplessly on the sofa in the corner by the wall.