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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 480: Human Skin Puppet (Part 43)
The car rattled along the bumpy road as Ling Juan repeatedly dialed numbers, each attempt failing. She pressed her lips together and continued to call, first Qin Jian, then Chi Xinrong.
My mind was filled with images of skulls, patterns formed by skulls spinning like a windmill in my head. I learned from Qin Jian that Yu had been taken away; he was a friend of Yu's. When he found Yu's friend, that person had already left without a trace. Later, I saw Yu on KV, and at that moment, I felt she didn’t resemble Gousi ’s woman at all.
Lost in thought, Ling Juan suddenly exclaimed, “Brother Qi, there’s someone ahead…” But the car was moving too fast to brake in time and sped past. At the same moment, I felt the wheels jolt as if they had run over something.
Panic set in; if my eagerness to save someone led to the death of an innocent person, wouldn’t that be a crime deserving of death?
Ling Juan was terrified; her face turned pale as she trembled and pushed open the car door, jumping out first.
I had seen more dead bodies than living ones, but facing someone I had just run over was something I truly lacked the courage to do. So I sat nervously in my seat, not daring to breathe until Ling Juan waved at me from outside the window, urging me to come see. Reluctantly, I opened the door and stepped out.
“Do you think it’s strange? I clearly saw a white figure standing in front of the car and knew we hit that person, but there’s nothing—no blood, no body—just a deep fresh tire mark.”
A fresh tire mark? I crouched down for a closer look at the imprint; indeed, it was there. Moreover, this fresh tire mark matched the model and specifications typical of a business vehicle.
A business vehicle—
With complicated feelings, Ling Juan and I got back into the car. Once inside, she suddenly said, “Brother Qi, do you think that White Shadow was trying to stop you from going somewhere?”
“I’m not sure.” At that moment, I regretted bringing Ling Juan along. If anything happened to her because of this incident, I would never forgive myself.
Before starting the car, I cast a protective spell on Ling Juan: “Upon opening the door, may the Underworld be blocked; those who come shall find no path; may no spirits enter; by the urgent command of Taishang Laojun!”
The girl looked grateful. “Brother Qi, thank you for always thinking of my safety first.”
“It’s what I should do. I lost someone dear to me due to my negligence once; that pain still lingers in my heart.”
"Well, I understand."
"I'm glad you do."
"Is something terrible going to happen next? Did you notice something suspicious? Why were you staring at that fresh tire track earlier?"
"It's nothing. Just remember not to get out of the car, even if I call you to open the door."
"Why?"
My mind was a jumble. I never expected this to happen; I felt so foolish. How could I not have realized this was related to him? I was growing impatient with Ling Juan's endless questions and replied dismissively, "You don't have that many questions. Can't you see I'm tired and busy?"
"Oh."
The car accelerated, roaring as it barreled down the bumpy road like a wild beast. After a while, we finally spotted the house hidden among the greenery.
I parked and reminded Ling Juan again not to get out of the car. Just then, a voice from behind interrupted my plans.
"Seven, what a rare visitor." It was the Wild Ghost, unchanged after a year, as if he had taken an elixir of youth. He walked briskly and reached me in just a few steps.
He didn't need to see Ling Juan in the car.
Upon spotting her, his eyes lit up. "Wow, this girl is interesting. Why isn't she getting out to play?" Then he leaned in and asked if I had insomnia again, which was why I came looking for him.
I did, and then I called for Ling Juan to get out of the car.
Ling Juan seemed a bit shy upon seeing the Wild Ghost and lost her words. I introduced them, and she called him "Grandpa," to which I replied, "He's not that old." She quickly corrected herself and called him "Uncle."
At that moment, Wild Ghost laughed, a hearty and robust laugh that showed no signs of age. I couldn't bring myself to smile, unsure of what was happening with Qin Jian and Chi Xinrong.
Ling Juan looked at me and then at Wild Ghost, whispering, "Is he really Qin's friend?"
"Don't say too much."
"Oh."
Ling Juan obediently followed behind me, with Wild Ghost in front. From behind, he seemed even younger than when I had seen him a year ago, especially in the way he walked—quickly and energetically, like a young person full of vigor.
After some polite exchanges upon entering the house, the conversation quickly turned to Qin Jian.
Wild Ghost hadn't been in touch with Qin Jian for a long time and missed him quite a bit. Ling Juan, unable to hold her tongue, blurted out that Qin Jian was in trouble. I couldn't believe it! This girl just couldn't keep her mouth shut.
"What? Qin Jian is in trouble? Why didn't you say so earlier? What happened?"
"He’s gone missing."
Wild Ghost stood up in shock, pacing back and forth with his hands clasped behind his back, looking very anxious. Ling Juan opened her mouth again but I quickly stopped her with a glare. She hurriedly covered her mouth, realizing she had overstepped.
"What caused his disappearance?"
"I'm not sure. It seems he was investigating a case and then went missing while tracking a suspect." Lying on the spot was my forte; Ling Juan looked puzzled by my fib. Earlier she had heard I came to seek help from Mr. Wild Ghost, so why was I now saying these unrelated things?
I reached out and pinched her hand gently, tracing a calming word in her palm. She feigned indifference, clearing her throat and sitting up straight to show she understood.
Wild Ghost furrowed his brow tightly, as if contemplating how he could help Qin Jian.
Then, showing a look of helplessness, he said, "Sigh, it's unfortunate that I am a recluse in the deep mountains and have not concerned myself with worldly matters for many years. I don't know how to help Qin Jian. Why don't you first treat your insomnia and then think of a way?"
"That works too," I replied as I stood up, thinking to myself: I really want to see what tricks this old fox has up his sleeve next.
Seeing that I was about to leave with the wild ghost, Ling Juan panicked and hurriedly reached out to pull me, her eyes asking; where are you going?
I conveyed to her mentally: You hurry back to the car as I instructed you before.
Then I followed the wild ghost into the dark room. It wasn't actually a dark room; it was called wandering hypnosis. As I walked with the wild ghost to the eighth step, I was hypnotized and then witnessed an unbelievable scene.
Before my eyes appeared an exhilarating sight; the streets were filled with kites. A girl was running ahead, her back resembling rice. Just when I felt uncertain, the girl turned around, waved at me with a sweet smile, and said, "Brother Qi, come here!"
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