The monk had already verified Ryan Harris's identity. Hearing William Harris's question, he became a bit more alert and his attitude softened.

　　"Since you are here on the county constable's orders, you both must have worked hard. May I ask what instructions you have? Should I inform the master?"

　　In Tang dynasty temples, there were ranks such as abbot, head monk, and guest monk.

　　However, they did not address each other directly by title, but often used the term "master" instead.

　　"That won't be necessary."

　　William Harris, holding his spear, led Ryan Harris through the mountain gate.

　　"Master, we have come this time to ask about something."

　　"Oh?"

　　"May I ask, did any good men come to offer incense yesterday?"

　　This Great Maitreya Temple was located in the mountains, and in fact, there were not many worshippers.

　　After hearing William Harris's words, the monk thought for a moment and replied, "To be honest, our temple is in a remote place, and usually not many people come. The incense offerings are not very prosperous. We manage to get by mostly thanks to the charity of local lay believers. But yesterday... oh, it should be the day before yesterday! Indeed, a few people came to stay overnight."

　　"To stay overnight?"

　　The monk nodded, "At noon the day before yesterday, a good man came, saying he wanted to cultivate here for a few days, and he gave a donation for lodging. In the past, it was rare for anyone to come to stay even once in ten or fifteen days, but the day before yesterday, two groups came.

　　In the evening, three more people arrived, also asking to stay.

　　But that night, all four of them disappeared. The next day, when I was cleaning the temple, I found they had already left."

　　"Four people—could you tell what kind of people they were?"

　　The monk smiled, "How could I not tell? The way those four dressed, it was obvious they were Liaozi.

　　The first Liaozi who arrived could speak fluent official Chinese, but the three who came later seemed to be Turks... yes, Turks. Their Chinese was very awkward, and when they spoke privately, it sounded like Turkic. I traveled beyond the frontier in my youth and dealt with Turks before. I can't speak their language, but I can recognize it."

　　Turks?

　　William Harris frowned, feeling uneasy.

　　The area around Changping was mainly inhabited by Khitans and Xi people; there were not many Turks.

　　Did those Turks travel thousands of miles just to kill one person? This matter didn't seem so simple.

　　He glanced at Ryan Harris, only to find Ryan Harris was idly looking around the temple.

　　Clearly, he hadn't noticed the problem here.

　　William Harris thought for a moment, then asked in a low voice, "Where did the lone Liaozi who stayed first lodge? Did he do anything unusual that day?"

　　"Oh, he stayed in the side room over there."

　　The monk pointed with his hand and explained, "Our temple is very small, just two courtyards front and back.

　　After the Liaozi arrived, he stayed in the side room at first, and there was no movement. Later, when the other three Liaozi arrived, he went to the Mahavira Hall, and didn't return to the side room until after the evening service. After that, there was no more movement... The next day, I found the room empty and spotless, with no trace left. I thought he had left suddenly."

　　"Master, how many people are there in your temple?"

　　"Counting myself, there are five of us."

　　William Harris nodded, pressed his palms together, and said, "May I ask, Master, could you take us to see the meditation room first?"

　　"Of course... but there's really nothing much to see inside. I cleaned the room thoroughly yesterday; it's spotless."

　　As the monk spoke, he held up a candle and led the way.

　　William Harris followed behind him, while Ryan Harris clung to William Harris's sleeve, looking a bit nervous.

　　The meditation room was just as the monk had said—spotless.

　　There was hardly any furniture inside, just a meditation bed and a cushion.

　　The monk said, "Those who come here to cultivate usually don't have high demands, so it's very simple, without much furniture."

　　William Harris nodded, his gaze sweeping around the meditation room.

　　"Master, could we take a look at the Mahavira Hall?"

　　"Well..."

　　The monk thought for a moment, then agreed, "You may, but please be gentle, so as not to disturb the Buddha."

　　"Of course."

　　William Harris then followed the monk to the outside of the Mahavira Hall.

　　The monk gently pushed open the door, which creaked softly.

　　The Mahavira Hall was not large. In the center stood a golden statue of Maitreya Buddha, with painted images of Arhats and Bodhisattvas on either side.

　　William Harris didn't know what the Maitreya Temple in Changping County looked like, but the Mahavira Hall before him was at least half the size of the one he remembered from Shaolin Temple.

　　"This is the Mahavira Hall."

　　"Master, do you remember what that Liaozi did here that day?"

　　"Well..."

　　The monk shook his head with a wry smile and said softly, "I really don't know.

　　That day, I happened to pass by the door and saw that benefactor kneeling in front of the Buddha... yes, kneeling right here."

　　As he spoke, the monk walked to the cushion, then turned to William Harris and said, "As for what else he did, I don't know. That day, because a good man had suddenly arrived, everyone in the temple was busy, and only came here during the evening service."

　　"Benefactor, perhaps it would be better to call the master. He might know more."