Chapter 55: Police Arrive, Sleepless Night

Beep—

The piercing police siren tore through the night sky; beneath the black curtain, it ripped a huge gap.

On the mountain road, several police cars were moving; the trees, lush in daylight, now stood like black silent sentinels beside the road, their outlines barely discernible.

Inside the police car, Sun Zhenbang was somewhat absent-minded, his gaze falling outside the window; the surrounding scenery rushed backward, and the distant mountains drew ever closer.

The officer beside him couldn't help asking, 'Team Leader Sun, what's wrong with you? You seem preoccupied.'

Sun Zhenbang shook his head. 'Nothing, just feeling a bit strange.'

He flipped through the documents in his hand, notes taken by the on-duty officers; the content, however, left him speechless.

Those unaware might think he was reading some supernatural tale.

Sun Zhenbang felt rather helpless, and at the same time a bit odd in his heart; he couldn't help muttering, 'How is it that mountain again?'

His curious colleague asked, 'Which mountain?'

Sun Zhenbang shook his head. 'Nothing.'

Having been to the location provided by the informant before during a smuggling case, Sun Zhenbang was not unfamiliar with it; only a short while had passed since things quieted down, and just after the New Year, with spring arriving, he found himself back on this road again.

Meanwhile, the surrounding officers were engaged in a heated discussion.

'Strange things happen every year, but this year there are especially many; a trafficker reporting a crime is unprecedented—this is practically turning themselves in, what else could it be?'

'Maybe it's a prank, but who would be that bored? If caught, they'd surely be detained.'

'Even the White Bone Spirit has appeared; could it be from drinking too much, or taking drugs?'

'I think that's quite possible; it's sheer nonsense.'

'But if it really is a trafficker, it's no joke—could very well be another major case.'

Regardless of whether the informant is a trafficker, the true nature of the incident may only be known upon arriving there.

Everyone speculated about the informant, yet Sun Zhenbang remained the most silent, staring at the scenery outside the window without speaking.

Endless green mountains came into view; in the darkness, they loomed like a massive beast watching the passing police cars.

The mountains were as dark as ink, with only a crescent silver moon adorning them, hanging in the azure heavens, overlooking the rolling mortal world.

When the police cars arrived at Longyuan Village, the elders and women who had not gone up the mountain were startled awake, staring at one another, unaware of what had happened, even rousing the police.

The tranquil mountain village was like a stone tossed into water, sending out countless ripples.

In their village, the folk were simple and honest; aside from fights, even stealing chickens or dogs was rare, and some people had seen police only a handful of times in their entire lives.

Now, upon seeing several police cars with many officers stepping out, the villagers felt instantly astonished, gathering around to watch the commotion.

'What's going on? Why have even the police been alerted?'

'It seems the Hu family's girl has gone missing.'

'Didn't the Village Head organize people to search? Why then alert the police—could the child not have been found?'

The villagers chattered among themselves.

At the same moment, Zhuzi and the others who had just come down from the mountain were dumbfounded, unable to help scratching their heads.

They hadn't even called the police, yet the police arrived—could the officers be clairvoyant?

Without time to think, Zhuzi hurried forward and immediately blocked a group of police.

'Comrades police, you're too fast—we only just discovered that male corpse on the mountain.'

Hearing this, Sun Zhenbang's expression instantly turned startled: 'What male corpse?!'

The person who had just called the police claimed to be a trafficker and said they were being chased by the White Bone Spirit; how could a male corpse appear now?

Earlier it was smugglers, and only with difficulty had the case just been closed; now another gang of traffickers pops up, and Sun Zhenbang can't help but mutter to himself.

The recent string of cases are all inseparable from this mountain.

You must know that before this, nothing like this had ever happened—not even a minor case, let alone a criminal case involving loss of life.

Not only the police, but even the villagers hearing this found it incredulous; weren't they looking for Hu Xiaocao? How did a corpse turn up?

Seeing the police looking bewildered, Zhuzi also stared blankly; the police weren't coming because of that male corpse on the mountain—so what was the reason?

After exchanging words, they realized they were actually talking about two completely different matters.

Afterward, upon hearing Zhuzi's account, Sun Zhenbang's expression instantly grew solemn, and he said, 'Hurry and take us to have a look.'

Zhuzi nodded eagerly, just as he was preparing to go up the mountain, the Village Head returned with Hu Xiaocao, immediately informing them of her encounter with the traffickers.

The surrounding villagers listened, mouths agape; one explosive piece of news after another left them dazzled.

In the usually tranquil mountain village, nothing like this had ever occurred; it was practically more exciting than anything they'd seen on TV.

First Hu Xiaocao was abducted by traffickers, then the traffickers inexplicably turned into corpses, and finally the police arrived—what on earth is going on?

Sun Zhenbang approached Hu Xiaocao, crouched to meet her gaze, facing the little girl—or rather, the victim.

Having endured such a major event, the little girl showed no panic or fear; instead, she possessed a composure beyond her years.

Her clear, innocent eyes reflected Sun Zhenbang's likeness.

'Tell me, uncle, what's your name?'

'I'm Hu Xiaocao.'

Sun Zhenbang produced a candy, saying, 'Xiaocao, you're so well-behaved, a good child; tell uncle the full details, missing nothing, and this candy is yours.'

Hu Xiaocao's family was poor, receiving candy only during festivals; at this moment she couldn't help licking her lips, took the candy from Sun Zhenbang, and recounted the whole story in detail.

Her tender, childlike voice floated in the night air, sounding especially prolonged.

Everyone's expressions gradually turned to disbelief.

'Basically, the Mountain God Grandfather manifested his spirit, punished the wicked, who fled in fright; then I found the Village Head and the others, and afterwards came down the mountain.'

After hearing Hu Xiaocao's account, everyone's first reaction was disbelief.

Had these words not come from a little girl's mouth, they might have thought they were listening to some supernatural tale.

Mist rose all around, the Mountain God revealed his traces, and the White Bone Spirit Snake appeared.

How could these things possibly happen in reality?

However, what Hu Xiaocao said was clear and logical, well-founded, and didn't look like nonsense at all.

Moreover, even if it were fabricated, her imagination would be excessively rich—how could she possibly make up such a story, given that neither motive nor purpose makes sense?

Besides, she had no need to do that.

At this time, Hu Xiaocao still didn't know that those traffickers were all dead.

Everyone around, whether police or villagers, fell into a prolonged silence, their expressions all similarly alike.

Finally, Sun Zhenbang was the first to break the silence: "Xiaocao, thank you for providing this information; you must be tired—go rest early."

Hu Xiaocao curiously asked, "Uncle, are you going into the mountains to catch the bad guys?"

Sun Zhenbang smiled and nodded at her, then turned to the village head.

"Please, village head, lead the way; take us to where the male corpse was found."

The village head quickly nodded, "That's only natural."

He waved his hand and said to the surrounding villagers, "All right, nothing's wrong—everyone disperse; leave the rest to the police."

(End of chapter)