Third floor of XXX's district building.
Chu Nuan silently looked at the walls caked in blood. Dried black flakes peel slightly from them, falling onto the ground.
The air inside this room is heavy with hatred and bloodlust. But fortunately, this floor of the building is sealed off from outsiders. Otherwise, who knows how many people will be affected by this negative energy.
Chu Nuan took a few steps towards the rows of desks to her right. Scanning the area, there are two desks that have a doll placed in the middle. They are exactly the Xiao-Su dolls in the photographs. When displayed in front of her this way, the dolls are much creepier than they appear in the photos. "Hm?" she hummed in surprise.
"What is it?" Xie Luochen asked as he walked towards her direction.
A black strand of ghostly energy, not seen before wrapped around the neck of the two dolls.
"Xu Qian Qian casted a curse on the dolls." Chu Nuan said.
"What?! It can't be!" Hong Wen rushed over to where Chu Nuan is, alarmed at her findings.
Lei Lin followed behind, "we arranged a restriction array in this area. Normally, ghosts wouldn't be able to force its way in."
Tugging on the strand of energy, Chu Nuan answered, "I saw the array you arranged. A very simple but effective restriction formation, it prevents ghosts from entering or leaving. But there is one thing you missed."
As she explained, her fingers glowed faintly. Stealthily she wrote an X behind the two dolls. The indigo energy flashed a few times before seeping into the X.
"This array was set under the impression of Xu Qian Qian being outside the building, where her death took place.
This is to prevent her from harming the workers inside other departments. But, what if, from the very start, she has not left the building?"
"How is that possible?" Lei Lin asked, " we searched the whole building for signs of Xu Qian Qian before setting the formation."
"It would be possible, if she were to hide her presence somehow." Chu Nuan said as one finger pointed to the dolls while another placed over her lips as a sign of silence.
Alarmed, but understanding her intention, the other three nodded in acknowledgment.
"Since we now know she is hiding in the building somewhere, let's come back later with preparation." Xie Luochen said as he indicated for everyone to leave the office.
————————————
First floor lobby.
"What should we do now." Lei Lin asked.
"We must first lure Xu Qian Qian away from the dolls. Since they are now linked to the real Xiao Ming and Su Ya, we can't risk their lives." Hong Wen clarified.
Chu Nuan ponders silently, "..."
"How about we wait till night time to see if she will come out?" Xie Luochen suggested.
"That might work. But we don't know how powerful she is when night comes."
Just as they were thinking seriously for more solutions, Lei Lin's phone suddenly rang. " Hold on for a moment. It's a text from master!"
"I also want to see." Hong Wen said as he leaned over Lei Lin's shoulder.
Seeing the two being occupied, Xie Luochen turned towards Chu Nuan, "what's wrong, you're quiet."
Pulled out of her thoughts by his inquiry, Chu Nuan smiled lightly, "nothing much, it's just that there are a few things i'm trying to figure out.
The curse, for example. Xu Qian Qian formed a string of ghostly energy connecting Xiao Ming and Su Ya's spirit to the dolls. That itself isn't anything worth mentioning, but the strange part is how she is able to connect that strand of energy from so many miles away.
You have to remember, she was trapped inside this building from the start. After her death, this area was blocked off from outsiders. Xiao Ming and Su Ya were transferred to a sub branch a few miles from this one. Even if she is turning into a malicious ghost, she shouldn't be strong enough to reach that far."
Hearing her insights, Xie Luochen nodded in agreement. It is strange for a few days old ghost to become so powerful. There must be something they haven't discovered yet.
Just as they were pondering in silence, a depressed Lei Lin and an amused Hong Wen came back.
"What is it?" Xie Luochen asked.
Chuckling in amusement, Hong Wen answered, "Master said, Lei Lin has been too carefree these days, forgetting to manage his mouth and offending his ancestors. So he gave him a punishment."
Xie Luochen, "???"
"As to what kind of punishment….you'll see later on. I have to shoot a recording as evidence for Master anyways. Look forward to it." Hong Wen laughed lightly.
A sulking Lei Lin gave Hong Wen a glare, "what ancestors? I haven't seen anyone besides us in the sect. In my point of view, there is only one reason for Master to act this way." Pushing up his nonexistent glasses, Lei Lin pointed his finger at Chu Nuan. "There is only one truth. And that is…..Master is jealous that we get to work with an envoy!"
Chu Nuan. "..."
Ignoring him, Chu Nuan cleared her thoughts before suggesting, " I just thought of a plan, but I need everyone's help." She waved her hands, indicating for them to come closer.
After a while....
"Can this really work?"
"How come I'm not the one acting the scene with you?"
"..."
"Come on. Don't look like that, it'll be really fun." Chu Nuan smirked.