American Zombie Detective

Chapter 164 The Fifth Demon (Bonus Chapter Thanks to All the Subscribers)

As the altitude decreases, the view outside the window becomes completely different.

More than 10 hours had passed since takeoff, and they had crossed the Atlantic Ocean, replaced by a vast, desolate land covered in ice and snow, crisscrossed by fjords.

Through the thin gaps in the clouds, one can see the majestic snow-capped mountains and dark green forests below, as well as the winding coastline in the distance, shimmering with a cold light under the winter sun.

"We are now over Norway!"

Captain Dyson's voice, though tired, came through the cockpit: "Thank God, thank you, Detective Qin! Dear passengers, we have escaped the threat of the ghost flight. The nearest airport is Sola Airport in Stavanger, Norway!"

"We have reported the situation encountered during the flight to the NSA (National Security Agency). They will send personnel to assist you. After landing, please do not panic or crowd together. Follow the flight attendants' instructions to disembark and cooperate with the investigation!"

The plane began a steady descent, adjusted its course, and flew towards the coastline.

The scenery below became clearer: white snowfields, dark coniferous forests, scattered red wooden houses, and the gradually emerging city outline and airport runway indicator lights in the distance.

Having experienced the extreme terror and absurdity of being high in the air, all passengers now felt a sense of unreality, as if they had been transported to another world, looking down at this cold and tranquil Nordic land.

The excited cheers had long since faded, replaced by a deep weariness and a silent sense of relief.

Looking out the window at the unfamiliar land below, Qin Jin, as the biggest contributor to the whole incident, was now only thinking about how to get out of the investigation as quickly as possible and steer his journey onto the right track.

Aresa quietly looked out the window. To her, the change of geography was meaningless. As long as Qin Jin was by her side, it didn't matter where she was.

What she was thinking was—where could she get another bottle of nitroglycerin?!

The plane aligned itself with the runway, the landing gear lowered, and with a slight vibration and a screeching sound of tires, the battered Boeing finally landed smoothly on the runway of Stavangersola Airport.

The moment the plane came to a complete stop, the cabin erupted once again in heartfelt cheers, a mix of tears and applause.

Outside the hatch, a Norwegian emergency vehicle, a fire truck with flashing blue lights, had already received the emergency notification.

Ambulances and police cars stood ready, forming a safety line.

The atmosphere was somber and weary in the temporary accommodation area at Stavangersola Airport.

The joint NSA and FBI investigation team was extremely efficient, quickly taking over the scene and taking passengers and crew members in batches for questioning.

The first to be questioned were Captain Dyson, Security Officer Niels, and Flight Attendant Millie. They all mentioned one person, Qin Jin, a Chinese-American detective from the Los Angeles Police Department, describing him as the key figure in solving the incident.

The investigation team immediately verified the identities with Los Angeles authorities through established channels, and the feedback was very clear—

The trainee detective at the Canyon Precinct of the Los Angeles Police Department has now passed the application process for promotion to detective, and the process will be completed once he returns from his vacation.

He was in charge of the second homicide and major crimes unit of the Canyon Precinct, primarily handling paranormal cases in Los Angeles and throughout California. He had previously worked with the FBI's X Team.

Exceptionally capable, highly professional, and possessing exceptional case-handling skills, he has earned the respect of Los Angeles Police Department Chief Edward, Canyon Precinct Supervisor Thomas, Detective Department Supervisor Logan, Los Angeles Mayor Matthew, Los Angeles Finance Commissioner Morton, State Supreme Court Judge Warlin, State Representative Michael, and Sacramento Police Department Deputy Chief John.

Wait, the trust and high regard of a large number of people make him an invaluable professional in the Los Angeles Police Department!

Therefore, when Qin Jin was invited into the interrogation room, the senior FBI agent in charge was very polite, and the NSA officials also maintained a certain level of courtesy.

"Detective Qin, thank you for everything you've done." The FBI agent stood up to shake hands. "Captain Dyson and the others have already given us the general situation. It was you who stabilized the situation and saved the flight. We just wanted to confirm with you again, what exactly happened inside that—ghost flight? How did you ultimately get it to leave?"

After saying that, he cautiously added, "As you know, we have to archive and report these paranormal cases, so please understand."

Qin Jin sat down lazily, his tone indifferent: "A collection of vengeful spirits, deeply obsessed, trapped in the moment of death. It approached us in search of a substitute or new energy."

He paused, then continued with his impeccable professional rhetoric: "After I went in, I found the core point where its resentment was concentrated. Coincidentally, I had some specially made holy water with me." He gestured as if splashing it: "I splashed it on. It's that simple. Once the core of that thing is destroyed, the concentrated energy dissipates, and naturally it can no longer maintain its form to entangle us."

Holy water? The FBI agent and NSA official exchanged a glance. The explanation sounded plausible, but given the massive casualties and bizarre movements caused by that thing, could it really be that simple?

They couldn't understand the principles behind the holy water, but the result was undeniable—the crisis was averted. When faced with something incomprehensible, they could only choose to believe.

"Understood."

The FBI agent did not delve further into the source of the holy water, but simply recorded Qin Jin's account in the report: "Thank you for your cooperation, Detective Qin. We will submit the report according to procedure. If Special Team X needs anything further, they may contact you again."

Qin Jin nodded, got up and left; the questioning process was shorter than expected.

Afterwards, they checked into a hotel prepared by the National Security Bureau, waiting for everyone to finish their questioning. According to regulations, they could only be released after the first round of questioning was over, and this process would take until at least tomorrow.

In the hotel room, Aresa and Yuanxiao were asleep, while Qin Jin dialed Qingyin's number.

After ringing a few times, the call was answered, and a woman's voice, tinged with a hint of languor and dissatisfaction, came through: "Hey, Qin. Do you know what time it is?" It was Qingyin.

"I've encountered something here," Qin Jin ignored her complaints and went straight to the point: "I suspect I've run into Black Stone Slave, a subordinate of the legendary Black Mountain Demon. What do you know about this old monster?"

Qingyin's tone immediately became serious on the other end of the phone: "Black Mountain Demon? This guy is no simpleton, he's on the same level as our ancestor—" She roughly recounted the Black Mountain Demon's past and origins, which were similar to what Qin Jin had read in the book on the White Lotus Secret Technique.

After listening, Qin Jin said bluntly, "Could this thing also have come from the seven paintings, just like you and Peng Sheng? Except—"

Qin Jin paused, then added, "The earliest Black Stone Slaves have existed for over twenty years!"

"More than twenty years? That's normal. If I'm not mistaken, those really capable people could have come out a hundred years ago."

Qingyin answered decisively, but with a hint of uncertainty: "Like I said before, I only know part of it, and I'm not sure about the rest. I can't verify whether the Black Mountain Demon is actually in the painting."

After saying that, Qingyin decisively dismissed him: "Alright, I'm hanging up now, I'm going to sleep."

Currently, only four of the seven paintings can be identified:

The weakest of the painted-skin demons was easily taken away by European vampires;

The fox spirit Qingyin is right beside me, pregnant with a strange child from the future. I don't know what will happen next.

Corpse Demon General Jiang Chen is the great demon that Qing Yin has confirmed to be sealed away. He is in America, but what he is doing is unknown.

It's highly likely that Peng Sheng, the pig-headed demon, has appeared; Qingyin plans to make contact with him.

Finally, there was the Black Mountain Demon, who had shown even the slightest sign of something.

If it also came from the painting, then all five paintings have been confirmed. In terms of strength, neither the Black Mountain Demon nor Jiang Chen can be dealt with by Qin Jin, but Peng Sheng should be able to handle it.

It seems the muddy waters of America are getting deeper and deeper.