Histoires de fantômes

Chapitre 209

"You're tired, you should get some sleep, and then tell everyone the whole story in detail." Flying Eagle patted Xiao Guan on the shoulder, without asking any more questions.

"Yes, I should have gotten some sleep, but as soon as I closed my eyes, all I could see was that ghostly woman and the churning, blood-red stream. Six hours after the tragedy, I returned to the mountain stream. The scene was horrific; my dead brothers were ripped apart like pigs on a slaughterhouse..."

I leaned close to Liang Wei's ear and whispered, "Wake Li Kang up; he might be able to tell us something."

Through constant trials and tribulations in the world, I have come to realize that one cannot rely on only one side of the story; a true account must be corroborated by the accounts of at least two people to be considered objective and truthful.

Liang Wei walked toward the tent, and soon returned, dragging the disheveled Li Kang with him.

After Li Zun'er's tragic death, Li Kang became very depressed, taciturn, and rarely ate. Apart from sitting and drinking with the Ba Kun brothers, he rarely expressed his own opinions.

"What kind of woman is she? Didn't you see any of the weapons she used?" Liang Wei asked skeptically. He and Xiao Guan were both captains and knew each other's skills very well.

Xiao Guan touched his nose, staring blankly at the leaping flames, trying to recall: "She floated in the air, straight ahead, like an autumn harvester, passing by them and then they fell down. She had no weapon in her hand, nor did she make any move. If I hadn't reacted quickly and there hadn't been a steep slope nearby, I probably wouldn't have been able to avoid this inexplicable attack. I couldn't see her face; her whole body was wrapped in black cloth—"

"Death!" Fei Yue suddenly cried out.

Indeed, from Xiao Guan's description, the woman he encountered must have been as terrifying as Death. In Western mythology, Death is depicted as a being clad in black, carrying a long-handled scythe, and dedicated to taking lives. The power of a god is irresistible to mortals, which is why Americans are so terrified of her.

I admire Fei Yue's imagination, but I don't believe that the American Grim Reaper would inexplicably wander over to the Asian continent.

"Yes, yes, Feiyue is right. At that time, I felt like I had suddenly encountered death. I was terrified and only knew how to run for my life. I didn't care about saving people or calling the police. That woman had a strange smell about her, like the musty smell that is inherent in the rotting corpses in ancient tombs."

His spirits suddenly surged, his eyes gleaming, and he revealed a hysterical expression. That scene had left such a deep impression on him that it exceeded his mental capacity to bear it, pushing him to the brink of madness—a very bad omen.

Flying Eagle placed his hand on the back of Xiao Guan's neck, whispering hypnotically, "Sleep, sleep, have a long sleep, forget everything, don't be afraid... don't be afraid..."

Massaging the Dazhui acupoint at the back of the neck can have a calming and soothing effect, even better than the most potent sedatives. Although Xiao Guan deserted during the battle, Feiying did not despise him and still treated him as his brother.

Xiao Guan lowered his head, slowly closed his eyes, and slumped down beside the fire.

"It's two in the morning." Feiyue glanced at her watch and yawned softly.

Mysterious events often happen after midnight, so staying up all night has become commonplace in my adventure career, and tonight will probably be no exception.

Li Kang hung his head dejectedly, stretching his feet towards the fire. His mental state was indeed worrying; I was even considering whether to send him back out of the mountains and remove him from the expedition team completely. I suspected that the woman in black Xiao Guan mentioned was the Longge witch, the old woman I had met, but I wanted to hear Li Kang's opinion first.

Liang Wei was also yawning. Under the combined effects of alcohol and fatigue, he gradually couldn't hold on any longer and could only take out the wine jug to rely on the power of alcohol to stay awake.

"Li Kang, tell me about the discovery of the six bodies. Xiao Guan, who led the team down the mountain, has returned. According to him, the killer was a woman in black, and the method of killing was incomprehensible." Influenced by everyone else, my tone became much lower.

"Mr. Feng, the bodies were lying horizontally by the mountain stream, the blood flowing from their chests mixing with the water and turning the downstream water red. The wounds were strange; they must have been cleaved from top to bottom with a long knife, the force incredibly fierce, and the knife sharp enough to take only the life rather than severing the body in two. The wounds on all six bodies were basically the same; two of them had their hands wrapped around their guns to protect their chests, and even submachine guns were cut in half without any resistance."

Part 3: The Square-Eyed Monster

— Chapter 1 - Night Massacre —

As a former museum security captain, he had received six weeks of training in firearms, weapons, and combat, and his account of the scene was fairly clear and organized.

The simplest way to kill with a long knife is to slice the neck flat, attacking the most vulnerable part of the body; another way is to pierce the heart with the tip of the knife, passing through the chest. This linear, dissecting method of the killer seems to be intended not only to take a life, but also to be an art of killing, pursuing a certain extreme form.

"Anything else?" I gave Li Kang an encouraging smile.

"The submachine guns used by the expedition team are extremely rigid. If an ordinary longsword were to cut through one, the blade itself would break, leaving fragments at the scene. Moreover, it's impossible to cut through two guns in succession. I can only conclude that the knife she used was a high-quality blade that could cut through iron like mud. If the killer was the Longo witch, she wouldn't need to use any swords at all; she could kill with a mere gesture. So, this matter is very contradictory. The Longo witch has controlled this mountain forest for many years, and it seems she has never gone on a killing spree."

He was an honest man who couldn't see through the treacherous changes in the world, so he could only speak his mind truthfully.

Xiao Guan was already snoring evenly. His feet were stretched towards the fire, his trouser legs were torn into dirty strips by thorns, and the soles of his boots were worn through. He must have wandered around in the jungle for a long time, deliberately avoiding those two stone walls to catch up.

"Can everyone say something?" Flying Eagle broke the silence.

No one spoke up; perhaps everyone felt that the future was bleak and hopeless.

"We'll stay for another 24 hours. If there are no results, everyone will retreat and end this operation. Opponents can stay, but they are responsible for their own lives and deaths, and it has nothing to do with Flying Eagle."

Through the rising air above the flames, I watched his brow furrow into a deep frown.

"Feng, I have done my best." He readily admitted his failure.

I smiled and nodded: "I know, I'm grateful to everyone for getting this far, no matter the outcome."

This is the world of martial arts. Sometimes, survival is more important than money, face, or reputation. The only right thing to do is to find a way to live; everything else can be regained or a comeback achieved. Flying Eagle is a veteran of the martial arts world, knowing how to seek advantage and avoid harm, unlike a bull that stubbornly charges headlong into a wall.

“I’ll stay,” Liang Wei said, raising his hand.

Flying Eagle's sharp gaze pierced his face, but I had expected this outcome and was not surprised at all.

"When brothers are of one mind, their strength can break metal. A true man of the martial world would sell his life to his brothers, rather than abandon them and run for his own life." He may never have given a fancy speech, but facing the eagle's piercing gaze, he simply uttered these few words.

Flying Eagle swallowed hard, pointing his severed finger at Liang Wei with his left hand: "Actually, you're the one who should leave. The Tang Clan from Sichuan is nearby, and Tang Qing's reputation has spread throughout Jiangnan. Think about it, if you stay here, and they make a move, it will definitely implicate Feng—"

Liang Wei shook his head, his dark face grave. "What's meant to happen will happen. I'm human, and Tang Qing is human too. Just like before, the Wolf Clan and the Tang Clan were the two major sects in Sichuan. The Tang Clan fought hard, persevering through setbacks, and finally firmly established themselves in the martial arts world, making them feared by all the masters. Our Wolf Clan's successive leaders were cautious and prudent, strictly disciplining their disciples with hundreds of rules and regulations. They dared not offend fellow martial artists, dared not provoke the government, did not associate with bandits, and were forbidden from killing people without permission, and so on. We were always obsequious and compliant, and in every dynasty, we were recognized as the epitome of humility and prudence in the martial arts world. As a result, the Tang Clan of Sichuan is still famous throughout the world, while I am the only one left in the Wolf Clan—I don't want to hide anymore. If Heaven is going to destroy the Wolf Clan of Sichuan, then let Tang Qing take my life."

He suddenly coughed, probably because he hadn't spoken at such a long time in a long time and was too emotional.

“I’ll stay too.” Feiyue slowly but resolutely raised her hand.

Flying Eagle glared at her angrily: "Adults have things to do, why are you causing trouble, little kids?" She was already a well-known female knight-errant in the martial arts world, but he still treated her like a child.

Li Kang scratched his head, then chuckled hesitantly, "I'd like to stay, but I don't know if I can be of any help to Mr. Feng?"

I smiled and said, "Of course you can, you're welcome to stay."

He looked at me gratefully: "Thank you, Mr. Feng. My father is dead, and I have nothing left to worry about. When the museum was looted, Miss Suren spoke up for me, which saved me from the charge of 'dereliction of duty.' Otherwise, I would still be in detention."

Su Lun's disappearance was indirectly related to him. If he hadn't taken out that strange compass and introduced Su Lun to Li Zun'er, Jiang Guang, and Jiang Liang, none of the following events would have happened.

"Big brother, I must stay and help Mr. Feng. I'm all grown up now, I don't need to always hide under your wing. Please give me a chance to grow up, okay?" Fei Yue's attitude was firm, her eyes meeting Fei Ying's fierce glare.

Liang Wei and Li Kang both lowered their heads. This was a family matter between the Flying Eagles, and no one else had the right to interfere.

A wind picked up again in the valley, and the sky remained a hazy gray, without stars or moon. I poked at the campfire, making the flames leap and dance once more.

Feiyue wrapped the blanket tighter around herself and repeated, "Big brother, give me a chance, I'm all grown up now."

Their sibling relationship was different from that of Scalpel and Suren. Scalpel always allowed Suren to act independently and consciously placed certain heavy responsibilities on her shoulders, which shaped Suren's strong and decisive personality. It was precisely this that led Master Guan Nan Wulang to choose her as his last disciple.

In this era of martial arts world, there will never be another girl like Su Lun.

Flying Eagle sighed deeply, "Are you really sure?" In an instant, he seemed to have aged ten years, raising his hand to touch the deep wrinkles on his forehead.

"Yes." Fei Yue smiled, the corners of her mouth curling up, though I didn't know if the smile was for me.

"What do you mean?" Flying Eagle looked at me, his eyes filled with complex emotions. Everyone has been young once, and he could see into Fei Yue's heart. The reason I risked my life to keep moving forward was for Su Lun; everyone present knew that, and Fei Yue should know it too.

I laughed: "Perhaps it's time to let her roam the world freely."

Fei Yue smiled sweetly: "Big brother, if you're worried about me, you can stay. You can reorganize those people, let those who want to stay stay, and let those who don't want to stay go, isn't that easy?"

She didn't mean it, but everyone around the fire instantly changed color, their gazes all falling on the unconscious Xiao Guan. "Leaving" was a simple matter, but whether they could escape the mountains was something no one could predict. Xiao Guan had led the six men to retreat in the face of difficulty; their simple thought was merely to save their lives, yet they ended up losing them.

"What I mean is... everyone be careful. Danger can happen anywhere; snakes, poisonous insects, and wild beasts can all hurt people..." She tried to explain, but her words only made things worse. None of the wild beasts in the mountains could leave such wounds on a person; the vast jungle must harbor something even more terrifying than wild beasts.

In the distance, the howling of wolves rose again, sometimes to the east, sometimes to the west, so there couldn't be just one wolf. The campfire not only dispelled the chill but also served as the most conspicuous landmark in the dark night, attracting all sorts of dangers.

“I only have this one sister—” Flying Eagle was still staring at me.

I can't say anything, because from beginning to end, I haven't shown any affection towards Feiyue at all. My heart is full of worry for Su Lun, concern for Guan Baoling, and countless emotions over He Jishang's unrequited love for her elder brother—I really have no mood to discuss this issue.

“I really want to stay by her side, but I have a whole bunch of brothers who need my care. They’ve been through thick and thin with me, and they trust me, which is why they’re under my command. When I brought them into the mountains, I personally promised that I would come in with them and come back with them. In the world of martial arts, no one knows when they’ll die, so I have another promise to my brothers—if they ever die, I will take care of their parents, wives and children, their underage siblings, and even the babies in their wombs. Feng, I don’t just have my own family matters on my shoulders, but also the family matters of hundreds of brothers. I weigh the weight of each one almost every day…”

This once-powerful underworld leader, who dominated the southwest, now revealed a profound sorrow. Fame had become his downfall, and his banners had bound him to power. Thus, despite his renowned reputation, Scalpel had always remained a loner, never forming any organization. Apart from his elder brother Yang Tian, he cared little for any friends and maintained a respectful distance from everyone.

“I understand. You're their leader, so of course you have a responsibility to resolve everything properly.” I nodded again emphatically. It wasn't convenient for him to stay, and the team's fighting strength had been greatly reduced; it wasn't suitable for them to stay either. Tomorrow would be the last time these helpers scouted for me, from sunrise to sunset, for a maximum of eight to ten hours. After that, I would have to handle the rest myself.

I took a deep breath, my smile vanished, and I coldly said to Feiyue, "It's dangerous here. Liang Wei, Li Kang, and I can only protect ourselves; we can't afford to take care of anyone else. You'd better leave with your brother and continue to explore the world outside the mountains. Or, after I rescue Su Lun, I'll come find you for a drink and a chat. But right now, you have to leave."

Feiyue froze, her big eyes blinking rapidly: "I want to stay."

I stared indifferently at the ever-changing flames: "Your martial arts are useless in the mountains. Think about it, even a Five Poisons Sect master like He Jishang was forced by the jungle to go from a powerful princess to a cautious village girl. Nobody knows what dangers you will encounter if you stay here. What we need are elites who can take on ten men, not arrogant and reckless young ladies."

Everyone understands that my words were just a well-intentioned sarcastic remark, deliberately said to refuse her, but given her fiery temper, she certainly wouldn't be able to save face. Therefore, my words will have an immediate effect.

"Okay." Fei Yue blushed; she must have never experienced being publicly rejected in front of so many people.

"I'm leaving." She stood up, tossed aside the branch in her hand, like an angry and embarrassed child.

An awkward silence fell over the campfire. Everyone remained silent, even Flying Eagle lowered his head, stroking the butt of his gun without saying a word.

"I'm going to check on the sentry post." She wanted to extricate herself from her embarrassment and strode towards the guard post to the north.

"Thank you, Feng." Flying Eagle breathed a sigh of relief.

Liang Wei sighed, "She's everyone's pampered princess. Even if she doesn't say it, she'll definitely shed tears soon. Let's call it a day and go back to sleep so she doesn't feel bad."

Xiao Guan was still fast asleep, his disheveled appearance resembling that of a homeless vagrant.

Flying Eagle glanced at his watch and said in a low voice, "We'll be changing shifts in half an hour, and there are still three hours until dawn. We should all go back and get some sleep." The sleepiness that had been dispelled by Xiao Guan's sudden appearance returned, and he, Liang Wei, and Li Kang were all yawning with their mouths half open.

My gaze unconsciously swept over Feiyue's retreating figure, and I saw her quietly raise her sleeve, probably wiping away tears. A short, sharp pain is worse than a long, drawn-out one; it's better for me to reject her now than let her sink deeper into this mess. I'm already torn between Su Lun and Guan Baoling, unable to choose; it's best not to add to everyone's troubles.

The northernmost sentry stood motionless with his neck tucked in, seemingly too tired to move and dozing off in place.

Feiyue swung her hand, slapping the sentry's shoulder, and he actually fell straight forward. Before Feiyue could scream, I sprang to my feet, leaped over the fading fire, and rushed past Feiying.

What I feared has finally happened. Whether the sentry post was attacked by poisonous insects or by the enemy, it is a terrifying event.

"What is it?" Flying Eagle jumped up and shouted behind me.

By then, I had reached Feiyue's side, grabbed her shoulders, and whispered, "Step back, be careful."

Feiyue's teeth made a soft "clattering" sound, and her raised hand remained suspended in mid-air, clearly quite surprised.

The person lying on the ground had no injuries from head to back. I used my toes to turn his body over and saw a horrific wound between his eyebrows, on his chest, and on his lower abdomen. His clothes were completely torn, and his flesh was exposed. He really looked like a pig on a slaughterhouse assembly line.

With a few clicks, everyone loaded their guns and pointed them due north.

The wind rustled through the grass, and as far as the eye could see, all was deathly still, without the slightest movement.

“Cough cough… Mr. Feng, this kind of wound is exactly the same as the six people we saw on the road.” Li Kang’s throat suddenly became hoarse due to excessive tension.

"Someone is following us? Who could it be? The Southwest Caravan or the Longge Witch?" Eagle's emotions gradually spiraled out of control.

I slowly turned around to face the sentry post to the east. Liang Wei, who had been watching my every move, immediately called out the sentry's name: "Xiao Tian, Xiao Tian, is there anything going on?"

There was no response, and the sentry remained motionless, his neck hunched over.

Liang Wei hissed and gasped, "Ah? Could it be that he was also killed by the enemy...?"

The Flying Eagle siblings were of one mind and immediately leaped up, one heading south and the other west. Liang Wei also rushed east in time, but Li Kang remained by my side.

"It's no use." I sighed, turned around, and slowly walked towards the campfire.

Li Kang followed me in fear, constantly looking around: "Mr. Feng, Mr. Feng, is it because the Witch of Longge is unhappy with our expedition that she keeps setting up obstacles? If so, we...we...we should..."

I remain silent. In the face of sudden chaos, thinking more and speaking less is the best course of action. Any lack of composure or rationality will give the enemy another opportunity and trigger a chain of panic.

"Mr. Feng, don't worry, I won't go back on my word. I'll stick with you to the end and find Miss Suren. Anyway, I'm all alone. No one loves me when I'm alive, and no one cares when I'm dead..."