Chapter 007: Incense

Despite running for so long, we found ourselves still in the same place. When we turned back, we discovered a flower wreath shop, along with faint ghostly figures inside.

However, I was startled back to some semblance of reason by that voice. Upon careful consideration, if they truly intended to kill me, I would have been dead long ago; there was no need to bring me to the wreath shop. Could it be that they had other intentions? With a glimmer of hope, I cautiously asked, "Is there anything I can do to help you?"

I thought I misheard: "What?"

Anyone encountering such a situation would probably not dare to move, right? I wish I could slap myself twice; why am I so useless?

I am almost in despair: "What should I do?"

I am deeply moved, and tears cannot help but fall: "What will you do then?"

I recalled the woman in white from before and suddenly understood what they intended to do. Although I was still afraid, I trembled as I walked over, planning to offer them incense. If this could appease them, I would be willing to do so. However, they were clearly unreasonable, unlike the woman in white, and I was uncertain whether they would let me go after it was over

The old policeman glanced at me, then at them. I felt as if he was deliberately concealing his vulnerability, trying to appear fearless, yet the fingertips trembling slightly behind his back betrayed him. The old policeman extended his hand towards me: "Let's go"

The old police officer slowly placed the incense stick into the incense burner. I could no longer hold back and rushed over to stop him, but he sternly warned me, "Get away! If you do this, I will have to charge you with obstructing official duties!"

The old police officer maintained a serious expression and asked, "Do you need more?"

I lit a candle and set out the incense burner. A few guys at https://wwwhetushucom.com were extremely eager, drooling with anticipation. When I stole a glance at them, they glared back fiercely, and the cold atmosphere made me sneeze loudly. Fortunately, they didn't mind. I rubbed my nose and took out three sticks of incense.

He was panting heavily, looking as if he had rushed in. After seeing the situation in the store, he immediately retreated. I thought he had left, but before long, he surprisingly walked back in, though his face was much paler, clearly indicating that he had also been frightened.

I have only this one thought in my mind, but while ideas are one thing, putting them into action is exceptionally difficult. I find myself unable to move forward, as if I am being pulled along like a puppet.

Perhaps it was a matter of acceptance, or perhaps there were reasons unknown to me, but the old police officer appeared remarkably calm, as if all the resentful gazes were nothing but passing clouds. Holding incense, he bowed slightly to them and said: "I have heard that there are three types of spirits: those in white are ordinary, those in black are malevolent, and those in red are extremely dangerous. I have served as a police officer for over twenty years, and my duty is to protect this area. You, dressed in black, must have had grievances in life, and perhaps you have suffered injustice. This is my fault; I have not fulfilled my responsibilities. If you must seek vengeance to relieve your anger, then come at me, but do not implicate other innocent people."

No wonder they did not stop us; it turns out they are certain we cannot escape

As I spoke, I stole a glance at them; all eyes were fixed on the incense candles on the table, filled with greed.

Suddenly, I heard a familiar voice; the old police officer walked in

I looked forward to a miracle, supporting him as we walked for more than ten steps. Unable to resist, I turned back, and indeed, we had not moved at all; behind us was still the flower shop.

An unprecedented fear enveloped me, propelling me to an unprecedented speed. I felt as if I had dashed out at least one kilometer. The old policeman could no longer endure it, leaning on his knees to catch his breath. I glanced back and nearly broke down: "This, this..."

I thought I had misheard, and just as I was about to inquire further, I noticed that the old police officer had already walked inside. I couldn't just stand by and watch him get into trouble, so I hurriedly followed him. By the time I entered, the old police officer had already picked up three incense sticks.

Run

My legs trembled like a sieve, unable to utter a single word

I had a bad feeling and ran towards the police station. He had not come to work. Several officers, who were his juniors, noticed my grim expression and asked me what had happened. I said the old officer might be in trouble. At first, they did not believe me. When they called, no one answered. They contacted his family, who said he had returned last night, changed his clothes, and left again, not knowing where he had gone. At that time, his face looked very bad, and only then did the group become anxious and quickly dispatched someone to investigate. They initially did not believe it, called, and no one answered. They contacted his family, who said he had returned last night, changed his clothes, and left again, not knowing where he had gone. At that time, his face looked very bad, and only then did the group become anxious and quickly dispatched someone to investigate.

I recalled their mocking gazes and fully understood that they intended to toy with us, to make us suffer in fear until we collapsed. I looked at the old policeman; he was still gasping for breath, unable to speak. I gritted my teeth and said, "Keep running"

I cannot tell whether it is the sound of footsteps or the sound of my heartbeat, or perhaps a mixture of both. I feel as though I am gradually walking towards the abyss, with sweat already soaking my back

He forced a smile and said, "I am fine"

As he turned, I was astonished to discover that he was not the old policeman I had known; instead, it was a face I did not recognize, belonging to a man in his thirties, with a deep scar on his forehead and a complexion as pale as if it had been coated in wax

I was peacefully lighting incense, so why did I end up offending them again

However, just as I was about to light the incense, I suddenly felt their gazes turn icy. When I turned around, I found that the eyes looking at me were filled with murderous intent, especially the guy who had led me in. The scar on his forehead looked as if it were about to split open, and I could vaguely see a fat, white maggot trying to crawl out.

Then let's light it; only after lighting the incense can we leave

Before I could finish my sentence, I heard someone say "shut up". I didn't even know who said it, and it startled me.

He suddenly turned around and gave me a teasing glance. I shivered, all my thoughts dissipating completely, and I looked at him with a flattering gaze

I almost cried, pleading: "Dear brothers and sisters, we have no grievances in the past and no enmity in recent days. Why do you have to fixate on me? If I have offended you in any way, I sincerely apologize..."

The quiet sound of falling needles could be heard along the way, and he did not speak, walking ahead lost in his own thoughts. There were no footsteps, only the faint sound of my leather shoes tapping against the ground

The old policeman pushed me aside, and a person walked out. I wanted to follow, but he stopped me, tiredly saying he wanted some quiet time and told me not to worry. I could only watch him gradually walk away, his figure disappearing into the night.

I was intimidated by his imposing presence, halting my steps, and I watched in astonishment as three incense sticks were placed into the incense burner; at the very moment they were inserted, the incense was consumed.

Dong dong

The old policeman finished speaking, took out a lighter, and lit three incense sticks

Without any obstruction, as we exited the flower shop, it felt like a dream. I glanced at the old policeman; perhaps due to his age, he was not as healthy as he had been in his youth. He was sweating profusely, his hair completely soaked. We exchanged a glance and ran forward.

In an instant, all gazes directed at him were filled with resentment and hatred, a feeling akin to a spark igniting an entire powder magazine. The atmosphere was charged with instability, causing my heart to rise to my throat. I looked at the old police officer; his earlier words had deeply moved me, filling me with both admiration and shame. Indeed, at this moment, his bravery highlighted my cowardice. However, I truly did not know what to do or how to act. Could I be of any help to him?

He grasped my hand and said: "Xiao Xu, I wanted to share some good news with you. I have found a way to deal with ghosts. People fear evil spirits, and spirits also fear wicked individuals, especially those butchers who have long been stained with blood. I have contacted someone for you; he has been a butcher for over twenty years and has countless blood on his hands. He will surely be able to scare away the evil spirits. Here is his phone number; you must go find him tomorrow without delay"

The old police officer said: "If they wanted to kill us, we wouldn't be alive until now. Clearly, they are not here for that. Since there is no motive for murder, it means they have some demands. What do they want you to do?"

I felt like running over and grabbing the old policeman, asking, "Are you alright?"

No one responded, and the cold feeling dissipated significantly. They walked out, and when they turned back, the resentment in their eyes was so intense that it seemed almost ready to drip out

The old police officer wiped his sweat and said, "This must be the legendary ghost wall; we cannot get out of here."

Xu Ming

Everything that happened last night was truly overwhelming for an ordinary person. After sitting for a while, I still couldn't shake off my worries, so I called the old policeman, but there was no response

I am not foolish; I know that if this continues, there will certainly be no good outcome. Holding the incense in a daze, I am at a loss as to what to do. Seeing that I am not taking any action, they have become even angrier. This is easy to judge, as the coldness has become increasingly piercing. I truly do not know what to do. Lighting the incense is not an option, nor is not lighting it. Are they trying to drive me to my death?

Knock knock

The old police officer patted my shoulder, and his tone unexpectedly softened: "I'll take care of it."

Light the incense

A glimmer of hope surged within me as I reached out my hand to him; it was warm, and my palm was sweaty. My eyes felt slightly flushed, and I never expected that he would come to my rescue

As I approached the flower shop, despair gradually set in. Although I did not know what was about to happen, that unsettling feeling grew ever stronger. I gritted my teeth, intending to flee. Just at that moment, the old policeman in front suddenly turned around and asked, "Are you planning to run away?"

When the rooster crowed for the first time, the sky brightened. I sat on the threshold of the flower shop, resembling a beggar who had lost his soul

Like a puppet on strings, I was pulled into the flower shop by him. As soon as I looked up, I was nearly scared to death. There were many people inside, dressed in black, including men, women, and children of all ages. Their faces were not particularly fierce, but their eyes were filled with malice, looking at me with ill intentions.

He squeezed out two words through his teeth: "Go back!"

I recalled the scene from just now and said nervously: "But there is a problem with that incense; I have a feeling that if it is really lit, it will be the end."