Geistertagebuch

Kapitel 23

“There’s nothing we can do, everyone has a professional instinct.” Yin Li shrugged. “When you saw Guo Tong’s body, you asked, ‘What was the time of death?’ I really can’t imagine that such a professional question would come out of the mouth of a tomb raider.”

Situ Xiang gazed at her intently for a long time before saying, "You are truly a special girl. I couldn't tell at all that you were also poisoned by the 'Exquisite Aperture,' and what's more, your blood can even cure the poison..."

“I was not only poisoned by the ‘Exquisite Aperture’,” Yin Li interrupted her, “but also by the ‘Nine Phoenix Formation’s’ hints. I didn’t even realize that I had been poisoned.”

"Nine Phoenix Formation?"

“It’s the pattern on that red robe,” Yin Li said. “I’ve always felt that pattern looked familiar, but I just couldn’t remember it. When that jade pendant saved me from madness, I finally remembered. When I was very young, I secretly read the forbidden books in my grandfather’s collection. The books contained many cult formations. The ‘Nine Phoenix Formation’ was one of them. It would drive people mad and make them completely controlled by the caster. Even if the caster had been dead for thousands of years, the formation’s effectiveness would not be lost. This kind of formation would even automatically find the most suitable recipient. Professor Li, Shan Hu, and I were all affected by it.” There was a formation, but Xiaowen was truly poisoned by the 'Exquisite Aperture,' so her symptoms were completely different from ours. In this world, only the Jade Pendant Clam Cloud could break the 'Nine Phoenix Formation.' I was too young then to recognize the character 'clam,' so I didn't have a deep impression of it. Now, thinking back, all the answers were in my mind, just stored away in the drawer of my memory. If I had opened that drawer sooner, perhaps Guo Tong and Shan Hu wouldn't have died.” A trace of guilt surfaced in her eyes as she said this. Situ Xiang hesitated for a moment, then grasped her hand and said, “This isn't your fault.”

Yin Li felt a warmth spread from her hands throughout her body. She smiled and asked, "Are Shan Hu and the others police officers too?"

Situ Xiang's face stiffened, and he lowered his eyes, saying, "In order to get close to Uncle Tian, I did work as a tomb raider for a period of time. We met while tomb raiding."

Yin Li was taken aback: "So...they've been arrested?"

“I know I used them…” Situ Xiang lowered his eyes, his expression unreadable, “But… I’m a police officer.” When he said the word “police officer,” he raised his head, his eyes as calm as a still lake.

Yin Li sighed and said, "Have all of Uncle Tian's men been arrested?"

“Yes, including Jack,” Situ Xiang said. “He seems very depressed.”

“Everyone has a past they don’t want outsiders to know, and Jack is no exception. He’s still young and hopes to start anew.”

“It would be good if he could start anew, but…” Situ Xiang gave a bitter smile, “He was originally an orphan adopted by an international organ trafficking organization. He was destined to be used for organ transplants when he got older. It was Uncle Tian who bought him, saving his life. For the past twenty years, he has received an education that most people can hardly imagine. Moreover, he has killed many people, I’m afraid…”

Yin Li fell silent, seemingly lost in thought, and a somber atmosphere immediately filled the air. Situ Xiang seemed to have thought of something and said, "By the way, you still haven't told me how your blood can be used to detoxify."

Yin Li smiled and raised her arm. The wound on her wrist had been bandaged with gauze, but it still ached slightly.

"Didn't I tell you? My maternal grandfather liked to treat me like a walking medicine box. I don't know what he fed me when I was little, but my blood can detoxify, and it can detoxify all poisons." Yin Li gave a self-deprecating smile. "What? Don't you find it incredible?"

“I’ve seen too many unbelievable things these past few days, I’m used to it now,” Situ Xiang said with a smile. “By the way, there’s something I need to tell you, it was Tan Yaoren who stole those mummies.”

"Tan Yaoren?" Yin Li didn't react for a moment, and it took her almost a minute to realize, "You mean Tan from the archaeological team?"

"That's right. His mother was sick, and an antique dealer happened to be buying mummies from him, so he wanted to steal those mummies and sell them."

"I really didn't expect this," Yin Li shook her head, "He looked so honest, yet..."

“There’s nothing I can do. You can’t see through people’s hearts.” Situ Xiang stood up. “You should rest. I’m going back to the police station.” He paused at the door, turned around, and said, “Xiao Li, your song is very nice. I hope I’ll have the chance to hear it again in the future.”

Yin Li gave her a gentle smile and said, "If I have the chance to sing for you again, I hope to sing 'The Drumming' from the Book of Songs."

Situ Xiang left the ward and stood there for a long time, wondering what song "The Drumming" from the Book of Songs was.

Yin Li turned her head and looked at the world outside the window. The sky was gray, and even the lush trees were covered in dust. On the hospital's small playground, a group of children were playing soccer. Their faces had innocent expressions that brought a sense of warmth and peace to the heart.

She suddenly remembered a writer saying that children living in the sunlight and under fluorescent lights know far too little about the true nature of the world.

"Xiao Li, he's gone?" Qin Wen walked in with a mischievous grin, took out a banana, took a big bite, and said, "So? Did he confess to you?"

"Stop joking." Yin Li rolled her eyes and said, "Getting back to the point, Xiao Wen, I need you to do something for me."

46. A Dream

A piercing screech of metal scraping against metal pierced Qin Wen's ears, making her teeth ache. She frowned, followed the policeman in black uniform through the iron gate, across a small playground, and into a small meeting room of about ten square meters. Inside, there was a long table and two benches. Qin Wen sat down on one of the benches, feeling somewhat uneasy.

This was her first time in a detention center, and sure enough, it was filled with a strong musty smell.

The sound of chains dragging on the floor came from outside the door. She looked up and saw Jack, dressed in a blue prison uniform, walk in. He looked haggard, his hair was disheveled, and he had dark circles under his eyes. When he saw Qin Wen, he was stunned for a moment, then gave a calm smile, sat down opposite her, and said, "Why are you here?"

"We've known each other for a while, so I'm here to see how unlucky you've become." Qin Wen pretended to be cold-hearted and said, "I will never forget what you did to me in the tomb passage."

Jack laughed: "Looks like I have another charge against me, but I don't remember raping you."

"What nonsense are you spouting!" Qin Wen blushed, slammed her hand on the table, and stood up. "Try saying that again!"

Before she could finish speaking, a policeman standing nearby cast a sharp glance at her. Qin Wen felt a chill run down her spine, immediately fell silent, and sat back down on the stool. Staring at Jack, she gritted her teeth and said, "Someone like you isn't worth saving! I don't know what got into Xiao Li, that she would..."

Her voice gradually faded, and a blush returned to her face.

Jack gazed at her intently, his eyes filled with sorrow and despair, as if looking at someone he would never see again.

"What...what are you looking at?" Qin Wen asked, blushing.

“You look just like her.” The light in Jack’s eyes gradually dimmed. “The way you speak, your movements, even your eyes—it’s all so similar. I almost mistook you for her…”

"Who do I look like?" Qin Wen asked in surprise. "Your girlfriend, of course."

“No, she was my master, she taught me Chinese martial arts.” Jack recalled that past as if reminiscing about the only joy in his life. “No one knows where she came from, and no one knows who she is. After teaching me martial arts, she disappeared without a trace. Nobody knows where she went, except for Uncle Tian. It’s a pity… Uncle Tian is dead…”

Looking at his expression, Qin Wen felt a pang of sadness well up inside her. She took a white shirt wrapped in clear plastic from her backpack and handed it to the policeman next to her, saying, "This is his change of clothes. Please check it."

The policeman carefully examined the shirt thoroughly before nodding and handing it to Jack. Jack took it and said, "You came all this way just to bring me a shirt?"

"No, I'm here to save you. I hope you can turn over a new leaf." Qin Wen gave him a deep look, stood up, and walked towards the door, faintly hearing Jack's murmur behind her.

“Stanlia…”

As Qin Wen walked out of the detention center, she looked up at the clear sky, and the world seemed as blank and silent as at the beginning of creation.

Three days later, Jack suddenly fainted during his exercise time in the detention center. When he woke up, he had forgotten everything from the past. The paramedics said that when he woke up, his eyes were like green mountains washed by heavy rain, clear and bright, without any impurities, like those of a newborn baby.

Yin Li told Qin Wen that she had put a colorless and odorless poison in her shirt, which would take three days to take effect. The poison was called "Reincarnation".

The sky over Yecheng is a vast expanse of dark blue, and the sun continues to shine relentlessly on the earth, with wisps of heat rising from the concrete ground, making one dizzy.

Yin Li walked to the long-distance bus bound for Kashgar, turned around, and said to Situ Xiang, who was following behind her, "Situ, let's stop here. I'm about to get on the bus."

"Are you really going to continue the Silk Road journey?" Situ Xiang asked in surprise. "I never expected that after experiencing so much, you wouldn't just fly back to your hometown. You're such a strange girl."

"I hope this is a compliment." Yin Li smiled at him, and then saw Qin Wen climb out of the car window and shout, "Xiao Li, get in the car quickly, stop being so lovey-dovey, the car is about to leave!"

Yin Li blushed, turned around, and saw that Situ Xiang also looked embarrassed. She quickly said, "Then I'll go. You should go back first. I hope we'll have a chance to meet again in the future."

"It will happen." Situ Xiang watched her step into the car, then suddenly remembered something and asked loudly, "Xiao Li, what is 'Drumming' from the Book of Songs?"

Yin Li was taken aback for a moment, then smiled brightly. Situ Xiang then heard her singing, a beautiful and melodious song that drifted through the car window and captivated him instantly.

"The drums beat loudly, the soldiers leap into battle. The state of Tu is besieged, while I alone march south. Following Sun Zizhong, we pacify Chen and Song. They will not let me return, my heart is filled with sorrow. Where shall I dwell? Where shall I stay? Where have I lost my horse? Where shall I seek it? Beneath the trees. We made a vow of life and death, a promise to grow old together. Holding your hand, I vowed to grow old with you. Alas, how distant you are! You do not let me live! Alas, how true it is! You do not believe me!"

Situ Xiang didn't understand classical Chinese, but he understood the phrase "holding hands and growing old together." A surge of intense emotion and joy welled up in his chest as he watched the long-distance bus start up, drive onto the highway, and gradually disappear on the horizon.

Yes, Xiao Li, we will meet again.

Throughout the journey to Kashgar, Yin Li wore a cheerful smile. Despite the sweltering heat, she kept the windows open, letting sand and dust blow into the car, causing Qin Wen to cough incessantly. After trying various methods to quell the dust, she had no choice but to take out her coat and cover her head with it.

Women in love are not only terrible, but also foolish and crazy.

Therefore, this journey was a disaster for Qin Wen.

When they arrived in Kashgar, Qin Wen was already exhausted, and Yin Li had to support her to keep her from collapsing.

Due to budget constraints, Yin Li chose a secluded little hotel. The two walked through a long alley, flanked by walls about two people high. Perhaps due to its age, the original white paint on the walls was now peeling and faded. It was unclear which child had played a prank, drawing strange and meaningless pictures with bright red crayons, resembling some kind of ancient religious totem.

As darkness fell, a strange feeling welled up in both of them, as if they had walked into that long and dark tomb passage again, and what awaited them ahead was another tomb chamber.

The alley gradually came to an end, and a two-story building appeared in front of them. It was already pitch black, and the streetlights in front of the building were dimly lit. Four large red neon characters flickered on and off, like constantly blinking eyes.

"This...is this the good place you found?" Qin Wen turned her head and asked Yin Li through gritted teeth.

"Well..." Yin Li knew she was in the wrong, and quickly said, "Don't you think this place has a great atmosphere?"

“Indeed, we could film a horror movie right here, no need for sets.” Qin Wen glared at her fiercely and walked into the shop. As soon as she entered, she saw an old woman with a hunched back standing behind the counter. The old woman had a face full of wrinkles and a short stature. When she saw the two of them come in, she opened her mouth and smiled, revealing her empty gums. “Are you two guests here to stay?”

When Qin Wen saw the old man, her heart skipped a beat. Could it be that even the boss looked exactly like someone from a horror movie?

“Yes, we’re checking into the hotel.” Yin Li agreed and went to the counter to register. The registration book was strange; it looked like a very old booklet with a spine held together by thread. The pages were yellowed and felt smooth and comfortable to the touch, unlike ordinary paper.

After registering, the old lady chuckled, took out a candlestick with a distinct Western Region style from under the counter, lit the candle, and said, "Please follow me, the lights in the second-floor hallway are broken, so we can only use this for lighting."

The two girls exchanged a glance, a wave of fear washing over them. This plot... was far too much like a horror movie!

"Come on over." The old lady standing on the stairs waved to the two of them and said with a smile, "You must be very tired. Come and rest with me."

The two thought for a moment. At this point, going out would be even more dangerous, so they decided to bite the bullet and go ahead. They followed her up to the second floor. The hallway was filled with a strange musty smell, as if no one had lived there for a long time.

The old lady opened one of the doors and said, "Please come in, both of you. There's a telephone inside. If you need anything, just give me a call."

The two thanked the old lady, went inside, and turned on the light. The room was simple, but clean and tidy. They put down their luggage, and a wave of drowsiness washed over them; their eyelids began to stick together, and they couldn't keep them open. Yawning, they quickly took a shower and went to sleep.

The night grew deeper, and the moon outside the window seemed to be obscured by dark clouds, not letting in a single ray of light. Light footsteps sounded in the hallway outside the door, quickly moving to the door, followed by the sound of a key turning.

With a soft click, the door opened silently, and a short, agile figure darted in. He picked up the girls' handbags from the bedside table, gently unzipped them, and reached inside.

A short while later, she pulled out a bluish-green object, a hint of joy flashing in her eyes. Just as she was about to leave, the light snapped on. The short figure paused slightly, then saw Yin Li and Qin Wen walking out of the bathroom, their faces beaming with victorious smiles.

"Grandma, you didn't expect this, did you?" Qin Wen said with a smile.

“You…” The old lady’s eyes widened.

"Don't try to teach a fish to swim," Qin Wen patted Yin Li's shoulder and said, "Putting sleeping pills in candles is a really low-class method. Our little Li used it when she was three years old."

Yin Li glanced at the jade pendant in the old lady's hand and said coldly, "Let's go to the police station and have a proper talk, old lady."

The old woman looked at the two of them and suddenly let out a strange, clattering laugh. The laugh seemed to have a magical power, penetrating their eardrums and reaching their brains.

"Xiaowen! Quick! Plug your ears!" Yin Li covered her ears tightly with both hands, but the sound passed through their palms and kept pouring into their brains, like a sudden tsunami from the Indian Ocean, instantly engulfing everything.

Yin Li felt a sudden dizziness, her head throbbing as if it were about to split open. She screamed and fell to the ground. Her vision began to blur, and she saw the old woman slowly walking towards her. Her face, which had looked extremely fierce, now showed a kind and gentle smile.

Her heart skipped a beat; that smile seemed to be the closest thing to a god!

Suddenly, darkness fell, and the surroundings quieted down, returning to silence.

"Miss...Miss..." A gentle female voice rang in their ears. The two opened their eyes and saw a familiar face. It was the ticket seller on the long-distance bus bound for Kashgar!

They looked around in surprise and found themselves still on the bus. The bus had arrived at the Kashgar station, and it was still daylight. Passengers were getting off the bus one after another.

"Ladies, we've arrived in Kashgar," the ticket seller said with a beaming smile. "Please take your luggage."

The two seemed not to hear her words, staring blankly at each other, unsure of what was real and what was a dream.

Suddenly, Yin Li seemed to remember something and said to Qin Wen, "Quick, quick, check if the jade pendant is still there!"

Qin Wen was shocked and quickly opened her bag, only to find that the compartment where the jade pendant had been was now empty. Even the wooden board was gone, without a trace, as if it had never existed.

The two looked at each other again, remained stunned for a full fifteen minutes, and finally burst into laughter.

It seems that the prophet Apul has retracted her oracle, and all is over.

Qin Wen stood up abruptly and said, "Xiao Li, what are you standing there for? Get off the bus! Our silk journey is only halfway over."

With that, she jumped and skipped off the car, full of energy. Yin Li sighed and followed her off the car. At that moment, the sky was very blue and cloudless. In the vast city of Kashgar, there were crowds of people bustling about like ants.

She's right, the Silk Road journey is not over yet.

Yin Li turned around and looked in the direction of Ye City. She believed that she would never forget that city, that tomb, and the princess who had slept in the tomb and would continue to sleep there.