Chen Yan was working at one of her part time jobs as a diner waitress when she heard the news com.
"We interrupt your regularly scheduled program to bring you breaking news!" Everyone in the restaurant turned to look, as it must've been pretty important to interrupt their regularly scheduled program.
"Not even an hour ago a tragic massacre took place in Songjiang's Divine Hall, police have just arrived on scene."
'Divine Hall? Songjiang's? Massacre?!' Chen Yan's eyes widened. 'Wasn't that where Ling'er's field trip was?' Her heart felt heavy with worry. But she took a few deep breaths and calmed herself down.
As a cultivator of a soul based technique, she was able to connect their souls a number of times to practice her skills, this formed a light bond between their souls, though a little different than the one Ling'er had with Xiaohei. Together with their blood relationship, she could instinctively feel when she was in danger. She proved the link, and though a little tired for some reason, she was alright, allowing. Chen Yan to sigh in relief.
Then she thought, 'did that Xiaohei do something?' As he wasn't used to this world after all, it wouldn't be strange if he did something stupid. If Ling'er was fine, then he should be as well, but that doesn't mean he can't cause trouble.
"We're meeting with Police Chief, Wang Dazai. Chief Wang, what can you tell us about the incident?" Chen Yan wondered if the reporter was excited under that serious face, it wasn't everyday you could cover a story like this.
"We came as soon as possible when we received a call from an on site security guard that there many deceased bodies in one of the artifact rooms of the Divine Hall. We are currently checking out situation." Chief Wang's face was grim. A case like this was too big for a man of his years.
"Thank you Chief Wang! We now turn to Ding Wuzhu, who is outside the building with the evacuees and guards right now." She turned to a pale faced man in a security uniform holding a trauma blanket tightly.
"Thank you Ms. Ling, right now I'm on site talking to one of the witnesses of the incident. Sir, what's your name, and if you can, would you mind telling us what you saw?" She asked politely and cautiously, in case she triggered something undesirable in him.
"Y-Yes, my name is Fang Doucai, I w-work here as a security guard. After the others and I evacuated the people in the Hall's library, we went to provide backup, w-we had several reports on the radio, th-that there was a monster k-killing people. We immediately called the police and we hurried to provide backup. When we arrived, there were only b-bodies on the ground, then Ah Feng pointed to the roof, and a shadow with a s-skull on its head had just left the window, the lights were broken, so we couldn't see the figure well, the sunlight outside illuminated the skull on its head, but that was all we saw."
"Thank you for talking with us, Mr. Fang. We will now turn to Ling Wuyu on site to get an update on the police investigation."
"Thank you Ms. Ding! Breaking news! The police have found a survivor of the tragedy! He is heavily injured but still breathing! They are taking him into the ambulance right now for emergency treatment! Chief Wang, What happened?!" But Chief Wang's face was pale and sweat dripped from his forehead.
"We... entered the scene. There was blood everywhere. The walls floor, even the ceiling. The entire room was devastated. All the artifacts in that sole room are broken or damaged, and the security cameras had been torn from their hinges..."
"Chief Wang, what about the casualties, do you think there are any other survivors?"
"...No. I doubt there are survivors..."
"But... how are so certain."
"BECAUSE!" His voice raised all of a sudden. "EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM...!" His voice fell again. "... without exception... all their hearts were torn from their chests..." everyone in the restaurant paled. Including Chen Yan, who frowned. Removing hearts? Why does that sound so familiar?
"...but... the survivor...?"
"Probably only lived because the culprit heard someone coming..." The reporter didn't say anything this time.
"...The casualties. It was hard, because there were many incomplete bodies... from the number of heads, we counted. 28. 1 injured... 27 dead..."
"..."
"Chief Wang, the survivor is awake!" An officer suddenly arrived with this news, and everyone immediately dashed to the van.
"Sir, what's your name? Do you think you can tell us what happened?" When the reporter and chief arrived, they heard the doctor ask his question.
"I-I...ah?!" He suddenly gasped. "Th-the devil! Where is it?! Where am I? The yellow springs! Is it still there?! Kahak!!!" A flurry of words flew from his mouth. Then he started to cough blood.
"Sit, calm down, you're alive, in an ambulance, you'll be alright!" The doctor assured him.
"Sir, What's your name, do you remember what happened?" Chief Wang stepped in.
"...You must be king Yama."
"Eh?"
"My name is Hu Zhouqing, I was a head security guard for Songjiang's Divine Hall. I died when a demon wearing a skull descended, opened a portal to the yellow springs, and killed everyone. Thanks for your hospitality Lord Yama." Then he collapsed. The monitor flatlined with a long beep.
"..." the doctor put his finger to the man, Hu Zhouqing's, neck. "He's dead..." as if they couldn't tell.
The room was silent, so everyone heard when Chief Wang whispered under his breath,
"28 casualties... 0 injured... 28 dead."
The incident was then called the Hall Massacre of 2/25.