“Wait a second. I’m trying to remember.” The shopkeeper tried hard to remember the details. “Old Song told me that the list was terrifying. It could cause blood to ooze like tears.”
My intuition told me that the list she had mentioned was the otherworldly item. “Do you know anything else?”
The woman shook her head.
I knew the situation wasn’t that simple. Otherwise, why did Yu Hua take the risk to murder the five security guards after they saw the paranormal activities?
The only explanation was that they had discovered the secret of that list. With that thought, I said, “Have you seen Song Zhong’s cellphone?”
Five people were dead. Since they were co-workers, they must have contacted each other.
“It’s in our house. Come with me,” said Song Zhong’s wife. Then, she led us to her house.
When we reached the house, we saw Yu Hua walking back and forth in the yard.
Li Mazi looked like he wanted to attack him, but I shot him a warning glance and asked him to show restraint. Then, I smiled at Yu Hua. “Why are you here?”
“I came here early this morning. I wanted to visit him but found out that Song Zhong had passed away.” Yu Hua looked remorseful. He even let out a sigh.
He didn’t look like he was pretending. I was confused. Did I misunderstand him?
Song Zhong’s wife rushed out of her room with a pale face. She gasped for her breath. “Master, his phone is gone!”
“What?”
“I put it in a drawer. I saw it this morning, but it’s not there anymore,” said Song Zhong’s wife.
I looked at Yu Hua and frowned.
After we left Sheshangou Village, we went straight to the Shenyang Museum and checked in at a nearby hotel.
Yu Hua told us that he had some work to do. After helping us check-in, he left.
As soon as Yu Hua left, Li Mazi couldn’t hold it in anymore. “Little Brother Zhang, why are we still wasting time with him? You know he stole the phone!”
“I know, but it wasn’t the right time,” I told him.
Although we had confirmed that Yu Hua was the murderer, we also knew that there was an otherworldly item behind this. It would be more convenient for us to start our work at the museum if we had Yu Hua’s help.
Li Mazi understood this so he stopped complaining. At around noon, Yin Xinyue called me.
“The film shooting is done. I’m coming to see you.”
“Honey, stay home and wait for me. I’ll come back soon.”
She didn’t want to listen and insisted on seeing me. I had to ask Li Mazi to persuade her with his silver-tongue.
“Fine, but you have to call me every day to show that you’re safe,” she urged.
I smiled. She reminded me of a little girl throwing a fit.
As we didn’t have anything to do in the afternoon, Li Mazi and I went to visit the General’s Mansion in Shenyang. During the Kuomintang period, the General’s Mansion was where the warlord Zhang Zuolin and his son, Zhang Xueliang, lived. For quite a long time, it was the core of the Northeast Army.
This building was full of cultural relics from the Anti-Japanese War. Through those relics, we could see the will of the heroes during that period.
While I was admiring the items, Li Mazi looked bored. “These things aren’t valuable at all. What’s interesting about them?”
“You only see money.”
I shot him a glance and ignored him. Then, I continued to enjoy the atmosphere of the building.
Unexpectedly, this trip had given me a crucial clue!
The most famous feature of the General’s Mansion was the Tiger Hall entrance, where two tiger specimens were kept. It was said that General Zhang Xueliang had caught them while hunting. Later, he held a banquet to celebrate his trophies. During this banquet, he shot two Generals who had joined the Japanese Army. They were Yang Yuting and Chang Yinghuai. This was why the young General’s name was spread throughout the entire Northeastern area.
Li Mazi, who was bored earlier, became excited when he saw the two tiger specimens. He ignored the ‘Do not come close’ sign and shamelessly crossed the barrier to touch the tiger.
I couldn’t stop him on time, so he babbled on. I even joked that I would call the manager if he didn’t stop.
However, as soon as Li Mazi touched one of the tigers, he backed off. His face turned serious.
“What’s going on? Scared?” I teased him as I thought he was afraid of being fined.
Li Mazi waved his hand. “Little Brother Zhang, something’s strange here. The area around that tiger specimen is really cold. It feels like the inside of a refrigerator. I have goosebumps although I only stood there for a few seconds.”
After listening to Li Mazi, I couldn’t help but frown. “Are you speaking the truth?”
As it was broad daylight, if this was the only place in the entire mansion that was chilled-to-the-bone, there was a problem.
After Li Mazi confirmed it, I didn’t mind the rules and crossed the barrier as well.
Sure enough, it was like what he had said. When I approached the tiger, the temperature dropped. The further I walked, the colder it was. It felt like I was in the middle of a bitter winter.
Moreover, the cold air carried strong resentful energy!
If there was resentful energy here, it could only belong to Yang Yuting and Chang Yinghuai!
I had read many historical books before. I knew that Yang and Chang were two hard-working, patriotic generals. Although they were a little odd, they would never betray their country and work for the Japanese Army, even if they had to give up their life. At that time, Zhang Xueliang was hoodwinked by the Japanese, which resulted in the deaths of the two generals.
As the two had been murdered unjustly, their souls couldn’t rest in peace. However, I didn’t want to step into these murky waters.
But right as I was about to leave, I found one more thing—the resentful energy in this place was similar to the one from the spirit that had possessed Song Zhong!
Is the otherworldly item this time related to the famous General Yang Yuting?
With that thought, I couldn’t help but shiver. However, it wasn’t that I was afraid of him, but rather because I admired him.
I thought about the conversation from the graveyard. He said that he had lived his entire life serving his country and his people. From the lonely feeling in his eyes, I could conclude that the spirit I encountered last time was Yang Yuting.
In the end, I pretended that nothing happened and left the Tiger Hall. Along the way, Li Mazi asked, “Why did you just leave?”
At first, I was too lazy to mind him. However, I couldn’t endure his pestering and answered him seriously, “That’s a national hero who fought the Japanese army and pledged not to yield. Should I take action against him? What do you say?”
“Yeah, he was a true hero.” Li Mazi nodded and pretended that he understood my point.
I sighed deeply.
“Why are you sighing?”
“Nothing. I suddenly felt like it.” I shook my head.
Now I understood Chuyi’s mental struggle. He didn’t want to solve this case because he didn’t want to deal with General Yang Yuting. He was also worried that I wouldn’t accept the case, so he didn’t tell me the details about the otherworldly item.
However, I also respected and admired General Yang Yuting!
That year, the invincible legion of the Fengtian clique was based in the Northeastern area. General Yang Yuting followed the Great General Zhang Zuolin and beat up countless Japanese soldiers. None of the Japanese soldiers dared to step into the Northeastern area.
If Zhang Xueliang hadn’t destroyed the Great Wall, killed the excellent general, and fled to the Northeastern area with his army, would the Japanese have started the aggressive war against China? Absolutely not.
To otherworldly merchants, if they meddled with an item, they would have to care about it for the rest of their lives. I had never broken this rule before. But at this moment, I was a little shaken…
When I thought about my family, Yin Xinyue, and the helpless eyes of Song Zhong’s wife and his children, and then the murderer, I felt more responsible.
I couldn’t give up!
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