Zhang Yonghe sighed and said, "Our deployment of forces in the village made no progress in the first two months, so I came up with another plan: to ambush the monster outside the village. The idea was to capture it when it appeared outside. But the strange thing is, we set up a very tight perimeter outside the village; we could spot even a rat running into the village. However, the dead sheep incidents continued, and we still found nothing outside. This 'ghost' is becoming increasingly bizarre, and the villagers are becoming more and more afraid. We organized a thorough search, checking every possible hiding place, but we couldn't find any trace of the monster. It seems to emerge from underground, commit its crimes, and then return underground. Fortunately, it doesn't come out during the day and hasn't attacked anyone, so the village is a little safer."
“I don’t believe in ghosts or monsters, but this case is just too bizarre. The local authorities have sent forces to investigate, but they haven’t come to any conclusions. They just say it was the work of a wild animal. There’s nothing we can do but continue to ambush in Aken Village, hoping that one day the monster will make a mistake so we can capture or kill it,” Zhang Yonghe said helplessly.
“Alright, I have to rush back to Aken Village in a bit. If you’re scared, then don’t go,” Zhang Yonghe said, standing up.
“Let’s go!” Song Hao and Tang Yu said in unison.
At this moment, Liu Yong came in, greeted Song Hao and Tang Yu warmly, and handed a bowl of herbal medicine to Zhang Yonghe, saying, "Director, the Chinese medicine prescribed by Dr. Song is ready. Please drink it while it's hot."
"Thank you both so much. I thought my illness was incurable, but I really can't leave until I solve the case of the haunted village of Aken," Zhang Yonghe said gratefully. He then drank the medicine.
"Don't worry, Chief Zhang. As long as you take your medicine on time, I guarantee you can be cured of all your ailments," Song Hao said. He was deeply moved by this dedicated and good policeman.
"Xiao Liu, get ready. Dr. Song and Miss Tang Yu are also coming with us to Aken Village to assist us in solving the case," Zhang Yonghe instructed.
"Really!?" Liu Yong exclaimed in surprise, "Curiosity kills the man, have you thought this through?"
Song Hao laughed and said, "I've made up my mind. I definitely want to see what kind of monster it is."
“Everyone says it’s a monster, and it should be able to fly like in the movies, otherwise it would appear and disappear without a trace. But Director Zhang just doesn’t believe it,” Liu Yong said.
“If you were a monster, none of us would be alive. How could you be standing here talking?” Zhang Yonghe said.
"It's probably a monster that hasn't yet attained enlightenment; it can only suck sheep's blood and doesn't dare to eat people," Liu Yong said.
"You're supposed to be a policeman, yet you believe in such strange tales. You can only say this here, not in Aken Village, otherwise you'll frighten the villagers even more," Zhang Jihe scolded.
"I understand that. I just don't believe that even a monster can dodge my bullets," Liu Yong said, touching the pistol at his waist.
Aken Village, Village Committee.
Several village officials sat there with worried expressions. Seeing Zhang Yonghe bring the two passersby back, they paid no attention. It was only because police were stationed in the village that the villagers were willing to abandon it; the monster was causing such a ruckus that the villagers all thought they had encountered a ghost, and they hoped the police's yang energy could subdue it.
Song Hao and Tang Yu did not participate in their discussion, but instead went to observe the village. Aken Village did not appear wealthy; most houses were made of mud and stone, and the villagers were simple and honest. However, the monster's disturbance had shattered this peaceful rural life. There were fewer pedestrians outside, and even fewer children; most were hiding at home.
"Why did the monster only target Aken Village, while the neighboring villages remained unscathed?" Tang Yu asked.
Song Hao said worriedly, "If what Director Zhang said is true, the monster is still hiding in the village and did not come from outside the village, which will only make this matter more complicated and serious. Whether it is a monster or some kind of special beast, although it has not harmed anyone yet, it is still a bloodthirsty creature. In time, I'm afraid it will also attack people."
"Then where could it be hiding? On the way here, Director Zhang said that they searched very carefully and didn't miss any suspicious places, but still found nothing. If the monster is still hiding in the village, it can only be hiding in someone's house. Could it be that it has the ability to disappear?" Tang Yu asked, puzzled.
"Chief Zhang said that the monster has been quiet for two days, but it's likely to make another move in the next few days. However, it's very alert, able to avoid ambushes set up by the police and villagers, or even commit crimes unexpectedly right under the villagers' noses. This is no ordinary intelligence; it's far beyond human capabilities. Moreover, it's strong yet agile, making it an extremely dangerous monster that's not easy to deal with. If you encounter it tonight, be extremely careful," Song Hao said.
Seeing that Song Hao was concerned about her safety, Tang Yu smiled gratefully and said, "Don't worry, I will do what I can." In secret, she was overjoyed.
When the two returned to the village committee, several villagers were still sitting there. Liu Yong smiled and said, "You're back. We heard that Dr. Song treated Director Zhang, and now a few villagers also want you to take a look. This place is remote and lacks medical care and medicine. People usually endure minor illnesses and refuse to seek treatment even when they become serious. They only try to get medical help when they feel it's too late. Since this is convenient, Dr. Song, please take a look at everyone's illnesses."
Song Hao said, "It's alright, this is my profession, and I can't refuse." After saying that, he sat down and began to treat the villagers' illnesses.
Dinner was served at the village committee office; it was a very lavish meal, including a large pot of mutton that was cooked until very tender.
Zhang Yonghe said, "These are the sheep that the monster killed. They've been tested and found to be non-poisonous, so you can eat them without worry. We can still sell some now, but at first, it wasn't possible. Everyone thought they were killed by ghosts and monsters, and that eating them would bring bad luck. The families who suffered losses refused to eat them themselves and buried dozens of them."
Song Hao asked, "Are we still staking out the site tonight?"
Zhang Yonghe said, "There's no other way, this is the only option. Xiao Liu and I, along with the village militia, a dozen or so people, will split into two groups and lie in ambush. For safety, we can't be too scattered."
Tang Yu said, "The fact that there are too few people and they are too concentrated is one of the reasons why the monster's traces were not found, giving it an opportunity to take advantage of the situation."
Zhang Yonghe said, "There's no other way. We can only mobilize these people for now. Only Xiao Liu and I are armed, so protecting everyone's safety is also very important."
Tang Yu said, "Director Zhang, could you allow me to move around freely tonight? Of course, I will be careful. If I discover anything unusual, I will alert you in time and carry out a roundup."
Zhang Yonghe shook his head and said, "That won't do. If something happens, I'll be letting you down."
Tang Yu said, "I will protect myself. You all stay hidden and don't move around. Too many people moving around will alert the monster. I have already observed the terrain in the village and know how to advance and retreat. If we find the monster, I will not underestimate it. I will try my best to lure it into the ambush and then work together to capture it."
Zhang Yonghe considered for a moment and said, "Are you confident in your own safety?"
Tang Yu laughed and said, "To be honest, Director Zhang, when I was fifteen, I once hunted seven wolves in the wild all by myself, killing three, injuring two, and letting two escape. As for people, I can easily handle a dozen or so experts. Even if there is danger, I am confident in my ability to escape."
"Miss Tang is so amazing!" Liu Yong exclaimed in surprise.
Zhang Yonghe nodded and said, "It seems you came prepared. Good. If you find anything unusual, warn us immediately. Don't underestimate the enemy."
As night fell, Aken Village was once again shrouded in darkness. Tang Yu went off alone to scout, while Song Hao stayed by Zhang Yonghe's side, setting up an ambush near a family's sheepfold.
"Why is it so dark here at night?" Song Hao said.
"The weather has been gloomy lately, with few stars and moons, which has made the ambush operation quite difficult. However, the monster doesn't come out on moonlit nights, for fear of revealing its position. That's why they say it's highly intelligent!" Zhang Yonghe replied softly.
Tang Yu lay in ambush on the roof of the tallest building in the village, an earthen building, a spot he had scouted during the day. After his eyesight adjusted to the darkness, he could vaguely make out the outlines of houses about twenty meters away.
The countryside was eerily quiet at night; everything lay still, all processes ceased, even time itself seemed to stand still. Only the occasional gust of wind and sand brought one to the sudden awareness of the world's existence and the dangers that lay ahead.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Under Heaven - Volume Two: The Heavenly Physician's Hall - Chapter Thirty-Five: The Ghostly Pulse
Where there is an inexplicable illness, there must be an inexplicable pulse. Strange illnesses in the human body arise from imbalances in Yin and Yang. Is the theory of "ghosts and spirits," a mere utter nonsense during times of incomprehension, truly valid?
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At midnight, Tang Yu sensed something unusual in the cold night wind and immediately became alert.
At this moment, Song Hao was wrapped in a sheepskin coat lent to him by a villager and was leaning against the corner of the wall, half asleep. Zhang Yonghe gently nudged him and said in a low voice, "Miss Tang has given a warning; she should have discovered something."
Upon hearing this, Song Hao was startled and immediately perked up. However, after waiting for more than an hour, there was still no movement.
"What is Tang Yu up to, making everyone so nervous!" Song Hao thought to himself.