Женский труп, завернутый в ткань, лежал в шкафу

Глава 15

Just then, someone knocked on the door. Manager Wu hurriedly urged his daughter to leave, saying, "Do you understand? It wasn't me! Go back! Don't say anything. You know nothing, just remember that!"

Wu Bingbing went home. But her father didn't come home that afternoon.

He was called over by the police for questioning and never returned. The Public Security Bureau officially notified his family that President Wu had been detained on suspicion of intentional homicide.

The situation was simple. During their investigation of the scene, police found a photograph of Bank Manager Wu and the female employee tucked inside a book. Inquiring with the neighbors, they discovered that the man was a frequent visitor. An elderly woman testified that he had been there on the day of the incident. When Bank Manager Wu was brought to the police station, seeing the photograph was a devastating blow; he sighed repeatedly. He had been so meticulous in his planning that he had taken all her belongings, hoping to avoid suspicion, but he hadn't expected to leave behind a photograph. Thus, he had no choice but to admit to their relationship and to having visited her house that noon, but he denied killing her.

The police notified the family to bring bedding and clothes to the detention center. Wu Bingbing met with her father in the presence of the police. Her father, suddenly imprisoned, was a completely different person; his face was filled with anxiety and pain, and his entire being was radiating an overwhelming sorrow. He looked at his daughter with almost pity, repeatedly saying, "Believe me, I didn't kill her, I didn't kill her!"

Bingbing said, "I know, Dad. I'll find a way to save you."

Afterwards, Wu Bingbing went to the police station, found the officers handling the case, and said she had important information to report. She told them, "Dad isn't the murderer. The murderer's name is Jiang Lan, and she's a female ghost, really."

She knew where that woman lived all along, and once she even urged me to kill her, really. Now she's killing that woman to frame and harm my father, all because I didn't listen to her.

She threatened me, saying she'd kill my whole family if I didn't listen to her, really. She even killed my grandmother; you can investigate if you don't believe me. She plans to kill many more people to quell her anger, really. She can fly, she has superpowers, no one can stop her… really, I'm telling the truth! Why are you doing this?

The police officers listened at first, but then they started laughing and joking with each other, and some even walked away.

Wu Bingbing became anxious: "You don't believe me? Do you think I'm talking nonsense?"

Just then, an older policeman came over, patted her on the shoulder, and comforted her, saying, "I understand you're anxious about your father's case. Trust me, we'll find out the truth. If he wasn't murdered, we won't wrongly accuse him. Trust the organization, trust the police, and go home with peace of mind."

He then called someone to drive Wu Bingbing away: "She may have suffered some kind of nerve damage."

“I’m telling the truth, why don’t you believe me?” Wu Bingbing exclaimed.

Two policemen shoved Wu Bingbing out the door and tried to shove her into the car. She angrily broke free, shouting, "I won't let you take me! I'll leave! I'll leave!"

As she walked out of the police station compound and across the street, she felt dizzy and collapsed onto the roadside. Then, she covered her face and began to sob.

Chapter Fourteen

In an instant, the candle in front of them went out, the room dimmed, and a halo appeared in the corner, like the light from a flashlight. From within it, a transparent figure emerged, huddled against the wall, weeping…

Near the end of the workday, Wu Bingbing called Zhang Qun again, wanting to meet her.

Half an hour later, the two of them sat down at a coffee shop near the park. Bathed in the orange glow of the sunset streaming through the window, the steam rising from their coffee cups mirrored the unfolding thoughts of Wu Bingbing as she spoke. Zhang Qun forgot to stir her coffee and listened intently.

"...And so, I found myself passively trapped in a predicament and danger, like a tangled mess that I couldn't untangle, or a fog from which I couldn't escape. I watched my family members suffer one by one, not knowing what to do."

"I have no reason not to believe what you're saying; it's truly unbelievable."

“I can’t let you see it with your own eyes. I can’t decide for her; it depends on whether she wants to…”

"I know. But, is there anything you need my help with that you've contacted me for?"

"Yes. I once heard you mention that you have a relative who studies the Book of Changes?"

"Oh, right, my great-uncle! He might be able to help you, by the way!"

"You said last time that he could predict good and bad fortune, does he also have psychic abilities?"

"Yes, he can predict the future. As for psychic abilities, his colleagues can, he's said so. They study the soul, and several of them are among the top masters in the country."

"I'd like to ask them for help. Could you introduce me?"

"Of course. I think they can clear up your confusion."

Thank you. Can we go now?

"Now? It's over 30 kilometers from here—okay then!"

Soon, they arrived at the old town in the east of the city by taxi, turning and zigzagging down a secluded street. Zhang Qun rolled down the window and leaned out to look, finally finding the dilapidated building. Zhang Qun said the building was half a century old, built when the Japanese were operating an arms factory. After decades of weathering, this four-story mixed-structure building was filthy, with mottled walls, and quite unsightly. To the left of the building was a factory that had been abandoned for many years, and to the right was a mental hospital, making the place particularly quiet. Zhang Qun led Bingbing straight upstairs and pushed open a door in the dimly lit hallway.

An elderly man with a full head of white hair was reading a book. He held a magnifying glass in one hand and a large, openthread-bound book in the other. When someone walked in, he looked up, sized them up, and asked, "Looking for someone?"

"I was looking for you!" Zhang Qun said with a smile. "Grandpa, have you forgotten me?"

"Oh, oh—who do we have here? It's the little rabbit!"

Zhang Qun said to Bingbing, "That's my nickname." Then he walked over. "Oh, Uncle, how are you? Grandma sent me to see you!"

“Very well,” the old man said loudly. “How is my little sister?”

"Grandma is in good health; she talks about you every day!"

The old man was delighted and invited them to sit, saying, "Let me see if I have anything good to give the little rabbit." He searched the house for a long time but found nothing. Zhang Qun quickly said, "No need, Uncle, we bought you some food." The old man took what she handed him and opened it: "Then I'll use this to treat you!"

While Zhang Qun was talking to the old man, Bingbing looked around the room and saw three wooden plaques of different sizes hanging on the wall. They were in their original color and had characters carved on them: Southern I Ching Research Association, Southern Headquarters of Qimen Dunjia Research, Taishang Wuji Gongfa Guidance, Bigu Meditation Guidance, Paranormal Studies Research, Predictive Studies Research, Mysterious Phenomena Research... The plaques were covered with carvings. Zhang Qun walked over and saw them too. He said quickly, "Uncle, what kind of research are you doing? Look at what's written on these. Some are Taoist, and some are Buddhist. We're completely confused."

The old man held up two fingers and said, "One is life and death, the other is the soul; these are what we care about."

Every religion is merely an external manifestation of the human condition, while our study focuses on the essence of humanity, on life, death, and the soul. This is why we have gathered masters from all walks of life to collectively address and explore this issue, regardless of their initial perspectives.

Wu Bingbing and Zhang Qun asked in unison, "Where are they?" But before they could finish speaking, they both froze. Zhang Qun casually pushed open a door and saw many people standing in a row inside, clearly engaged in some kind of ceremony. No one spoke. She quickly closed the door. Then, she pushed open another door and saw many people sitting together, chanting scriptures in a low, murmuring manner. Next, she pushed open a third door a crack, and smoke rushed out. She heard a voice shouting, "Go that way!—"

Soon, they sat properly in front of the old man and asked for his help.

After listening to Wu Bingbing's account, the old man stroked his white hair and beard, squinted his eyes in thought, and said with a distant gaze, "We have noticed the frequent murders that have occurred in this city recently. Many people have died under mysterious circumstances, but we cannot find any connection between these murders. My junior sister, Master Hongtai, has been pursuing this matter. I think she can help you. Please wait a moment."

The old man stood up from his chair, turned sideways, and pushed open the cabinet beside him. It turned out to be a hidden door leading to a deep corridor. He walked in, and all that could be heard was the sound of his footsteps receding into the distance. Both men were stunned; they hadn't expected the old building to be so large inside. It was as if these people had created a multi-dimensional world, making the originally limited space feel like a hidden paradise.

After a while, the door opened, and the old man led in a woman dressed entirely in a gray robe. Wu Bingbing felt she looked familiar, and suddenly remembered, her mouth agape. It was the strange woman who had followed her half a month ago.

"You are—that—?"

The woman recognized her and nodded knowingly.

"That kind person?"

"Yes, not a nasty stalker. Have a seat."

After sitting down, the woman said, "Is there anything you want to tell me? Perhaps I can help."

Bingbing said, "Yes, ever since I had heart surgery, I've had constant nightmares. That ghost keeps following me, haunting me, and driving me to do things I don't want to do, making it hard for me to distinguish between dreams and reality."

The woman, named Master Hongtai, listened quietly, gesturing with her eyes for her to continue.

"All the heart transplant patients are dead, leaving only me. I don't know when they'll kill me. And many other heart transplant recipients are dying inexplicably. I know it's all that female ghost's doing. But I'm powerless. She threatens me again and again, setting traps to push me into an inescapable situation, driving me to kill and become a murderer like her. Now my father has been framed by her, and the police have arrested him for murder. How can I uncover the truth, save my father, and save my family?"

Master Hongtai said, “This is a vengeful spirit with strong demonic power. I discovered her trail a long time ago and followed it, but I have never made direct contact with her. I think we should talk to her first to see her past and present situation. Come tomorrow afternoon and I will summon her soul, bringing two items from her past. They contain information about her, and only then can I see her past.”

Just then, someone called for Master Hongtai. She said it was settled, and they would come again tomorrow, then left with the person. When Bingbing and Zhang Qun said goodbye to the small building, they suddenly realized it was already night outside. It had been brightly lit inside, so why was it so dark outside? Looking up at the building again, all the windows were dark; the entire building was shrouded in darkness. Remembering the many rooms and people inside, they felt even more mysterious and incomprehensible.

The following afternoon, because Zhang Qun was busy with other interviews, Wu Bingbing came to the small building alone. She brought Jiang Lan's red leather handbag and placed it in front of Master Hongtai. Master Hongtai picked it up, examined it carefully, and said, "Two of her things. I need at least two."

Bingbing said, "There's one more thing on me—her heart."

Master Hongtai led her to a room enclosed by black curtains. In the center stood a square altar with a hole in the middle containing water, from which a round stone rolled. The master sat on a chair beside it and had Bingbing sit in front of him, holding the small red bag, remaining silent. The master opened his eyes and looked at her for a while, then closed them again to meditate, chanting incantations.

Bingbing suddenly felt her heart race, and a wave of sorrow washed over her.

The monk was drawing talismans on the altar and continuing to chant something.

Bingbing felt waves of pain in her heart; she appeared agitated and restless, her nose stung, and she wanted to cry.

The monk stared at the sphere rolling in the water on the altar and exclaimed, "I see it! I see this ghost! She wanders around, sometimes gathering together, sometimes scattering. She is full of resentment and cannot concentrate. She floats between the mortal world and the underworld, nourishing herself by hunting other people's souls to increase her magic power."

Bingbing said, "That's why she killed so many people, and she'll keep killing."

The monk said, "Let's look at her past, what's in the background of this wandering soul... Hmm, I see mountains, shrouded in dark clouds, and large, lush thickets of trees, blooming with large flowers—"

“It’s oleander. I’ve seen it in my dreams too.”

“There are countless eyes watching from the woods, where many wild beasts and people lurk.”

"Can you tell me exactly where that mountain is? It must be the place where she was born."

"I only saw a small river, flowing down the mountain and into a larger river in the distance. The water was murky and yellowish. Low houses were scattered along the riverbanks—"

"I also dreamed about houses. What kind of people lived in those houses?"

"I heard a baby crying. A naked baby girl was being held in the arms of a beautiful young woman with long hair. She put the baby down, took out a pair of scissors, cut off a lock of her hair, and stuffed it into something shiny. Hmm, it was a silver longevity lock. Then, she cut her palm until it bled and dripped the blood onto her hair; then, she lit the hair on fire, muttering something unintelligible, as if she were casting a spell..."

“I once saw this scene in a dream.”

"The ceremony in the black smoke ended, and the woman closed the lid of the longevity lock and hung it around the baby girl's neck. The crying baby girl soon stopped crying."

"Who is that baby girl? Is it Jiang Lan? Is it her when she was little?"

"A childhood of suffering! A pervasive sense of disaster and death. Dangerous eyes lurk everywhere, the eyes of men and beasts, circling around the girl, yet unable to approach her. Clearly, they fear the enchanted longevity lock."

"I want to know what happened to her afterward, what became of her as an adult?"

"There was so much fog, nothing but fog, so chaotic, that it was impossible to see her clearly. She was completely enveloped in the mist... Faces appeared, overlapping each other, like paintings, the figures in the paintings constantly changing, they were her incarnations, one coming and going like a revolving lantern. Some voices said that she was someone who had died several times..."

"How did she leave her hometown? Where did she go? Can you tell?"

"You could see her running, being chased by wild beasts, running for her life... packs of wild beasts, tearing apart small animals. The road was littered with corpses. She fled towards the mountains... there was a forest, and a wolf came out of it, blocking her path. The wolf pounced on her and pinned her down. The longevity lock flashed a blinding light, and the wolf was so frightened that it quickly retreated."

"You said she's someone who's died several times, what do you mean?"

"I saw her jump into the river to commit suicide, and I saw her jump off a cliff to commit suicide. There was a terrifying flash of blood, and a shadowy figure looming behind her, like a demon following her... She was covered in wounds, dripping with blood. I saw her fall repeatedly, then get up and run forward, her body swaying... She ran from one city to another, weaving and hiding among the skyscrapers, her heart filled with sorrow, yet forcing a smile on her face. I saw many wild beasts still chasing and attacking her... The amulet—the silver longevity lock—was no longer on her. She was powerless to resist, only able to flee, but her body was still scratched countless times by the wild beasts. She kept clutching her chest and groaning: 'Pain, pain—'"

Master Hongtai picked up a long-necked bottle beside her, took a large gulp of water, and spat it out, spraying out large plumes of green mist. She continued, "...I saw fire, raging fiercely. In the firelight, she was painting with a brush, her clothes burning, revealing her naked body, beautiful as an elf. And the palette knife in her hand, flashing blindingly in the fire—um, I saw her plunge the palette knife into a person's chest, the person fell, the flames rushed up, gnawing hungrily, until only a skeleton remained. She was killing people relentlessly, hordes of ghosts groveling at her feet. In the fierce flames, I could vaguely see scattered skeletons, many heads and bones."

Was she killed while she was alive, or after she was dead?

"I don't know what the difference is between her killing while she's alive and after she's dead, but I can tell that she's a mad soul, engulfed in a raging fire, filled with resentment and hatred, venting it at will, cruelly hunting down one life after another, enjoying the thrill of bloodlust and the excitement of revenge... We must control her, otherwise, this fire will burn brighter and spread, and more people will die."

"I just want to know how to stop her?"

"To put out the fire on her body, you need that longevity lock."

"A longevity lock? The longevity lock she wore when she was little?"

"Yes, her mother put it on her after she was born, and she wore it not only when she was little, but also until she was old. Her mother was a witch, and she cast a spell on that longevity lock, locking her daughter's soul in it, and also drawing half of her own soul into it to accompany her... From then on, she always wore it around her neck. Because if she lost it, she would lose her soul, lose her mind, and lose her direction; she couldn't live without that longevity lock... Now, only by finding that longevity lock can the resentment of the evil spirit be appeased, her fragmented soul be reunited, and the fire of her mad revenge be extinguished."

Next, Master Hongtai began to summon the spirit. She held the Yin-Yang compass in her hand, closed her eyes, and chanted incantations.

In an instant, the candle in front of them went out, the room dimmed, and a ring of light appeared in the corner, like the light from a flashlight. From within it, a transparent figure emerged, huddled at the bottom of the wall. Her face and clothes were not visible, but her weeping, like the whisper of the wind, could be heard.

Master Hongtai said, “She was speaking, and I could hear her sobbing… She said she hated men, that her whole life had been chased and bitten by men like wild beasts. She didn’t know when she lost the talisman her mother had given her—that longevity lock to ward off evil and disaster. She lost the incantation her mother used to chant, lost the protection of her mother’s soul, and lost the ability to protect herself. She was powerless to resist the barbaric attacks, and from then on, her body and mind were always wounded. She said that from that time on, she began to lose herself, no longer able to endure the suffering of ordinary people, no longer possessing the virtues and tenderness of a woman. Wildness and evil took hold of her, and she began to take revenge, began to kill… She wanted to balance her mind, to even out the harm others had done to her for her excessive behavior. She said that she was very tired right now, she wanted a place to belong, she wanted to see her mother, she wanted to be with her mother, she wanted to be like when she was a child, wearing the cotton clothes her mother made for her, with her hair styled in a high bun by her mother, wearing that longevity lock with the jingling bell, running freely on the hillside in front of her old home—”

Master Hongtai stopped speaking, sitting there with her eyes closed for a long time, seemingly immersed in her sorrow. Finally, she looked up, exhaled, shook her head, and looked at Bingbing. "In this world, everything is mutually restraining, like water and fire, like yin and yang complementing each other. To confront and suppress this vengeful spirit will only backfire, escalating the situation beyond repair and trapping more people in a cycle of revenge. The best way is to appease her resentment, to guide her. Find out her past, uncover the knot of her grievances, and untie it. Find the longevity lock that has been with her throughout her life; this will bind her scattered seven souls and six spirits, subdue her unruly soul, quell her resentment in the mortal world, and allow this restless, vengeful spirit to find peace."

Bingbing said, "If that's the case, I believe I can find out about her past and find that longevity lock. However, you need to tell me where she's from and where her home is."

The monk said, "That's all I can tell you. I can't tell where she's from. Like you, I see nothing but fog around her. Her past is shrouded in mystery, even I find it enigmatic. All I see is a large mountain in front of her village, a small river flowing in front of the mountain, and then a large river flowing into the distance..."

Bingbing pondered for a moment and said, "There's a big mountain in front of the village, and that little river flows into a big river...?"

I've seen that mountain many times in my dreams, its front covered with endless oleanders... I even had a dream one winter where it was still in front of that mountain, with thick snow falling... First of all, it must be in the north; such heavy snow can only be found north of the Yangtze River. The great river must be the Yellow River.

Yes, I once flew there with her in a dream. She said it was 3,000 kilometers from home. Is the great river 3,000 kilometers from here the Yellow River? As for that small river flowing from the mountains into the great river, that's the river in front of her house. If you follow the great river to find that small river, you'll find her house.

“You and she are of one mind. I believe you will find her hometown.”