Chapter 346: The Cheng Brothers


    Once we left the morgue, I asked Officer Liang, You told me over the phone that you found something important. What is it? Could you tell me?


    Follow me, Officer Liang waved his hand, taking me to his office where he handed me a yellow file.


    The file had the photos and profiles of the six bank robbers. Captain Liang told me that the policemen of the Criminal Police force had investigated and figured out that these six men were migrant workers that were hired at a construction site.


    The foreman of said construction site told them that the six robbers had sworn to be brothers when they introduced themselves, and their friendship was apparently really good. However, honesty was not their strong suit; they were fired after they were caught stealing steel materials at the construction site at night time. They ended up bing a bunch of thugs that roamed around, robbing and stealing. They got used to being arrested on a regr basis. All in all, they were just a group of unemployed vagrants.


    Captain Liang pointed at one of the photos. This was the leader of the gang, Cheng Xiaohu. He had an older brother called Cheng Dalong, and the two didnt get along well. Thats why Cheng Xiaohu rarely went home.


    Cheng Dalong lives in a small vige not far from here. Several years ago, he got very sick, but his family didnt have the means to cover his medical fees. Then, all of a sudden, he made a fortune and his sickness was cured. People in the vige said that one year ago, there was a strange man with two kids who visited him. They also stayed for quite a long time. Thats why I suspect Cheng Dalong.


    I handed back the file to Captain Liang, asking, Then, how will you justify the arrest?


    Ive requested a search warrant based on suspicion of murder. I think he murdered those six gangsters, replied Captain Liang.


    But he still has that otherworldly item. If you are this direct, he will risk his life to fight you. If worsees to worst, everyone will die, I said anxiously.


    Thats right. This is why I want you toe with me. Captain Liang smiled. We shouldnt waste any time. Lets leave tonight!


    All right. I nodded, suddenly recalling something. Captain Liang, is there any grudge between Cheng Dalong and you?


    Why are you asking this? Captain Liang squinted, looking more vignt. Although it only was a brief change on his face, I was quick enough to notice.


    He then chuckled. I understand. Are you suspecting that this person sneaked into the police station at midnight to harm me? Well, I am the Captain of the Criminal Police force, and Ive surely offended a lot of people. Its not strange that someones holding a grudge against me.


    I felt that he wasnt telling me the truth. However, it wasnt the right time to ask more. I would need to consider the situation as we progressed.


    Right at this moment, we heard some noise outside, so we went to the corridor to check. Two policemen had stopped Li Mazi, preventing him from entering the building. Li Mazi was holding two intable dolls under his arms, a snakeskin bag with his left hand, while his right hand was pulling a big rooster. The officers didnt allow him in since he looked really suspicious.


    Yin Xinyue was also with him.


    Captain Liang hurried to rescue Li Mazi.


    Yin Xinyue, why are you here? I asked her.


    Yin Xinyue pouted her lips. I went to the shop as soon as I clocked off and saw that it was closed, so I called Li Mazi. It turned out that you were at the police station... Do you think Im a burden to you?


    Yin Xinyue stuck her tongue out, her fingers pinching the skin on my arm.


    I didnt want you to be in danger, I exined.


    Im not a kid. I can protect myself. Yin Xinyue smiled.


    Li Mazi dropped the things he was carrying and wiped his forehead. Little Brother Zhang, next time, you should buy these things yourself! Even a traffic cop stopped me on my way here. He thought I was a deviant the moment he saw me with this stuff, so he lectured me for a long time before he let me go!


    We have to use these things tonight? asked Captain Liang.


    I nodded and opened the bag to check. Two sets of official uniformsQing dynasty stylehemp rope, bone powder, and eels. He had managed to gather everything, so I quicklyplimented Li Mazi for it.


    Whats this for? Yin Xinyue pointed at the intable dolls, trying to hold herughter.


    Youll know soon, I said mysteriously.


    Do you want some policemen toe with us?


    No, the chances of being discovered would only increase with more people. It would be more dangerous that way; the four of us are enough.


    The three of us got in a car while Captain Liang drove his own. After half an hour, we arrived at Cheng Dalongs vige.


    The sun had yet to set. Several idlers were sitting at the vige entrance, smoking and chatting; they became curious when they saw two cars arrive. Captain Liang approached them, casually attempting to find some information about Cheng Dalongs whereabouts. He was wearing civilian clothing at this time.


    What do you want to see Dalong for? said one of the men, his greedy eyes staring at Yin Xinyue. To move easier, Yin Xinyue had chosen to wear a pair of shorts and a loose, pink T-shirt, which entuated her hot figure.


    She didnt feel ufortable since she had gotten used to peoples stares. But I wasnt pleased with this.


    I am Captain Liang didnt know what he should say. Li Mazi quickly offered them some cigarettes, smiling brightly. Im from a real estatepany. They are my clients. Mr. Cheng said that he had a house he wanted to sell. Were here to take a look at his house.


    Oh, that damn Chen Dalong! I wonder where he made such a fortune. Now, hes about to move to the city, and who knows if hell give something to his neighbors, the idler said as he spat on the ground. He pointed in a direction. See that house? Cheng Dalongs house is the most conspicuous house in this vige.


    He then added more information, Cheng Dalong used to breed pigs in his house and earned money with them around the vige. However, he doesnt do anythingtely; he only stays at home doing who knows what. Whatever it is, he earns a lot of money.


    We thanked that man and drove to the area near Cheng Dalongs house. This vige was quite poor. We saw shabby brick houses along the way and paddy fields full of weeds. Only Cheng Dalongs house was bright with light. We even heard disco musicing from the inside.


    Li Mazi said, This fellow sure has an easy life. I wonder if hes using the otherworldly item to make a fortune.


    Captain Liang rolled his window down and asked, Should we go inside?


    Just park nearby. We have to prepare something first.


    After that, we packed our cars in a piece ofnd rife with tall grass. After checking around and confirming that no one else was there, Li Mazi and I took the stuff out of the car.


    I inted the two dolls and tied them to a tree branch so that they stood firmly in the field. I then used eel blood to write Ao Bai and his sons names on the dolls. Afterward, I dressed them in the Qing dynastys official clothes.


    In the end, I pricked the roostersb and soaked several cotton balls with the blood. I gave the cotton to the others and told them to use it to plug their ears.


    Rooster blood had the strongest Yang energy amongst all animals. It would be able to fend off the Courtier Drums effect. I asked them not to answer if someone called their namester.


    Yin Xinyue couldnt set her mind at ease. Are we going to meet some ghosts tonight?


    No, we are not. Then, I gave her the hemp rope, which also had rooster blood on it. You should stay here. Just wait until the intable dolls are possessed. You have to tie them with this hemp rope. The tighter the better.


    And you said we wouldnt see ghosts tonight! Yin Xinyue was scared.


    They are two good ghosts, I promise! I smiled.


    First, we needed to extract Ao Bai and his son from the Courtier Drum, which would reduce the power of the drum. Then, we would enter the house to capture Cheng Dalong. After that, we would have to improvise.


    Suddenly, Li Mazi said, Little Brother Zhang, that fellow turned off the lights. Im sure he noticed us


    Hurry! I urged.


    Captain Liang suddenly became vignt when we ran to the western-style house. Somethings wrong.


    Right after, several people got out of the house. They were the idlers who gave us directions at the entrance of the vige. Li Mazi hurried to ask, Hey guys, are you taking a stroll? Have you had dinner yet?


    Not good, their eyes look strange! I shouted.


    Those people grabbed wooden sticks and machetes, then rushed toward us. Li Mazi shrieked in fright, running away immediately.


    Captain Liang was about to fire a warning shot, but I grabbed his arm. It wouldnt work, and it would expose his identity as a cop.


    People living in a small vige like this were often conservative. They would keep to themselves and cover for their own. If the police showed up, all the vigers would round up to stop them. We would be unable to fix the problem if it came to that.


    The fleeing Li Mazi came back, looking even more horrified. Theres a group of people behind us. They all have machetes!


    We were basically about to be sandwiched.


    Helpless, I nced at Cheng Dalongs house. We should go in there!