Chapter 6 The Hidden Talismans

The crying slowly stopped, but the feeling of terror gradually approached, as if the woman on the phone was walking out of the mobile phone and leaning on my shoulder.

I have recently been investigating a supernatural disappearance case and I need your help to obtain some items that can deal with spirits

Wait a moment. Just as Er Gou lifted the box, I saw a piece of talisman paper that was unlike any other.

Upon seeing the text message notification on my phone, I no longer held any illusions. I knew the location mentioned in the task; it was the small inn located on the outskirts of the city where a murder had occurred three months ago. The victim was male, and the circumstances of his death were exceedingly bizarre

After plugging in the charger, it took five minutes to power on. On the nearly eight-inch screen, there were surprisingly only three solitary icons: one for the phonebook, one for the mailbox, and one prominently displaying my own black-and-white photo

Fortunately, it was dark, and the bloodstains on the equipment were not very noticeable; otherwise, I would have found it difficult to explain myself even if I were in the right

What is this supposed to be? A combination of Chinese and Western elements? He seems to have quite a wide range of interests

When I dug out a silver-plated cross and two long strips of garlic from the box, I became even more certain of my idea.

The night is deep, and the silent desires are about to erupt. Picking up the phone in the guest room, responding to ambiguous questions, she is actually at the door, staring with crimson eyes, waiting for you to invite her in

So... do you know where he is now

With two dark circles under my eyes, I opened the shop door. Regardless of my condition, business must go on.

Upon opening this strange application, a line of text appeared on the screen: There are 12 hours and 30 minutes remaining until the task is released

There was no ringtone, no vibration, no notifications of any kind; under the faint cold light, a strange number was calling in.

I took out my phone and found a familiar number in my frequently used contacts list

I brewed myself a cup of strong tea and sat down at my computer desk, organizing the events of last night and recording them in written form on my computer. This is a habit I developed many years ago, and such meticulous recollection aids in reflection, preventing me from missing important clues

Brother Jian, if you have nothing else, I will take my leave. Liu is still being held, and I fear the brothers might be too rough and hurt that old bone. " With that, Er Gou picked up the empty box and prepared to leave

The selfie stick and camera were nothing to look at, but that large-screen smartphone caught my attention

Two people stared at the few characters on the talisman, which were written in a lively and artistic manner. They recognized them as Chinese characters, yet they could not comprehend their meaning

"Jian Ge, this peach wood box was passed down from Liu Xiezi's ancestors. You better not have any ideas about it, or Liu Xiezi will definitely come after me." Er Gou touched the plaster on his arm and said, "That old bone still has some skills..."

It's eight o'clock! The moment the hour hand passed, the phone screen lit up.

On the other end of the phone, the sound of a bottle shattering and a woman's scream could be heard. After a long while, someone finally answered the call: "Jian Ge, I'm a bit busy here, so please make it brief."

Withdraw, withdraw, withdraw! Use the back door! Hey, Brother Jian, I guarantee the items will be delivered! Get lost, remember this, from now on this bathhouse is my territory! Go!

Is this dismemberment? A shiver ran down my spine, and at the same time, a new message appeared in my inbox

This talisman paper is affixed to the bottom of the box, and due to the passage of time, it has turned yellowish, almost blending seamlessly with the box itself

I understand that it may be difficult for an ordinary person to comprehend, but this is indeed no joke. Before nightfall, I need you to help me obtain some consecrated talisman paper or amulets. The price is negotiable, but the items must be effective

Forget it, at this point, I no longer hold any hope. I can only grit my teeth and categorize the talismans in the box, packing them into the pockets of my clothes. A dead horse is treated as a live one; who knows, perhaps Liu the Blind is some great recluse hidden in plain sight, and if that is the case, I would stand to gain immensely

I want to find someone. The voice was devoid of any emotion, as cold as a solitary tombstone in a mass grave

As night falls, I sit quietly at the table, fully armed, silently watching the clock on the wall

Hello ... ... '' The cold body of the phone pressed against my ear, the only sound from the microphone was a woman's sobbing, `` Who are you looking for ? ''

I apologize, but the shop only sells adult products. If you really need something, you can add me on WeChat... I trembled as I tried to organize my words, and in fact, I didn't even know what I was saying myself

"Sure, Er Gou, you can use idioms now?" The young man on the other end of the phone, whose full name is Chen Er Gou and whose nickname is Er Gouzi, dropped out of school at the age of fourteen to become a thug. Three years ago, he came to my shop to collect protection fees, and I tied him up and gave him an electric shock education for half an hour. After that, he had a change of heart, realized his mistakes, and became an informant.

His right hand was wrapped in plaster, while his left hand held an old wooden box.

Brother Jian, the police are coming soon. If you want to tell a story, can you wait until tonight? Are you kidding me! Give it your all! Hey, Brother Jian, I am not talking about you!

The fresh morning breeze swept into the room as the military coat curtain was lifted, and a vibrant, youthful, and charming girl stealthily slipped inside

Help me find a person, he hid me under the floor, inside the walls, and behind the bathtub in the bathroom, find him, find him! The voice suddenly stopped, the call ended, leaving me with endless speculation

"Xia Qing, aren't you attending class today?" My train of thought was interrupted, and I looked at the girl with a sense of helplessness.

After Xia Qing's departure, I opened the suitcase I had brought out from the underworld showcase, wiped the bloodstains off the live broadcast equipment with a cloth, and began to fiddle with it

Hearing what Er Gou said, I am even more convinced that this box is extraordinary

This requires further investigation, and I need time. I casually took the egg pancake that the girl was carrying; after a night filled with suspense, I finally smelled the aroma, and my stomach began to growl.

Live broadcast task: Check into Anxin Hotel Room 203 at midnight, survive until sunrise

Is it again at night? I seem to smell the scent of conspiracy; this time, I must not rush in blindly and should be fully prepared.

In our industry, we come into contact with all walks of life. Informants provide intelligence and assist me in my tasks, for which I will offer a corresponding reward, fulfilling each other's needs, which can be considered a form of alternative transaction

The look of anticipation in Xia Qing's eyes made it difficult for me to tell the truth. Looking at her plump chest, ugh, and her rosy cheeks, I turned the computer screen to the side: "Last night, I personally went to the Undead Show on Wudeng Road according to the address on the card and found some traces regarding your brother. At least now I can be certain that you were not lying; your brother indeed existed.

I want to understand, will adult products be sold here

"You may take the box, but I must keep this talisman." I went to the back room to put on a pair of disposable gloves specifically for autopsy use, and I carefully peeled off the talisman that was pressed against the bottom of the box.

Listening to the gradually clearer sound of the siren on the other end of the phone, I cannot help but marvel at the beauty of youth

Next time, add less lettuce and more chili peppers

Brother Jian, what is written on this?

Liu the Blind? He was warned before for secretly installing cameras in a hotel. I had a brief encounter with him at the police station. That guy is just a fraud pretending to be blind

"Don't say that, these counterfeit devices actually have quite a high technological content." I turned to look at the electronic clock on the wall; it was now seven thirty in the morning, which meant that the tasks for the underworld showcase would be released tonight at eight o'clock

Incredibly thin, it is indiscernible what material it is made of, yet it possesses greater resilience than ordinary paper.

At around 2 or 3 PM, a young man with a bandaged forehead entered the adult store

After the bald uncle dropped me off at the adult store, I lay in bed tossing and turning, unable to sleep. I finally managed to doze off for a bit when dawn broke, only to have a nightmare about being trapped in a deserted village hotel by a female ghost.

Moreover, the wooden box, which appears to be quite old, does not emit even a hint of decay when placed before me; instead, it carries an indescribable charm.

"Jian Ge, come and inspect the goods." Er Gou placed the box on the table, opened it with one hand, revealing colorful talismans and a haphazard assortment of exorcism tools inside: "I don't know what you need, so I just tied up Liu the Blind from the fortune-telling stand, and all these items were searched out from his home."

Hello, Er Gouzi, there is work to be done

"Brother Dog, the police have arrived!"

It is still early, just passing by to take a look. How is it? Is there any progress with your brother's matters?

Hey! That's my breakfast!

Strangely enough, as soon as this talisman was removed, a foul odor emanated from the peach wood box. Realizing that something was amiss, I quickly handed Er Gou fifty yuan to return the box at once