Сhарtеr 242: Тhe Half-Fасed Ghost Тakes а Вridе Ноstаge
"Why аre you looking at mе likе that?"
Рan Сhi wаs thе first tо withdraw his gаzе аnd shаkе his heаd. "What did you wаnt tо saу?"
Zhu Yan didn’t press furthеr. "I thought of sоmeonе susрiсiоus."
"I аlsо hаve somеоne in mind whо sееms suspiсious," Раn Chi and Shеn Du sаid in unison.
Тhe three оf them lookеd аt еaсh other and аlmоst simultаneоuslу sроkе а namе.
"Ji Dаfu."
Aftеr saуing it, all threе laughеd.
"Вut Ji Dаfu is inherеntlу susрiсious. It would be vеry difficult to truly uncоver his backgrоund. Our prеvious аttеmpts tо probe him didn’t go smoothly," Pan Chi hesitated.
To Zhu Yan, this was no obstacle—where there’s a will, there’s a way.
"Our last investigation was far from satisfying. The back of Ji Dafu’s gambling den is at most a branch, not the main headquarters. To uproot it completely, we must investigate again," Zhu Yan stated firmly.
Pan Chi and Shen Du agreed.
"Pan Chi, you continue playing Liu Qingming. Meet with Ji Dafu, but be careful with your questions to avoid exposing any flaws," Zhu Yan said, thinking aloud.
A glint of shrewdness flashed in Pan Chi’s eyes. "That’s possible, but I’m outnumbered. If I slip up somewhere, wouldn’t it be a case of losing the wife and the soldiers?"
Zhu Yan ignored his shameless remark.
"How about you come with me? You can keep playing your role as Master Wan Er," Pan Chi continued, testing the waters with Zhu Yan.
"You saw how respectfully Ji Dafu treated you last time. He must think you’re foolish but rich—everyone likes that. So this time, put on that foolish act again to make Ji Dafu lower his guard. That way, I can find an opening," Pan Chi analyzed further.
"I’ll just casually deceive Ji Dafu—whether by playing the victim or pretending to want money, we’ll adapt as we go. If we coordinate well, we’ll achieve twice the result with half the effort," Pan Chi’s elaborate reasoning wasn’t without merit.
Zhu Yan nodded in agreement, clapping her hands in approval. If they went together, their chances of success might be greater.
Shen Du, who had been silent on the side, listened as the two spoke more and more recklessly. He pulled Zhu Yan aside and tapped her head:
"Do you believe everything he says? Are you a pig?"
Zhu Yan was displeased, but since solving the case was important, she decided not to argue with Shen Du and instead urged:
"Let’s hurry and start taking action."
The three hadn’t walked far when a rider galloped toward them at full speed.
Zhu Yan looked closely and saw it was one of Sun Tan’s subordinates.
"Lord Zhu!" the man shouted, dismounting and rushing forward.
A sense of foreboding immediately rose in Zhu Yan.
"Lord Zhu, Commander Sun has sent word. There’s trouble at the city gate. He requests your immediate presence. I’ve prepared horses," he said, and several fast horses trotted up behind him.
An ominous feeling settled over her.
"What happened?" Zhu Yan inquired.
"It’s related to the Half-Faced Ghost," the subordinate replied urgently, frowning. "Let’s go quickly, or it’ll be too late."
Hearing it was about the Half-Faced Ghost, the three wasted no time. They swiftly mounted their horses and followed Sun Tan’s subordinate. Galloping at full speed, they soon arrived at the city gate.
Mo Qianzhi and his men were already standing not far away, confronting the Half-Faced Ghost. Shen Du quickly dismounted and stepped forward, staring at the Half-Faced Ghost across from them.
There, the Half-Faced Ghost was holding a woman hostage, his arrogance palpable."This woman looks familiar," Pan Chi whispered, then after a moment of thought, suddenly remembered. "Isn't this Du Xiaowan, the bride from the bride case!"
Zhu Yan furrowed her brows, staring intently at the Half-Faced Ghost and the girl he held captive. Suddenly, her heart ached, and she grabbed Shen Du's wrist with one hand, her gaze drifting into the distance.
Fragmented memories flashed through her mind—this scene felt inexplicably familiar, stirring up distant recollections.
In that memory, she too had been held by the neck like this, a thin blade pressed against her throat...
Seeing her pale expression, Shen Du couldn't help but worry. "Are you alright?"
Shen Du tried to release Zhu Yan's hand to hold her in a different way, but her grip on his wrist remained tight and unyielding.
Zhu Yan looked anxious and somewhat panicked, making Shen Du's heart ache. He shouldn't have brought her to such a scene.
At that moment, the Half-Faced Ghost across from them, seeing the many arrivals, burst into loud laughter. He tightened his grip on Du Xiaowan's neck and rambled a few words: "Good, everyone who should be here is here. I'll give you all a good show—how to eat a person!"
Du Xiaowan, frail and trembling under the Half-Faced Ghost's restraint, wept softly.
Annoyed by her crying, the Half-Faced Ghost shouted, "Cry again, and I'll cut your head off!" As he spoke, he brought the dagger closer to her neck.
A thin cut on Du Xiaowan's neck began to bleed.
Seeing the Half-Faced Ghost's weapon and actions showed no sign of easing, Pan Chi grew troubled. Saving Du Xiaowan would likely be difficult.
Mo Qianzhi lifted the hem of his official robe and stepped forward with his men, saying, "Half-Faced Ghost, release Li Du-shi first, and we can discuss everything."
Upon hearing this, the Half-Faced Ghost laughed loudly, his hoarse voice tinged with mockery. "Do you really think I'm a fool? How could you, the esteemed Prefect of Yingzhou, ever let me go? Mo Qianzhi! Are you toying with me like a monkey?"
Mo Qianzhi frowned slightly but continued gently, "You know the situation. If you release her, there are still terms to discuss."
Before Mo Qianzhi could finish, the Half-Faced Ghost spat disdainfully. "Stop with your clever words!"
He then burst into laughter again, the sound shrill and eerie, like a malevolent ghost from the underworld, unsettling everyone.
"Seventy years in this world is not enough—better to become an immortal for ten thousand years," the Half-Faced Ghost muttered incessantly, gripping his curved blade tightly. "Life is death, death is life, an endless cycle, ever-renewing. If there were a perfect method, what would immortality matter?"
"What is he saying?" Pan Chi muttered in confusion. Shen Du didn't quite understand either and silently shook his head.
"I am a wandering ghost in this world. If one day I am reborn, I vow to show heaven and earth the difference between life and death. Swallow them into my belly and be reborn again, over and over..."
The Half-Faced Ghost grew increasingly unrestrained in his speech, leaving everyone staring in bewilderment at this madman raving in the distance.
At that moment, Mo Qianzhi lowered his hand and quickly made a gesture. Captain Mo immediately moved to the rear, ordering the archers to prepare.
As the command was given, the Half-Faced Ghost across from them suddenly called out Mo Qianzhi's name. "Hey, little Prefect."
Mo Qianzhi furrowed his brows, clasping his hands behind his back as he stared intently at the Half-Faced Ghost. "If you promise not to investigate this matter further, I can agree to release her. How about it? That's a good deal, isn't it?"Mo Qianzhi did not reply, glaring at the Half-Faced Ghost as it continued speaking. The creature indeed had more to say: "If you refuse to agree, I will devour all the people of Yingzhou City! This vast Yingzhou will become a desolate ruin!"
Hearing this, Mo Qianzhi burst into laughter. "If you have the courage, devour me first! I am right here waiting for you! If you cannot, then quickly release Li Du-shi, and there may still be a way for you to survive."
The Half-Faced Ghost clearly did not believe Mo Qianzhi's words and once again used its curved blade to injure Du Xiaowan.
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