Chapter 13

He is clearly a well-paid doctor.

Yet he did not buy property in the prosperous areas of the small town, insisting on living in the hospital's terrible dormitory.

That's fine.

After the hospital fire destroyed most of it and it was converted into a psychiatric hospital.

He still remained steadfast, staying in the hospital to contribute his light and heat.

What kind of spirit is this?

It's just that the small town doesn't hold any selection for some top ten outstanding XX event.

Otherwise, this doctor named Jack White would surely be on the list.

"Shall we investigate now?" Zhou Zhen Guo asked.

Night is approaching; sneaking into the psychiatric hospital, a slight delay, and it will probably be evening.

Several "accidents" have occurred, all at night.

"During the day there are too many people and eyes, making movement difficult, and moreover, seeking wealth in danger! Since we have already been targeted, the longer we delay, the worse it becomes."

Xiao Chu said seriously, "It's better to take the initiative; even the Ripper Jack probably couldn't have anticipated our proactive strike tonight."

Pausing, he looked at Tang Luo: "Master, what do you think?"

What he said is correct.

But whether to go deeper or not ultimately depends on Xuanzang's opinion as our strongest combatant.

Anyway, in Xiao Chu's mind, Master Xuanzang is more capable of fighting than Uncle Zhou.

Tsk, the face of a veteran god-demon wanderer.

"Yes, the poor monk will do his best to protect you all." Tang Luo said.

The opportunity to earn merit has arrived before our eyes; we cannot let it pass.

It's all fate.

While speaking, Tang Luo consumed some merit power, granting both of them some protection.

In case of danger, it can block one or two attacks, giving Tang Luo more buffer time to save people.

This merit power comes from last night's events.

One part, following convention, was used by Tang Luo to treat injuries; the remaining part is being used now, exhausted completely.

The location of the psychiatric hospital is not particularly remote, but the surroundings are very dilapidated, even describable as desolate.

Originally, the residents around the area gradually moved away after the fire and the hospital's conversion into a psychiatric hospital.

No one is awakened in the middle of the night by the patients' ghostly wails and wolf-like howls.

Moreover, there have been incidents of patients escaping and injuring people.

The main body of the hospital consists of three buildings forming a "口" shape without a closed bottom.

Outside is a ring of wall, which, after being converted into a psychiatric hospital.

Originally, the lower part was an arc-shaped stone wall and the upper part iron railings; the wall was replaced with a stone wall as high as three meters, with sharp iron wire netting over one meter high on top.

Only one thick iron gate and the small iron gate beside it allow normal entry and exit.

From a distance, one can see the intertwined upward branches of a bare tree inside the wall.

Tang Luo and his group are outside the psychiatric hospital, temporarily hearing no patient crying sounds.

"Master, how should we get in?"

After circling around, finding no way in, returning to the vicinity of the empty gate, Xiao Chu looked at Tang Luo.

Zhou Zhen Guo shook his head, indicating he had no way, and likewise looked at Tang Luo.

"Let's go in through the gate."

Tang Luo thought for a moment and said.

"The noise would be too great." Zhou Zhen Guo said.

He does not doubt Tang Luo has the strength to kick open the small iron gate with one foot.

But the noise caused by doing so would be too great.

They are sneaking in to investigate, not directly charging in to cause trouble.

Master, be reasonable.

"No problem, there are also methods with little noise." Tang Luo walked to the small iron gate, extended his hand, and pressed it against the gate.

At this time, the hospital's doctors, nurses, and orderlies have already finished work.

Only a few remain on duty.

Both the large and small iron gates are locked.

There are also no gatekeepers or similar roles.

The grating sound of metal deformation, followed by the crisp sound of breaking, came one after another, and the sound is estimated to fade away after five or six meters.

It is not as loud as the occasional crow's call.

The small iron gate was slowly pushed open by Tang Luo; indeed, it is a method with little noise.

"Alright."

Tang Luo said, withdrew his hand, and walked into the iron gate.

"Hiss..."

Upon closer inspection of the gate, Zhou Zhen Guo sucked in a breath of cold air.

There is an enlarged palm print on the gate, left by Tang Luo pressing against it.

Behind the gate, the sturdy lock and so on have been completely destroyed, losing all function.

This terrifying pushing force.

Xuanzang, you still say you're not a veteran!

The hospital, three main buildings, form an open-top "口" character.

Only upside-down, aligned with the iron gate.

Facing the buildings, the one on the left — half of it has already collapsed, the remaining half mostly just charred framework left.

That was Hodge's "masterpiece."

The middle one was also affected; at the section connecting to the burned building, charred traces on the outer wall are very obvious.

The interior probably burned partly as well.

But overall it still remains intact, still in use.

According to the data Tang Luo and the others obtained.

Over these years the hospital has taken in a total of over a hundred patients.

Not a single successful discharge case.

Medical staff number over thirty; night shift never exceeds ten.

Such a huge hospital, apart from occasional crow calls, dead silent — not even a patient's cry heard.

Near nightfall, not a single light comes on.

Exuding a sense of gloomy horror.

Making Xiao Chu a bit regretful.

But words spoken are water spilled; a man, how could he say no?

Since we've come, even if scared we have to brace ourselves and go on.

Vividly, concretely interpreting the act of "I court death myself."

At first, Xiao Chu, Zhou Zhen Guo and them still sneaked about, constantly pressing against wall corners and nooks.

But after wandering inside the building for a while, their movements grew bold.

Reason none other: fewer than ten on duty, compared to the whole hospital, too few.

The two buildings still in use, each has a full five floors.

After all it used to be a normal hospital; the scale really isn't small.

"How come it feels like so few patients? Weren't there said to be over a hundred?" Xiao Chu said in a low voice.

Zhou Zhen Guo shook his head, indicating he wasn't clear either.

Not only no medical staff seen, the number of patients seen is also very few.

All the way here, aside from two patients sound asleep in locked wards.

Not a single human shadow seen.

"Hey! You guys—"

Just then, around the corner ahead appeared a man in white clothes, dressed as medical staff.

Seeing Tang Luo and the other two strangers, he was instantly startled.

"Bad!"

Zhou Zhen Guo's reaction was still fast; he immediately locked onto this person, wanting to activate his ability as soon as possible.

And Tang Luo was even faster than Zhou Zhen Guo.

The nearly ten-meter distance he crossed in one stride, arriving before the man.

"Shua!"

A document unfolded by Tang Luo: "Don't panic, we're detectives, here to investigate."

"Hah?"

The man froze a moment, looked closely — sure enough, it was a document issued by Grant Field.

Zhou Zhen Guo stopped using his skill.

Sneaking in, in a blink turned by Tang Luo into an open, aboveboard investigation.

There's even this kind of move?

"A monk speaks no falsehood" — is it used in a place like this?

"What do you want to investigate?"

After confirming Tang Luo and the others' identities were correct, the man asked, expression guarded, cold.

Come to think of it, this man is tall, face full of rugged flesh.

Looks more like a thug than medical staff.

And considering this is a mental hospital, there's certainly a need to subdue violent patients.

Having such a tough male orderly come here seems quite normal too.

"The case that happened this morning, a very important one — is the hospital director in?" Tang Luo said, "I mean Dr. Jack White."

"Mr. White is on duty at the hospital every night." The man said, "But at noon Grant Field already disturbed him once; he's very tired, already resting. You come back tomorrow."

"Said it's a very important case."

Tang Luo said, "We need to see Mr. White right now."

"Hmph!"

The big man grinned fiercely, "Seems I made it too complicated; let me put it simply — get the hell out—ah!"

The final sound turned into a miserable scream.

The big man knelt before Tang Luo, one arm stretched upward.

The other hand rested on top, wanting to exert force but unable, only able to rest there uselessly.

Tang Luo gripped the big man's forearm, spoke: "Seems I wasn't clear either. This is a demand, not a request, understand?"

He felt the bones of his forearm had already shattered into a mass, the intense pain leaving the big man without even the strength to stand up.

As Tang Luo released his grip, the big man collapsed onto the ground at once.

Before he could struggle to his feet, Zhou Zhen'guo had already walked to his side and crouched down, pressing the revolver against his head: "Lead the way."

The big man panted violently, his pained expression impossible to suppress, nodding repeatedly.

Little Chu, standing behind, stared with mouth agape.

These two people——

Too barbaric!

What happened to the agreed-upon secret infiltration and investigation!

Brute!

The big man led the way in front, his lower back occasionally bumped by the revolver in Zhou Zhen'guo's hand, reminding him not to try anything.

Little Chu, meanwhile, asked quietly beside Tang Luo: "Master, going at it directly like this, won't it be too dangerous?"

This place might very well be Jack the Ripper's headquarters.

A mental asylum or the like is most suitable as a headquarters for a mysterious, evil organization.

Secretly infiltrating was already seeking fortune in danger.

With Tang Luo doing it like this, it might turn into a sheep entering a tiger's mouth.

"Perhaps."

Tang Luo smiled, his smile gentle, "If we really encounter danger, you guys leave first, I'll cover the rear for you."

Treat comrades with the gentleness of spring, treat enemies with the ruthlessness of the autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves.

"Hawke is dead, the gift wasn't delivered, you're panicking, right?"

Just as they were walking, Zhou Zhen'guo suddenly spoke up and asked.

"What gift? What are you talking about?"

The big man didn't turn his head, his suppressed pained voice carrying anger and bewilderment.

"Heh."

Zhou Zhen'guo laughed, reached out and grabbed the big man's shoulder, leaned close to his ear and said, "I said 'gift', not the 'tribute' mentioned in the letter."

The big man's face changed drastically, realizing he had let slip because of the pain and nervousness.

"Looks like you know quite a lot." Zhou Zhen'guo nodded in satisfaction.

Multiple probes, eliminating suspects one by one, this time finally succeeded.

His joy was no less than having a son in old age.

Little Chu was also very happy.

But after this joy, the two's expressions turned grave once more.

Because the mission still wasn't complete.

Next, they would likely need to brave the dragon's pool and tiger's den to truly complete the mission.

Who knows, it might even require wiping out the entire Jack the Ripper organization?

Hope the difficulty isn't that high.