The theater troupe had been staying at the temple for a few years. Though they were technically just lodging, they still contributed offerings.

  The star of the troupe was Xue Qiutiao, the leading actress. She was in her early twenties, with a sweet face and a delicate figure, making her quite lovable. Unfortunately, she married Lao Fu, who was average-looking, which often made people feel sorry for her. However, Lao Fu was the owner of the troupe, which allowed Xue Qiutiao to regain some self-respect in terms of face. They had a young child at the time, but this didn′t mean they were in love. Lao Fu was always keeping an eye on everyone Xue Qiuqiu interacted with, which upset her greatly. As a result, they often argued.

  Apart from them, the troupe also had Xu Mama and Mo Bai, who were responsible for the logistics. Though they weren′t high-ranking, their close retionship with Lao Fu gave them significant status within the troupe. Lao Fu, Xue Qiuqiu, Xu Mama, and Mo Bai were the central figures of the troupe, and everyone in the troupe obeyed their orders without question. They were originally just lodging at the temple, but they weren't content. What were they uneasy about? They were uneasy about why the ancient tower was off-limits. So, they kept secretly observing the tower and discovered the actions of Master Xu Neng. When Jing Ren, Jing Zhong, and Jing Hai entered, Lao Fu, Xue Qiuqiu, Xu Mama, and Mo Bai also quietly entered the tower.

  Everything fell into silence. Xu Neng was dead, but Jing Ren, Jing Zhong, and Jing Hai felt no relief. Instead, they were overwhelmed by an indescribable sense of oppression because the bodies of Lao Fu, Xu Mama, and Mo Bai y nearby. They had come to help Jing Ren, Jing Zhong, and Jing Hai, yet they had died at their hands.

  Blood still dripped from the three of them. Their appearance was horrifying, and they hadn't fully come out of the bloodlust. So, when they saw Xue Qiuqiu hiding nearby, Jing Ren picked up the axe from the ground. He had decided not to spare anyone who wasn′t one of them.

  Xue Qiuxiu looked at Jing Ren with surprising calmness, as if the one who was about to die wasn't her.

  "You killed my husband and my friends," Xue Qiuxiu said lightly.

  Jing Ren raised the axe.

  "I thank you." Xue Qiuxiu's words made Jing Ren stop in mid-air, unsure of her meaning.

  Xue Qiuxiu slowly walked over to Lao Fu's side, crouched down, and gently stroked his blood-soaked face. "He's finally dead. I've been waiting for this day." After saying this, she suddenly stood up and kicked Lao Fu forcefully. "You′re finally dead! I was never happy with you!" Then, she broke into a delighted ugh.

  Jing Ren, Jing Zhong, and Jing Hai didn’t understand her meaning, but they didn’t pn to let her go.

  "Do you want to kill me?" Xue Qiuqiu asked, her tone calm.

  "You think we'll let you live now?" Jing Zhong said loudly, gring with his bloodshot eyes.

  "You will let me live, because I can help you," Xue Qiuqiu said, smiling, her smile almost enchanting.