Last Bus of Route 13

After Meng E finished speaking, she didn’t wait for me to ask more questions and left the room.

Bai Fan, who only knew we were here to find Red Leaf Valley and was unaware of the other complexities, looked at me with a puzzled expression after hearing Meng E’s words.

Old Liu noticed this and said in a deep voice, “You’ve met Meng E, and she’s pointed the way for you. That’s pretty much the situation. Our trip to Changbai Mountain wasn’t in vain. Let’s head back tomorrow.”

Although Meng E’s answers didn’t entirely satisfy me, at least I learned that the only way to save myself and the little girl was to investigate the case.

So, investigate I shall. I sighed inwardly and left the room with Old Liu and Bai Fan to rest.

We were all exhausted from the past few days. Meng E had initially planned to take us to visit the Heavenly Lake on the mountain, but none of us were in the mood, so we decided against it. That evening, after finalizing our plans to return the next day, I prepared some money and went to Meng E’s room to say a final goodbye.

Meng E stayed up late and smiled as she invited me to sit down when I arrived. After explaining my visit, I sincerely thanked her once more. Regardless of everything, Meng E had given me a way to solve my problem, making her my benefactor.

Meng E worked in the mountains and didn’t seem to earn much. I set aside my travel expenses and offered her the remaining thousand yuan as a token of gratitude. However, Meng E refused the money, insisting she wouldn’t take it.

Reluctantly, I gave up and exchanged a few more pleasantries before preparing to leave. Just as I stood up to turn away, Meng E meaningfully grabbed my arm and whispered, “Sit down. There are a few more things I need to tell you.”

Every piece of advice from Meng E was crucial to me. Hearing her words, I nodded and sat back down, eager to hear what else she had to say.

Meng E cautiously opened the door and looked around before sitting across from me. In a low voice, she said, “Young man, I dreamt last night and understood your situation very clearly. You’re a kind-hearted person, and it’s been tough on you to endure such a calamity.”

I smiled and replied, “Sister, when this first happened to me, I felt quite troubled. But over time, I’ve gotten used to it. Just like people get sick from eating grains, someone has to prove the existence of these supernatural beings in the world. I guess I’ve become their living target.”

Meng E chuckled at my words and said, “You’ve developed quite a good mindset, and your analogy is pretty humorous.”

I laughed along and asked, “Sister, what else do you want to tell me?”

Meng E sighed and said, “Actually, the method I mentioned during the day shouldn’t be your best choice. Do you want to reconsider?”

I was taken aback, realizing she was referring to the investigation method.

“Sister, what’s wrong with it? It’s just about the three car accidents from ten years ago. I’ll look into it, even if you hadn’t suggested it.”

Meng E frowned and waved her hand, saying, “You really shouldn’t investigate this case. It’s too dangerous and could cost you your life.”

Her words echoed Old Wu’s warnings. He had been racking his brain to dissuade me from investigating, fearing for my safety.

Seeing my confusion, Meng E continued speaking.

“Semi-Immortal Xu and I fear people, not ghosts. There’s a powerful figure involved in the case from ten years ago that we can’t afford to provoke.”

Her words finally cut through the ambiguity, revealing the stark truth. The reason they couldn’t fully disclose the truth was their fear of this influential person behind the scenes-the big shot.

This left me puzzled. Both Semi-Immortal Xu and Meng E possess foresight abilities, yet they fear this person. Could this individual be someone legendary like Mr. He?

“Sister, are you saying you still advise against investigating the case?”

Meng E nodded, “I don’t recommend you investigate. You should focus on dealing with the ghosts.”

“But Sister, didn’t you say that if I kill the ghost, I won’t be able to infuse the red paper man with spirit?”

“Yes, I want to persuade you. Paper men are just products of human consciousness. You don’t need to be overly attached to them.”

I sighed, “Sister, this red paper man means a lot to me. I must restore it, no matter what. It’s a promise, even if it’s with a piece of paper.”

Meng E smiled wryly, “Being overly sentimental is your weakness-you’re too obsessed.”

Saving the little girl isn’t my duty, yet it’s become my dream. I can’t forget the words she spoke to me in the darkness at Old Lady Qiu’s house in Huaihu Village.

In this world filled with fair-weather friends, how much genuine friendship can be like the little girl’s heartfelt help, leaving without complaint? If I don’t try to save her just to protect myself, I feel I’m living less than a piece of paper.

I can’t be less than paper!

Seeing my determined attitude, Meng E sighed and stopped persuading me, saying softly, “All I can tell you is this. Semi-Immortal Xu and I can only see past events, not predict future fate. Your loyalty and righteousness might bring a turning point.”

I thanked her with a smile and asked, “Sister, since you said you fear people, not ghosts, can you tell me who the ghost that’s been with me is?”

I asked this question with great anticipation. Is it Sixth Uncle or Old Tang? I really want to know!

Meng E saw my anxious expression, thought for a while, and nodded, “I can tell you, but not now.”

“Why not now?”

Seeing Meng E swallow her words, I couldn’t help but ask anxiously.

Meng E sighed, “Young man, the two people who came with you to Changbai Mountain to find Red Leaf Valley are not ordinary.”

At this critical moment, Meng E shifted the focus to Bai Fan and Old Liu. What did she mean by this?

“Sister, that old man named Liu is someone from your circle. He’s a lifelong friend through thick and thin. The beautiful girl is my girlfriend. They’re both the people I trust the most. What’s unusual about them?”

Meng E chuckled, “That old Liu is hard to say whether he’s human or ghost. As for the girl… you should keep your distance from her.”

As soon as Meng E finished speaking, my mobile phone rang-it was Bai Fan calling. I answered, and she anxiously asked where I was, saying she wanted to discuss booking tickets with me.

After hanging up, Meng E seemed to lose interest in continuing the conversation. She advised me to leave the red paper man behind and, once settled, to come back alone to see her again. With that, she waved me off.

I left the red paper man behind, puzzled, and stepped outside to find Bai Fan looking tense. Upon seeing me, she finally relaxed and said, “I was worried when I didn’t find you in your room in the middle of the night. Didn’t expect you’d be at Sister Meng E’s place.”

I chuckled, assuring her it was nothing, and we returned to my room to discuss the ticket arrangements. Once everything was sorted, Bai Fan went back to her room to rest.

Meng E’s words lingered in my mind. She clearly had more to say but held back, asking me to return secretly. Was she trying to avoid Bai Fan or Old Liu?

Early the next morning, Old Liu, Bai Fan, and I packed our bags, ready to leave. Sister Meng E, concerned about the hassle of changing vehicles, arranged for a friend with a van to drive us to the train station.

Our perilous journey to Changbai Mountain finally concluded as we boarded the train home. Sitting together, Bai Fan seemed in high spirits, snapping photos of the scenery through the window. Old Liu was his usual self, eyes closed, oblivious to everything.

I leaned back in my seat, replaying the near-death experiences of the past few days in my mind. I thought of Old Zhang, who was obsessed with love to the point of madness, carrying a set of white bones everywhere to keep his beloved close. Over forty years, he visited Changbai Mountain eight times, ultimately dying on an unfinished journey. If he knew there was no Red Leaf Valley or Spiritual Chicken in Changbai Mountain, what would he feel? Would he regret it?

I sighed. This vast world is so wondrous that it blurs the lines between right and wrong, making it hard to judge worth. Perhaps not knowing is the true joy of life.

By the time we reached the city, it was late at night. I took a taxi to safely drop Bai Fan home before heading back to the company alone.

Xiao Liu had just returned from driving and was delighted to see me, eagerly asking if I brought him any gifts from Changbai Mountain. I told him I nearly lost my life, and he anxiously circled me, asking if I was hurt.

His straightforward concern lifted my spirits. After unpacking and changing clothes, I lay in bed, chatting casually with Xiao Liu.

“Xiao Liu, how’s the night driving been while I was away?”

Yawning, Xiao Liu replied, “Smooth sailing. I don’t have all those mysterious issues like you.”

I chuckled, turning over.

“Has Old Wu asked about me?”

“No, Old Wu’s been busy, always going to the city for meetings. I think he’s forgotten about you.”

I acknowledged with a hum, ready to rest.

Xiao Liu seemed to remember something and casually mentioned, “A fatty did come asking for you. I told him you weren’t here, and he left.”

“A fatty? Besides the one at our company, I don’t know any other fatty.”

Xiao Liu’s voice grew quieter as he said, “I don’t know, but he specifically asked for you. The guy’s not young, and he has a scar on his face.”

A scar on his face?

Xiao Liu drifted off to sleep, snoring.

I lay in bed, pondering for a long time, and finally realized-I did know a fatty, just hadn’t been in touch for a while. A fatty with a scar on his face-that must be Liu Yunbo!

Liu Yunbo, who cast the curse of The Gate Where a Hundred Ghosts Cry, had come looking for me!