Chapter 72 The True Culprit

Duan Tianqi clutched the hem of his trousers, his expression filled with terror and unease, as if he were afraid of something unspeakable.

I said, "Don't be scared. The more you keep it inside, the more frightened you'll become. Tell me, and I can help share your burden."

He hesitated for a moment—after all, he was only a fourth grader. My words seemed to encourage him, and he stammered, "That... that night, when we went exploring together..."

The story of the ghostly opera had spread, chilling everyone, but also sparking their curiosity. So Duan Tianqi and a few other kids who lived near the school planned a little adventure. Since their homes were close by, sneaking out for a while at night didn't seem too risky. They agreed to meet at the vacant lot near the school before heading over quietly together.

At night, the school was eerily silent, a stark contrast to the bustling daytime. Even the bravest among them trembled with fear.

Their motive had only been fun, but when midnight came and the sound of drums and gongs echoed, the ghostly child performers really appeared. Terrified, they fled in panic, scrambling over the wall and running home.

During their escape, they realized Miao Bin was missing...

No wonder Duan Tianqi was so frightened—the child who had died had been with them on their adventure.

"You don't need to be afraid. The police will catch the murderer," I said.

He shook his head, his voice trembling, "I... I saw it..."

A chill ran through me; this child knew more than he'd let on.

"What did you see?" I asked.

Duan Tianqi twisted his fingers, trembling, his voice quivering, "Miao Bin was my good friend... I went back to the school to look for him. I was standing at the gate, and I saw... saw him..."

He shook even more violently, his face ghostly pale. I could almost imagine what he was about to say—he must have witnessed the crime itself! The condition of the corpse was so horrific; the brutality of the scene must have been unimaginable. How could a child endure such a sight?

Duan Tianqi hugged himself, shivering, his expression overwhelmed with terror, recalling the dreadful memory: "Miao Bin... he knew I was at the school gate... he turned to look at me... his eyes were wide open, staring right at me..."

The direction the corpse's head faced—it was looking at Duan Tianqi! At that moment, he must have been seeking help from him. Those wide, contorted eyes, even without meaning to, sent a shiver through my heart; I couldn't fathom how terrified Duan Tianqi must have been, seeing those desperate, pleading eyes fixed on him!

The bloody, gruesome murder scene, the look of a companion begging for help before death—these would be unbearable even for adults, let alone a fourth grader!

Duan Tianqi curled up, clutching himself, fear overwhelming him. He had kept silent all this time, not out of deliberate concealment, but because terror had robbed him of speech. He was also tormented by guilt for having failed to help his friend.

I placed a hand on his shoulder to comfort him. "Miao Bin's death has nothing to do with you. You're just a child. The killer was ruthless—no one could have saved him. Don't blame yourself."

Duan Tianqi huddled up, tears streaming down his face. These days, he had lived in constant fear, his nerves stretched to the breaking point.

"What did the killer look like?" I asked.

He sobbed, "It... it was Uncle Ding!"

Uncle Ding? My mind reeled, incredulous. "You mean Old Ding?"

He nodded, tears flowing.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

I jolted, looking toward the entrance. "Who is it?" I called out.

"It's me. There's only you two left—I wasn't comfortable, so I came to ask if you'd like to come over to my place," Old Ding's voice called from outside.

Duan Tianqi shrank against me, clutching my clothes, almost ready to cry out.

I signaled for him to keep quiet, then replied loudly, "No need, we're fine here."

"You see, Old Ma and the others aren't here, and with that recent murder, how can I feel at ease leaving you two alone? Why not come over to my place?" Old Ding persisted.

"It's fine, we're about to sleep anyway. You should head back," I said.

He didn't seem ready to leave. After a pause, his tone changed slightly, "Why are you so reluctant? Is there another reason?"

Duan Tianqi shivered, staring at the door in terror.

I gripped him tightly and replied, "Nothing like that. I just don't want to trouble you. It's late, and we're about to sleep—going over wouldn't be convenient, right? You go ahead. I'm an adult; what do I have to fear?"

A strange, cold laughter drifted from outside. Old Ding's voice, mocking and sinister, said, "I've spoken kindly enough. Now that the other two are gone, if something happens to you, don't blame me!"

Damn! Duan Tianqi's unusual behavior had tipped him off.

Grabbing Duan Tianqi, I quickly headed toward the back door, retreating as I spoke, "Heard what? There's nothing else going on, is there? I really don't want to trouble you, and it's almost bedtime. Going over wouldn't be convenient, would it? Go back, I'm not afraid."

A sudden, bone-chilling cold approached, a sense of dread enveloping me. I yanked Duan Tianqi aside, instinctively reaching into my jacket pocket and flinging my hand toward a certain direction!

"Ah—" A strange cry rang out. I turned my head and saw a disheveled, ragged little ghost flung aside by the exorcism talisman!

It was that ghost child! It seemed its disappearance last night was tied to Old Ding! Old Ding—so cunning and well-hidden! All this time, he'd played the role of a simple, helpful old man, never showing any sign of malice.

Duan Tianqi saw the ghost and went pale with terror, but he didn't make a sound.

The little ghost struggled against the wall, jolting repeatedly. The exorcism talisman sparked, threatening to ignite at any moment. Old Ding meant to silence us for good! I grabbed Duan Tianqi and dashed for the back door, flung it open, and escaped.

But just as we stepped outside, the ghost child floated over on tiptoe, moving incredibly fast, closing in instantly, its raised hands about to strike at Duan Tianqi!

Damn! Old Ma's exorcism talismans were all used up! I yanked Duan Tianqi away, and the ghost struck at me instead. Its hand barely touched me when it jerked back as if shocked by electricity, recoiling swiftly.

At the same time, something vibrated in my jacket pocket. I reached in and pulled out Old Ma's protective charm, now shattered into pieces, its edges scorched black!

Even the protective charm was gone! That thing was so fierce it destroyed Old Ma's two talismans in a flash!

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