My name is Zhang Xin, and I am an assistant at the Civil Defense Bureau," the young man introduced himself.
I didn't expect him to be a government official. At first, I thought he was a businessman. "What happened that made you so eager to find Master Chi?" I asked Zhang Xin.
Just as we were talking, Xie Yilin walked up and grabbed my arm tightly while asking me what I meant by saying that she had nothing to do with us. She pinched my arm again before retreating angrily after I explained myself.
Zhang Xin looked confused by our actions and gave us a suspicious look. "Don't worry about our business; just tell us yours," I told him.
Zhang Xin nodded and noticed a tea house on the side of the road. He suggested we go inside since his story might take some time to explain.
After settling into a private room in the tea house, Zhang Xin poured us some high-quality Bi Luo Chun tea while explaining why he came looking for Master Chi: "I came because of his reputation and also because it's part of my job."
"So you're not here for personal reasons?" I asked after taking a sip of tea.
"That's right," Zhang Xin confirmed before continuing his story about how their bureau chief was bitten by a mad dog six months ago while inspecting work sites in a forested area. Although they managed to drive away the dog with help from Master Wang Xi-ren's secret techniques, their chief's wound never healed properly despite receiving rabies vaccinations afterward. Moreover, he started experiencing strange occurrences such as feeling like there was always black dog following him around at night or when walking alone on dark roads.
Ghost dog?" Hearing this, JIETOU and I instinctively looked at each other, feeling that things were not as simple as they seemed on the surface.
"The director is very troubled by this matter. He's been to many temples to burn incense and pray for protection against evil spirits, but none of it has worked." Zhang Xin frowned slightly and seemed hesitant about something.
"After a while, Zhang Xin continued: "The director has had this problem for some time now. Naturally, everyone in the bureau knows about it to some extent and we've all been trying to help find a solution. But nothing seems to work. I came here today with the idea of giving it a try. About three years ago, I visited Mount Modu and witnessed the miraculous abilities of Master Zui Tian. So I thought if he was willing to help, he could probably help the director get rid of this disaster."
"Heh heh...I'm afraid your offer to help the director is fake; you're just looking for an opportunity to advance your own career," I said coldly while lifting my teacup.
Zhang Xin looked embarrassed and laughed somewhat dejectedly: "Life is difficult; we politicians can't enjoy life like you guys do. Sometimes there are no other options but desperate measures because nobody wants to struggle at the bottom forever - don't you agree? The director's situation presents an opportunity that should be seized if possible."
Hearing his words, I nodded in agreement since despite being worldly-wise Zhang Xin still appeared honest enough so then asked him: "Alright then since you put it that way let us understand more about your boss' situation such as his personality traits etcetera before going any further."
"Well...how should I put it? Actually, I haven't been working in this bureau for very long so am not too familiar with our boss yet either," replied Zhang Xin hesitantly. "But from what I've observed, he seems like a decent person who doesn't show off or act arrogantly like some other officials do. He treats us kindly and respectfully as if we were his own family members and is very convincing when it comes to getting things done."
"So you're saying that your boss is a good person but then why would this ghost dog be bothering him? That's rather strange isn't it? Unless...
As I spoke, I couldn't help but pause and ponder. 'Could it be something?' Zhang Xin asked nervously. 'A gentleman does not deceive in a dark room. Since he has such a condition, it is very likely that he has done something wrong,' I said. 'This is unlikely. The director goes to work normally every day, lives a regular life, and doesn't come into contact with outsiders at all. What could he have done wrong?' Zhang Xin asked curiously.
'We don't know about that,' I chuckled as I sipped my tea and casually asked, 'Besides the director, have there been any other unusual occurrences in your bureau?'
'Yes,' Zhang Xin lowered his voice when he heard my question and said mysteriously: 'It's the director's secretary Wang Xiren. After accompanying the director back last time, she was reportedly frightened and her mental state deteriorated. She has been on sick leave for almost half a year now and hasn't appeared much in the bureau during this time period.'
'I heard that she had a good relationship with the director privately; after the director was hospitalized, she often went to visit him; later on when she was hospitalized herself, the director also visited her frequently.' It seems like there were some marital problems between them too.