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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 074: Deep into the Tiger's Den
The Eastern Suburb Foundry was about two hundred meters away from where Yin Yin's Corpse was discovered in the Mudflat.
The towering, massive cast iron furnace, along with the scaffolding and spiral staircases that workers used to climb, were all rusted and worn, indicating that this place had not been visited for a long time. The open space of the Iron Foundry was overgrown with various weeds, while the windows of the workshop were shattered and covered in spider webs. Inside, it was dark and empty, with more cobwebs hanging from the vacant lampshades. The entrance was a complete mess.
A spiral staircase led from the back of the workshop down to the basement. The air was thick with damp heat, and rust flakes were peeling off the iron handrails. As I stepped onto the equally rusted treads, they emitted a dull sound and trembled slightly, making me worry that they might collapse underfoot.
The further we descended, the darker it became. The walls were stained with some unknown substance that made them look particularly filthy. Observing all this, Fat Noodle exchanged glances with me, looking around nervously.
"Brother Qi, is this really a place where people live?"
"Stop talking nonsense. The more desolate a place is, the more likely it is to hide something unknown." After finishing our descent on the iron staircase, we stepped onto the damp ground below. The floor was covered in dust, with a series of overlapping footprints leading into the distance.
"Shall we go in?" Fat Noodle's backpack wasn't very heavy, but perhaps out of fear, he appeared slightly hunched over and his complexion wasn't great.
"Don't be nervous. What’s there to be afraid of? We have what he needs."
"I... I was scared when I first saw him. Grandpa isn't an ordinary person; let me tell you honestly. He pretended to apologize to Grandpa with a fake demeanor, and Grandpa believed him."
"Don't be ridiculous; Grandpa has some judgment left in him. I believe he didn't just trust him blindly but was controlled by something." In my memory, Grandpa's judgment was always spot on. With someone like Li Gui, he would definitely see through any tricks; how could he easily fall for such a scheme?
Suddenly, an absurdly large trash can came into view. Both Fat Noodle and I fell silent, nervously staring at it.
This cement-cast trash can stood at least two meters tall and seemed to be used for holding scrap metal; it was unclear who had moved it here. If someone were hiding inside that trash can, it wouldn't be surprising at all.
As we passed by the trash can, we didn't see anyone. I leaned in to take a look inside, and a charred smell hit me, reminiscent of burnt meat. Just as I was peering into the trash can, a pair of hands suddenly grabbed me and pulled me in.
I felt a searing heat emanating from the trash can, and I noticed someone throwing things inside. Then I saw the face—it was Zhu Gang—being directed by a voice.
"Burn it. The Corpse is buried in the Mudflat. Leave the Skull for me. I have something to take care of outside; I'll be back to clean up later." It was Li Gui speaking, and the person in the trash can was Yin Yin?
In that instant, I heard Fatty shout, "Brother Qi, what's wrong with you?"
I snapped back to reality, gripping the edge of the trash can as if someone were really trying to pull me in.
I gasped for breath, taking deep inhales until I finally recovered from those few seconds of panic.
"I'm fine. Let's go."
As we moved further inside, a child's laughter echoed, followed by a shadow darting past and landing on Fatty's shoulder with a thud.
Fatty yelped in pain, "Brother Qi, my ear!"
I stifled my breath and activated my Demon Eyes.
Opening my eyes, I focused on the child who had climbed onto Fatty's shoulder.
The child had a round face, but it was distorted; their features were severely compressed and twisted into a grotesque expression.
I pulled out a talisman and recited the incantation, sending the talisman flying towards the Ghost Child on the broad shoulders.
The Ghost Child let out a scream and vanished into thin air.
Fat Eargun was bleeding, and he Crying Mourning covered his face with his hands, clearly terrified.
"Don't worry, just stay calm. If you're afraid of that thing, it will take advantage of your fear."
"Oh, Brother Qi, can't you give me a couple more talismans for protection?"
"Everything in your backpack is meant to protect you, but you have to know how to use them. Otherwise, I can't help you."
"Oh, I can use the Peach Wood Sword, and the Bagua Mirror, and I can also..."
I couldn't believe it. With so many skills, why was he still looking for my protection? I shook my head in annoyance and strode forward, ignoring his frantic calls from behind.
The walls were dimly lit with a flickering yellow light. A damp atmosphere hit my face like a mist, making my eyes feel hazy. The air was eerie, as if an air conditioner was blowing.
But this place was sealed tight; there was no way there could be air conditioning, and the ground was much cleaner than what I had seen before.
Whoosh~ Something flew around us in all directions, accompanied by a chilling, sinister laugh.
Then, it seemed like tiny stars were falling from the air. This thing was bone-chillingly cold. I raised my hand to wipe it away—it was blood—
A surge of fear gripped my heart as I took out the bag containing the bones and placed it on the ground. I shouted into it, "Li Gui, look what I've brought you! Hurry up and come out!"
"Hehe..." A light sound echoed, followed by a sinister laugh.
Startled, I turned to see who had made that eerie chuckle. Damn, it was Fatty, his face twisted into a mischievous grin. Was he the one laughing just now?
What the hell!
Just as I was taken aback, a wave of dark energy quietly seeped into his forehead. Suddenly, Fatty's eyes widened, and his grin deepened even further.
I cursed under my breath; had I known he was so easily affected, I wouldn't have brought him along.
In a split second, I drew a talisman and performed the incantation with my hand while chanting the Exorcism Spell: "Taishang Laojun, lend me your power! Exorcism—capture the spirits under my command—Taishang Laojun! Urgent Command!"
"Thinking you can capture me that easily?" Fatty sneered, nimbly dodging my three-word incantation. He lunged at me with alarming speed.
I acted quickly, biting my tongue to draw blood for the Exorcism blood talisman: "Pfft!" A mouthful of blood sprayed onto Fatty's face, turning it crimson. He paused for a moment as a surge of black energy erupted from him with a loud cry. It fell to the ground and rolled a few times before vanishing into thin air—his spirit had been shattered.
These were all spirits nurtured by Li Gui.
The more powerful spirits had yet to appear; what we encountered just now were merely ordinary ones.
I am truly useless.
"You just squat down, take out your treasures, and place them beside you. No way will those things easily scheme against you."
"Oh."
Despite all his shortcomings, Fat is my only relative. Remembering my grandfather's last words, I must protect him from harm.
Keeping Fat in one place is also a temporary measure; I need to venture into the tiger's den to find Li Gui to get things done.
Li Gui hasn't shown himself yet; he must be refining the resentment and hostility of Yin Yin. He probably already knows I'm coming and has arranged for those ghosts to wait here for me.
I walked deeper inside, feeling the chill intensify. I adjusted the Copper Coin Sword on my back, unafraid as I approached the final barrier.
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