Translator: CinderTL
The handprint was small, as if left by a child.
At the same time, everyone immediately recalled the Jiang Cheng group's experience from the previous night. While searching for Crippled Liu's residence, they had discovered a series of bare footprints, following Pan Du's corpse.
This suggested the handprint and the footprints were left by the same entity—most likely the "god" Yangzi had mentioned.
In other words, the ghost behind this supernatural event.
Gazing at the wall covered in photographs, Boss Sang swallowed hard, his fear almost tangible. In a barely audible voice, he asked, "If this was just a dream, how do you explain the handprint?"
No one could answer.
After a moment's hesitation, Luo He asked, "Besides the handprint, did you encounter anything else strange?"
Boss Sang thought for a moment, then turned to dress. "No. This morning, I mustered the courage to peek into Su's Restaurant. Everything seemed normal. The boss and his wife were busy serving customers. I watched for a long time, but I couldn't find anything amiss."
Shaking his head, Boss Sang spoke, clearly still baffled by the previous night's events.
"Besides us, have you told anyone else about this?"
"No," Boss Sang replied immediately, looking nervous. "I... I still don't know how to explain what happened. I'm terrified. How could I dare tell anyone?"
"That's best," Luo He said. "We can help you resolve this, but until it's resolved, I need you to keep it a secret. Otherwise..." Luo He paused.
"I understand, I understand," Boss Sang said, being particularly cooperative.
Strangely, though they had never met before, Boss Sang found these people inexplicably trustworthy. Especially the man in front of him.
"We'll come back to see you at the same time tomorrow," Luo He said, putting away his phone. "I suggest you don't dispose of these photos yet. Try to find the Eastern Ghost you saw in them, but don't attempt to destroy them."
Luo He's tone turned serious. "Otherwise, I fear something terrible might happen."
Boss Sang's face turned deathly pale, as if drained of all blood. Yet his gaze at Luo He grew even more trusting. He lowered his voice, speaking mysteriously, "You felt it too, didn't you?"
He pursed his lips. "Last night's dream felt like a prophecy. If I insist on destroying these photos, then the Easterners—no, the Eastern Ghosts!—and all the horrors that followed will appear."
Boss Sang swallowed hard and continued, "But conversely, if I don't insist on destroying the photos, none of this will happen. I'll be safe."
"Wow, I didn't realize your little brain was so sharp," Pi Ruan exclaimed, his opinion of the timid man changing.
"Not at all, Master. You're too kind. I'm just desperate, aren't I?" Boss Sang said, his face bitter. "Who would have thought a simple, honest businessman like me would get caught up in something like this?"
"Heh," Fu Fu sneered, glancing at Boss Sang. "He's definitely a businessman, but whether he's honest is another matter entirely."
It was already suspicious that an ordinary photography studio owner would secretly hoard so many photos of Japanese people.
It was likely his relationship with the Japanese wasn't as innocent as he claimed.
After leaving the studio, the group first found a restaurant to eat and fill their stomachs before meeting up with Jiang Cheng and the others.
They chose a private room on the second floor by the window, where a gentle breeze wafted through. If it weren't for their mission, it would have been quite pleasant.
"What do you think?" Pi Ruan leaned forward, his voice conspiratorial. "Do you think there's something fishy about this photography studio owner?"
According to Boss Sang's account, he had clearly been drawn into a world completely detached from reality last night. Luo He took a small sip of tea. His ability was to construct dreams, and in his view, the man's experience resembled a dream.
But this raised two further questions. Luo He clasped his hands around his teacup, as if drawing warmth from the tea. "First," he asked, looking at the others, "why would a photography studio owner be pulled into a dream?"
"It must be those photos," Chen Qiang replied. This was the most logical explanation.
Luo He nodded. "Yes, the problem lies with those photos. I think Boss Sang's premonition was correct—he had seen the Eastern Ghost and taken his picture."
"Alright, now for the second question." Luo He's voice turned grave. "How did Boss Sang survive the dream?"
Given the Ghost's Abnormality, the dream must have been incredibly bizarre. Until now, no one had ever survived it.
Pan Du and Linghu Yong weren't exactly experts, but their experience and skills far surpassed Boss Sang's. Yet even they had fallen. There was no reason Boss Sang should have survived.
Chen Qiang narrowed his eyes. "Are you suggesting the Ghost deliberately spared him, choosing not to kill him?"
"I can't think of any other explanation." Luo He placed the book flat on the table. "Feel free to share your thoughts."
Though Luo He addressed them both, his gaze lingered on Lin Wan'er's face.
"But why would the Ghost let him live?" Huai Yi asked, puzzled. "If the photo really threatened to expose its secrets, it would have just killed him."
In their subconscious minds, the odds of an ordinary person surviving a Supernatural event were slim, especially against a Ghost with such bizarre abilities.
Before the words had even left his mouth, they heard a commotion erupt on the street outside. First came a scream, followed by the sound of many people running.
There was also the crashing of objects being knocked over and the wailing of a child.
A sudden wave of unease washed over them.
The sounds of chaos grew louder as they approached. Huai Yi, who was sitting by the window, stood up and looked outside, just in time to see a group of people rushing toward their building.
Judging by their uniforms, they appeared to be from the police station. They had weapons at their waists and were accompanied by a large wolfhound.
Before he could get a clear look, a police officer glanced up and their eyes met. The officer immediately shouted something, as if he had made a major discovery.
Then, all the officers turned to look at the window and sped down the stairs. Huai Yi vaguely heard them shouting, "They're in there! Hurry, don't let them escape!"
Moments later, the door to the private room was kicked open, and several menacing police officers stormed in.
From their vantage point, they could see more than a dozen people still standing in the hallway outside. A large wolfhound, leashed nearby, stood on its hind legs, barking incessantly at the room.
"Who is Luo He?!" the burly leader, sporting a thick beard and wielding a baton, demanded angrily.
(End of the Chapter)
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