Chapter 292: Yin Object Murder (1/2)

The officers immediately reacted by aiming their guns in the same direction. Across the restaurant, in the shadows behind a street lamp, a middle-aged man in a leather jacket slowly emerged, holding his hands in the air.

The sight of his face struck me like a bolt from the blue. ”It's you!” I shouted, eyes widening in shock.

Still with the same distinct temperament, this man was the antique dealer whom I met in Qinglian County. ”I should’ve known he was up to no good!” Xiaotao spat through gritted teeth.

The middle-aged man laughed, ”Can’t we have a nice chat? Put down your guns, won’t you?”

Naturally, his presence at such a bloody massacre wasn’t a good sign. ”Why are you here?” I coldly demanded.

”I was really just passing by,” came his nonchalant reply.

”You’re lying!” I sneered.

The man did a double-take. ”You actually have Cave Vision?”

Bang! A resounding gunshot brought us to attention. I first assumed it was Xiaotao but upon turning back, I found Director-General Cheng with his gun pointed at the night sky, smoke around the muzzle. The series of events tonight had already driven the otherwise gentle man past the point of patience.

”You better tell us the truth,” he growled. “We don't have much patience dealing with criminals.”

But the middle-aged man was unfazed by his threat. ”All right, this guy has better eyes than a lie detector,” he conceded. “Well, I might as well come clean. I swear every single word I’m about to tell you is the truth. Listen up! The reason why I’m here is the same as you. I’m looking for something. Here’s a word of advice–what you’re dealing with is beyond the scope of scientific explanation. Don’t bother investigating any longer, or more people will die!”

”Are you threatening the police?” challenged Director-General Cheng, his voice laced with anger.

The middle-aged man shrugged slightly and fixed a steady gaze on me. ”You can ask him if I’m telling the truth.”

At this point, it was impossible to judge if he was an excellent liar or actually telling the truth. Despite my reservations, I nodded, ”He’s telling the truth.”

Perhaps he was privy to inside information not known to the police. ”What are you looking for in Nanjiang City?” I asked.

”I’m a dealer in yin objects and I’m searching for something,” he admitted.

Yin objects? Wasn’t this mentioned in some novel Dali was reading? It seemed the Wealth Beckoning Cat spirit I came into contact with before could also be regarded as a Yin object.

”So a Yin object is an artifact that can kill by supernatural means?” I asked.

”Yin objects are usually old items with spirits attached to them. Generally speaking, they are antiques. In my professional field, a Yin object that can cause mass murders is a terrible killing device, which is why I had to intervene in this matter!”

However, from my constant observation using Cave Vision, I was certain he was telling the truth. Although I wasn’t an atheist, the existence of such objects were beyond belief. ”Do you mean to say that someone is using a Yin object to kill?”

”You can think of it that way,” he acquiesced. “Please have faith in me. I have my own means of solving the matter.”

”We don't believe you at all!” snorted Director-General Cheng. “You’re coming back to the station with us to explain the matter clearly.”

The middle-aged man held out a hand, his actions putting us all on alert at once. ”Sorry, no can do,” he snickered.

”That’s not up to you!” declared Director-General Cheng.

Two SWAT officers decked in their full gear walked up to handcuff the man. ”I’ve always been a law-abiding citizen,” he said, stepping backwards. “So I don't want to have to hurt an officer. But if you’re thinking of restricting my personal freedom, don't blame me for being rude!”