Nightmare Assault Chapter 289: Scary

The footsteps approached. The person was slow as if he was confident, but the unstable gait still sold him out.

Dong! Dong!

The knocking began. “Is Miss Chen there?” Qin Jian’s voice came from outside the door. Perhaps it was prejudice. Fatty felt like the old man was catching his breath. Before Jiang Cheng said anything, Xia Meng jumped out of bed. She walked to the door but didn’t open it. She asked calmly, “Elder Qin, how can we help you?”

“It’s nothing.” Qin Jian licked his lips and continued in an even tone, “We’ve just discussed some clues and wish to share them with Miss Chen’s group…”

Fatty scoffed internally. Qin Jian was an old fox. He was afraid of death, but he made it seem like he was there to do them a favour.

“Thank you, Elder Qin.” Xia Meng cut him off impolitely. Her attitude was different from before. “I” was tired and needed to rest. We can talk about this next time.” No matter what Qin Jian said, Xia Meng stopped replying. After a tense awkwardness, Qin Jian left with a dark face. After all, without any evidence, he didn’t dare to barge into other people’s rooms.

Qin Jian frowned as he moved back. He confirmed that this room of people was secretly planning something, or else Chen Xiaomeng wouldn’t have blocked him outside the door. After all, she came to invite him to join them earlier. What was she worried about?

Plus… Qin Jian gripped his fists. Chen Xiaomeng said that… she was tired. Why not we were tired? Where were Fatty and Hao Shuai? Why didn’t they say anything? Could it be… that they were not there?

A strange feeling crossed his eyes. He suddenly had a bad feeling. He quickly sped up. He couldn’t wait anymore. He had to figure out a way to verify their statements… or at least see that painting!

…

“Elder Qin,” An Xuan looked so serene. He was seated before a pot of unknown flowers. The flower was over its prime. It looked like it was dying. Caressing the leaf, he smiled, “You don’t really believe them, right?”

Qin Jian narrowed his eyes. “Mr. An, thank you for your concern.”

You Qi sat up in bed. The painting in their room had disappeared, or else he wouldn’t be chilling in bed cause the painting was practically looking at him before.

“It looks like the painting is the core of the problem.” You Qi’s tone was different from before. It was more officious. “After the painting appeared in our room, Tang…” He paused and shot a glance at An Xuan. After realising An Xuan did not react, he continued, “Something happened to that girl. Now that the painting is in their room, something bad will happen to them next.” You Qi said with regret, “It’s a shame that we don’t know which one of them is targeted.” In this mission, sacrificing others was the most effective method. Once the ghost did something, they would leave behind some traces.

The ghost’s killing method, appearance, habits and actions… would help the survivors complete the mission. Using Tang Shirou’s death as an example, they managed to surmise that Young Master Huang was married and his wife was dead. His wife might be inside the lake.

However, Qin Jian’s thoughts were not on that. He acted calm as he dealt with An Xuan and You Qi. However, he was really trying to dissect the hint that Chen Xiaomeng gave. “San Geng drum beats. Boat sails on the lake. Mourning clothes walk at night. Golden fortune in silver frost.” What does that mean?

…

“Doctor,” Fatty tried to suppress his excitement. “You are amazing. Qin Jian… has taken the bait!”

Jiang Cheng raised his brow.

Chen Xiaomeng, who had just cooperated with Jiang Cheng, was annoyed. She glared at them and scoffed, “Don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched. No one knows how things will end.”

Fatty wanted to retort when the middle-aged woman arrived. She still had a listless face as she mechanically told them about the boat ride that night. Before she left, she reminded them that the travellers could move around freely in the afternoon. However, she still persuaded them to avoid certain spots just in case they were scared. As for why they’d scared, the woman didn’t say. Jiang Cheng and the travellers didn’t ask.

After she left, Jiang Cheng stood up slowly. He closed the door and stretched lazily. Then, he ran to the bookshelf in the middle of the room. The shelf was about the height of an adult. It was sturdy. Jiang Cheng knocked on it, and the shelf resounded dully. Jiang Cheng extended his arms, looking like he was trying to move the shelf away.

“Doctor,” Fatty bounced over. “Let me do it.”

Jiang Cheng ignored him. Instead, he stretched his neck and pouted at Xia Meng, “Meng Meng,” he called out, “Come and help me!”

Xia Meng glared at him and then returned to study the painting on the wall. Jiang Cheng didn’t give up. With a lot of huff and puff, he moved the heavy bookshelf to the painting, blocking it from sight. Then, he decorated the place so that it didn’t look out of place.

“Doctor,” Fatty looked around, “What are you…”

“Is the painting scary?” Jiang Cheng asked between breaths.

Fatty answered, “Yes.”

“Then… what if the painting suddenly disappeared?” Jiang Cheng asked.

Xia Meng couldn’t stand it anymore. She opened the door and left.

…

Soon, a sneaky figure rushed over from the pebbled road. He whipped his head left and right, worried that he’d be caught. Then, he slipped into Jiang Cheng’s room.

After he entered the room, Qin Jian instantly closed the door.

In the small forest not far away, Fatty blinked his eyes, “Doctor, Qin Jian is here. It is just like what you have predicted,” Fatty added, “The old thing is not satisfied until he sees it in person.”

Half an hour ago, all the travellers gathered to discuss how to spend the afternoon. They would search the mansion more to see if they could pick up more clues.

Qin Jian had been following Jiang Cheng’s group. After they wandered away, he quickly slipped back to check the painting in their room. He wanted to see it… especially the poem on the painting.