Just as life and death hung by a thread in that split second, an utterly abrupt voice, sounding like a ghost crawling up from the netherworld, drifted leisurely from above the valley: "Ah, what a huge dog!"
"Huh?" Fifth Uncle's blood-stained and exhausted face froze instantly, as if struck by a paralysis spell. His eyes, which had grown slightly dim from severe injuries, were now filled with utter astonishment, looking as though he had just witnessed the most incredible sight in the world.
"Huh?" The young men were also pressed down by an invisible giant hand, unable to move a muscle, their faces plastered with disbelief. Their gazes snapped in unison toward the direction of the voice, their eyes flashing with a mixed light of confusion and terror.
Chapter 20