Just moments before, I was still angry with Captain Liu. But hearing his resolve to accompany me changed my perception of him.
After all, he had his duties and couldn't take his subordinates into the mountain without higher approval. Even if he had the authority to order his subordinates to accompany me, the consequences of losing lives would mean imprisonment. For a man with family responsibilities, this risk was unbearable. However, by choosing to go alone, the worst he faced was reprimand or disciplinary action.
Understanding his dilemma, I appreciated Captain Liu's willingness to join me.
"Thank you, Captain Liu," I respectfully took the backpack from his hands and solemnly told him, "Captain Liu, you know the dangers in the mountain. Are you sure you want to accompany me?"
"You and Officer Zhang spent two days in there and returned safely," Captain Liu smiled faintly. "I was once young and fearless like you. Although I can't lead a team to rescue, I still have some blood and humanity left. Let's go, no time to waste."
"Yes, sir!" I nodded, not overthinking his words. Later, I learned that he, too, had his own stories.
I strapped on the backpack and approached Zhang Yihan, who was standing not far behind me.
"Senior, you should go back with them," I said. "When you return, if you have the energy, interrogate Li Dapeng. Make him talk about Lotus Village and Guo's Village. We need to understand the connection and their motives."
"I want to go with you!" Zhang Yihan interrupted before I could finish.
"No!" I refused outright. "Captain Liu and I are enough."
Zhang Yihan looked worn out, with a sling supporting her injured shoulder.
"Zhao Xiaotian saved me too. I have a responsibility to save him," Zhang Yihan's stubbornness showed again.
"Officer Zhang, you shouldn't go. Lin and I can handle it," Captain Liu, who had started calling me Xiao Lin, also tried to persuade her.
"I insist on going!" Zhang Yihan was as stubborn as ever.
"Are you insane?" I suddenly shouted at her, "Can't you understand? Look at your condition. You'll only be a burden!"
Having already defied my superior, I knew my police career was over. As a probationary officer, my dismissal was just a matter of a superior's word. Since I had no future in the police, I no longer feared Zhang Yihan. I was already worried about Zhao Xiaotian, and her insistence was frustrating me.
Surprisingly, my outburst made her unusually quiet. Even more shocking, she gently approached me and said, "Be careful in there."
"I will. Now go back," I said, and Captain Liu and I moved forward.
By the time we reached the mountain top, I was exhausted. "There's food in here, right? I'm starving. Let's eat first."
"Haha, I gathered some military rations from the soldiers. As long as we have drinkable water, we can survive a week in the mountain," Captain Liu laughed.
"It won't take that long," I knew that if Zhao Xiaotian had turned like Old Ge, he wouldn't last long. But I kept this to myself, not wanting to frighten Captain Liu.
I quickly opened the backpack and checked the contents.
Captain Liu's team was well-prepared. Besides the chemical protection suits and gas masks, there were also water bottles, washbasins, toothbrushes, cups, towels, blankets, mosquito nets, bedding, and an old set of camouflage clothes and shoes.
Seeing these items, I knew they belonged to the soldiers. Every soldier carried their personal gear during field missions.
After inspecting the gear, I decided to change out of my torn police uniform and into the camouflage clothes and shoes.
Seeing me in military gear, Captain Liu smiled approvingly. "You look like a soldier I used to lead."
"Were you a soldier before, Captain Liu?" I asked.
"Yes, but I only served a few years before transferring," Captain Liu waved off the topic. "Let's go."
I had more questions about his military background, but sensing he didn't want to discuss it, I refrained.
Despite being in his forties, Captain Liu had excellent stamina. While I was panting, he seemed unaffected by the heavy backpack.
As we trekked, I recounted the events in Lotus Village to Captain Liu. Given the risks he was taking, he deserved to know. However, I omitted the parts about Li Dapeng's mother and Old Ge's self-mutilation, fearing they might scare him.
At 1:20 AM, we reached the fork where I had previously left a message for Zhang Yihan and Old Ge. The message was now gone.
"Captain Liu, the three tunnels are up ahead," I said, knowing the three tunnels were different entrances.
"Alright," Captain Liu nodded and led the way up the path.
"Captain Liu, slow down," I cautioned. The dense fog reduced visibility to zero.
Despite our heavy breathing, we continued onward, reaching the main hall.
To our surprise, the lids were back on the three coffins.
"Which coffin should we enter?" Captain Liu asked, shining his flashlight around. Suddenly, he stiffened, his eyes fixed on the rafters.
Following his gaze, I saw the white-haired woman hanging again. It was Li Dapeng's mother, in the same death pose but now with fresh blood on her face, making her even more terrifying.
Having seen her several times, I was somewhat desensitized. But Captain Liu, seeing her for the first time, turned pale. "Wh-what is that?"
"Don't be scared, Captain Liu. It's Li Dapeng's mother," I patted his shoulder. "I didn't mention her before to avoid scaring you. Her body had disappeared, but it seems the old man hung her back here."
"Should we take her down?" Captain Liu suggested, glancing nervously at me.
"Yes, but first, we should check the tunnels," I said.
Suddenly, Captain Liu's eyes widened in terror, staring behind me.
I turned and saw a blood-covered figure lunging at me. Reacting quickly, I grabbed his throat.
In the blink of an eye, we were grappling, and I felt his iron grip around my neck. His strength was inhuman, like Old Ge's. I struggled to breathe as his grip tightened.
Captain Liu regained his composure and delivered a powerful sidekick to the old man's stomach, sending us both crashing into the middle coffin. The old man fell into the tunnel below, but his hands still clung to my neck, pulling me down with him. Luckily, my backpack got stuck, preventing me from falling further.
"Captain Liu, help!" I choked out, struggling against the old man's grip.
Captain Liu quickly grabbed my arms, pulling me back with all his might.
With a final heave, he managed to free me from the old man's grasp. I collapsed on the ground, gasping for air.
"Are you okay?" Captain Liu asked, helping me up.
"Y-yeah," I wheezed, my neck throbbing in pain.
"We need to be more careful. That old man is dangerous," Captain Liu said, handing me my flashlight.
"I know," I nodded, still catching my breath.
"We can't let our guard down," Captain Liu added, checking his equipment.
"Agreed," I replied, feeling a renewed sense of urgency.
Together, we prepared to enter the tunnel, determined to find Zhao Xiaotian and uncover the truth behind the horrors of Lotus Village.