Chapter 14 Chapter Thirteen The Mysterious Man

When Wu Qun and others arrived suddenly, Luo Fei and the others were somewhat surprised.And judging by the momentum of the other party, this visit does not seem to be so friendly. "We Lord Baizhai want to meet the three of you, please come with us." Wu Qun stepped forward and said calmly.Although he used the word "please", his tone was not polite and there was no room for negotiation. Luo Fei smiled calmly: "It's just right, we also have something to do and want to talk to the village master." After speaking, he stood up first. Zhou Liwei didn't have much objection, and stood up.Yue Dongbei's face was full of reluctance. Seeing that the two companions were already like this, he could only mutter helplessly: "Let's go, let's go, if you want to see us, you don't come by yourself. This kind of hospitality is rare."

When we got outside the house, it was raining heavily, so Old Wang sent straw hats for Luo Fei and the others to wear.A group of people walked through the village in the rain, about a quarter of an hour later, several tall houses appeared in front of them, and a person stood with his hands behind his back on the edge of the door in the middle, it was Bai Jian'e. At this time, Wu Qun and another man came to Luo Fei's side and led Luo Fei to a side room in the west.The others automatically divided into two groups, leading Zhou Liwei and Yue Dongbei to different rooms respectively. "What do you mean? Why do you want to separate us?" Yue Dongbei was the first to realize something was wrong, and shouted loudly, "What is this for?"

"Please don't take offense." Bai Jian'e said flatly, "I just want to meet with you alone and ask some questions." Luo Fei had some doubts at first, but after hearing what Bai Jian'e said, he finally understood: He has a grudge against us, and wants to isolate and examine it.Thinking that he has been a policeman for so many years, but today he has to face other people's "interrogation", he can't help but feel a little dumbfounded. "Do as they say, don't think too much. We'll answer the truth when Master Bai asks later." After exhorting his two companions, Luo Fei followed Wu Qun into the west room calmly.

Yue Dongbei was taken to the side house in Dongshou by Zhao Liwen and another man, while Zhou Liwei went directly to the main house where Bai Jian'e was.A group of people dispersed in three groups, and the outside of the house became empty, only the rain became more and more torrential. In the west room, Luo Fei sat quietly and waited.Wu Qun and the two of them didn't talk to him, they just guarded the door by themselves.Luo Fei was happy to have a quiet time, and just concentrated on thinking about those problems that he hadn't figured out yet. After about twenty minutes, Bai Jian'e came out of the main room and walked into the east room where Yue Dongbei was.It seemed that he had finished talking with Zhou Liwei, but Luo Fei was ranked last by him.

Luo Fei noticed which house Bai Jian'e had entered, and the villagers who were guarding the house would withdraw.Obviously, Bai Jian'e attaches great importance to the privacy of the conversation, which at least shows that he does hide some secrets that cannot be known by the villagers. About 20 minutes later, Bai Jianxi left the east room and came to the west room where Luo Fei was. Without waiting for the village owner's order, Wu Qun and the two left the house consciously and closed the door from the outside. There was no expression on Bai Jian'e's face, he sat down opposite Luo Fei, then stared into the other's eyes, without saying a word.

Luo Fei knew that this was a temptation. In many cases, eye contact can convey more information than words.He didn't divert his gaze, but he didn't show too much sharpness either.He just looked at Bai Jian'e with soft and sincere eyes, showing that he didn't have any hostility. Finally, Bai Jian'e spoke: "You said that you are a policeman?" Luo Fei nodded: "My surname is Luo, my name is Luo Fei, and I come from Longzhou." "I have lived in this cottage for generations. I have no interest in the outside world." Bai Jian'e said bluntly, "I just want to know, what are you doing in Mihong Village?"

Luo Fei organized the words in his mind, hoping to explain things clearly in simple words.Then he began to explain: "I'm investigating a case, which is very strange, and I don't have much of a clue now. There is a very key person in the case. He has been to the 'uncanny valley' about a year ago. It is This journey triggered a series of unexplainable things. Therefore, we are going to the "uncanny valley" to search for relevant clues. Mi Hongzhai is a must for us. In fact, that person also stayed in Mi Hongzhai a year ago. It's his photo, I don't know if Master Bai has seen this person before?"

Bai Jian'e was silent for a while, judging from his expression, he should have accepted Luo Fei's explanation.However, he did not go to pick up the photo Luo Fei handed over. After a glance, he shook his head and said, "I never cared about these passers-by. You should ask Old Wang if he is really in the village." Nine times out of ten, they lived in Old Wang’s house.” Luo Fei put away the photo: "You're right, Old Wang has confirmed to me that this person set off from his home to the 'Uncanny Valley'." Bai Jian'e's expression was much calmer than when he first entered the door: "I have asked two of your friends just now, and your statements are consistent. It seems that I have no reason to doubt anything. I just invited you over, including in the morning. In front of the Dragon King Temple, if there is something rude, I hope Officer Luo will not take it to heart."

Luo Fei thought to himself: Now is the time for me to attack.So he smiled magnanimously and said, "It's understandable. If it were me, I would be very nervous after such an unusual thing happened this morning. It's just that there is something wrong with Master Bai's thinking. We just arrived at the cottage. There is no conflict of interest with Master Bai, so there is no need to do those things." Luo Fei's tone sounded casual, but his eyes suddenly flashed and became extremely sharp.Bai Jian'e was stabbed by this gaze, his pupils shrank suddenly, and he asked vigilantly, "What are you doing? I don't understand what you mean."

"Master Bai, there are only the two of us here. You might as well be honest and don't need to hide anything." Luo Fei suddenly became serious, "What secrets are there in the statue of the Rain God? That's something inside your village. I don't care. There is no need to expose anything. We each have mysteries in our hearts, and it should be beneficial to both of us to exchange what we know." Bai Jian looked at Luo Fei in a daze. After a while, he smiled "hey" and said, "Officer Luo is not only a sensible person, but also a straightforward person. Well, let me tell you first, what do you know? You What else do you want to know?"

Luo Fei didn't bother to circle around any further, and said straight to the point: "Xue Mingfei's death was not at all because he offended the 'Rain God' last night. Someone killed him, and in my opinion, this person was targeting you. He Not only did you know the secret of the Rain God Statue, but you also worked hard to give you a heavy blow in such an important worship ceremony." Bai Jian gritted his teeth, and there were faint veins on his forehead.Recalling the scene in the morning, he still has lingering fears.If he hadn't acted according to circumstances and let the unlucky Xue Mingfei take the blame, he really didn't know how to deal with the situation at that time.However, he quickly suppressed his emotions and began to focus on the man sitting opposite him. When Bai Jianxi saw Luo Fei for the first time on the square in front of the Dragon King Temple, he felt that this person was extraordinary.But I didn't expect his insight to be so sharp, and he had seen through so many things in just half a day.If such a person becomes his opponent, it is indeed very terrifying! But now, he might be able to help.Thinking this way, Bai Jian'e didn't hide anything anymore, and asked directly: "Then, according to Officer Yi Luo, who could this person be?" "It should be the people in the village. You can think about it, if the secret of the Rain God Statue is revealed, who will benefit the most?" To Luo Fei's surprise, Bai Jian'e categorically denied his guess: "No, it won't be someone from the village! None of my villagers dared to challenge my authority, and besides Xue Mingfei, all the villagers in the village dared to challenge my authority. Many people were at the worship site in the morning, how could they remotely control Xue Mingfei's actions?" "Everyone is here?" Luo Fei couldn't help frowning, he really didn't expect this.From this point of view, it really shouldn't be the villagers of Mi Hongzhai who attacked Xue Mingfei. It's no wonder that Bai Jian'e has doubts about the three of us, but we definitely didn't do this matter?Luo Fei pondered for a while, and suddenly thought of another question: "Are there any other outsiders in this village?" "I just sent someone to check. Now besides the three of you, there is another young man. But he just arrived at noon today, and the county guide who accompanied him to testify is definitely not wrong. So there is no need to doubt he." Luo Fei smiled wryly: "Then who else would it be?" Bai Jian'e seemed even more confused at this time, suddenly, he muttered to himself: "Could there really be some 'devil'?" "Devil?" Luo Fei looked at Bai Jian'e in surprise, "You also believe in 'devil'?" Bai Jian'e came back to his senses, he smiled awkwardly, and pointed in the direction of the east room with his finger: "I just heard all the words about 'devil' from your friend just now." Luo Fei shook his head helplessly. In fact, it was easy to think that with Yue Dongbei's temper, he must have impatiently instilled his so-called academics into Bai Jian'e just now. "Then what do you think of his theory?" Luo Fei asked. Bai Jian'e hesitated for a moment, and then said: "This is the first time I know that Li Dingguo is actually what the Hamo people call a 'devil'. For generations, we in Nihong Village have regarded Li Dingguo as a 'respected god', so naturally we are not the same as the 'devil'." The statements are diametrically opposed." Luo Fei let out a "hmm", and suddenly thought of another question: "Didn't you find it strange that Xue Mingfei said something like 'the resurrection of the devil' when he was dying?" "It was very strange at the time." Bai Jian'e said after deliberation, "However, in the past year, some Hamo people escaped from the jungle and when they passed the village, they talked about the 'resurrection of the devil' in the 'Valley of Terror'. The villagers also I used to treat this as a topic of leisure. Although no one knows the details, it is not ruled out that someone will use these legends to deliberately set up a maze." Luo Fei was pondering whether there were any loopholes in this analysis, but he heard Bai Jian'e change the subject: "Okay, Police Officer Luo, you have been trying to help me solve the problem, now tell me, what else do you want to know?" Luo Fei smiled: "I really don't have any special purpose. It may be the nature of the police. Although this place is not under my jurisdiction, I still want to investigate such a bizarre murder case. In addition, frankly, To put it bluntly, I also want to have a good relationship with Master Bai, and I will inevitably ask you for help in some matters." "Oh, what kind of things?" Luo Fei said bluntly: "We will go to Uncanny Valley soon, and then we need a guide who understands the Hamo language, and we will ask Lord Baizhai to help find him. It must be the most capable candidate, and the price can be negotiated." "This is no problem." Bai Jian'e agreed, and then he got up and left, opened the door and walked out. Wu Qun and others who were waiting outside the door immediately stood up to him respectfully. "Okay, let's send these guests back!" Bai Jian'e ordered loudly, Wu Qun and the others didn't dare to neglect, they quickly prepared their rain gear, and invited Luo Fei and the three of them out of the house. When everyone was about to leave, Bai Jian'e suddenly raised his hand again: "Wait a minute." The three of Luo Fei turned their heads, not knowing what was going on. "Officer Luo, don't you want to hire a guide?" Bai Jian'e said, "I've already thought about the candidate." Luo Fei smiled and asked: "Really? Who? Where is he?" Bai Jian'e said sternly: "It's right in front of you. I, Bai Jian'e!" The three of Luo Fei looked at each other in blank dismay, not only them, but also the villagers showed surprise expressions. Bai Jian'e didn't mean to be joking at all: "In terms of wisdom and courage, who can compare with me in Ni Hongzhai? So to go to the uncanny valley, I am the best guide. And I will bring two assistants, Wu Qun, Zhao Liwen, you will go with me when the time comes." Zhou Liwei looked at Bai Jian'e meaningfully, and said half-jokingly and half-seriously: "In that case, we are in an employment relationship. Master Bai, to put it harshly, you will become our servant." "Don't worry." Bai Jian'e replied seriously, "I know how to be a competent guide. Let's make preparations and leave in three days!" "Okay! Then we'll make a deal and head to the Uncanny Valley in three days." Zhou Liwei's expression also became serious, showing some professorial style, "After making a plan, you can't go back on your word!" Bai Jian'e didn't say much, just nodded silently, and then retreated into the house. "Don't worry, you three. Our village master has never broken his promises. You just have to wait patiently at your residence!" Wu Qun said as he walked up to the front, posing as a guide. Mi Hong Village is not too big, Luo Fei and the three walked back and forth a few times, and they are roughly familiar with the routes in the village.They politely declined Wu Qun and others to send them off, and walked towards Lao Wang's house by themselves. "Haha, this guy surnamed Bai must have believed my theory." After walking not far, Yue Dongbei boasted triumphantly, "Do you think, how could he be willing to be our guide when he is a majestic village master? He The real purpose is also to reveal the secret of the 'demon' in the 'uncanny valley'!" Zhou Liwei glanced at Yue Dongbei noncommittally, and then turned to consult Luo Fei: "Officer Luo, what do you think?" "His behavior is indeed a bit strange." Luo Fei pondered for a moment, then shook his head, "It doesn't matter whether he has other goals, this person is indeed wise and courageous, and it is always beneficial to have him accompany us to the Uncanny Valley Harmless things." Zhou Liwei nodded, and Yue Dongbei laughed dryly at the side.The three of them didn't speak for a long time, as if they were trying to figure out something in their own way. The rain is getting heavier and heavier. When passing by the residents of the village along the way, people's faces are full of joy, and they gather together in twos and threes, praising the mercy of the rain god and praising the wiseness of the village owner.On them, there is no trace of the atmosphere of the 'demon' attacking.Yes, they firmly believed that Xue Mingfei's death was the rain god's punishment for offenders, and no one would associate the words "respected god" and "demon" worshiped for generations. The bed of the river, which was still dry in the morning, now has a trickle.This life-giving water is nourishing the thirsty earth of You Hong Village.Rain flowers danced in the sky, and from time to time, water droplets broke through the cover of the coir hat and landed on Luo Fei's bare face, bringing a little bit of coolness.Although it was midsummer, the coolness still made Luo Fei feel very uncomfortable. He seemed to feel strange, with an indescribable bad premonition. Of course, he still doesn't know what kind of story full of joys and sorrows, blood and tears was caused by the same heavy rain in the summer more than 300 years ago. Is this story still unfinished? Or, is this just a doomed cycle of good and evil? The three of them walked all the way in the rain. Due to the heavy rain, they rarely saw the villagers going out for activities along the way.Seeing that it was only half a mile away from Lao Wang's house, he suddenly saw a person walking towards him on the mountain path. This person lowered his head, walked very fast, and arrived in front of the three of them after a while.I saw him wearing a black outdoor rainproof suit, the hood of the jumper was turned over on his head, and the brim of the hat drooped low.It seems that he is afraid of the rain splashing on his face, and his right hand is holding the lower end of the rain hat tightly, so that there are almost no exposed parts of his face except for the eyes. The eyes of Luo Fei and the three focused on this person.Judging by his attire, he is obviously not a local villager.Luo Fei recalled that Bai Jian'e had said that a new guest had arrived in the village at noon, so he was probably the one.As a guest in a foreign land, Luo Fei couldn't help stopping, wanting to say hello to the other party. But that person was in a hurry, before Luo Fei could speak, he turned sideways and slipped through the gap between the three of them.Because of the narrow road, half of his body collided with Yue Dongbei who couldn't escape in time. "Why are you in a hurry? It's raining so heavily, you're covered in water!" Yue Dongbei complained dissatisfied. The man hesitated for a moment, and said in a low voice: "I'm sorry." Then he started to walk towards the far end of the path, as if he wanted to avoid them deliberately. "Who is it? Why are you talking so much?" Zhou Liwei looked at the back of the man who was walking away, and said with a little confusion. "Bai Jian'e said that a guest just came, and the one who arrived at noon may be this person." Luo Fei's tone was not very sure, "Could it be that he is staying at Lao Wang's house too?" "Come on, forget him. Hurry up, it's raining heavily." Yue Dongbei urged impatiently. Seeing that the man's back had disappeared into the rain, the three of them turned around and continued towards the old Wang's house not far away. As soon as he got back to the house, Lao Wang followed him in and said, "A guest came to see you, and he left not long ago." "Looking for us?" Luo Fei immediately thought of the mysterious man he met on the road, "Is it a person wearing black clothes with a hat covering his face?" "right." "Did he say something happened?" Old Wang shook his head: "No." "Then how long has he been there?" "About a quarter of an hour." Luo Fei asked something, and Lao Wang answered it, as if he didn't want to say a word of nonsense. Luo Fei's gaze scanned the room up and down, and finally stopped on the ground, where there was a string of wet footprints, it could be seen that someone had just walked back and forth in the room. "That person entered our house?" Luo Fei asked alertly.Because they didn't bring any valuables and Lao Wang was looking after them, the three of them didn't lock the door when they left. Lao Wang was a little terrified by Luo Fei's expression, he was taken aback for a moment, and then explained: "I... I thought you knew each other." "All right, all right, it doesn't matter if we don't know each other, anyway, we don't have anything to steal here." Yue Dongbei sat down on the bed carelessly, slipped his feet, and kicked off his shoes, "Heh, take a look, and It's mud and water, it's soaked inside and out!" Lao Wang stepped forward and picked up the shoes that Yue Dongbei had taken off: "You all give me your shoes, and I will put them on the kang in the kitchen to dry them." Luo Fei smiled and said "Thank you", and sat down with Zhou Liwei and took off his shoes, thinking: "This old Wang is not very talkative, but he is active and diligent in his work." Lao Wang took away the three pairs of wet shoes, and fetched slippers for the three of them to change their feet. Then he retreated and started busy with everyone's dinner. "What do you think that man came here just now? If he came to see us for something, why didn't he say anything when we met on the road just now?" Zhou Liwei was still thinking about that mysterious man. After much deliberation, he finally couldn't help it. asked. "Didn't Officer Luo say that? He's just a new tourist." Yue Dongbei laid himself down on the bed and said lazily, "He came to see us, but he doesn't necessarily know us. Maybe he wants to be with us. Going together? Hehe, he doesn't know that we are going to the 'uncanny valley'." "This is a bit strange. Our attire is obviously different from that of the locals. It stands to reason that he should at least stop and ask. He came and went in such a hurry..." Luo Fei pondered for a moment, then shook his head, "Forget it, Don't think about it so much for now, wait until tomorrow to find out where he lives, and go directly to visit him."