Nightmare Apostle

Chapter 198: Chapter 169: Old Case

"The video was filmed by the crew, just this morning. The tech guys have checked, there’s nothing wrong with the video," the female officer said succinctly.

"Where was the video shot?" The background in the video was luxurious and clearly not a school, it seemed more like it was taken in a hotel.

"It was taken in the corridor of the Riches Grand Hotel. We’ve already called the hotel’s reception to confirm, there are no issues." Later, the female officer added, "The main members of their crew stayed in this hotel last night, for a total of four days."

With the evidence in front of them, Captain Zhang finally nodded, wrapped up, and left. Yang Xiao and the others also let out a sigh of relief. freewebnσvel.cøm

"That bastard Pei Qiuyu, she can’t handle us herself, so she talks nonsense to the police, that bitch deserves to die!" Lu Ji cursed venomously.

Pei Qiuyu’s move was ruthless. If Yang Xiao and the others couldn’t clear things up, they might have been taken to the police station for questioning. Now, with the task reaching its most critical moment, any restriction of their personal freedom would be unimaginable.

After the last mission, Yang Xiao realized a truth: in Nightmare World, ghosts were not the only threat.

Take the last mission, for example. The pressure Master Feng brought in the later stages was no less than that of Ms. Chun, maybe even more so. After all, Ms. Chun was not likely to wipe them all out, but Master Feng’s Yin Sect Experts and domestic servants definitely could.

"So... what do we do now?" Yu Mi had no opinion in such matters and clung to others to survive.

"First, let’s go back and find Director Ding. With Nie Hexiang dead, the second scene can’t be shot, and the crew will definitely have a new arrangement." Ghost’s sudden attack had disrupted Yang Xiao’s plan, which could have used this opportunity to eliminate the troublesome Pei Qiuyu.

"In that case, we split into two groups. One heads back to the crew to wait for the next shooting arrangement, and the other goes to find Principal Wu," Yang Xiao suggested.

"Alright, you guys go find Principal Wu, and I’ll go back to the crew with Yu Mi. We have to keep a close eye on that scheming Pei Qiuyu," Lu Ji said, ready to leave.

"Wait," Song Yan called out to him, "Lu Ji, brother, I’ll go with you. Pei Qiuyu is full of tricks, and you won’t be able to handle her alone."

Lu Ji frowned in surprise, but quickly, as if he understood the implication, nodded oddly and agreed, "Okay."

"Miss Yu, you come with me," Yang Xiao said earnestly.

After finalizing their plans, the two groups parted ways as soon as they left the door. Yu Mi followed behind Yang Xiao in the corridor like a little tail, "Mr. Chu, is Lu Ji... Lu Ji also unreliable? Could he be Pei Qiuyu’s spy among us?"

Yang Xiao didn’t stop walking, looked back at her, "He shouldn’t be, why do you ask?"

"If not, then why is Mr. Song so insistent on watching him? Isn’t that because he’s doubtful?" Yu Mi asked.

"It’s not about doubt, but when it comes to life and death, we have to be cautious. With your skills, even if Lu Ji were to pull something right under your nose, you wouldn’t notice," Yang Xiao replied.

"If only I could follow you and Mr. Song in the next mission, you guys are rare good people," Yu Mi said, keeping pace with Yang Xiao, her tone full of sincerity.

Yang Xiao chuckled but didn’t respond. In fact, there was something he didn’t say: splitting up with Song Yan wasn’t entirely about being cautious around Lu Ji, but also Yu Mi. This girl didn’t have much experience, but she was quite cunning. In a critical moment, to save herself, she might betray them.

"When we meet Principal Wu and the others, speak less. I’ll handle it," Yang Xiao instructed.

...

Ru Lin Middle School, eastern sports field.

Two police cars were parked side by side, Captain Zhang and another young officer sat in one of them, the car window rolled down, the wind tearing at Captain Zhang’s white temples.

The atmosphere inside the car was somewhat stifling. The young officer sat in the driver’s seat while Captain Zhang, in the passenger’s seat, tossed his cigarette butt out the window and turned to the young officer, "You’ve got something to say?"

The young officer pursed his lips and finally nodded, "Master, you... you’ve been acting strange today."

"How so?"

"I’ll just say it then. Today you didn’t act like a cop. You were impulsive and emotional, which is not like you. Plus... plus your questioning method was amateurish," the young officer ventured cautiously, "Master, are you troubled by something?"

"This case reminds me of some old issues and some people," Captain Zhang leaned back in his seat and exhaled softly.

Moments later, he turned his head towards the school’s teaching building, that dingy gray old three-story structure. Even in the bright light of day, it seemed cloaked in gloom, so oppressive it was hard to breathe. Captain Zhang couldn’t help but unbutton the top two buttons of his shirt.

"Master, there’s something else I don’t understand. It was quite clear what happened today, so why did you keep questioning?" Noticing Captain Zhang’s unusual demeanor, the young officer continued, "Look, all the eyewitnesses said Nie Hexiang went mad and grabbed that woman, falling from the fifth floor with her. But you didn’t believe them. Of course, I know you wanted to see solid evidence, but... but you seemed so off, as if the more people said it, the more you doubted."

That remark seemed to touch a sensitive nerve in Captain Zhang. He shuddered, his breathing became rapid, and it took a good while for him to calm down. But when he spoke again, his suddenly hoarse voice sent a shiver down the spine of the young officer beside him.