Chapter 308: Zhang Jiulin Vs The Heartbroken Xun (1/2)

”To be honest, I’m used to acting at night,” he sighed. “Nevermind, let's go!”

We drove to the Longshan Cemetery, which I had been to before. Xiaotao's instructor, Ma Guozhong, was buried here. Afraid that she wouldn’t be able to resist the deadly tune, I said to Xiaotao, ”Just stay outside. I’ll go in with Jiu-ge.”

”I know what you’re worried about,” she replied. “Don't worry, I'm no longer sad about that.”

Still, I firmly refused to let her into the cemetery. Finally, Xiaotao was forced to overrule me with her title of captain. ”Fine, you can come with us,” I compromised. “But on one condition. Give me your gun!”

Xiaotao readily agreed, removing the holster and fitting it on me. She specifically reminded me not to shoot unless absolutely necessary.

The cemetery was divided by several rows of trees. The greenery stood proud and upright amongst the tombstones, blocking our field of vision. Gun in hand, the officers searched the place. I noticed Zhang Jiulin had placed some spells on the tombstones, though I had long grown used to his mysterious methods.

Suddenly, a shadow shot through the woods. When I caught sight of a middle-aged man wearing a mask, I immediately shouted, ”That guy looks suspicious. Stop him!”

“Stop! Don’t move!” warned the officers as they flanked the man.

The middle-aged man jumped around like a headless chicken in the middle of the tombstones. Although Director-General Cheng made it clear that the murderer could be killed on sight, we intended to catch him alive if possible.

Soon, they blocked all paths and slowly narrowed the encirclement. The middle-aged man raised his hands and surrendered.

”Look, that was no trouble at all!” I said, grinning at Zhang Jiulin.

”There’s no trace of Yin energy on him,” Zhang Jiulin solemnly shook his head. “He’s not the murderer.”

Right then, I heard someone call my name, ”Consultant Song, look at him! What's wrong with him?”

When I turned around, the man was convulsing all over, white foam spilling from under his mask before his eyes rolled into the back of his head and he collapsed to the ground. I rushed over to examine him and caught a whiff of rat poison on his mask. I checked his breathing with my hand and found it was extremely weak.

Pulling apart his coat, I found the words “Longshan Cemetery Administrator” written on his shirt. It turned out that the man was a victim of the deadly music! He was just about to commit suicide when we noticed his movements. Afraid that the police would call for emergency paramedics, he tried to stealthily flee the scene.

”Send him to the hospital at once,” I ordered. “We can still save him!”

We looked askance at Zhang Jiulin when a sharp whistle came from the woods, the sound shaking up the leaves that soon disintegrated in mid-air. Cracks appeared on the marble tombstones. I felt as if the blood in my body was boiling and my brain scrambled to keep itself from tearing apart as each note played.

In the chaos, several officers fired gunshots into the sky in an attempt to counteract the deafening sound. Then, we all started reciting the Tao Te Ching.

The loud recitation of the ”Tao Te Ching” could only resist the spiritual influence of the murderous demonic music, but did nothing to prevent the physical damage. Several officers dropped to their knees, eyes turning bloodshot as blood and tears slowly dripped down their faces. It was a sorry sight.

I could feel the blood surging in my chest and a tearing pain ripped through. A metallic taste spread from my throat as a stream of heat flowed from my esophagus. Kneeling on the ground, I heaved and coughed out a mouthful of blood.