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墨書 Inktalez
The Gu Family Old Residence, located in the heart of Rongcheng, has stood for over a century, maintaining its imposing presence despite the family's decline and the absence of residents for decades. It has become a landmark, referenced in daily life rather than using cardinal directions; people navigate by its presence, extending their descriptions from this central point.
Shui Su's elementary school is directly across from the back gate of this grand yet dusty estate. As a child, he often wondered if terrifying monsters lurked behind those opulent doors, ready to swallow him whole, or if wise hermits resided within, leaping from rooftops at night to uphold justice.
Now, he finds himself within this very courtyard.
If the Jiang Family Courtyard was meticulously planned according to blueprints, then the Gu Family Courtyard was built with wild abandon. Buildings of various sizes and styles are scattered throughout the walls of the estate, resembling an ancient city rather than a private residence. Shui Su recalls someone mentioning that the Gu Family's home expanded from a small initial structure, with subsequent buildings constructed around it without regard for aesthetics.
The entire courtyard is a maze of winding paths that can easily confuse anyone. Shui Su feels as though he has passed a particular room only to turn a corner and find another identical one. He remains remarkably calm, leading the way while several infiltrators in their midst urge him to hurry with harsh tones.
He is unnervingly composed.
Xiao Mei beams with amusement. She can see fear in the eyes of those around them; after all, in their line of work, they have likely never encountered someone so unfazed by their situation. Shui Su behaves as if he is merely visiting relatives, casting no extra glances at them and occasionally tilting his head to exchange gentle smiles with Xiao Mei when their eyes meet.
The other members of the Jiang Family display similar indifference. Though their hands are bound and their mouths gagged with cloth strips, they walk on without concern or unnecessary observations.
Xiao Mei wonders about Bunan and Xin Yi. Gazing at the clouds above that mirror the darkness of night, she suddenly thinks of her friends. Since entering the well, they had agreed to cut off communication; now that their devices have been confiscated, reaching out is impossible.
She has faith in her lucky and capable friends, but her worry does not diminish. In the past, they had acted separately without such complete disconnection. Having Xin Yi by Bunan's side was a source of comfort for them; however, no one knows what lies beneath that hospital. If circumstances forced them apart, it could be perilous.
Shui Su and Song Bunan devised their plan with assistance from a female ghost who informed them that there were no longer any threats below—only a few abandoned failures remained there, far less formidable than those earlier prototypes. Their only challenge is that even the ghosts emerging from below do not know where the exit is located.
They have concealed the official exit using methods inaccessible to ordinary spirits; even many staff members involved are unaware of it. Each time someone enters or exits, they are guided by designated personnel who blindfold them to eliminate any chance of discovery.
Song Bunan expressed his confidence that he and Xin Yi would surely find a way out and take any useful information with them. Once they regrouped with the main force outside, they would immediately head to the Gu Family Old Residence. As for how to make contact once they arrived, they would have to adapt to the situation as it unfolded.
Shui Su agreed with his plan. Just as they were about to split into teams, everyone gathered by the well. Song Bunan took Xin Yi down into the well first. At that moment, when Shui Su pretended he was going to follow, the people from the laboratory sprang into action, capturing them. Helpers emerged from the shadows, leaving no room for resistance.
Within this estate, the Gu Family had no intention of hiding their movements. Clay jars inscribed with runes lay haphazardly on the ground, some already broken, revealing white granular ash mixed with strange yellow scraps of paper inside.
The place was eerily devoid of life, yet occasionally lit rooms revealed shadowy figures dressed in sterile hospital gowns moving about. Various voices could be heard discussing whether experimental subjects were obedient or lamenting recent failures, while some even conversed with the subjects themselves.
Xiao Mei had excellent hearing. As he passed a brightly lit room where no one was visible, he heard a familiar woman's voice speaking. However, due to the distance, her words were somewhat distorted, making it difficult for him to identify her. She was discussing their trip to New Life Hospital, criticizing them for being reckless and not using their brains.
The woman's voice faded as they turned a corner, but Xiao Mei caught her saying that the remaining Ghost Messengers had agreed to bring the Jiang Family to the old residence for Jiang Shui Su's sake.
Xiao Mei understood that Shui Su must be fully aware of this and had cooperated with their actions upon realizing their intentions. It seemed those Ghost Messengers had their own plans. He suppressed a smile and mentally added several Ghost Messengers to his "List" titled "Must Avenge."
However, what puzzled him was why it had to be Jiang Shui Su. For the Ghost Messengers, Jiang Shui Su would not be an ideal choice; as the only one among them who could move freely in the human world and known for his decisive methods, he was notoriously difficult to deal with among all the agents. Now that these individuals were specifically calling for him, they must have known that Shui Su would agree to their rather impolite "invitation."
A bad premonition lingered in Xiao Mei's mind. Without being able to communicate with Shui Su, he couldn't know what he was thinking, and this feeling of ignorance made him very uncomfortable. Coupled with the uncertainty surrounding Song Bunan's situation, many factors began to make him anxious; it felt like a fire was burning within him.
How large could this dilapidated estate be? His frustration transformed his curiosity about the place into disdain; all he wanted now was an opportunity to blow it up from top to bottom without leaving anyone inside.
Perhaps his overwhelming negative energy was too strong; he saw Shui Su turn around fully to look at him with an expression of gentle concern that he had often shown before. In Shui Su's gaze, he read a reassuring message that calmed him down somewhat. Taking a few deep breaths to force himself to relax, he silently followed behind him as they continued onward.
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