The Exorcist

Book 6: Chapter 3: Empty city

  Why? This side is clearly easier to walk. Xiao Xia asked in surprise. 

Mao Fu and Zhao Jia Yuan didnt respond right away. They merely exchanged a glance. Xiao Xia keenly sensed the two were exchanging some message through their glances very suspiciously.

Thats right, why not take the wide open road instead of the winding path? One of the provincial reporters followed up.

She was called Liu Hong, and was the only woman apart from Xiao Xia in the group. Therefore, she didnt have as much stamina. Xiao Xia was wearing simple jeans, a white blouse and sneakers. Her hair was tied in a ponytail. The reporter wore a beautiful suit and high heels. Therefore, she was already panting from exhaustion, her exquisite makeup already ruined. She really wished someone would give her a piggyback ride.

Besides, it might start raining soon. I also cant walk any further! She continued to say, looking up at the sky.

The sky had become even gloomier. There was the faint sound of muffled thunder rolling over. Everyone understood that they had been extremely lucky the rain hadnt fallen yet. If it had been raining, they wouldnt have even made half the progress they did! Yet it appeared they could no longer hope for the heavens to give them face. They had to quickly make a decision.

You guys arent locals so you might not understand. Before people move in, we cannot pass through a new town. Zhao Jia Yuan explained after Mao Fu signaled with his eyes.

But why not? Are you saying its like a gift that can only be opened on the chosen date? Before Xiao Xia could retort, Liu Hong already started making a fuss. Her exhaustion made her feel flustered and exasperated. She could no longer maintain the elegant grace of a virtuous woman she had kept up all day. 

Thats not it. Zhao Jia Yuan hurriedly waved his hands, not daring to anger the mouthpiece of public opinion. We have a tradition here to perform some rites before moving into a new place. It involves three days of chanting and ceremony. Since were relocating the whole town this time, weve already looked into everything and will start things off next month. The time isnt right yet, so if we enter now itll ruin the fengshui and offend the townspeople. Although we are all realists here, we should still be considerate of the populace.

Were just passing through, whats the big deal? Liu Hong refused to drop it. She turned and glanced at Xiao Xia, seeking allies.  However, Xiao Xia felt that since it was tradition, it was best to respect it. Although she felt Mao Fu and Zhao Jia Yuans glances were a little evasive, she still didnt respond.

Fine, if you guys wont go, Ill go by myself. Its just rural superstition, there arent any laws against it! Seeing the only other woman Xiao Xia and her cameraman not helping her, Liu Hong threw an unreasonable tantrum. Ignoring everyone else, she walked away with large strides, ignoring the crowd calling after her.

Let her go. Were just rural, superstitious folk while shes a modernized woman! An official said impatiently.

Xiao Xia remembered he was called Wang Wen Ge. He was around forty with a pale and chubby appearance. He looked to be very easy going. Unexpectedly, he was the first to write the beautiful reporter off.

We folks here believe that an uninhabited place will have some foul things hiding inside. The new town has been completed for almost a year and no ones ever lived there before. Its also so big. If Miss Liu isnt afraid, then best of luck to her! Mayor Mao, lets go this way! He spoke very loudly. 

The mountain wind successfully brought his words into Liu Hongs ears, making her stop fast. She didnt keep going but also didnt walk back. She didnt dare go somewhere that might be foul by herself, yet was also too embarrassed to turn back.

Xiao Xia saw the situation and hurriedly smoothed things over, calling Liu Hong back to walk with the rest.  She knew it was easy to talk a big game, but there werent many who could follow up on their words. Over her many years of life, she had only met two people who could.

Xiao Xia called two or three times before Liu Hong returned discontentedly and continued walking with everyone along the mountain path.  She grumbled while she walked about how awful her luck was, having to walk such a path while getting rained on, and how she was never coming back here, and so on. It wasnt clear if it was due to her grumbling. The rain hadnt started this whole time despite the gloomy skies and thick rainclouds. Yet not ten minutes after she complained, there was a huge roar of thunder and heavy rain started pouring mercilessly.

Now, the group was even more bedraggled. The few raincoats had been given to Xiao Xia and the provincial and regional reporters. The others, including Mao Fu, all lined up and continued walking in the rain.

The rain was heavier than expected, making it even hard to keep their eyes open. The surroundings seemed to be covered in watery curtains, making it hard to see people a little further away. The mountain paths mud and weeds became incomparably slippery. Xiao Xia was still doing ok, but Liu Hong would slip and fall every few steps. In the end, she even started crying!

Hold on a little longer. Well reach the village in a little bit. Zhao Jia Yuans voice came from the front.

Xiao Xia had also never walked such a path before. She was plenty exhausted, but gritted her teeth and followed the person in front of her closely. Although the raincoat blocked the rain, her sweat still caused her clothes to become wet. Along with her face which was covered with rain, the raincoat didnt make much of a difference.

She walked with her head covered, but unexpectedly collided with something soft in front. It was Wang Wen Ges back, and Liu Hong also ran into her back from behind.

Whats going on? Liu Hong asked in irritation.

Yet Xiao Xia couldnt respond, because she and several others in front of her were completely stunned at the sight in front of them.

Within the rain before them was a silent city. It was strangely clear within the blurriness. It was a square city. Although there were no fortifications, it had a city gate like those cities in ancient times. It was made with beautiful, pale grey stones, giving off a simple yet historical feeling. There were rows of small houses with green roofs and red walls. There was even a tower that was taller than the rest of the buildings, standing in the center!

Didnt they say they werent going to go through the town? Why did they loop back?! 

This is the south gate! Wang Weng Ge murmured, as if in explanation to Xiao Xia and Liu Hong, but also to himself.

This uninhabited new town was west of the old one. Therefore, the gate facing the old town was the east gate and Liu Hong had intended on entering via the west gate earlier. Had they looped around to the south gate?

Is something wrong? The cameraman had fallen behind with one of the local reporters, and were now coming over. Even though we didnt go through the town, wed still pass by the south gate when we walked around it, right?

The mountain path goes around a small valley. It shouldnt be possible to see the new town from here. Wang Wen Ge answered mechanically.

His words hadnt been loud but they were especially clear in the heavy rain. Thinking of everything that had happened, the cars breaking down for no reason, the discussion about foulness in empty places, the sudden heavy rain, everyones hearts skipped a beat. There was a sense of foreboding.

It was me! Its my fault, haha, sorry everyone. Zhao Jia Yuans voice rang out from the front. However, his tone was clearly lacking in confidence and his voice trembled slightly. His laughter was also extremely hollow. Its raining too heavily, I took a wrong turn. That how we ended up over by the new town. Letskeep going. We can definitely get back.

We can definitely get back? What was that supposed to mean? Was there a chance they couldnt go back? Had they fallen into some kind of trap?

Before Xiao Xia could figure things out, the group started walking mechanically again. After walking for some time, right as Xiao Xia was feeling exhausted, the people in front stopped again.

Xiao Xia had a bad feeling about it. As expected, the new town that they kept trying to avoid had appeared before them again. This time, the word east was written on the pale grey stone walls.

It was the east gate! If they headed in the opposite direction of this gate, they should be heading towards the old town. Yet behind them were towering cliffs. There was no path at all that could lead to the old town!

My mistake, its my Zhao Jia Yuan cried out again, but it sounded like a reflex, and wasnt convincing at all.

Enough, lets keep going. The cameramans ringing voice came from behind Xiao Xia, making the slightly panicked group feel some sense of security, though it was merely on the surface. 

His actions made Xiao Xia looked at him in a bit of a new light. Initially she saw this cameraman called Zuo De had been infatuated with Liu Hong, making her look down on him a little. Yet he was unexpectedly manly during this critical moment.

The group started walking again but Xiao Xia paid more attention this time. She noticed their surroundings werent changing much and started wondering if they were walking in place. She decided to leave some markings behind. She had nothing on her, and could only pull of the patterned string, planning to tie it around a branch. Unexpectedly, the trees here were very tall and she couldnt reach. Luckily, Zuo De helped her out.

He was now close behind Xiao Xia probably because he wanted to accompany Liu Hong, who had started crying.

No matter what happens, dont come out! We can communicate secretly something comes up! She spoke quietly to her bracelet. 

If Ah Bai came out to save her in case of danger, everyone else would know about her existence. That might potentially be bad for Ah Bai, so it was better to be cautious!

It had started getting dark. There was no moon or starlight within the heavy rain. The group staggered forwards, relying on the flashlights being held by every other person.

Xiao Xia followed blearily behind. She heard a cry of alarm as six flashlights pointed in the same direction. The new town had once again appeared in the rain, but this time it was the north gate!

Xiao Xia immediately looked around. Zuo Des flashlight followed her gaze understandingly. As expected, she saw a string blowing in the wind tied around a branch on a nearby tree. Surprisingly, it was the beautiful multicolored patterned string!

Sure enough, they had been going around in the same place. They had either gotten turned around in the rainy night, or they had encountered the ghost builds wall phenomenon that hadnt appeared in a while! But what about that city? If they were in the same spot, why did they see different gates? Was it an illusion or was the city alive, able to spin on its own?!

Xiao Xia was lost in thought when Liu Hong shoved her from behind. It turns out the group had started walking again. This time, no one had said anything. They all just started walking automatically. Everyone was probably panicking, subconsciously trying to escape and therefore thoughtlessly started walking again.

Xiao Xia was in the middle of the group and was being moved along. Although she felt that something was wrong, her mind was frozen, unable to think. Then, she once again saw the string marker she had left, as well as the citys west gate at the same time!

Ah. Liu Hong wailed and sat down on the ground. She hugged Zuo Des leg as she started bawling for the third time that night. However, this time it was in terror.

Im scared! Im scared! Her delicate voice sounded mournful and hoarse. Her crying caused everyones fear and unease to surface. Although no one screamed or lost control of themselves, the group immediately became restless! 

If they became divided, they would be in more danger as their vulnerabilities were exploited. The potential number of casualties would increase. Therefore, it was most vital to remain united and calm!

Dont cry! Everyone, group up! Zuo De shouted again. The mild looking person was now speaking very sternly. 

The others had been dazed and distracted. Hearing his shout, they immediately grew quieter.

Lets stay where we are. We cant get out even if we keep running. Itll only exhaust our stamina. Zuo De said loudly. Sit in a circle and shine the flashlights outwards. Even if something happens, dont panic! 

I agree! Xiao Xia immediately called out in agreement to give Zuo Des words more weight.

Fine, I also agree. After a moment of silence, Mao Fu who had been silent this whole time also responded. He then walked over next to Zuo De.

Once he moved, the others also came over in succession to sit on the floor. Those wearing raincoats all took them off and everyone raised them above their heads to provide some shelter from the rain. Then, they turned off three flashlights to conserve batteries and arranged the remaining ones to face outwards.

Although the sky was very dark, their watches indicated it wasnt even ten oclock yet. Despite having walked for over four hours, there was still a long night ahead. They had to save some of their sources of light!

Everything had been properly arranged. Xiao Xia looked at Zuo De who was still standing, hoping that he would help her take the patterned string down from the tree. Ruan Zhan had given it to her. Although it wasnt worth anything, she still didnt want to lose it.

Zuo De understood her meaning. He stretched his hand out towards the branch. He had just turned aside when Xiao Xia saw a black shadow behind him!

Its features couldnt be seen clearly and it was murky all over. It stood there within the dark, rainy night, drifting and unobtrusive. It wasnt clear how long it had stood there. It was hard to distinguish whether it was an actual entity or just a shadow. Xiao Xia also couldnt tell whether she was the only one who could see it!

Right as she was startled speechless, the black shadow drifted towards them!

Xiao Xia pointed behind Zuo De, trying to warn him. However, she realized at that moment her speechlessness wasnt due to herself, but more like something had covered her mouth. She wanted to jump up and help, but realized her body couldnt move! She wasnt able to do anything, and could only watch Zuo De anxiously.

Zuo De saw that Xiao Xias expression was a little off and involuntarily froze. He lowered his hand slowly, and then, as if sensing something, suddenly whirled around!