Chapter 142: At a Loss for Words.

Chapter 142: At a Loss for Words.

Chaos erupted in Dongshan Town.

Some people transformed into melting monsters. Fortunately, they quickly turned into mere skeletons. But these monsters were relatives of the town’s residents. After the initial panic, Dongshan was enveloped in mourning.

Outside Dongshan Hot Springs Hotel, in a countryside resort, agents from the Special Security Bureau watched a person go berserk and then suddenly turn into bones. After their initial shock, they quickly comforted the civilians. The scene was chaotic; students who had come to the resort huddled in corners, crying. Luckily, the agents ensured no one was hurt.

Inside Dongshan's police station, there was pandemonium. Several officers who had previously investigated the Hot Springs Hotel fell into a mysterious coma. An older officer mutated and went on a rampage, seriously injuring a younger colleague. Others were slightly hurt, but some civilians also mutated and attacked indiscriminately.

The police responded swiftly, soon regaining control. They then began managing the town's mutation crisis.

Thankfully, the Special Security Bureau was well-prepared, even sending senior officers. This ensured sufficient manpower at the police station to handle incidents in populated areas.

Overnight, the Special Security Bureau had a grasp on the situation. Working with local police, they stabilized the situation and were informed about the Hot Springs Hotel. They summoned Chi Shen for a meeting. However, discussions had already begun in the conference room prior to his arrival.

"It seems the situation is under control. We just need to draft a report. Let higher-ups handle the mass unconsciousness in Dongshan," someone suggested.

"Resolved? What about the residual terrifying ghostly aura at the scene? How did these people transform into this state? Do you all understand what happened?"

"It's the ghost from the East Hill Hot Springs. You've heard Zhong Jingzhu's testimony. What we need to discuss now is merely how to address the aftermath and what to do with those who have fallen into a coma."

"Elder Zhong has passed away," someone suddenly interjected. "The Zhong family sought our help when he fell into a coma. They eventually turned to the Chi family for help, but he still passed away."

"So... will those people die too?" Someone whispered, thinking of the police officers among the comatose, who had warmly received them before.

The conference room was dimly lit, with no lights turned on. In front of each person, a candle was placed, ensuring that everyone present was truly alive and hadn't been replaced by some strange entity.

Each burning candle represented a vibrant and healthy soul.

They wouldn't normally take such precautionary measures during meetings. However, the death of Elder Zhong and the sudden anomalies in East Hill made them tread with caution.

"It was him who sent his family to the hot spring hotel," after a moment of silence in the room, someone spoke. "At first, I was suspicious of Elder Zhong... but the issue at the hot spring hotel has indeed been resolved."

An elder coughed softly, reminding them, "Let's not gossip about others. Regardless of what transpired at East Hill Hot Springs, Elder Zhong always gave his best for the Special Safety Bureau."

The room fell silent for a moment. Then someone remarked, "The current situation is that Zhong Yi is in a coma and Zhong Jingzhu is critically injured. They can't make it here for now. Are we really going to rely on a layman's account of events?"

Another person added, "He resolved the issue when he went there. Perhaps it truly was due to him. After all, Elder Zhong had specifically chosen him."

"I heard he demonstrated commendable abilities in Harbor City."

Someone paused briefly before sharing, "I was the one who sent them to East Hill Hot Springs. That man... the one named Chi Shen from the Chi family... had many ghosts with him."

All eyes turned to the speaker.

"It seems the rumors are true," someone concluded. "The Chi family indeed has skeletons in their closet."

"I received word just yesterday. Our team supporting Harbor City discovered something peculiar. The Bai family..." The speaker hesitated momentarily before continuing, "They seem to be harboring ghosts."

"We can't allow the Chi family to interfere with this matter."

"Absolutely, the Chi family must not get involved."

At that moment, a knock echoed in the conference room, followed by a deep yet polite male voice: "Zhang Yao has arrived. May I enter?"

The attendees exchanged surprised glances, as if wondering why he was there.

"Is that... Zhang Yao?" someone whispered.

"The Head of the Divine Calculators of the Zhang Family?" someone remarked.

Murmurs rose among them, for the Zhang Family of Divine Calculators was perhaps the most enigmatic among the major clans. They seldom interacted with others and were reputed for their astonishingly accurate predictions. Yet, they frequently used the phrase, "The secrets of fate must not be disclosed." So, what's the point of predicting anything if one doesn't reveal it?

Zhang Yao, on the other hand, is the current family head. Rumor has it he's young but highly skilled. However, nobody had seen him. Furthermore, it was heard that two months ago, Zhang Yao fell critically ill. After his illness, a previously unknown man came to the Zhang Family and became Zhang Yao's confidant. Even now, Zhang Yao has not recovered from his illness, yet he made a few predictions, one of which pertained to the Eastern Mountain Springs.

What exactly transpired to bring the head of the Zhang family here?

"Come in," the elder said. As the conference room door opened slowly, all eyes turned toward it, eager to glimpse the enigmatic leader.

Due to the meeting room being dimly lit and the corridor outside being bright, all they could see was a tall silhouette pushing a wheelchair. As they approached, to everyone's surprise, a frail young girl was seated in the wheelchair.

The girl seemed to be only fifteen or sixteen. Her face was strikingly pale, her body so thin it looked like it might snap any moment, and her lips devoid of any color. With her eyes closed, she appeared to be asleep, nestled within a soft blanket.

"Head Zhang?" someone tentatively inquired, directing the question to the seemingly sleeping girl, not the tall man beside her.

The girl remained silent, but the man replied, "We are here waiting for someone. Please continue your discussion; don't mind us."

With that, the room grew quieter. Most of those present in Eastern Mountain Town weren't the top leaders of their respective clans. The highest-ranking was the elder who had spoken earlier. The sudden arrival of the Zhang Family head made discussions a bit awkward.

Someone still ventured to ask the man, "Waiting for whom?"

The man's deep voice resonated in the darkness, "Unfathomable depths."

*

Author's note:

There are still two major plot twists coming. They need to tie up loose ends from before, so I'm writing a bit hesitantly. I apologize. I'll write when clarity strikes; if not, I'll keep pondering.