Ch. 198 - The Drum Tower

Hei Jiji blinked her big, watery eyes and said, "How about you? Let's get to know each other since we'll be training together and will be comrades soon."

Even though her name was unusual, Zhao Hao didn't care as long as she was pretty. Without waiting for anyone to speak, Zhao Hao started introducing everyone.

"This is our captain, Yang Ming, Vice Captain Bai Qi, and Liu Shuai."

Liu Shuai immediately protested, "What's with that 'Liu Shuai'? Hi, my name is Liu Shuai. Just call me Shuai."

"Okay, Shuai," Hei Jiji said playfully with a smile.

Liu Shuai instantly felt the same as Zhao Hao. He was also falling in love.

"Next, I want to introduce my best buddy, Xiu. He's Fang Xiu, the Foreseer you mentioned earlier."

While talking about the title of Foreseer, Zhao Hao's head lifted slightly with pride.

Hei Jiji's eyes sparkled, and she looked at Fang Xiu with admiration. "You are the legendary Fang Xiu, the Foreseer, the only second-tier psychic in the country who has solved a Grade-S Specter event..."

Before she could finish, Fang Xiu had already walked into the driver's cabin. He preferred hearing the screams of Specters over the praise of pretty women.

Hei Jiji's adoration froze on her face.

"Don't take it personal. That's just how he treated everyone," Zhao Hao quickly explained.

Hei Jiji smiled sweetly, "It's okay. Someone who can solve a Grade-S Specter event is truly extraordinary."

A moment later, Fang Xiu came out of the driver's cabin.

"Xiu, did you find anything?" Yang Ming asked quickly.

"The cabin is empty, and all the controls are off."

"Off? So, the train isn't running on its own but is being driven by a Specter's power. Where does the Specter want to take us?" Yang Ming thought it over for a second but then stopped. With Fang Xiu here, he didn't need to worry. He would just follow Fang Xiu's orders.

Suddenly, Hei Jiji spoke up, "I noticed something unusual."

Her words immediately caught everyone's attention. They were surprised that she could find something even Fang Xiu hadn't.

"I just fell asleep on the train and had a nightmare. I dreamt of many bad people chasing me. I never have nightmares, especially since becoming a psychic. After all, we have stronger senses than ordinary people and don't have nightmares easily because of our Spiritual Energy. If we do, it's likely because of a Specter's influence or a premonition of something bad. So, I believe this nightmare has something to do with the Specter train!"

"Nightmare?"

They all began to rack their brains.

Fang Xiu suddenly spoke up, "Your nightmare has nothing to do with the Specter train. Everyone, check each train carriage now."

"How do you know that?" Hei Jiji didn't believe him and argued back. "That nightmare came out of nowhere. It must mean something—"

"I saw the future," Fang Xiu said firmly.

Hei Jiji was stunned. She opened her mouth, but for once, the usually quick-witted girl didn't know what to say. The reaction of the others surprised her even more—they didn't ask any questions or doubt him. They just started searching the train cars immediately. No one paid attention to her unusual nightmare anymore.

Only Zhao Hao approached her with a sycophantic smile and whispered, "Since Xiu said the train has nothing to do with your nightmare, it definitely doesn't. Don't worry about it too much. Better follow his instructions, finish the work quickly, and we can leave sooner. I'll buy you a drink when we get off the train, okay?"

Hei Jiji's lips curled into a mysterious smile. "Sure, but I don't handle alcohol well, so don't try to get me drunk on purpose…"

Despite her words, her eyes never left Fang Xiu. A strange light shone in her eyes, as if she had discovered a treasure. The unquestioning faith everyone had in Fang Xiu sparked an idea in her mind.

The group started searching the entire train. The cars were all empty, with no sign of any Specters, as if they had been abandoned by the world.

"What kind of Specter is this? He doesn't show itself. Does he plan to starve us to death?" Zhao Hao, no longer tense, started to complain since the Specter had not appeared.

"We'll die of thirst before we starve. But you'll last the longest, considering you asked that pretty attendant for over ten cups of water earlier. I bet you're not thirsty now," Liu Shuai said with a mischievous grin.

Everyone knew Liu Shuai's little scheme. He just wanted Hei Jiji to see Zhao Hao's true nature and not be deceived by him.

Zhao Hao wasn't stupid. Seeing Liu Shuai expose him like that, he got angry. But just as he was about to retort, Yang Ming's voice drew everyone's attention.

"Look, there's a schedule board here."

Everyone hurried over. On one side of the train car was a schedule board showing the stops the train would make.

There were five stops listed: the Drum Tower, the City of Lust, the Old Mansion, the Graveyard, and the Lands Between.

At this moment, the words "the Drum Tower" were flashing with green light. The light blinked faster and faster.

"What kind of station is this? The later stops sound worse and worse. The Graveyard? Is this train heading to hell?" Liu Shuai said nervously.

Hei Jiji suddenly exclaimed, "The Lands Between! I know this place!"

Everyone was startled. "You know it? What is the Lands Between?"

Hei Jiji quickly explained, "I read about it in an ancient book. Legend says the Lands Between is where Specters originated. All these sudden Specters come from the Lands Between… Ah!" She exclaimed again. "Could it be that Specters are using the train to come to our world?"

Hearing this, Zhao Hao and Liu Shuai turned pale, imagining many terrible scenarios. They feared stepping off the train and landing in a Specter den, getting devoured by a horde of Specters.

However, Yang Ming and Bai Qi had thoughtful expressions. Having survived the Green Mountain Mental Hospital with Fang Xiu, they knew Specters came from the Other Side, not from a train, which seemed absurd.

Fang Xiu's mind stirred. This woman was in the middle of a Specter event, yet she continued to lie.

Fang Xiu suspected she had deeper issues than just psychological problems. No matter how flawed someone's mind is, they don't usually gamble with their life.

In dangerous situations, information is crucial, even a matter of life and death. Yet, Hei Jiji chose this moment to spread false information. While her lies seemed harmless now, this was beyond just a bad joke.

Fang Xiu knew she had a purpose for lying. 'Could her real ability be related to deception?'

He hadn't believed a word Hei Jiji said, especially about her own abilities. Psychics typically kept their powers secret, revealing them only as a last resort. If she truly had dual abilities and wanted to gain trust, she would only need to reveal one ability and keep the other as a secret weapon.

"What else did the book say?" Zhao Hao foolishly asked, oblivious to the fact that this pretty woman was a big liar.

Liu Shuai was the same.

They listened as Hei Jiji continued her nonsense.

"The book was incomplete and not very detailed. But I remember one thing. It said, in the Lands Between, never say your real name, or the Specters will take it."

"What happens if they take your name?" Zhao Hao asked, nervous.

"The person will be lost in the Lands Between forever, never able to leave. And the Specter that takes your name will live on in your place, using your identity, eating your family and friends."

"Ah!" The two were so scared. "What should we do?"

Hei Jiji thought for a moment and then said seriously, "How about we start using code names from now on? The code name should have no connection to your real name. The more different it is, the safer you'll be."

"Right, right, you're absolutely right. So what should my code name be?"

Comments