Chapter 996: Chapter 699: Group Photo_2
Here is the translation:
Yang Xiao specifically reminded Boss Sun to help inquire whether there were other exorcist teams left in the city, which was also a way to indirectly gather information about the whereabouts of Captain Zhou’s group.
Not making such inquiries was not an option. Yang Xiao knew very well that, based on the capabilities of the people around him, this mission was as good as over.
After dropping off Yang Xiao and the other two, Boss Sun’s group didn’t leave immediately but waited until Yang Xiao and the others hailed a taxi and watched it drive away before hitting the road themselves.
Behind the wheel, Boss Sun furrowed his brow in confusion, wondering why Yang Xiao didn’t choose to ride in one of the first two taxis he flagged down but insisted on waiting for a third one to pull up.
Boss Sun couldn’t understand, but Yu Kai, sitting in the passenger seat, knew the reason—it was because Yang Xiao was extremely vigilant. He feared there might be something suspicious about the first two taxis emerging from the night, especially since they had just escaped from the haunted house not long ago.
Using the money he had received from Boss Sun earlier, Yang Xiao paid the taxi fare. The three of them got out, and standing before them was a shabby old office building. The trio climbed the stairs back to their office. Xi Huijun, still shaken, mustered her courage, bowed deeply, and thanked Yang Xiao and Qu Hong.
"Mr. Chu, Qu Hong, thank you."
Xi Huijun was genuinely grateful, knowing that if she had been abandoned, she would be completely helpless in this unfamiliar world. The mere thought of it was enough to break her spirit.
More importantly, from everything she had seen and heard, it was evident that this world truly harbored frightening entities called "ghosts."
Qu Hong, as if feeling sympathy, took Xi Huijun’s hand and pulled her over to sit on a sofa. In a solemn tone, she said, "We’re both women. I’ve been in the same position you’re in now. Seeing you reminds me of my younger self."
At that point, Qu Hong offered a self-deprecating smile and shook her head. "But I wasn’t as lucky as you. The first time it happened to me, no one was there to help."
"Qu Hong, I’ll do whatever you say. Just take me home. My family has money; we can..."
Qu Hong raised her hand, cutting her off. "That’s not why I helped you. If you want to survive, the first thing you need to learn is obedience. You’ve probably noticed already—those people... don’t care much for you."
"I... I know." Xi Huijun quickly reassured her. "I’ll stick with you, Qu Hong. I’ll do whatever you ask of me. I’ll obey."
"That’s the spirit. We’re in this together. And don’t forget Mr. Chu—he’s your lifesaver," Qu Hong added, clearly referring to Yang Xiao sitting nearby.
"I know, I understand completely!" Xi Huijun nodded repeatedly.
Seated at the office desk, Yang Xiao was busy flipping through various record books, trying to find clues about Captain Zhou’s team. He had encountered plenty of people like Qu Hong before—her goal was simply to recruit the rookie Xi Huijun into their group and earn her trust, so that, at critical moments, she could send Xi Huijun ahead to scout the area and serve as a sacrificial shield.
Yang Xiao saw no need to expose her plan since Qu Hong hadn’t excluded him from it. After all, if a sacrificial pawn was needed, he would benefit as well.
Elsewhere, Boss Sun drove like the wind and soon dropped off Yu Kai and his group outside an apartment building. From the outside, the place looked dark, with streetlights spaced far apart, and only one or two dimly glowing nearby. A rusty iron sign hung on its dilapidated fence, bearing the words "Bright Apartment."
After confirming the target’s address, Yu Kai and the others intended to ask Boss Sun to come inside with them, but Boss Sun refused adamantly. "I... I won’t go. I’m afraid of the dark, seriously..."
Seeing Boss Sun’s reluctance, Yu Kai and the others chose not to force the issue. He was the key informant they depended on for now—scaring him would do them no favors.
Boss Sun pleaded with them not to all enter at once, clinging to Yu Kai’s arm and begging him to stay behind as company. Yu Kai agreed readily.
Handing the bag of photographs to Dou Jie, Yu Kai leaned close and whispered a reminder for them to stay alert—Boss Sun didn’t seem like a good person. Staying outside would allow Yu Kai to keep an eye on him.
Dou Jie and Xiao Yaqin took their supplies, each picked up a flashlight, and stepped through the shadowy apartment gate. As they passed the fence, Xiao Yaqin glanced at the word "Bright" on the sign and couldn’t help but find it ironic.
This apartment building was decades old, built in a European style that was popular in the last century. Its residents were few, and at this hour, only a handful of windows had lights on. The building’s exterior was devoid of any embellishments, just barren, gray cement walls.
The apartment lobby was spacious, with a marble floor that indicated the place had once been prosperous. But now, it was semi-abandoned; the corner suite that used to be the property manager’s office was cleared out, and its glass windows were plastered with cheap advertisements.
Originally, the building had three elevators, but now only one was barely functional, while the other two were completely dark. Dou Jie and Xiao Yaqin decisively turned away, opting to take the stairs.
Oddly, the stairwell had an iron grate door welded onto it—a semi-open, half-transparent design. Through its gaps, a few old black bicycles secured with makeshift chains were visible, leaning against the opposite railing. The wall beside it was plastered with advertisements, densely packed and clumped together like a scaly rash.
Dou Jie gently pushed the grate gate, and with a faint creaking sound, it slowly swung open. The stairwell was dimly lit, with a weak light every few floors. Their destination was level 13.
The two climbed the stairs in silence, careful not to make any noise, with their ears tuned for any surrounding sounds.
Dou Jie led the way, keeping an ear out for activity above, while Xiao Yaqin followed behind, occasionally swinging her flashlight beam to check their rear.
By the fourth floor, Xiao Yaqin suddenly slipped and fell hard to the ground. When Dou Jie helped her up, they realized her ankle was twisted. She could stand, but continuing to climb stairs was impossible.
With nine flights remaining to their destination, Xiao Yaqin, seemingly worried about being left behind, clung desperately to Dou Jie’s arm, practically begging, "Don’t leave me behind. Let’s... let’s take the elevator instead."
Dou Jie’s eye twitched at her suggestion, and he decisively refused. Comforting her, he promised to go quickly and come back for her, ensuring there’d be no delays. Though visibly displeased, Xiao Yaqin eventually agreed.
"Alright, I’ll wait. Hurry back."
"I will." Taking the bag, Dou Jie turned and headed upstairs. While the apartment was decrepit, its materials were robust—he soon disappeared, his footsteps fading completely.
After Dou Jie’s sounds vanished, Xiao Yaqin, crouched on the ground, suddenly stood up. Moving quietly, she followed Dou Jie’s trail upstairs with surprisingly light steps, her pace no less swift than his.
After a considerable effort, Dou Jie finally reached the 13th floor. Despite his average physical fitness, caution had left him gasping for breath. After a moment of rest, he began to identify the room numbers along the dark, eerie corridor until he stopped at Room 1319.
This was indeed the address Boss Sun had provided. Someone appeared to live there—there was a black garbage bag sitting outside the door, bulging with contents.
Dou Jie crouched, cautiously pulling open the bag’s edge, revealing rotten vegetable leaves and fish bones, reeking of decay.
He glanced around. The corridor was eerily quiet. Overhead, the lone light flickered intermittently. It seemed 1319 was the only occupied room on this floor.
For the first time, fear gripped him. An uneasy feeling washed over him, a haunting awareness that coming alone had been a mistake. Boss Sun wasn’t trustworthy, nor was the information absolutely credible. Worse, if things went awry here, he wouldn’t even have the chance to call for help.
As Dou Jie prepared to leave, intending to fetch Xiao Yaqin from the stairwell before returning together, a sharp "click" echoed from behind the door. In the next instant, the pitch-black iron door swung open violently in front of him.
