Chapter 675: Chapter 532: Helper
One could only vaguely make out that it was the head of an elderly person, the face twisted grotesquely, mouth agape with only half a purple-blue tongue remaining.
Yang Xiao sat on the sofa, completely unaware of this, but the unease lingering in his heart was terrifyingly real. He reviewed all the information he had, but still came up empty-handed. His knowledge of the Ru Lin Academy was too limited, not to mention the identity of the attacker.
However, the people who had just visited had sounded the alarm for Yang Xiao. Now that they had discovered he was a suspect at the crime scene the night before, the killer surely knew as well. Yet, the killer chose not to come and silence him beforehand. This suggested two things:
First, the killer was very confident in their ability to hide their identity. Even with Yang Xiao’s testimony, it would be impossible to identify the person, as Yang Xiao had never seen their true face.
Second, and most worrying to Yang Xiao, the person held a very high position within the Academy. Furthermore, they were not sure whether the person who had escaped the night before was him. The group that had come earlier was sent to probe him, and if he showed any reaction, the killer would follow.
Lacking influence and the means to protect himself, Yang Xiao contemplated repeatedly. The safest plan now was to maintain normalcy, to pretend ignorance, and to continue as usual. That would be the safest course of action.
As the night deepened, Yang Xiao prepared to rest after a simple wash-up. Suddenly, his earpiece on the pillow vibrated—it was a text message.
It was from Xi Menxiu, with a simple message: "Urgent, please respond ASAP."
Yang Xiao typed out a response, then thought better of it and quickly deleted it. With the recent string of complications, he made a direct phone call instead. It rang only once before the call was connected. Yang Xiao did not speak immediately; he listened, making sure it was indeed Xi Menxiu on the other side.
But the person on the other end also seemed very cautious. After a five-second standoff, it was the other person who spoke first, voice low: "What’s Beibei’s name?"
"Huang Beibei." Hearing it was Xi Menxiu’s voice, Yang Xiao confidently answered.
Beibei’s last name wasn’t Huang, but her personality was desirably "yellow," giving her the nickname Huang Beibei within the investigative team, known only to a few close colleagues. Once the code was confirmed, the person on the other end finally relaxed and hurriedly said, "Captain, Qu Muzhi is looking for you."
Hearing the name Qu Muzhi gave Yang Xiao a headache; it seemed like this guy had his sights set on him. "What’s the matter?"
"This afternoon, the deputy chief of the City Center Official Residence’s investigative team came to us. They said their captain, Qu Muzhi, wanted to invite you to a meal as an apology for the previous incident." Xi Menxiu paused before continuing, "We thought to refuse on your behalf, but they were very insistent. I found it strange at the time—I feel like they... they seem to know you’re not in Rongcheng."
"And then?"
"After they left, I checked on Qu Muzhi’s recent movements and discovered something very odd. Their team claims to be on an operation outside the city, but only the deputy chief is leading. Qu Muzhi hasn’t shown up. So... I suspect Qu Muzhi hasn’t been in Rongcheng during this period," Xi Menxiu said with an odd inflection.
"Can you confirm it?" Yang Xiao pressed.
"Almost certain. Qu Muzhi is known for being recklessly brave on missions, always at the forefront. His absence this time is highly suspicious."
"Ring ring—"
Suddenly, Yang Xiao heard a telephone ring. Not from his own room, it came through from the other end—from where Xi Menxiu was. "Captain, wait for me, it’s a call from an informant. I’ll call you back."
The phone was abruptly hung up. Xi Menxiu’s words left Yang Xiao feeling uneasy. Initially, Yang Cha had told him that, including himself, there were four individuals from Rongcheng. With the Venerable Jile of Dragon No.243 already taken care of by him, there were two left with unknown identities, both undoubtedly troublesome characters.
After a few minutes, the phone rang again. Yang Xiao immediately answered, and Xi Menxiu’s rushed voice came through: "Found out something. Qu Muzhi has already left Rongcheng. He left ten days ago, almost at the same time as when you took your leave."
"Where did he go?"
"I don’t know the specific destination. He changed identities and first flew from the airport to Tongguan. There, he changed identities again, and I can’t trace any further. However, Tongguan is a small town, quite remote, typically used for transfers. There are few flight routes from there. I’ve pulled up all the corresponding flights: Kongya, Hechuan, Tingzhou, Yun Qi City, Lingxi Prefecture, and there’s more... hold on."
"No need to search further, I know where he went." Taking a deep breath, that troubling speculation had indeed become a reality. This Qu Muzhi had come to Yun Qi City—he was one of the two unknown parties left. Either Prisoner No.44 or Sky No.97.
Like Yang Xiao, he too had come to play the clandestine game.
Unfortunately, they both ended up in the same game and may soon meet during the mission. Of course, it’s more likely they would cross swords.
Yang Xiao bore no major grudge against Qu Muzhi—saving Tong Han was a matter of helping a friend for him, while for Qu Muzhi, it was merely a mission to eradicate Evil Cultivators. Both had reasons they had to act this way, reasons that would hold true even if the person involved was someone else.
"Captain, are you listening?" Xi Menxiu asked in a low voice when there was silence on the other end.
"I’m listening, thank you." Yang Xiao sincerely expressed his gratitude; Xi Menxiu’s news was timely. It might prevent a fratricidal confrontation within the Patrol Defense Office.
"It’s nothing. Just take care of yourself, Captain. We’re waiting for your return." Having said what needed to be said, Xi Menxiu didn’t dally any longer and hung up the phone.
Looking at his phone, Yang Xiao’s appraisal of Xi Menxiu rose another notch, recognizing that despite his seemingly careless demeanor, the man was quite meticulous in thought. Yang Xiao suspected Xi Menxiu had already guessed his whereabouts in Rongcheng, but since he did not mention it, Xi Menxiu did not inquire.
Checking the time, it was almost midnight – not an ideal time for a chat, but it didn’t matter. Yang Xiao found Qu Muzhi’s number among his contacts. This was the same number Qu Muzhi had left him the last time, when, after a misunderstanding was cleared, they had exchanged contact details as they released Yang Xiao.
Taking a deep breath, Yang Xiao dialed Qu Muzhi’s number, which rang nine times before being answered, "Is that Captain Qu?"
"It is, Captain Yang." Qu Muzhi’s voice was steady, betraying no emotion, "What do you need at this late hour?"
"I heard Captain Qu wanted to dine with me; I wonder if now is convenient?" Yang Xiao asked with a smile.
"Now?" Qu Muzhi hesitated.
"Yes, how about this - I’ll host at the Bright Moon Pavilion Hotel in an hour. Don’t be a no-show." The Bright Moon Pavilion was one of the most luxurious hotels in Rongcheng. Yang Xiao had the fortune of visiting several times, mainly for meals, but there had been killings too.
"Wait a second, Captain Yang, I’m currently outside the city on a mission... I’m afraid today is not so convenient." Qu Muzhi replied, "How about this, once my mission ends, I’ll host, still at the Bright Moon Pavilion. I’m very sorry about last time."
"If I may ask, where outside the city is Captain Qu now?" Yang Xiao asked.
"It’s a mission arrangement, I cannot disclose any details," responded Qu Muzhi, adopting an official tone.
"Thousands of kilometers outside the city, that’s also a mission?" Yang Xiao laughed, "Rongcheng is far, and the waters of Ru Lin Academy are deep."
There was a full ten seconds of silence on the other line before Qu Muzhi slowly spoke, "Indeed, you’re here too, Captain Yang."
"Shall we encounter each other at the next venue? It’s always better to have another hand to help. Could we work together?" Yang Xiao inquired.
Exceptionally, Qu Muzhi was not averse to cooperation, and they quickly exchanged numbers. Qu Muzhi was "Sky No.97," and Yang Xiao was "Tao No. 31." Moreover, from Qu Muzhi, Yang Xiao also learned an essential lead: Prisoner No.44 was also an Evil Cultivator, and most likely had connections with the Yu Yuan Sect.
"How did you come to know this?" Yang Xiao curiously asked.
"I have my sources. This person is strong; I might not be a match for him alone," stated Qu Muzhi candidly, "But with you, Captain Yang, joining in, I’m confident we can take him down."
"Captain Qu, I must remind you that this opportunity is crucial for me, as I need to consult some records. So if we can avoid fighting, let’s try not to," Yang Xiao expressed his attitude first; this would save a lot of trouble in the upcoming cooperation.
After a brief exchange, Yang Xiao hung up the phone. While revealing his identity posed a certain risk to him, compared to the mission he was undertaking, the danger seemed negligible. Secret competitions were forbidden for those holding public offices like themselves, but rules were rigid, and people were flexible, so as long as no one reported them, there wouldn’t be a problem.
Lying in bed, Yang Xiao carefully reviewed the events of the day before drifting off into a restless sleep, plagued with strange and peculiar images. He dreamt that Prisoner No.44 had defeated him, putting down his broadsword, and pulling out a long spear from behind without a spearhead—it was a headless wooden spear.
Yang Xiao’s eyes snapped open wide—he recognized that spear, it was Qu Muzhi’s Magic Artifact!
The next second, as if sensing something, the figure who had approached him—Prisoner No.44—removed the mask. Underneath it was a face he couldn’t forget: it was Qu Muzhi, disguised as Prisoner No.44, who had killed him.
The spear slowly raised, then plunged fiercely towards his chest; simultaneously, Yang Xiao sat up abruptly, awakened from his bed.
"Huff—"
"Huff—"
Panting continuously, his forehead already soaked with cold sweat, Yang Xiao shakily lifted his hand, his fingers still trembling.
The scene of the spear thrusting down was too real; for a moment, he was convinced he was about to die by Qu Muzhi’s hand.
After calming down, he got out of bed, gulped down some water to ease his fraught nerves. He hadn’t turned off all the lights before sleeping; he’d left a small night-light on, which cast a comforting warm glow in the dark.
Sitting on the bed’s edge, he couldn’t shake off a sense of unease. Without thinking, he held his breath and listened intently, the silence around him was so profound it was unsettling. He even wondered if he had gone deaf, but the sound of crushing a mineral water bottle assured him that it wasn’t the environment that was off, it was him—something was wrong with him!
As if by intuition, without so much as a thorough check of his surroundings, he immediately found his Drama Robe and put it on, feeling a bit safer. Then, he moved to the window, hiding behind the wall, and peeked outside by lifting a corner of the curtain.
It was still dark outside, a few streetlights casting a bleak glow below. What truly instilled fear in Yang Xiao was the dense fog under the light and the rigid figure within it, slowly lifting its head to gaze in his direction.
It was the Daoist robe old ghost.
It had come...
