What do you mean by saying that the corpses I sew are all ominous creatures?

I withdrew my gaze from the shadows, reason telling me that now was not the time to play the hero.

That move, [Thousand Threads Soul Lock], almost drained most of the evil energy in my body. The mundane techniques recorded in the Heavenly Garment Strategy are indeed very powerful, but they consume a lot of energy.

Or rather, I'm just too weak right now.

I tucked the tattered human skin scroll into my pocket and turned to look at Lu Yan.

Although she stood ramrod straight, the knuckles of her fingers gripping the gun were white, and her breathing was much more rapid than usual, clearly indicating that the forceful attack on the sealed chamber had taken a toll on her.

"Director Lu, this place is too eerie, let's leave first."

I spoke calmly.

Lu Yan paused for a moment, then glanced at the dark corner again. She seemed to have sensed something as well, and pursed her lips with a serious expression.

"Okay, let's head back to the station first. The field team should be arriving soon; we'll leave the rest to them."

As she spoke, she pulled a specially made flare from her pocket and pulled the trigger towards the window.

A streak of blue light pierced through the gloom above the library, exploding into a striking cloud pattern in mid-air.

We didn't dare take the elevator, but instead quickly walked down the emergency exit.

Most of the motion-sensor lights in the hallway were broken, flickering on and off, and you could hear an echo with every step you took.

I walked half a body length ahead of Lu Yan, my right hand never leaving the hilt of the willow-leaf knife at my waist.

That feeling of being watched was ever-present, impossible to shake off.

The oppressive feeling only lessened slightly after we rushed out of the library.

By this time, it was completely dark outside.

Several SUVs with flashing blue and red lights were parked on the side of the road. A group of young people in black uniforms with solemn expressions quickly got out of the vehicles and blocked the entire library exit.

"Director Lu!"

A young man who was leading the group ran over, saluted Lu Yan, and when his eyes swept over me, a hint of doubt flashed across his face, but he quickly covered it up.

Lu Yan resumed her cold and capable demeanor, coldly instructing, "Third floor, secret room. Seal off the scene. Su Wen's body is there; do not touch it directly with your hands."

Also, notify the technical department to retrieve all surveillance footage within a two-kilometer radius of the library. I need to know if anyone else left just now.

After explaining all this, she turned around and forcefully opened the passenger door of one of the cars.

"Chen Yang, get in the car, I'll give you a ride."

I didn't refuse; riding in an official car is the safest option at times like this.

The heater was on in the carriage, and soon the interior became foggy.

I leaned back in my chair, feeling as if I were sinking into a ball of cotton, and a wave of exhaustion washed over me.

"Did you see something in the secret room just now?"

After the car had driven a short distance, she suddenly asked a question, her eyes fixed straight ahead, the light and shadow of the streetlights flashing across her face.

I remained silent for a moment, then took the tattered human skin scroll out of my pocket.

It's much more well-behaved now, but in the dimly lit carriage, the tadpole-like characters on it still seem to faintly glow with a dim red light, exuding an indescribable eeriness.

"I had a feeling that someone was interested in me. But back then I was too weak to move. If I had actually gone after them, who knows who would have ended up with whom?"

I made a little joke, speaking slowly and deliberately.

Lu Yan didn't smile; instead, she tightened her grip on the steering wheel.

"That thing... was originally sealed in a warehouse in Shanghai."

"Three fragments of the scroll were lost in Shanghai, and this is just one of them."

Su Wen was an expert from the General Administration. After the tattered scroll was recovered, he was originally supposed to accompany the staff to escort it back to the General Administration.

But who knew that this thing would go out of control halfway through, and all the accompanying staff mysteriously disappeared, and Su Wen also died.

As I listened to her words, my heart sank slightly.

The water here is deeper than I imagined.

"So what do we do with this now?"

I pointed to the tattered scroll on my leg.

"Go back to the bureau first and send it to warehouse A for safekeeping."

I will personally write the report and apply for experts from the provincial bureau to come over.

Chen Yang, you might have to stay at the station for a few days. I don't think things are that simple; someone might be watching you.

Lu Yan turned her head and glanced at me, her voice cold and clear.

I gave a wry smile and shook my head. "Director Lu, I still have shifts to work. The funeral home has been getting a lot of cases these past few days. If I'm not there, those corpses will just rot and nobody will care."

I actually don't want to get too close to the authorities.

Although the Folklore Bureau is supposed to maintain order, things are very complicated inside.

If that spy could lurk in the secret room today, who can guarantee that the Bureau of Folklore is a monolithic entity?

Lu Yan frowned, seemingly wanting to refute, but in the end she just sighed.

"With your temper... fine, I won't force you."

But you must keep your phone on 24/7 for the next two days. I will arrange for people to patrol your neighborhood.

The car quickly drove into the underground parking lot of the Jiangcheng Folk Customs Bureau.

This is a specially modified underground building. The walls are filled with cinnabar and copper powder to ward off evil spirits. As soon as I stepped into this place, the chilling aura of the tattered scroll in my arms was instantly suppressed to the extreme.

After we got out of the car, Lu Yan led me through several heavy iron doors that required fingerprint and voiceprint locks, and into a laboratory filled with the smell of formaldehyde.

Several staff members in white coats were busy at work, but when they saw Lu Yan come in, they all stopped what they were doing.

"Once we've obtained the items, immediately place them under the highest level of security."

Lu Yan took the tattered scroll I handed her and carefully placed it into a specially made lead box.

The moment the lead box was closed, I felt the chilling feeling that had been pressing on my heart completely disappear.

"call--"

I breathed a sigh of relief, and the pain in my little finger felt much better.

"Chen Yang, go to the lounge over there, take a shower, and change into some clean clothes. Your wound needs to be treated."

Lu Yan pointed to the end of the corridor, her tone still icy.

I touched the scratch on my shoulder; it was from the monster's paper wings.

I didn't feel it at the time, but now that I've stopped to rest, that area is burning with pain, and the area around the wound is starting to turn bluish, which means I've been poisoned by corpse poison.

"Alright, then I won't stand on ceremony."

I nodded to her and turned to walk towards the lounge.

After taking a shower, Lu Yan was already waiting for him at the door of the lounge.

She changed into simple casual clothes and carried a first-aid kit.

"Sit down, I'll apply the medicine for you. This is a special glutinous rice paste made by the bureau; it's most effective at drawing out corpse poison."

She gestured for me to sit on the bench, and then awkwardly tore off the gauze from my shoulder.

Her fingertips were very cold, and when they touched my skin, I couldn't help but shiver.

"If it hurts, shout it out. Don't hold it in."

She lowered her head, focusing intently on applying the ointment, a few stray hairs falling beside her cheeks, giving her a gentle appearance.

I felt a slight pang in my heart as I watched her focused expression, but I quickly regained my composure.

"It's nothing, this pain is nothing compared to when I got stitches."