The Exorcist

Chapter 10 The Missing Child (Part 1)

Ruan Zhan did not deliberately restore the style of the bar to its original state, but he just stood at the bar and smiled faintly, and the hustle and bustle of these days has settled down a lot. Here, he is the calm and stable existence, he is the master of all living beings, and no one can overshadow his light.

It's just that although he is calmly dealing with business at the moment, his mind is hanging on other things.

In his opinion, the business that Bao Datong took over was a bit strange. It was just an attempt to summon a soul, but now it has become increasingly weird. Is there something wrong with the woman named Lu Yan and her child? Is there something wrong with the place where they live? Did she come to Bao Datong intentionally, or was it completely unintentional? Why did Xiaoxia meet the little girl who had been missing for ten days? Why, according to her description, did the little girl seem to be no longer alive? But if the little girl was dead, why did she appear in broad daylight?

Bao Datong wanted to join hands with him to resolve the matter, but he refused. It's not that he is petty, it's that he doesn't want Bao Datong to know his secret. He wants to trace his life experience. He doesn't trust anyone except Wan Li. As for Xiaoxia, he wanted her to live the simplest and happy life and not get involved in these things.

Bao Datong's magic power is not low, he can see this. However, it seems that his character is the same as ten years ago, enthusiastic, careless, and impulsive. This is somewhat similar to Xiao Xia, except that he is a little more cynical than Xiao Xia. This is also the reason why he is unwilling to cooperate with Bao Datong. He has a feeling that the truth will slowly emerge. Not only this husband-hunting incident, but also his life experience is the same. He must be extra careful every step he takes, and with Bao Datong's personality may be a hindrance.

Now the hot-tempered Bao Datong has already gone to Lu Yan's residence to visit, but he is not in a hurry. He wants to wait until dawn in the second half of the night before going. With Bao Datong's ability, he should not be able to alert the enemy before this conflict has intensified.

Xiaoxia is sleeping upstairs now. He has rearranged the protective array hidden in the decoration. As long as she stays here at night, no evil things will disturb her. As for her Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva amulet, she had stayed with him since the last time in Hongqing Town. He was blessing it with thoughts every day, hoping to give her greater protection.

Just as I was thinking about it, the door opened. Ruan Zhan looked up and saw Wan Li and Bao Datong.

Seeing a hint of inquiry in Ruan Zhan's eyes, Wan Li shrugged. Ruan Zhan immediately understood that he was not with Bao Datong, but just met him at the door.

As soon as the two handsome guys entered the venue, they immediately shared a little of Ruan Zhan's pressure, but this also prevented them from discussing the matter. They didn't have the opportunity to talk about it in a low voice until it was about to close.

"Nothing was found." Before Ruan Zhan could ask, Bao Datong talked about the results of his visit to Lu Yan's family. "Although there are few people and a strong negative energy, there is nothing abnormal. What makes me wonder is, why Lu Yan’s husband always appears, but there hasn’t been a ghost in the past few days?”

"Maybe her husband didn't show up, but it was a fantasy formed in her mind because she was crazy about lovesickness. From a psychiatric perspective -"

"No need to drop the book bag." Bao Datong showed his invincible cute smile to an elegant woman who had not left yet, while interrupting Wan Li, "Because Xiaoxia encountered something strange, we first presume that what Lu Yan said is true."

Wan Li looked at Ruan Zhan, who whispered what happened to Xiao Xia.

"Don't tell me, Xiaoxia is seeing the Zhang Jialin." Wan Li was a little surprised.

"It's that little girl." Bao Datong nodded, "And according to what Xiao Xia described, the little girl's situation is not very optimistic."

"Do you have any clues?" Ruan Zhan frowned habitually.

We have been friends for many years, and he understands the meaning of Wanli's smallest movements. Although Wan Li's face is still calm now, his eyes tell him that he knows something inside.

"It hasn't been reported in the newspapers yet, so you don't know that seven children have gone missing in this city in the past ten days. They are all between four and six years old, and they all disappeared at night without any warning."

"Lost at night?" Bao Datong was startled, "Shouldn't such a young child sleep with his parents in the middle of the night?"

"That's why it's strange." Wan Li took a sip of wine, "Now the police also have humanized management. I went to provide psychological counseling to the police officers and some criminal suspects, and then I knew a little bit about the specific details, such as when the crime occurred. I can’t inquire about the situation.”

"These human traffickers should be kicked to hell, and a talisman should be added to them, so that they can be reincarnated after being tortured, and they will have to turn into pigs and dogs in the next life!" Bao Datong said bitterly.

"It's definitely not the work of human traffickers! Human traffickers abduct children by stealing, cheating, abducting, and occasionally robbing. However, these cases of missing children all occurred in the middle of the night. The parents were not aware of it, and the doors were all opened from the inside. , there was no trace of violence, the children seemed to disappear out of thin air.”

"Perhaps it was done by people who took pictures of drug addicts." Bao Datong said seriously, "When I was a child, I heard my father say that there is a very strange powder, and those bastards who kidnap and traffic children are targeting whose children. Just slap it on the head of the child. The child could not see or hear anything at that time. He only felt that there was someone leading him in front of him. There were two big rivers on the left and right, and there was a bad wolf chasing him behind. So I will always follow that trafficker."

"Sounds like hallucinogens."

"I'm not talking nonsense. This kind of medicine really does exist. China has such a long history and its splendid medical civilization. There are many strange herbal medicines that seem to have been lost, but they are secretly passed down among some people, and they are used by people with bad intentions. It is also possible to harm others. You are a doctor and you should not look at this issue narrowly."

"I admit what you said. There are indeed many magical things among the people, and I don't reject it." Wan Li said, "But you also said it yourself, you have to 'photograph' it. These children all disappeared at home in the middle of the night. How to take pictures? Besides, the traffickers kidnapped the children to sell them, not to keep them for themselves. If they want to sell them, they have to leave the city. Are you a fool to be a policeman? The whole city has been strictly controlled, but there is no trace. You say Where have the children gone?”

Bao Datong concluded his sentence, thought for a moment, and wondered what else he wanted to argue. But as soon as he opened his mouth, he was interrupted by Ruan Zhan.

"Can you get the home addresses of these seven children?"

"This shouldn't be a secret, haven't Zhang Jialin's parents posted a missing person notice?" Wan Li said, "There are report records available. The police are just afraid of causing unnecessary panic and have not released the information for the time being. They have not deliberately concealed it. I guess news will be released in the next day or two to remind the public to pay attention."

"Okay, let's inquire directly from the child's parents." Ruan Zhan said concisely.

"What is the reason for asking the child's parents?" Wan Li asked.

Ruan Zhan didn't say anything, but after taking a look at Bao Datong, Wan Li understood immediately. Parents who have lost their children must be very anxious. If the child cannot be found temporarily through normal channels, asking gods and divination is the most common way to seek help. Bao Datong is such a famous "magic stick", so he must get close to the child. It couldn't be easier than asking his parents to tell him the truth.

"You know I'm useful this time, right? You do this every time, especially you -" Bao Datong pointed at Ruan Zhan, "You don't trust anyone. When the critical moment comes, you will know that I, Bao Datong, am not just a freeloader. Duan This is what happened to Jin, and this is what happened to Nana!"

Bao Datong suddenly mentioned Nana, which made Wan Li's expression darken.

"I just borrowed your name, I didn't say I would cooperate with you." Ruan Zhan changed the subject, "Don't forget, you promised Lu Yan to find her husband Zhang Zixin, but you still don't have a clue."

Bao Datong sighed, "Yeah, I'm going to start investigating what happened before Zhang Zi was born tomorrow. I want to know why and how he died a few days before his wedding?"

"It's missing." Ruan Zhan reminded him that anything is possible.

"I wish those children were just missing." Bao Datong sighed again, "After all, missing people can be found."

The three people looked at each other and saw helplessness in each other's eyes.

No matter in the past or now, can what has been lost be recovered?

After discussing the countermeasures, Ruan Zhan went invisible to Lu Yan's house when it was almost dawn. The result was the same as Bao Datong's - there was nothing unusual. The portrait hidden behind the debris that Xiaoxia mentioned was indeed there, but there was no evil attached to it; the 'squeaking' and 'clattering' sounds she mentioned were also there, but the windows covered by the debris were not there. If it is closed well, it will make a sound when the wind blows; but the little girl who looks like Zhang Jialin does not appear at all.

But despite this, Ruan Zhan thought there was something wrong with this place, and what Xiaoxia encountered was indeed abnormal.

Because it's so 'clean' here. You must know that there are obsessions everywhere in this world, and people die everywhere, let alone an old house like this decades ago? Although there are generally no spirits appearing in places where people gather, and resentment filled with evil thoughts is not common, it is impossible that there is no breath. It may be possible to cover up the problem, but if you go too far, it seems like you are covering up the problem.

He thought all the way and walked back slowly. As soon as he entered the store, he found that the tables and chairs in the bar had been pushed aside. Xiao Xia was dressed in sports clothes and gesticulating with Bao Datong.

"Our sect is a little different from Ruan Zhan." Bao Datong ignored the return of the shop owner and explained to Xiao Xia in a decent manner, "He is born with supernatural powers and cultivated the day after tomorrow. He is more unconstrained. Although he is very powerful, our Taoism is not More authentic.”

Xiao Xia stole a glance at Ruan Zhan, and Ruan Zhan's eyes were following her involuntarily. As soon as their eyes touched, they quickly looked away.

"Your foundation is too poor. Although there is no age difference in learning Taoism, but you have too many distracting thoughts in your mind, it will be difficult to get started." Bao Datong didn't seem to see it, but his words sounded to Xiao Xia as if she was in a state of anxiety right now. My heart quickly calmed down.

"Let's do this!" Bao Datong thought for a moment, "There is a set of Five Elements Forbidden Techniques in our sect, which do not require much skill from the user. As long as I draw you a set of corresponding talismans, and then you practice until you are proficient in the formula, With accurate footwork, you can resist ordinary evil things. As for getting started, let's take our time. Junior Sister Xiaoxia, I can only be so good to you. That set of spells is a secret that is not passed down. Even if you know how to draw it, without me It's useless to match mental techniques. This - my 'cousin', he can't do it either."

When Xiaoxia heard him talking about Ruan Zhan, she couldn't help but look at him again, "I - I'm afraid that something will happen again and I will become a burden to you, so I have to practice. At least I think I can - protect myself!" She didn't know why. I tried to explain it to him, but it just came out of my mouth.

"Okay. But you have to be in good health. Don't be too tired." Ruan Zhan said softly and stood there without moving.

Xiaoxia lowered her head.

What does he mean? He was hot and cold to her. Since he was avoiding her, it proved that he had no special affection for her, so why was he smiling so softly now that she didn't dare to speak again, for fear that when she opened her mouth, her racing heart would jump out of her mouth! How could he smile so beautifully if he was going to die!

"So, do you want to chat, or continue to learn Taoism?" Bao Datong's voice came, without any intention of reproach, and his tone was rather joking.

"Study, learn, learn, I'll go to school right away." Xiaoxia surrendered quickly, suppressing the waves of throbbing feeling in her heart, "You picked me up from bed so early in the morning, wouldn't I have gotten up so early for nothing if I didn't learn something? ?”

"That's how you behave." Bao Datong smiled. "This set of forbidden five elements is metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. Although the footwork and gestures are a bit complicated, the spell is very simple. Let's do it step by step. Let's learn metal first. The spell is—" Seeing Ruan Zhan still standing there, Bao Datong put down his raised hand.

"Cousin, do you know some rules? They are teaching my junior sister her unique skills. Shouldn't you step aside and stop standing there pretending to be a doorkeeper?"

"Oh, I'm sorry." Ruan Zhan then realized that he had been standing there without moving a step.

He walked from the side and when he passed Xiao Xia, the close proximity of their breaths made his heart ache.

She is learning how to ward off evil spirits and avoid evil! If she learned Bao Datong's magic, she would no longer need him. But if she doesn't need his words, what else can she miss in this world. He really can't stand this! She doesn't need him! She doesn't need him!

"By the way, I forgot to mention it." He stopped next to Xiao Xia, trying his best to keep calm, "Don't go to Lu Yan's house alone, not even during the day."

"Did you find anything?" Xiaoxia asked.

Ruan Zhan shook his head, "You just need to promise me."

"But, I promised the kid that I would play with him. Isn't it good to lie to the kid?" Xiao Xia looked embarrassed.

"We are trying to find other ways to help the mother and son. You have to be good this time and listen to me." Ruan Zhan said patiently, "I will help you visit the child at noon today and I will not let you miss the appointment. I will tell him ,you are sick."

"In fact, her body did not fully recover for some reason." Bao Datong interrupted, "By the way, what did you find?"

"We are not joining forces."

"Yes." Bao Datong admitted honestly, "But with our friendship, we can at least exchange information."

"When you make new discoveries, I will exchange them with you." Ruan Zhan said, suddenly turning around and going upstairs.

"It doesn't seem to be going well. He's not happy." Xiao Xia watched Ruan Zhan's figure disappear at the corner of the stairs. She was so worried that she didn't hear Bao Datong's thoughtful words.

"He can't control his heart."