Chapter 83: The Faint Echo of a Cough


    Was this Huanggang Vige?


    Miles nced around, his gaze wavering as he took in the vigesndscape while journeying down the primary ess route.


    The entirety of Huanggang Vige felt like a blend of antiquity and modernity.


    The front part of the vige was adorned with recently constructed rural vis, pleasing to the eyes. Yet, thetter half was dotted with aged homes, some made of earth, others wooden structures over a century old. These ancient homes were a mix of upied and deserted. Some housed the elderly, while othersy abandoned with dpidated windows, semi-open doors, and interiors so dark that they defied the intrusion of sunlight.


    An uncanny vibe enveloped the area.


    But then, that wasnt unexpected.


    This was a typical scene in many viges. The difort only set in when the thought of a real ghost lingering in such a ce crossed ones mind.


    Hello, Rain? Miles thought it best to gather some information, so he dialed his satellite phone.


    Miles, good timing on your part. There were some loose ends from our previous conversation. Regarding Zhao Kai Mings files, his psychological profile seems concerning. Hes probably difficult to work with. Be cautious. Avoid conflicts if you can. After all, hell be your colleague, Rain answered, referencing a file on Zhao Kai Ming.


    Youre a bitte with this advice. Zhao Kai Ming has already stirred trouble, and frankly, I cant stand having him as a colleague, Miles retorted. Currently, Im in a ce called Huanggang Vige, on the outskirts of Dachang City. There have been rumors of supernatural urrences here. Do we have any records of this ce?


    Ill do my best to assist, but my ess is limited. I can only ask a fellow worker to look it up, Rain replied.


    And who does have ess? questioned Miles.


    Rain answered, You do. As soon as you take over Dachang City, youll gain ess to those records. This includes not only the ounts of paranormal activity but also the details of other ghost tamers.


    Alright, do your best to find those records for me. If you seed, send them immediately. Also, once this situation is resolved, Id like to join HQ. Could you facilitate that? Miles inquired.


    Though dealing with supernatural incidents at HQ could be perilous, if he managed to control a second ghost and postpone the revival of the fearsome one this time around, he might consider joining.


    The perks of leadership were significant, allowing for substantial flexibility in managing operations.


    Indeed, it was a goal worth pursuing.


    When Miles revealed his aspiration to join HQ, Rain responded with enthusiasm, Once you give your consent, I can quickly set up a meeting for you. Following a brief training period and a psychological evaluation, you could assume your new position. It should take about a week.


    That sounds eptable, but my intention is to seed Zhao Kai Ming as the leader of Dachang City, Miles rified.


    That thats not within my jurisdiction. Its a decision for the higher-ups, Rain responded.


    And if Dachang City were to lose its city head? Miles probed.


    If a city head is absent, priority is usually given to a local, Rain exined. Suddenly understanding his implication, she eximed, You cant act rashly! Im not fully aware of your disagreement with Zhao Kai Ming, but it shouldnt cause conflict. The overall objective must be kept in mind.


    Dont worry, I have the bigger picture in mind. Also, dont forget to check the records for me. This paranormal event falls under your responsibility too. At the moment, Im working for free. Its only fair you assist me, Miles reasoned.


    Youre right. Ill help you as much as I can. Indeed, resolving the paranormal issues is our top priority, Rain agreed, nodding affirmatively.


    Good. Well speak againter. Unless its essential, try not to call me. Ive already arrived in Huanggang Vige, and a ghost encounter could happen at any time. With that, Miles abruptly hung up.


    Rain frowned at this and immediately ryed the situation to Team Leader Build.


    Upon hearing her report, Buildughed. Is this really a problem? Once Miles passes his evaluation and bes a ghost tamer, we can easily reassign Zhao Kai Ming. Having Miles oversee Dachang City will certainly be more advantageous since hes a local. Your main task now is to support him in handling the paranormal incidents in Huanggang Vige. Ill handle the specific records.


    If he manages to resolve two paranormal events on his own, making a small exception for him wont be too much.


    This assuranceforted Rain.


    If you survive, everything else will fall into ce. If you dont, all words are meaningless.


    Miles, holding his satellite GPS phone, thought back to the chilling sight of Rights end. Could that be his fate too?


    Upon entering the vige, Miles noticed Zhang Han, Ye Jun, and a few others from the Cockroach Club. Their expressions were grave, suggesting they had stumbled upon something important. His presence elicited minimal attention; they acknowledged him with only a cursory nce.


    Turning his gaze towards them, Miles narrowed his eyes.


    In his line of sight was a house with its door left wide open. Funeral wreaths nked the entrance, and a crowd of vigers, d in mourning attire, had congregated. Women and children were on their knees in front of a richly red coffin, their sobbing resonating throughout as they burned joss paper in grief.


    Clearly, a death had urred, and the vige was immersed in the proceedings of a funeral.


    Miles nced at the memorial portrait perched in front of the coffin. It depicted a striking man decked out in a suit.


    A funeral at such a time, how unfortunate. Isnt this justplicating matters? grumbled a middle-aged man named Zhang Han, within earshot of Miles. He drew deeply from his cigarette, his mood visibly sour.


    Indeed, stumbling upon a funeral and hearing the mourning cries of the vigers was hardly an auspicious beginning to their visit.


    Maybe we should burn the coffin for safety. What if the body inside starts wandering at night? someone suggested.


    Ye Jun shot the speaker a disdainful look before retorting, And whos going to do that? Mention such a thing in front of the vigers and well undoubtedly face their wrath. We wouldnt just be grappling with potential supernatural issues; surviving in the vige itself would be a challenge. If its an ordinary corpse, its irrelevant. Havent we seen enough dead bodies by now?


    We shouldnt stir up unnecessary drama over a death. Its not the dead we should fear but the ghosts that allegedly haunt this vige.


    Still, werergely uninformed about the situation in this vige. I suggest we conduct an investigation. Lets interview the vigers about any peculiar happenings. With our experience, we wouldnt immediately sumb even if we were to encounter a ghost. We just need to be ready to respond collectively at the first hint of anything suspicious, including a real ghost, another person pitched in.


    The vige isnt excessivelyrge or small, which could make group action cumbersome. Lets split into pairs for the investigation, was the groups collective decision.


    That seems reasonable; lets proceed on that basis.


    Following a round of discussions, the Cockroach Club members concluded that they needed to band together, explore the situation at hand, and then establish their next course of action based on what they discovered.


    Miles, not being a part of their group, was naturally excluded from their strategic nning.


    Taking a nce at the coffin situated in the mourning hall, he withdrew another phone, snapping a photo. His objective was to capture the memorial portrait, with ns to forward it to Rainter. He intended for her to look into who the deceased was, the cause of death, and any suspicious elements surrounding their demise.


    urrences of the paranormal were never without their hints.


    If the deceaseds cause of death was unusual, the likelihood of a ghostly involvement escted. The manner of death could even provide clues about how the ghost might murder.


    This was a crucial clue.


    Miles observed that none of the Cockroach Club members seemed to consider this. He wondered whether it had not urred to them, or if they merely dismissed it due to their strength in numbers.


    Ill familiarize myself with the surroundings and find a ce to lodge, he resolved internally.


    He promptly embarked on a walk around the vige with his luggage, learning about theyout of the area, familiarizing himself with the roads, and remaining alert to any peculiarities.


    Miles, do you mind a quick chat? Zhang Han from the Cockroach Club had separated from the others and approached him.


    Miles turned to face him, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. Zhang Han? Whats up?


    Zhang Han greeted him with a smile. Its evident that you cant tackle this paranormal event on your own. What if we join forces, coborate? Whats your take on it?


    Why not look to your club members for assistance? Why approach me? Miles questioned, resuming his stroll.


    I believe in partnering with the mostpetent. Truth be told, you outshine the others. I reckon wed have the best shot at sess if we teamed up, Zhang Han proposed earnestly.


    Miles countered, Its premature to make that call. Were here on the whispers of a paranormal incident. I cant validate whether a ghost truly exists here. The ghost could have deserted the vige by now, considering their mobility.


    If a ghost indeed inhabits this ce, then we can discuss teaming up.


    Zhang Han offered an awkward chuckle, saying, Thats fair enough.


    Suddenly, in the midst of their conversation, a frail, wheezing cough resonated from behind them. It sounded rmingly close as if someone critically ill were right behind them.


    Whos there?


    The sound prompted Zhang Han to break into a cold sweat. As he spun around, though, he found no one in sight.


    All thaty before him was a decrepit wooden house in the direction of the sound.


    The house, seemingly deserted, was in poor shape, with the majority of the roof tiles caved in and half the front door missing. The interior was dark and damp, looking so inhospitable that not even domestic animals or stray dogs would choose to seek refuge in it.


    Are we this unlucky? Zhang Han mumbled under his breath.


    Miless gaze flickered subtly before he approached the wooden house and kicked the door open.


    With a resounding crash, the decrepit door, weakened by age, fell to the ground, revealing the interior.


    Inside, save for overgrown weeds, the ce was deste.


    No ones here? The corners of Miless mouth tightened slightly.


    Could it be a ghost? Zhang Han queried.


    Im not sure. I didnt sense any danger. It might have just been an old man passing by who coughed. This vige is riddled with tiny paths, and its quite typical for vigers to wander by. Getting scared over nothing will just stir up our own fears, Miles said. You shouldnt trail behind me any longer. If there truly is a ghost here,e and alert me. Only then will I contemte forming an alliance with you.


    Miles had never nned to confront the ghost single-handedly. Hed purposefully kept the club members informed so he could utilize a strategy of using them as bait for the ghost while he remained unseen. Thus, he had no intention of leading the attack.


    Since youve put it that way, I wont press further. Best of luck, then, Feeling a wave of difort about the area, Zhang Han made a hasty retreat.