Free Web NovelChapter 973: Chapter 688: A Dangerous Attempt
This encounter only deepened Yang Xiao’s curiosity about the ghost phone. Whether the visitor was from the Dark Army or not, it signified that the ghost phone’s value exceeded his imagination. The high standards of his good sister’s selection were self-evident.
Although his body had recovered about seventy to eighty percent, under Nalan Shuo’s insistence, he continued to receive additional examinations and treatment at the Lin’an Patrol Bureau’s medical center. During the day, he went about his normal activities, while at night, he slept in his own Deputy Director’s office.
Nalan Shuo originally intended for Yang Xiao to move in with him, but Yang Xiao politely declined. He was now a targeted figure, and any moment he could be struck by some unexpected misfortune. He didn’t want to drag Director Nalan down because of him.
It’s been over a year since he arrived at the Rongcheng Patrol Division. Director Nalan had been nothing but supportive, along with the brothers in the investigation team. This place provided him with a genuine sense of belonging and warmth—a feeling akin to family.
And without a doubt, Nalan Shuo was the paternal figure watching over everyone. Working under Nalan Shuo gave Yang Xiao a deep sense of reassurance.
Through his connections, Nalan Shuo had brought in two specialists from the Provincial Office; they were stationed next door to Yang Xiao. Additionally, Qu Muzhi, that loyal fellow, worked his regular shifts during the day but kept him company at night.
He was a quiet, introverted guy who avoided attention. He had a greater interest in battling evil cultivators than in women. As Fu Qingzhu had joked, the man could don monk robes and go directly into a monastery. But as a friend, Qu Muzhi was incredibly dependable.
From Qu Muzhi, Yang Xiao learned about the tragic fate of Jingping Town. Nearly the entire town was wiped out; fewer than thirty survivors remained. The recovered bodies were mostly elderly and children. Families rushing back after hearing the news were stopped at Jingping Town’s entrance, their cries and wails filling the night—a heartbreaking scene.
"How’s Captain Wu’s family holding up?" Yang Xiao asked. frёeωebɳovel.com
"His parents are still alive, he has a wife, but no children yet. His wife knows about the incident, but his parents are not in good health, so they haven’t been told," Qu Muzhi explained. "Chief Huang and Director Nalan have already visited them. The compensation funds will be allocated at the highest standard, enough to ensure the family’s future well-being."
Yang Xiao was silent for a moment, then turned to fetch his backpack. From inside, he pulled out his wallet and took out a bank card. "I can’t leave right now, but please visit them on my behalf. Withdraw some money from the card and give it to his wife as a gesture of my condolences."
Qu Muzhi raised his hand to block the card. "I already took care of it for you when I visited. Captain Wu Zhe also contributed a sum on your behalf. Rest assured."
Among the captains at Rongcheng, Wu Zhengwu and Wu Zhe were the earliest friends Yang Xiao had made. The three had formed a deep bond after surviving their confrontation with Granny Hong. But now, Wu Zhengwu was gone just like that, and Yang Xiao still couldn’t fully accept it.
"Don’t overthink it. In this line of work, we have to be prepared for anything. I believe Captain Wu was ready for this, too. We’ll definitely avenge him," Qu Muzhi said, rare in his attempt to offer comfort.
"You’re right. We’ll get to the bottom of this," Yang Xiao replied, his mind flashing to the image of that woman once again.
This time, the situation had escalated dramatically, drawing the attention of the Patrol Bureau’s higher-ups. It was only a matter of time before the identity of the mysterious woman was uncovered. Along with her, the Yu Yuan Sect, which orchestrated everything, would become a major target for suppression. For Yang Xiao, this development wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Late at night, Qu Muzhi stood up and went to the room across from Yang Xiao’s to rest. Closing his office door, Yang Xiao lay alone on the sofa, staring blankly at the ceiling. The events in Jingping Town kept replaying in his mind like a slow-motion film: the annihilation of the Lu Ming Investigation Team, the enigmatic woman, the tragic deaths of Qi Cheng and his sister, and, most hauntingly, the sinister floral-patterned ghost woman.
Lost in thought, Yang Xiao raised his right arm and rolled down his sleeve. A crimson fragment of a drama robe came into view, embroidered in the center with an old-fashioned black telephone.
The Dark Army Master Lin had gone so far as to personally investigate this item in the dead of night. After some contemplation, Yang Xiao stood up, first retrieving the Human Bone Staff to scan the surroundings and confirm there were no issues. Only then did he take out the Soul-Capturing Mirror to enter the Mirror World.
In this gray and eerie world, Yang Xiao couldn’t suppress an unsettling yet familiar sensation—like returning home. Swiftly rummaging through his backpack, he pulled out the Drama Robe and donned it, determined to test the ghost phone’s abilities.
Guided by a peculiar pull, Yang Xiao arrived at the Patrol Bureau’s underground parking garage, pushing open a hidden door along the wall. Behind it lay the mysterious room, where the Little Mirror Ghost squatted. It had now grown to resemble a thirteen or fourteen-year-old, standing just a head shorter than Yang Xiao, its features a near-perfect replica of his own.
Because Yang Xiao had previously stopped it from chasing Xi Menxiu and scared it off, the Little Mirror Ghost seemed to bear a grudge. When it saw Yang Xiao, it did not greet him as eagerly as it usually did.
Still, Yang Xiao had some tricks up his sleeve for dealing with such ghostly entities. As expected, when he smiled and brought out the Ghost Lantern, the Little Mirror Ghost’s wary expression instantly vanished. It quickly ran over and grabbed the Ghost Lantern to play with.
Taking advantage of the moment while the Little Mirror Ghost was absorbed in fiddling with the Ghost Lantern, Yang Xiao attempted to present other magic artifacts: the Human Bone Staff, a kitchen knife, even the Ghost Bamboo Stick. Yet, none caught the Little Mirror Ghost’s attention for long. It barely glanced at them before returning to engross itself in the Ghost Lantern, playing with it as though extracting its secrets.
