Chapter 70: Chapter 70: Lu Xing’s Killing Trap
But things didn't go as planned. It felt as if some invisible force was influencing everything. Jiang Fei and I were on the sixth floor, but the elevator, stuck on the fifth floor, just wouldn't come up.
"The red thread of fate—does it mean when there's no opportunity, one must force it to happen?" I had a mountain of things to deal with and no time to indulge Jiang Fei's antics. If the elevator wasn't working, taking the stairs should do the trick.
I started walking away, but after a few steps, Jiang Fei's voice called out behind me: "The elevator's here. Where are you going?"
Turning back, I saw the elevator doors opening. I retraced my steps, but before I could reach it, the doors closed again and went straight up to the seventh floor.
"Damn it!" I slammed my fist against the metal door in frustration and found myself standing next to Jiang Fei again.
"I didn't touch anything. It went up on its own," Jiang Fei said, equally puzzled. Inwardly, she thought, Could this be fate? Is it destined that he can't leave me?
Resigned, we waited for the elevator again. Jiang Fei quietly observed my profile before finally asking, "What's your relationship with my sister-in-law? Why did she recognize you from just a glimpse of your back?"
"What's wrong? Are you afraid I might have feelings for your sister-in-law?" Women's intuition was terrifying, so I deflected casually.
"Of course! My sister-in-law is young, beautiful, and newly married. Meanwhile, my unlucky brother is still in the hospital. I heard someone crashed his wedding and angered him so much he suffered internal injuries."
"Internal injuries from anger? You really have quite the imagination." After waiting another minute for the elevator, I gave up and headed toward the stairs.
"So it's not true? Were you at my brother's wedding?" Jiang Fei asked as she naturally followed me.
"Go back to your sister-in-law. Stop following me." Turning to face her, I placed a hand on her shoulder, carefully choosing my words to deliver the truth in the simplest way possible. "I'm the one who crashed your brother's wedding. I'm Gao Jian."
Leaving a dumbfounded Jiang Fei in the corridor, I exited the pharmaceutical research center via the stairwell.
"This red thread of fate really tied me up with a huge headache."
On my way back, I grabbed a few meat buns, planning to share them with Bai Qi. Just as I was about to enjoy them, my phone buzzed—not a call, but a voice message from an unknown sender.
"Recently, I've been plagued by peach blossoms. Could it be another admirer?"
I opened the message and pressed it to my ear. After listening, I dropped the buns and sprinted toward the city police department.
The message was Xiao Feng's voice: "The sixth person Lu Xing wants to kill is Tie Ningxiang!"
At the police department gate, the new guard stopped me. "Do you know where you are? This isn't a place you can just walk into."
"I need to speak to your criminal investigation team leader, Tie Ningxiang. It's urgent!"
The guard strolled out lazily, looking me over. "Lots of people want to see our goddess. Just because you act like you know her doesn't mean I'll let you in." He seemed unhinged, speaking of Tie Ningxiang as if she were some idol. "Anyway, it's work hours. Give up."
"Useless!" I pulled out my phone and called Tie Ningxiang. "Hello, senior? Where are you right now?"
"Gao Jian? I'm on an assignment. If it's not urgent, let's talk later."
I raised my voice. "Are you going after Lu Xing?"
"How did you know? This morning, an elderly farmer in the suburbs reported something to us."
"Stop the car! Wait for me! That man intentionally exposed his location to lure you in!" I was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. Lu Xing was a formidable adversary, likely an apprentice or proxy of the Double-faced Buddha. He wouldn't make such a basic mistake.
"Relax. We've deployed over a dozen officers and police dogs. No matter how capable Lu Xing is, he won't escape."
"I'm not worried about him escaping! This is a trap—he's deliberately left clues to bait you! Listen to me—I've sent you a voice message. Lu Xing has already killed five people at the Peaceful Inn. The first was his underage sister, and the last was Xiao Feng. There's one person left in between—and that person is you! Lu Xing wants to kill you!"
I was shouting, and Tie Ningxiang was silent for a moment.
"Are you listening? Stop the car and wait for me. You can't handle this man!"
"Gao Jian, we're police officers. If we can't handle him, I won't drag you into this either," Tie Ningxiang said calmly. "Stay safe. I'll bring Xiao Feng back."
Then she hung up.
"Hello? Hello? Senior! Tie Ningxiang!" I pocketed my phone and glared at the dumbfounded guard. "Where did your team leader go?"
"You actually have Tie Ningxiang's number? Looks like your relationship with our goddess isn't ordinary."
"Tell me—where did she go on assignment?" My patience was gone. Grabbing his shirt collar, I stared him down, my eyes glowing with faint red light, my expression fierce and intimidating.
"Pinewood Cemetery," the guard blurted out, trembling.
Releasing the pale-faced guard, I flagged a cab and left the police department.
"Driver, take me to Pinewood Cemetery. And step on it."
"It's not Qingming Festival. Why are so many people heading there today?" the driver muttered as he started the car.
I caught on. "Besides me, who else is going to Pinewood Cemetery?"
"This morning, I gave a ride to a strange man in a black robe."
"A man in a black robe?" Based on the description, I suspected it was Gu Master. How did he learn about this?
An hour later, I arrived at Pinewood Cemetery, located in the northern suburbs of Jiang City. Surrounded by mountains and devoid of people, it was a serene resting place for the departed.
"Should I stop here? I think I see police cars ahead. Could there be a murder case?" The driver slowed down, ready to pull over.
"Don't worry. Follow them."
"Follow police cars? Are you trying to get into trouble?"
"Stop talking and drive!"
The cab followed the police cars up the winding mountain road, eventually stopping at the back of the cemetery.
The dense forest loomed, with tall pine trees standing on the cliffside. Without a local guide, anyone venturing a few kilometers into the mountains would be completely lost.
Lu Xing chose this secluded spot deliberately. He's lying in wait, and a single mistake from Tie Ningxiang could cost her life.
The cemetery's somber atmosphere was already eerie. Pine trees weren't protective like sacred trees; instead, people with "pinewood fates" were more prone to encountering spirits or misfortune. Many who'd experienced sleep paralysis shared this fate.
I just hope she hasn't gone too deep into the mountains yet. The forest was a haven for spirits and monsters. With Lu Xing's mastery of dark arts, he held every advantage here, waiting for Tie Ningxiang to walk into his trap.
I racked my brain for a plan while the driver sat in stunned silence, likely his first time seeing someone bold enough to tail police cars.
Tie Ningxiang must not die. Her death would complete some kind of ritual, and Xiao Feng's life would be next. Paying the driver, I headed toward the police vehicles.
Two officers were setting up a perimeter. Seeing me approach, they stopped me. "There's a fugitive in the area. No entry allowed."
Frowning, I paced outside the cordon, spotting a familiar figure. It was an officer I had seen at the Peaceful Inn.
"Hey! Buddy!"
The man hesitated, recognizing me. "You're… Tie Ningxiang's junior?"
"Yes, I'm Gao Jian. We met at the Peaceful Inn."
"I'm Zhao Bin. Just call me Xiao Zhao." This fair-faced officer was indeed the one I had pegged as having a crush on Tie Ningxiang.
"Xiao Zhao, did your team leader go into the mountains?" I cut to the chase.
"She and the others went in about an hour ago. We're the second team here to provide backup. The search area is huge…"
"This is bad!" Before he could finish, I played Xiao Feng's voice message on speaker. "Your team leader is in danger. This is a carefully laid trap targeting her! Take me to her—I'm the only one who can save her!"
"That's not appropriate. This is official police business…"
"Think about Tie Ningxiang. I have no reason to lie to you!" I raised my voice, staring into Zhao Bin's eyes. "Do you want to stand by and watch her die?"
Zhao Bin gripped the barrier tape tightly, deliberating for a long moment. "Alright, I'll take you into the mountains."
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