Chapter 109 — The Mystic Fire Altar
The Sword Questions the Heavens · Page 6 of 6
Still, in the present circumstances, it was surely better that Grey did not fear the heat than that it did, and Ming Li had no mind just now to trouble himself over such matters. He was pondering whether to leap up onto the Mystic Fire Altar when a sound of footsteps suddenly came from above.
Ming Li's brow knit; he cast a swift glance around and saw no cover whatsoever. After a moment's thought he flew beneath the altar and concealed himself behind one of the massive white jade pillars.
Hiding behind the pillar, he reached out unconsciously to touch the stone—and suddenly his hand was scalded. His reflexes were swift indeed; at once he snatched his hand back.
Beneath the Mystic Fire Altar, even the stone pillars were scalding hot.
The footsteps grew louder; plainly someone was coming down. Then an aged voice said slowly, "Since the Valley Master invites me, I shall of course go. Only tell me this—why have those Fish-Men suddenly grown so savage as to be on the verge of attacking the valley?"
Ming Li, hidden in the pillar's shadow, looked out and saw Li Xun and Yan Fei following behind a grey-robed elder, descending with reverent expressions.