Translator: CinderTL
"People from Feng Manor?"
"Yes," the woman nodded. Noticing the man's expression change drastically, her own expression turned curious. "What's wrong? Is there a problem?"
Of course there was a problem.
It felt like they had been going in circles, only to end up back where they started.
The fact that people from Feng Manor were secretly coming out at night to help these Japanese women likely had little to do with Master Feng's kindness. It was more likely that something else was going on between them.
On the way back, Fatty Pi Ruan insisted that this was irrefutable proof of the Feng Family's collusion with the Japanese, leaving no room for denial.
However, Chen Qiang's perspective caught everyone's attention. "Don't you find it strange?" Chen Qiang said, looking back at the corner they had just passed. "If the Feng Family were truly colluding with the Japanese, wouldn't they be desperately trying to distance themselves from them now that the war is over? Why would they risk being caught by actively helping them? Wouldn't they be worried about being discovered?"
If someone with ulterior motives realized this and connected it to past events, the Feng Family would be charged with treason, a crime they could not afford to bear.
"Are you suggesting someone is framing them?" Huai Yi narrowed his eyes, challenging the idea.
"I just find it odd," Chen Qiang said. "As for the truth, we can't jump to conclusions. Besides, the Feng Family has been in Grey Stone Town for years, building their current status and wealth. They wouldn't be so foolish."
"But who would frame the Feng Family?" Fatty asked curiously.
If such a charge were confirmed, the Feng Family would have no place left in Grey Stone Town. Clearly, this was an attempt to destroy them.
The theory of framing opened up a new line of thought. If it were true, could the supernatural events plaguing the Feng Family also be connected?
Or, perhaps, part of the same conspiracy targeting them?
"What are you still doing here?" A group of people approached from a distance. It was Luo He, Zhao Xingguo, and their team, who had been investigating the historical context of the May Train Case.
Clearly, they had made progress.
"How's it going?" Jiang Cheng looked up at Luo He.
"We've got some leads," Luo He said, producing several thin sheets of paper from his pocket. The edges were slightly yellowed, and one side had jagged tears, clearly torn from a book. He handed the papers to Jiang Cheng. "Take a look yourself."
Taking the paper, Zhao Xingguo saw words written in brushstrokes. The calligraphy was still legible. According to the records, around the time of the May Train Haunting Incident, there had indeed been sightings of many Japanese individuals near the train's route.
However, because the May Train Case was so bizarre, everyone instinctively assumed it was the work of a ghost, overlooking the Japanese as a variable.
No one had expected the final outcome to be this.
"What do we do next?" Zhao Xingguo glanced first at Luo He, then at Jiang Cheng. Both men intimidated him, whether in intellect or methods. To successfully complete this mission, he would need to rely on them.
"As I said before, without confirming the identity of the Disciple of the Door, everything else is just speculation," Jiang Cheng said, folding the paper and tucking it into his pocket without any intention of returning it. Luo He showed no sign of displeasure.
"It's been a long day. Let's return to the Feng Manor first," Jiang Cheng suggested.
As the group turned to leave, a pair of eyes watched their retreating figures from a distance.
It was Yangzi.
She stood there, her gaze complex.
Suddenly, something flashed in her eyes. Her pupils snapped shut as she noticed an extra person in the group.
Yet as she scanned them one by one, she realized she recognized every face. Each one was etched in her memory.
She resorted to the most foolish method: counting them one by one. When she reached eleven, Jiang Cheng's group turned a corner, their final figures disappearing from view.
But she distinctly remembered there had only been ten when they arrived.
Had she miscounted?
As the baby in Yangzi's arms began to cry, Yangzi snapped back to reality. Gradually, she began to hum the folk song from her hometown.
The mournful melody drifted on the wind, carrying a sense of ethereal unreality.
As the song filled the air, the baby's cries ceased. Moments later, a series of "giggle" sounds joined the wind.
The longer she listened, the more unsettling the laughter became.
Only Yangzi seemed lost in a trance, still gently swaying the swaddled baby in her arms.
Standing before the gate of the Feng Family Mansion, the oppressive atmosphere descended upon them even before they entered.
If they had a choice, none of them would have wanted to go inside.
The vermilion main gate loomed before them, creating the impression of two separate worlds—one inside and one out. Naturally, they wouldn't ask to use the main gate. After a moment of silence, they turned towards a side alley with remarkable self-awareness.
This was the side gate of the Feng Manor, the path Wu Dali had led them through before.
Compared to the surrounding buildings, which were riddled with scars, the Feng Manor's preservation was nothing short of miraculous. This was one of the initial pieces of evidence that led them to suspect the Feng Family had ties to the Japanese.
But their previous speculation had opened up a new line of thought.
If the Feng Family had been framed, then the person behind the plot was the true mastermind. Based on past experiences, it was highly likely that this Ghost had been deliberately brought into the Feng Manor.
They knocked lightly on the side gate. After a moment, an eerie shuffling sound approached from afar. The gate opened a crack first, then swung fully open.
Crippled Liu, his face grotesquely ugly, appeared before them. His remaining eye scanned them up and down, his gaze making everyone deeply uncomfortable.
"Come in," Crippled Liu said, limping aside to make way.
Following Crippled Liu, Jiang Cheng suddenly asked, "We've been here for quite some time now, yet we haven't paid our respects to Master Feng. It's truly quite rude of us."
Huai Yi immediately chimed in, "Indeed. If we don't visit the master of the house, we won't be able to report back to Director Qiao."
"My master hasn't been feeling well lately. Perhaps another day," Crippled Liu replied without turning around.
"Not feeling well?" Jiang Cheng feigned stroking his chin. "That's perfect timing. I'm a doctor, and I'd say my medical skills are passable. I could examine Master Feng."
"Thank you for your kind offer, but my master has already consulted a renowned physician. We believe he'll recover soon. Once he's feeling better, you'll naturally be able to meet him," Crippled Liu turned around, revealing half his face. "But not now. The doctor says his spirit has been damaged and he needs complete rest. He's not seeing anyone."
Jiang Cheng nodded understandingly. "Ah, I see. Then I wish Master Feng a speedy recovery."
Before the words had even faded, Jiang Cheng changed his tone. "Since that's the case, would it be convenient for you to introduce us to the rest of the Feng family?"
"After all, we're guests sent by Director Qiao. We've been here for so long, yet the master of the house hasn't shown his face once. He's only sent a servant to deal with us. It's simply not right," Jiang Cheng said with a smile.
(End of the Chapter)
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