Thriller Zone: From the Mental Hospital to the Ghostly World

In other words, Zeng Guichuan has escaped more than one round of imprisonment.

Chen Ji seemed to be deep in thought.

Zeng Guichuan's goal is definitely to leave the Netherworld.

As a director of the Yang faction, even if Zeng Guichuan himself did not have access to the Netherworld, he must have been familiar with its underlying mechanisms.

To close the Netherworld, you must find the mysterious object within, which is the "key".

For example, the key to the mental hospital is the "Mask of Chaos".

The key to the prison is Xu Sandao's strange object.

After that, the "key" must be used to open the lock, but the location of the lock is not fixed.

"In the end, we still need to find where Xu Sandao's strange object is..." Chen Ji murmured.

Are you sure it's not that pencil?

Zhang Cheng asked persistently. Although he didn't quite understand what the strange object was, he felt that the pencil was special. Xu Chuan had lent it to him before, and he had taken it back specifically.

"Not like."

Chen Ji shook his head: "I remember it very clearly. It was a dark blob with numbers on it."

"Rectangular."

He tried to recall, then added, "However, the form of the key in the Netherworld may be different."

"Xu Chuan?" Zhang Cheng murmured subconsciously.

Chen Ji had also considered whether Xu Chuan might be a ghostly creature transformed from Xu Sandao, but he felt it was unlikely, because Xu Chuan had been running all the way and there was no trace of ghostly aura about him.

But it could very well be a person.

Quite a few people have already appeared in this Netherworld, such as the young men in the restaurant... Chen Ji sighed deeply; he already knew who they were.

Xu Chuan naturally blended in with them.

The fat man said they were waiting for the "captain".

"Captain"... should refer to the deceased Luo Han, the captain of the No. 5 Middle School football team.

So those boys are most likely Xu Chuan and Luo Han, their teammates on the junior high school soccer team.

That's why Chen Ji felt that this Netherworld was like a dream; not only the restaurant, but also the houses were actually memories that Xu Sandao cherished when he was "Xu Chuan".

That's why Xu Chuan was in the house having dinner with his mother, Luo Lin...

Rowling?

Chen Ji was suddenly taken aback.

He suddenly remembered something else: why was Zeng Guichuan sitting next to the mother and son?

In other words, why did he go into that corridor?

The time limit for the Netherworld Prison has expired, meaning Zeng Guichuan must have been inside for quite some time. His goal is to find the "key," so is it possible...?

The key is in that room?

"We still need to go back."

Chen Ji immediately said, "I want to try communicating with Luo Lin."

"Xu Chuan's mother?" Zhang Cheng hesitated. The thought of that house sent chills down his spine.

Moreover, after listening to Chen Ji recount Xu Sandao's experiences, a strange guess arose in his mind.

"I heard on the news... that a police auxiliary officer also died because of this case. Could this police auxiliary officer be—"

Chen Ji nodded; he knew what Zhang Cheng was thinking.

"It's that auxiliary police officer, Luo Lin, who was eating."

"She passed away in early 2012."

Zhang Cheng remained silent.

He thought of the uniform Luo Lin was wearing, and then of her and her son eating a quiet and warm meal, even discussing going to watch her son's game next week.

But the television next to him was broadcasting news of Rowling's death.

This scene evoked mixed feelings.

Amidst the terror, there was a hint of sadness.

Zhang Cheng felt a heavy weight in his heart, and just then, a vague voice suddenly rang out:

"Police badge number?"

Chen Ji murmured.

"what?"

"Could the string of numbers on Xu Sandao's strange object be a police siren?" Chen Ji's speech became faster and faster.

Chen Ji had previously thought that Xu Sandao's strange creature, since it was created from waste materials, could be considered a custom-made product.

A series of numbers left a deep impression on Xu Sandao; this time, the Netherworld was once again related to "prison" and "law"...

That's Rowling.

Since Luo Lin is an auxiliary police officer, she will naturally arrest the "criminal".

Zhang Cheng said he saw her wearing a police uniform.

An image gradually became clear in Chen Ji's mind: a rectangle, black cloth, and numbers.

That's the badge on Rowling's police uniform, embroidered with her badge number!

Chen Ji immediately told Zhang Cheng some of the characteristics of the strange creature Xu Sandao had described. After the two analyzed it, Zhang Cheng also thought it was the badge on the uniform.

This needs to be confirmed by meeting with Rowling in person.

The sound of chains had stopped outside, but the guilt on Zhang Cheng's face had not faded.

The two quietly walked out, and Zhang Cheng said:

“A few seconds after Xu Chuan pushed me out the door, the law enforcement officer appeared.”

Then, amidst the ever-increasing clanging of chains, he frantically fled into the stairwell, where he encountered Chen Ji.

“I guess it’s because Zeng Guichuan was on you at the time,” Chen Ji said. “After he left, the law enforcement officers’ targets changed.”

He did not throw the key into the indulgence box, lest he be charged with new crimes and imprisoned again.

The two pushed open the door and, with Chen Ji and Zhang Cheng in tow, entered the corridor once again.

It was as if it had been reset and refreshed; the incandescent light bulb that had fallen to the ground was now back on the ceiling.

"There is a problem."

Zhang Cheng pursed his lips. "Du Muyu is not prisoner number 01."

"Then where is she?"

"...I don't know either." Chen Ji paused before speaking.

The criminals' numbers are arranged according to the order in which they entered the Netherworld. Apart from the native Xu Chuan, number 1 is Zeng, number 2 is Zhang Cheng, and number 3 is Chen Ji.

There is no place for Du Muyu.

Chen Ji's heart sank slightly. It seemed that Du Muyu's identity was even more mysterious.

He suddenly felt a sense of absurdity. Just a few days ago, Du Muyu was on her deathbed, but now, her abilities were even more bizarre than Zeng Guichuan's.

So much so that she was able to bypass the basic mechanisms of the prison, and there wasn't even a trace of her in her criminal record.

If Zhang Cheng hadn't witnessed the other person disappear with him, Chen Ji would have even doubted whether Du Muyu had really come in.

She didn't know Xu Sandao at all...

But their actions clearly showed that they came prepared.

What is her purpose, and where is she hiding now?

Thinking of this, a chill suddenly ran through Chen Ji. Perhaps Du Muyu had always been by their side... but no one could see her.

Squeak——

The door was pushed open gently.

The television was still playing that news report on a loop.

"According to sources, there are already eighteen victims in this case..."

Chen Ji pulled himself out of his thoughts and stepped into the entrance hall.

His first glance was at the figure on the sofa, staring at the television.

"...another auxiliary police officer died during the investigation; the cause of death is unknown."

The auxiliary police officer slowly turned around and looked at Chen Ji.

A bitter smile played on her lips. When she opened her mouth, burn marks remained in her throat, and some of her flesh had been charred.

He was wearing a black police uniform.

Embroidered on the chest:

【FJ530711】

This is Rowling's badge number.