YM778.TV Chapter 43: The Disappearing Corpse
I really don’t know how this young man named Yan Li appeared in the mall, I didn’t see him at all during the previous patrols.
Could it be that he came early?
Was the presence I’ve been sensing in the mall these past few days him?
Yang Jian observed this person named Yan Li, his mind racing with many thoughts.
But… how to explain the body that had begun to rot, which he also had not found during the patrol?
Moreover, the cut on the neck of the corpse was clean and neat, something only a milling cutter in a factory would be able to make, but strangely, no blood flowed from the body.
Boss Tang, Manager Li, and Master Luo, along with a group of others, watched Yan Li, who walked over as if nothing was wrong, with some horror.
A murderer? A lunatic? Or a monster?
Suddenly a lot of thoughts popped into their minds.
Yan Li stretched out his hand in front of Boss Tang, but Boss Tang stepped back several paces and did not shake hands with him, only asking with some horror, “Who exactly are you? What do you want?”
“I’m here just to discuss a business deal with you, Boss Tang. I’m just not sure if you’re interested?” he said with a smile as he withdrew his hand.
“What business?”
Yan Li said firmly, “If I’m not mistaken, this mall should be harboring a ghost. The people who disappeared from your mall before were all killed by that ghost, and even at this moment, the ghost is still lurking somewhere in the mall, watching us. I can solve this problem for you, but in return, I want five million.”
Boss Tang understood; this person was here to extort him.
He had already invited a master, what need did he have for this man of unknown origins?
Before he could speak, Master Luo sneered, “Young man, what sect do you belong to? Do you know the rules? And so young, you look to be just over twenty, do you understand feng shui, the I Ching? You’re probably just a half-baked practitioner. I will resolve Boss Tang’s problem today, and if you know what’s good for you, you’ll leave quickly.”
“Otherwise, I’ll have the security throw you out.”
Yan Li also mocked, “An ignorant charlatan who doesn’t know how tall the sky is or how thick the earth is, talking about feng shui? You might fool those nouveau riche, but it’s useless now, because there truly is a ghost here. If the ghost comes out, what are you going to do with your Peach Wood Sword? With those worthless paper Talismans? Even if you bring the Tathagata Buddha from the temple, it will be useless.”
“Also, I warn you to watch the way you speak; otherwise, I’ll rip out your heart and stuff it in your mouth.”
His previously smiling face suddenly changed, becoming sinister and cold as he grabbed Master Luo and lifted him up, his strength surprisingly great.
The chilling tone left no doubt in anyone’s mind that he meant what he said.
Sweat formed on Master Luo’s forehead as a look of panic flashed in his eyes, and he subconsciously felt a sense of fear towards this man.
This man was like the most vicious murderer in a prison, cold-blooded and brutal.
No, even the most vicious murderer was not as sinister and terrifying as him.
“This man must be a ghost charmer,” Yang Jian realized, observing his terrible and unnatural demeanor. He was certain that this man had been tormented by the ghost inside him.
Having a ghost residing within one’s body, one would constantly be under the influence of that malevolent spirit.
This change was happening in subtle and silent ways.
Yang Jian had already felt this change.
“Security, security, come quickly, subdue this man, make him let go of Master Luo.” Manager Li’s face changed, urgently calling for help.
Liu Qiang hesitated for a moment, then braced himself and walked over.
“What’s the matter with you, security? Why aren’t you coming to help? Do you still want your job or not? Get over here now!”
Seeing Yang Jian unmoved and not heeding his commands, Manager Li pointed at him and shouted furiously.
Yang Jian said, “I was dismissed by you earlier; I’m no longer a security guard for the mall. I will return this uniform later, which means I am no longer under your management. You’ll have to deal with this situation yourself.”
“Also, don’t go pointing and cursing. Although you’re the mall manager, if you push me too far, I won’t mind giving you a beating.”
“Damn it,” Manager Li’s face turned blue with rage.
Are the security guards nowadays all so assertive? He had dismissed Yang Jian earlier, and now he was challenging him.
Boss Tang said, “Young man, I’m the owner of this mall. If you are willing to help, you are still a member of the company. I’ll even give you a raise afterwards, what do you say?”
“I think this job is a bit too dangerous, it might be better to find another one,” Yang Jian said indifferently; “I appreciate your kind offer, boss.”
Boss Tang also felt disappointed; he didn’t blame Yang Jian but instead gave Manager Li a strange look.
This manager is an idiot. I’ll replace him later.
This shopping center had always had difficulty hiring people, and just when two young and strong security guards finally came on board, at a time when they were needed the most, you had to go and play the tough guy and fire them. Now, they’ve gone on strike and refuse to help. With your talent for scolding people, why don’t I see you stepping up now?
“Call the police,” Boss Tang ordered in a low voice, struggling to contain his anger.
Elder Sister Li, waking up to the urgency, immediately grabbed her phone and began to call the police.
“Brother, calm down…” Liu Qiang walked over, trying to appear brave, even though he didn’t really dare to provoke this peculiar young man.
After all, it was just a job; it wasn’t worth risking his life over.
“I am calm. If I weren’t, you’d all be dead by now…” Yan Li revealed a hint of a cruel smile at the corner of his mouth. He slowly let go of the frightened and pale-faced Master Luo, then gave him a shove, causing him to fall to the ground.
“Boss, I’ve called the police,” Elder Sister Li whispered.
Boss Tang nodded, “Let’s not panic, let’s stabilize this person first.”
Looking at the corpse giving off a putrid smell, this person named Yan Li was very likely to be the murderer. It’s probable he was also behind the previous disappearances in the shopping mall.
“Boss Tang, I think we can continue our previous discussion now. Five million, I’ve caught the ghost for you, how about letting your shopping mall operate normally?” Yan Li said.
“You, you’re asking for too much,” Boss Tang said with a grave expression.
“Compared to what’s in this shopping mall, my price is quite fair,” Yan Li said with a smirk.
“If it were lower, I might consider it,” Boss Tang said, stalling for time, believing that Yan Li was the murderer, and he had already had someone call the police.
Yang Jian watched as Yan Li and Boss Tang haggled, shaking his head inwardly.
Yan Li was too reckless.
Although supernatural incidents were abundant all around the world, most people still didn’t believe in them.
Asking directly for five million was something no one would agree to.
Only after Boss Tang truly saw a ghost and understood the terror of that thing would it be a good time to negotiate.
Having previously dealt with Wang Bin, Yang Jian had gained some experience.
But just as the atmosphere was getting heavier.
Suddenly.
The sound of someone turning off the lights echoed.
The entire shopping mall was suddenly plunged into darkness.
A blackout?
Everyone was startled.
“No,” Yan Li’s face changed suddenly, as he looked up sharply at the fifth floor of the shopping mall.
In the dim environment, a figure stood vaguely by the glass railing on the fifth floor, seemingly looking down here.
And that figure… seemed to be headless.
“Finally showed up, huh?” Yan Li said, his voice tinged with a bit of madness.
He didn’t pay any attention to the others and immediately ran up the stairs following the escalator.
“Hmm?” Yang Jian squinted, also noticing the figure on the fifth floor, but then he frowned.
Because that stench of decay was coming from the first floor.
Was the ghost upstairs, or downstairs?
“Ah~!” Suddenly a staff member screamed sharply, pointing in a direction on the first floor.
This staff member, Wuei Xiaohong, was a twenty-something cashier.
“What’s the matter? It’s just a blackout, there’s no need to scream,” Manager Li scolded. “Take this chance to open the door and leave while that murderer has run off. Someone will come to take care of this soon.”
“No, it’s not that, the… the corpse that man threw down just now, it’s… it’s gone,” Wuei Xiaohong stammered, pointing to where the body had been lying.
Looking there now, there was nothing.
The body had indeed disappeared.
Seeing this, everyone’s eyes narrowed and a chill ran through their bodies.
But the stench of decay in the air persisted, and it seemed to be growing stronger.