Translator: CinderTL
"But if that's true, the Feng Family and the Japanese are in a cooperative relationship. Why would the Ghost seek revenge against them?" With the old question resolved, a new one emerged.
No one answered. It seemed no one had fully grasped this issue yet.
The current clues were too scarce, with a significant portion based on speculation. Further speculation built upon these already speculative clues could easily lead them down a rabbit hole of errors.
"Most of our current leads are speculative. We need to find concrete evidence to support them," Luo He said, one hand resting on a book. "The Feng Family is a powerful and influential presence in Grey Stone Town. Accusing them of treason based solely on speculation won't suffice. We need solid proof."
"I agree with Mr. Luo. We must proceed cautiously and take our time," Pi Ruan said, his eyes narrowing in a flattering gesture. His hair was naturally parted down the middle, and he wore the smug expression of a collaborator.
This scene was witnessed by the indignant Fatty. "Hey, Brother Pi, can't you be more mindful of your image?"
"While I don't doubt your loyalty, I suspect Teacher Tony, who cut your hair, is a traitor," Fatty declared, his large head thrust forward, his face flushed with indignation. "I'll report him as soon as I get back. Who knows, we might even find a certificate of good citizenship in his home."
Before Pi Ruan could defend himself, Zhao Xingguo, standing nearby, lost his patience. "I think the evidence we have is enough to condemn the Feng Family. They've been secretly collaborating with the Japanese—they're traitors!"
"We can go directly to Director Qiao and have him send people to arrest the remaining members of the Feng Family," Linghu Yong chimed in, naturally siding with Zhao Xingguo. "We can torture them until they confess."
"Are you insane? Trying to arrest people based on such flimsy evidence?" Fu Fu's delicate eyebrows shot up in a cold, merciless sneer. "You'll probably get shot before you even catch the Feng family."
Everyone understood that Zhao Xingguo and Linghu Yong weren't reckless. They were simply desperate to save their brother's life, which was now in their hands.
The sooner they completed the mission, the greater Pan Du's chances of survival.
But trapped in such a supernatural event, their efforts were doomed to fail.
In truth, aside from Zhao Xingguo and Linghu Yong, no one else believed Pan Du would wake up. In fact, deep down, they didn't even want him to.
After all, the Abnormality surrounding Pan Du was obvious. Even if he were to truly awaken, who could prove it was the real Pan Du and not some Abnormality wearing his skin?
The straw doll Yangzi had given them lay silently in the center of the table, identical to the one they had seen on the Feng Manor's ritual altar.
Having learned from Pan Du's case, no one dared touch it directly. They even took the cloth Yangzi had used to wrap the doll. It now lay beneath the straw doll.
According to Yangzi, the doll had been obtained from a Shinto shrine in her hometown. Could this suggest the Disciple of the Door was also connected to this shrine?
The eerie folk song sung only in Yangzi's hometown, the straw doll itself, and the legends surrounding it all seemed to align with their current situation.
To claim this was all mere coincidence would be far too far-fetched.
"Let's not overthink this for now," Lin Wan'er said calmly, raising her teacup. "The most important thing is to gather enough evidence to prove the May Train Case was a conspiracy between the Feng Family and the Japanese. Then, we can follow this lead to uncover the Disciple of the Door's identity."
This woman seemed to exude a unique aura. For the others, the era they were in now felt completely alien to their original lives, separated by an insurmountable chasm. But Lin Wan'er seemed to have no trouble blending in.
She had integrated seamlessly into this unusual era, as if time itself favored her. Even sitting quietly, she commanded attention.
The same words spoken by Lin Wan'er carried an undeniable authority.
Jiang Cheng naturally had no objections, but strangely, Luo He and Fu Fu also remained silent. Even Zhao Xingguo and Linghu Yong, who had been clamoring to finish the mission as quickly as possible, had fallen silent.
"This is what presence is," Fatty thought, daring not to breathe. The woman who could train a freak like the Doctor was clearly not to be underestimated.
Unnoticed by him, several pairs of eyes lingered on Lin Wan'er's face before quietly dispersing.
They called over a waiter to ask about local customs and history. But the waiter explained that he was also an outsider, taken in by the restaurant owner.
From the waiter, they learned that the town had a Town History Museum, built by a local gentry after the war victory.
To understand the events of that time, the waiter suggested they visit the museum.
Without delay, they decided to split into two groups. Luo He, Zhao Xingguo, and others would go to the Town History Museum to search for historical records, while Jiang Cheng's group would continue looking for other clues.
They agreed to meet back at the Feng Family Mansion after completing their tasks.
After leaving the teahouse, Jiang Cheng went to a nearby stall where they had bought steamed buns earlier.
The stall owner greeted them warmly, his face beaming with a wide smile. He boasted that his buns were made with the finest ingredients, and though they were a bit pricier, each one was twice the size of others.
As the owner lifted the lid of a fresh batch of buns, wiping his hands on his yellowed apron, he reached to grab some for them. Jiang Cheng stopped him, pointing towards several Japanese women standing on the street corner. He explained the agreement he had made with them:
"For the next three days, any steamed buns those Japanese women eat will be charged to my account. They can only eat here, not take any away, and they can only eat steamed buns."
After speaking, Jiang Cheng took out some of the money Director Qiao had given them and was about to hand it to the owner. But to everyone's surprise, the owner's face darkened instantly as he caught sight of several Japanese women in the distance. "You're paying for them?"
"Yes," Jiang Cheng replied, holding the money. "Three days."
A few seconds later, the owner slammed the lid back onto the steamer with a loud "thump," as if still not satisfied. He glared at Jiang Cheng and the others. "Not selling!"
"We'll pay in advance. You won't lose out," Pi Ruan explained from the side.
But his words only made things worse. Before he could finish speaking, the owner snapped back, "Lose out? If it were one of our own people going hungry, I'd give him two steamed buns for free. But those Japanese women? Not a single one!" The owner shouted, "Not a single one!"
His gaze turned cold as he stared at Jiang Cheng and the others. He grabbed a rolling pin and brandished it at them. "Get out! Get out now! Don't let me see you here again. If you come back, I won't sell to you!"
(End of the Chapter)
---
📖Read (NS) on Pa.treon@CinderTL - c902. [+4]
🔑Early Access at $1.
✍Translated (6) Series, (3.6K+) Chapters, (5.1M+) Words.