Translator: CinderTL
The next moment, a wave of belated terror surged through Fatty. His massive frame trembled uncontrollably, while Pi Ruan beside him turned purple with fear.
The two men huddled together, like a pair of brothers in misfortune.
Strangely, Fatty never doubted Boss Lin's words, just as he would unquestioningly follow a doctor's orders.
Huai Yi didn't have much affection for Chen Qiang either, but being left behind still left him with a lingering sense of unease.
He could sense that in Jiang Cheng's eyes, there wasn't much difference between him and Chen Qiang. If Jiang Cheng could abandon Chen Qiang now, he could just as easily abandon Huai Yi next time.
After walking along another path for about ten minutes, a familiar cacophony gradually filtered through the high walls.
It was a strange sensation, as if the sounds were slowly seeping in from another world—first the noise, then the images.
A street appeared before them.
They knew this street well, because they had just left it ten minutes earlier.
But these were completely opposite directions. How could they possibly loop back?
A flicker of panic flashed in Huai Yi's eyes as he realized everything before had been the Ghost's doing—a deceptive illusion.
Chen Qiang might not be dead, but that was only because the Ghost had deliberately spared him, using him as bait to lure others into its trap.
Just like the previous photography studio owner.
Once Huai Yi understood this, he felt a sense of relief. Under these circumstances, anyone still insisting on saving people would have to be mentally deficient.
"There you are!" a gruff voice suddenly called out from behind them. The speaker's tone was rough, but his voice lacked conviction.
Turning around, they saw Wu Dali panting as he ran toward them, still wearing the clothes he'd won back. He looked as if he were in a desperate hurry, his face etched with anxiety.
"Brother Wu," Jiang Cheng nodded in greeting. "What's wrong? Did you need something?"
The atmosphere on this street was completely different from the one they'd just left. If they had to describe it, it was as if the hazy, gray filter had been removed.
But only by comparing the two could they truly appreciate the difference.
Hearing this, Wu Dali first glanced around before giving them a meaningful look. Everyone immediately understood that this was a matter best discussed in private.
Following Wu Dali to a secluded alleyway, he nervously peered outside before quickly saying, "I've been looking for you." His lips trembled. "Something's happened at Feng Manor!"
"Don't panic," Jiang Cheng said, trying to calm him. "Take your time and tell us exactly what happened."
"Master Feng... and Old Madam Feng... they're all dead!" Wu Dali's voice trembled, clearly terrified by the news.
This outcome had been anticipated by Jiang Cheng and the others. They had seen the photograph from the photography studio, and the people in it didn't look alive. The scene they had witnessed on Ghost Street earlier had only confirmed their suspicions.
Compared to this, Wu Dali's next words completely stunned them. "How can you still be strolling around the streets?" Wu Dali said, his face grim. "Word's spread that the Feng family's relatives are offering a high reward to capture you and have you beheaded!"
"Arrest us?" Pi Ruan's voice cracked with terror. "And then beheaded?!"
"What the hell for?" Fatty's reaction was remarkably similar to Pi Ruan's. He glared with wide eyes. "We didn't do it! We didn't kill anyone! They were already dead! Which bastard is trying to frame us?"
Seeing them start to shout, Wu Dali quickly hushed them. "Quiet down! Do you want to get yourselves killed?!"
Perhaps because they had helped him before, Wu Dali's attitude toward them had improved significantly. "The situation isn't completely hopeless yet. Director Qiao is doing his best to hold things back for you. No one will come after you for now."
Wu Dali said anxiously, "But the Feng Family's influence is too great. He can't control them forever. You need to find the truth and clear your names as quickly as possible. Otherwise..."
He didn't finish the sentence, but the outcome was clear.
After a moment of thought, Jiang Cheng looked at Wu Dali and asked, "Why are you so sure we're the murderers?"
"That's right," Huai Yi said fiercely. "You can't just assume that because we're staying at Feng Manor, we must be responsible for anything that happens inside."
Everyone knew Feng Manor was haunted, and many people had already died there.
"I know, I know," Wu Dali said, looking equally puzzled. He stroked his chin, his expression strange. "I can't figure it out either. I wasn't allowed near the scene, but I saw a few of our officers leaving from a distance. Their faces... tsk tsk."
He seemed to recall the recent scene, shaking his head as he spoke. "It was just awful. These were all seasoned veterans, and I've never seen them look like that before."
"After they examined the scene, they immediately accused us?" Jiang Cheng asked.
Wu Dali nodded, his expression still strange. "More or less. Anyway, you're the prime suspects."
Wu Dali's words ignited a burning curiosity about the crime scene.
"Brother Wu," Jiang Cheng said, looking at Wu Dali with a trustworthy gaze. "Do you believe us?"
"I believe you."
"Good. Then I'll ask you for a favor." Jiang Cheng glanced toward the mouth of the alley. "We want to visit the crime scene."
Wu Dali sighed, a look of resignation on his face. "I knew you'd say that. Alright, I'll arrange it. After what happened at Feng Manor, there are police officers stationed there overnight. Tonight, it just so happens that a friend of mine is on duty. I'll ask him to make an exception and sneak you in during the shift change."
"Tonight?" Huai Yi's expression darkened. "Can't we go during the day?"
"Sure, if you don't mind being caught red-handed," Wu Dali scoffed, amused by the idea. "Going during the day? Do you think the guards are blind?"
"Alright, that's settled. I'll make the arrangements. In the meantime, stay out of sight until tonight. Then we'll meet at the agreed location and time." Wu Dali finalized the details with them before leaving, recommending a temporary lodging nearby.
Not far from there was a large inn, a chaotic place filled with all sorts of people. But under the circumstances, they had no choice but to accept it.
After arriving at the inn, everyone huddled together in a room. It wasn't small, and a large communal bed lined the wall, easily accommodating over a dozen people side by side.
They ordered some simple food and had the waiter bring it to their room. Jiang Cheng lay on the bed, eyes closed, resting.
Fu Fu had retreated into the shadows beyond the candlelight's reach. Her silhouette swayed with the flickering flames, making her seem even more mysterious. Her eyes, barely visible, seemed to be fixed on Jiang Cheng.
(End of the Chapter)
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