Bai Qi and his team arrived in District C and saw an old woman approaching.
"You are from the Ghost Extermination Division, aren't you! Would you like to come to my home for a rest?" the old woman said with a smile.
"No need!" Bai Qi's expression was serious, and he spoke professionally, "You are the one who reported the case, right? What's the situation here?"
"Yes!" the old woman said as she led them on, "I wait for you at the town entrance every day! I'm so glad you've finally arrived."
"It's hard to explain the detailed situation in a few words. Why don't you come to my home for a sit-down, and I'll tell you slowly," the old woman invited as she opened the door.
"Then we'll have to trouble you, Auntie!" Lu Yuan, with youthful enthusiasm, beamed with a smile.
"Oh! Don't be so polite! But you are such a handsome young man!" the old woman exclaimed, looking at Lu Yuan.
Lu Yuan shyly scratched his head, then turned to see Bai Qi's warning gaze. He lowered his head and said no more.
The old woman's dwelling was a bit humble. Several big men felt cramped. As they were in an awkward situation, two of them, with keen insight, said, "Captain Bai, you go inside and investigate the case! We'll scout this small town."
"Alright, be careful!" The leader liked observant people the most.
The old woman sat down, took a sip of tea, and slowly began, "It's like this. I've always been a light sleeper. That night, I woke up in the middle of the night and saw Er Liuzi's newly married wife wandering around town!"
"I didn't think much of it at the time. After all, even if she was having an affair or something, it was a family matter. Why should an old woman like me interfere? But who knew, the next day, that woman died! She died terribly! There wasn't a good piece of flesh on her whole body!"
"So, you suspect a ghost is at work?" Bai Qi frowned. This clearly sounded more like a revenge killing! Since the appearance of ghosts, the frequency of human crimes had also increased. After all, they could blame it on ghosts that might or might not exist. She should have gone to the police station for this, why come to the Ghost Extermination Division?
"Of course not!" the old woman waved her hands repeatedly. "Without any evidence, how could I trouble you esteemed adults?"
"Later! There were a few more incidents in town!" the old woman whispered. "And! They were all women! And outsiders! They died in exactly the same way."
Bai Qi's gaze was filled with suspicion, "If that's the case, why are you the only one who reported it?"
"You are new here, sir, and may not be familiar with our situation. Our town is remote, and there are few good girls from decent families willing to marry here! The other people in town are afraid of losing face if the matter gets out! But I'm old, with no children, so what do I have to fear? What I fear most is that those innocent women who died will not get justice." As the old woman spoke, she wiped her tears with her hand. Her sincere demeanor made Bai Qi believe her somewhat.
"Don't worry! We will not reveal the identity of the informant," Bai Qi promised with a nod.
"Yes, yes! I've heard of the Ghost Extermination Division's reputation for a long time! Please bring justice to those tragically deceased girls," the old woman said, her face full of emotion.
"Please rest assured, we will," Lu Yuan, who was new to the job, said earnestly. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
"Alright, since we've understood the situation, we won't stay any longer," Bai Qi said, getting up to leave.
The old woman solicitously saw them off.
After they had walked a distance, Bai Qi couldn't help but pat Lu Yuan on the shoulder.
"The more you say, the more you err, understand? Do you know if that old lady is human or a ghost! I'm telling you, when something is abnormal, there must be a reason. I've read the files about this town before coming here. There are quite a few people her age, so why did only she contact us? Be careful, she might sell you out and you'd still be counting the money for her!"
"Perhaps, perhaps it's just as she said, others were threatened!" Lu Yuan was somewhat unconvinced. He had graduated from a formal ghost-catching academy and had studied many aspects. He felt that the old woman was quite sincere.
The others quickly gave Lu Yuan a look that told him to admit his mistake. Lu Yuan still looked at Bai Qi with a defiant gaze.
Bai Qi was naturally stubborn and had strong backing, so he wasn't known for his good temper within the division. Just as everyone thought he would get angry, he chuckled.
"Alright, how about we make a bet? We'll bet that the old woman is involved with this ghost. If you lose, you will obey my every word from now on. If you win, I will never interfere with your actions again. What do you say? Do you bet?"
"Okay! I'll bet with you!" Lu Yuan, full of youthful spirit, readily agreed.
Bai Qi looked at Lu Yuan's determined expression, as if he were looking at his past self. Youth was truly wonderful! With sheer courage, they feared no danger. If he had listened to his captain back then, would the outcome be different now? At least he would have taken fewer detours.
"Fine, the contract is made!" Bai Qi extended his hand.
Lu Yuan met his palm.
"Alright, everyone go and check for any useful clues!" Bai Qi said to the group. "When you find anything, we'll gather here to share information."
"Yes!" everyone agreed.
Feng Li, who had entered the Ghost Extermination Division in the same batch as Lu Yuan, caught up with him in a few steps, putting an arm around his shoulder.
"Not bad, kid! You're quite brave. You even dare to provoke Captain Bai, that formidable figure!" Feng Li had always admired courageous people and now looked at Lu Yuan as if he were an idol!
"Captain Bai is also a good person, but he's handled so many cases that he suspects everyone!" Lu Yuan pulled away Feng Li's arm, his expression serious.
He had heard rumors about Bai Qi at the ghost-catching academy. He was happy to be assigned to Bai Qi's team this time. But this did not prevent them from having different opinions. He pursued the truth! He wanted to eliminate all ghosts through his own efforts and restore a peaceful and stable life for everyone.
"Alright!" Feng Li nodded. "We probably won't find anything just wandering around town. Why don't we try to get some information from the townsfolk?"
"That's a good idea! It seems we thought of the same thing!" Lu Yuan smiled.
The friendship of young people always came so suddenly! On their way to search for ghost clues, Lu Yuan and Feng Li gradually became acquainted.
"Grandpa, have you heard about those brides who died mysteriously? I heard such strange things on my first day in town." People from the Ghost Extermination Division always wore plain clothes when handling cases. Feng Li chatted with the old man to build rapport, and only when the time was right did he pretend to recall the matter and ask,
The old man looked at Feng Li suspiciously and denied in a hoarse voice, "Young man, where did you hear that? You shouldn't talk about such things! It's all rumors!"