What do you mean I'm a ghost story?

Chapter 45 Midnight Bell
Xia Qing still felt guilty about what happened to Grandpa Zhang.

In any case, a large part of the reason for this was his breaking of the promise.

No amount of reasons or unavoidable circumstances can change this fact.

But when he opened his mouth, he didn't dare to make any promises or guarantees.

The Nightmare's strength is unknown, and the chances of the granddaughter, who has been captured for a day or two, being alive are even slimmer.

"...let's go."

In the end, he could only silently follow in Grandpa Zhang's footsteps.

"Dad, you, why are you back?"

Upon entering the villa's lobby and seeing Grandpa Zhang, Zhang Haiteng immediately stood up in a hurry.

"Can't I go home yet? Move aside..."

Having received recognition from Xia Qing, Grandpa Zhang, who no longer doubted himself, glared at Zhang Hai with a look of exasperation.

Then he pushed it aside and led Xia Qing to the dressing mirror in the bathroom on the second floor of the villa.

"Golden Dart Technique: Boss, still nothing. I can't sense the presence of that nightmare."

Money Dart Technique sent a message immediately.

Xia Qing had already explored this place once before when she was investigating.

After all, when Grandpa Zhang talked about the strange things happening in his house last time, he specifically emphasized the mirror, so he couldn't have overlooked that.

"Is this the only mirror that has ever had that strange occurrence?"

Xia Qing tried pressing her hand on the mirror and tapping it, but there was still no response. She could only turn her head to look at Grandpa Zhang again.

“This is the one that swallowed my granddaughter, but they weren’t just sleepwalking in front of one mirror: my wife’s dressing mirror, the full-length mirror in my son and daughter-in-law’s bedroom, and the mirror in the living room…”

Grandpa Zhang was afraid of missing any details, so he explained everything to Xia Qing in great detail.

"Take me to see it too."

Xia Qing nodded and followed Grandpa Zhang around again.

However, they still came up empty-handed.

It was so eerie that not a single trace of its presence could be detected.

It should be noted that both the Money Dart Technique and the Tai Chi Fist Technique had sensed the aura of this nightmare, and the Tai Chi Fist Technique was even awakened by it.

Even from a distance, one could sense it from Grandpa Zhang, the person who had contact with it. If it existed, it would be impossible to not see it when one went to the site to investigate.

"No wonder Viper and the others were waiting patiently for 11 o'clock; it seems they have very detailed information about this nightmare..."

Xia Qing currently had no other means of investigation or search, and in the end, he had to return empty-handed.

"Grandmaster……"

On his way back to the living room, Grandpa Zhang was still full of hope, looking both eager to ask about the progress and cautious.

"They haven't come out yet; it might be tonight."

Xia Qing shook her head truthfully: "Also, Uncle Zhang, you'd better go out and hide with your son. Tonight will be very dangerous, and I may not have the energy to protect you."

He wasn't sure if the nightmare would appear tonight.

But a conflict with Viper and his group is certain.

Furthermore, all five of them were armed with assault rifles. If a fight broke out indoors, it would be extremely dangerous for ordinary people like Grandpa Zhang and Zhang Hai.

"..."

Upon hearing this, Grandpa Zhang merely opened his mouth, then sighed and gave a bitter smile:

“I know my son’s temper. There’s no way he’ll leave. Master, you must have seen his attitude toward those police officers. My son definitely trusts them more, and it was those officers who made him stay to cooperate with the investigation.”

"What about you?"

Xia Qing frowned upon hearing this, but she knew that what Grandpa Zhang said made sense. In Zhang Hai's eyes, Viper and his team were the official investigators, and he was cooperating with the investigation to find his missing daughter, so how could he possibly leave?

Furthermore, since Viper kept Zhang Hai here, he must have a reason to use him and wouldn't let him leave easily; he would definitely try to sabotage the process.

"If tonight is really as dangerous as the master said, my son is dead, my granddaughter is dead, and I, the old man, will be considered a lunatic who murdered my granddaughter..."

Grandpa Zhang just looked dejected and said, "Then what's the point of living? I'm almost eighty years old, and this is all I have left."

As he spoke, he forced a smile: "Master, you don't need to worry about me. If I die, it's my fate. Don't blame me. Being able to help block some bullets is enough for me to die. I only ask that you do your best to save my granddaughter, Nannan..."

Old ginger is spicier after all.

He could say something like "to take a bullet for someone."

Clearly, Grandpa Zhang's dim eyes actually revealed a great deal of insight into many things.

It was clear that Viper and his group had ill intentions.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have considered Xia Qing as their only lifeline.

“Grandpa, there’s no need to be so pessimistic. Please leave here first. If your granddaughter is still alive, I promise I will bring her back to life.”

Upon hearing this, Xia Qing continued to offer words of comfort.

"Master, there's no need to persuade me. I know that unfilial son's temperament best."

As the head of this family, if he is misled by outsiders, it will likely put the master in a difficult position.

With me here keeping things under control, I won't cause any extra trouble for the master.

Grandpa Zhang, however, was determined and said sincerely, "Master has already done a great favor by agreeing to my request to explore this dangerous place. How could I let Master go into danger alone and let that unfilial son cause more trouble?"

He had always been grateful to Xia Qing.

He knew that his son's mere ten thousand yuan could not possibly be so easily used to persuade someone to risk their life against evil spirits.

The fact that the master agreed at that time clearly shows that he couldn't resist his own pleading and acted out of kindness.

How could I stand by and watch someone risk their life alone, while my son only adds to the trouble, when they have shown me such compassion?

"At that time, Master, you don't need to worry about my son and me. Just focus on dealing with that evil spirit."

As he spoke, Grandpa Zhang led Xia Qing to a poorly decorated bedroom, carefully pulled a box out from under the bed, and revealed a nostalgic smile:

"Master, don't underestimate this old man. When I was young, I killed a few beasts."

As he spoke, to Xia Qing's astonishment, Grandpa Zhang opened the box, revealing a pistol carefully wrapped in red cloth.

The classic Type 54 rifle, judging by its worn appearance, has definitely been around for many years.

In China, anyone who can legally possess this kind of thing, especially a very old one, is no ordinary person.

Xia Qing was filled with awe.

"Master, do you know how to use it?"

Grandpa Zhang handed the box to Xia Qing.

"No, I'm not used to this."

Xia Qing waved her hand.

This stuff is so old, who knows if it'll even shut down? He has no interest in it, and he has no use for it.

Furthermore, this thing is useless against Viper's team, who are equipped with assault rifles and body armor.

However, seeing that Grandpa Zhang could still produce this thing and that he was indeed determined, he did not continue to try to persuade him.

The two quietly returned to the villa's lobby.

Zhang Hai stayed with Viper and the others, while Grandpa Zhang followed closely beside Xia Qing. Time passed slowly, with everyone sometimes anxious and sometimes silent.

Soon, the decorative clock in the living room struck eleven o'clock precisely on time.

(End of this chapter)