"Reinforcements? Is it Big Hammer and Monkey?"
Bai Ling instinctively voiced her doubt: "Arenât they in..."
She was cut off halfway by Lin Chuqiaoâs gentle cough.
Bai Ling turned to look at her, seeing Lin Chuqiao winking at her, she immediately realized.
"Oh! Sister Xiao Chu, so you secretly made a call this afternoon to have them come to Tian Nan Province too?"
She hurriedly changed her words, her voice carrying a hint of appropriate surprise.
"Yes."
Lin Chuqiao nodded with a smile, naturally taking over the conversation:
"The three of us are all inclined towards spiritual sensory abilities. To deal with an enemy skilled in weird evil techniques, relying on this alone isnât safe, we need strong fighting abilities as well."
"I knew it!"
Bai Ling immediately nodded in agreement, her face full of excitement:
"We have too few people for this mission, if Big Hammer and Monkey were here, no matter what Black Magic Master or Ghoul Nurturing, weâd have his head twisted off and kicked like a ball!"
Though not as in sync with Fang Cheng as Lin Chuqiao, she was also sharp and perceptive.
Understanding their intention, she went along with the act flawlessly.
Fang Cheng kept a calm face, neither approving nor disapproving of his companionsâ tacit cooperation, then turned to Chen Xuâan and said:
"Mr. Chen, if itâs convenient, we would like to stay at your residence tonight."
"Firstly to get familiar with the environment, and secondly to facilitate arrangements for the operation two days later."
Chen Xuâan pondered for a moment, then slightly nodded:
"Of course, no problem, since youâve already found key clues, I will fully cooperate until your reinforcements arrive."
"As for the accommodations, I will have the housekeeper arrange them properly."
After inspecting the crime scene, the group returned to the downstairs living room.
Chen Xuâan chatted with Fang Cheng and the others for a while longer.
The topics mainly revolved around the victimsâ conditions before their deaths, and whether the Chen family had any recent grudges with others.
However, this discussion did not yield any new valuable clues.
"Mr. Bai."
Chen Xuâan adjusted the glasses on his nose, his expression slightly hesitant:
"Pardon my bluntness, how confident are you in identifying the Black Magic Master and resolving the crisis of the Chen family?"
He paused, then showed an apologetic look and explained:
"I donât mean to doubt your abilities, itâs just that previous experiences have made me cautious about harboring too much hope."
"I canât say a hundred percent."
Fang Cheng smiled slightly, his tone steady:
"But thereâs at least a ninety percent chance. All your residence needs to do is remain vigilant as usual, and await good news."
Seeing Fang Chengâs calm and confident eyes, Chen Xuâanâs doubts diminished somewhat, and he finally nodded.
Then, Housekeeper Li respectfully led Fang Cheng and the others to the guest room area on the second floor to arrange their rooms.
Before long, the sun set, and the day gradually turned to night.
The Chen familyâs dinner for the guests was quite sumptuous.
But recalling the earlier gruesome and terrifying discussion, especially the thought of the victim whose internal organs were cooked while drinking soup, made people feel uncomfortable.
Lin Chuqiao and Bai Ling both had little appetite, their chopsticks moved a few times before they put them down.
Fang Cheng, on the other hand, appeared unaffected, his appetite was excellent as he devoured the meal voraciously, nearly clearing out the food on the table by himself.
After dinner, night quickly enveloped the manor situated halfway up the mountain.
Fang Cheng returned to his room, not turning on the light, but casually pulling open the heavy curtains.
No matter where he was, he was more accustomed to being in the darkness, it made him feel more at ease.
After all, for a being different from ordinary people, darkness was the best disguise.
And there might very well be another creature accustomed to darkness lurking in this mansion.
At this moment, the other party might be hiding in some corner, coldly watching them, these unexpected guests.
Fang Cheng gazed at the view outside the window.
Under the night sky, the Chen Family Manor shed its daytime luxury, revealing a hint of eeriness.
The distant mountains loomed ominously like hibernating beasts.
This affluent area was already sparsely populated, and at night it was especially silent.
Only a few scattered lights flickered in the darkness, like ghostly flames.
Lin Chuqiao and Bai Ling were assigned rooms next door.
Fang Cheng had instructed them to call out to him immediately if there was any situation.
At this moment, it was still early, and he wasnât sleepy at all.
After gazing outside for a while, he turned and sat cross-legged on the carpet in the center of the room to begin meditation cultivation.
He gently closed his eyes, his breathing gradually becoming deep and long,
Not knowing how much time had passed, just as his mind was immersed in the Inner World.
"Knock, knock."
A sudden knocking sounded at the door, breaking the silence.
Fang Cheng opened his eyes, a glint flashed in his pupils, then he got up to open the door.
Standing outside were Lin Chuqiao looking slightly embarrassed and Bai Ling looking as if sheâd had a fright.
"Um... Sorry to disturb you."
Lin Chuqiao, a bit helpless, pointed to Bai Ling beside her:
"This girl says sheâs scared, doesnât dare to sleep alone, insists on coming to find you."
"Thatâs not true!"
Bai Ling immediately retorted, but her pale face and the hand tightly gripping Lin Chuqiaoâs arm betrayed her bravado:
"I just... have something to ask Big Brother White Ghost..."
She stammered for a long time, seemingly organizing her thoughts or recalling some fearful event.
"What do you want to ask me? Go ahead."
Fang Cheng looked at her calmly.
Seeing Fang Cheng in person, Bai Ling seemed to have finally found her rock, speaking quickly: