“I told you we should have buried the dead!” one of the soldiers cried out.
“Y-you were right!” said another. “The spirits have come for us!”
Malao smiled. This was working even better than he'd hoped! He peeked through the bundle of grass covering his face and saw Hok hoist Grandmaster over his shoulder and head out through the main gate.
Malao continued to hop from foot to foot on the hot rooftop, waiting a few moments like Hok had said. He noticed the soldiers’ foreheads were still pressed to the ground. He couldn't resist having a little more fun before he ran off. Malao cleared his throat and spoke in his ghastliest voice.
“Repent, soldiers! You must respect the dead! Bury monk and soldier alike before you next sleep. Mention what you've seen here to no one, or I will find you. I will hunt you down and devour your souls! I will seek out your wives and your children, your mothers and your fathers, your brothers and your sisters, your—”
Something warm brushed up against the back of Malao's thighs. He spun around and saw that a clump of grass hanging out the back of his robe had caught fire.
Malao yelped and scrambled back across the roof. When he reached the very edge, he jumped, his arms flailing. He felt a leaf brush against one hand and he clamped down tight, grabbing hold of a thick branch. His momentum in full swing, he launched himself feetfirst toward the perimeter wall and landed smoothly in the center of the wide top. He jumped down to the ground outside the compound and began to roll before finally stopping to grind his backside into the earth.
His thighs and surrounding region still warm, Malao sprang to his feet and raced toward the tree with the hollow. The fire was out, but a thin trail of smoke followed him like a wriggling tail.
Malao scurried along the massive arms of the elm tree that held the hollow. Pausing outside the entrance, he felt a gentle breeze blow across his backside. He twisted around and around in the moonlight, trying to get a good look at his singed robe.
“Whoa,” Malao mumbled. “I'm getting dizzy.” He giggled.
“Get in here!” Hok whispered from inside the hollow. “Stop playing around.”
Malao stopped spinning and wobbled inside. “Sorry,” he said as he plopped down across from Hok. “So what did you think?”
Hok sat perfectly straight with his legs crossed. He stared at Malao, unblinking. “What did I think of what?”
“My performance back at the compound,” Malao said. “Wasn't I great?”
“I don't want to talk about it. You could have gotten us both caught.”
“Huh?” Malao said. “We didn't even come close to getting caught! Besides, I tried your idea first, and it didn't work. I needed to do something else. If it wasn't for me—”
Hok raised his hand. “The rocks would have worked just fine, Malao. You should have tried throwing a few more before you pulled your little stunt.”
Malao raised one hand, mimicking Hok. “Well, I happen to think you're upset because I didn't do exactly what you told me to do. You know how much you like being the boss.”
Hok shot Malao a stern look. “That's enough, Malao.”
Malao giggled.
“Why don't you go sit outside?” Hok said. “I need a few moments alone to think.”
Malao shrugged his shoulders and stood. “Suit yourself. I could use some fresh air, anyway. It's getting a little stuffy in here.” He giggled again and turned to leave.
“Don't go too far. I'd hate for you to get lost,” Hok teased. “Besides, I still need your help.”
Malao turned back. “Help with what?”
“With burying Grandmaster.”
Malao twitched. “What? Didn't you already take care of that?”
Hok shook his head. “No. When would I have had time to do it? He's only hidden. I need your help getting him up the tree—”
Malao's eyes widened. “Tree? What tree?”
“This tree,” Hok said. He tapped the floor of the hollow with his bare foot.
“Y-you want to stick Grandmaster inside this tree? W-why would you do that?”
“Because we don't have the tools or the time to bury Grandmaster in the earth. Inside here, it's just like a tomb. You can think of it as a living pagoda, if you like. Just like the Forgotten Pagoda within the Cangzhen walls. Only in this one, Grandmaster will be part of the cycle of life. As his body returns to its basic elements, he will help feed the tree. He would appreciate that.”
“Th-that's kind of … d-disgusting,” Malao said. He wrapped his arms tightly around himself.
“No, that's life,” Hok said. “Are you okay, Malao? You're trembling again.”