Chapter 84: Lingering at the Door

Chapter 84: Lingering at the Door

After a thorough exploration of the village, Miles and his group found nothing unusual. The quietness hung heavy in the air, a calm that felt oddly unsettling.

They had been reliably informed about paranormal activities in this location, and the Cockroach Club would not have sent them on a wild goose chase since deception was pointless and would only breed endless complications.

There must be something off about this place. Perhaps, its just out of my vision without me realizing it. It wouldnt hurt to inquire, Miles contemplated.Updated from novelbIn.(c)om

Before he realized it, he had wandered to the fringes of the village, where an elderly man, well into his sixties, was engrossed in tending his vegetable garden.

Approaching the man, Miles initiated a conversation, Good day, sir. You seem engrossed in your gardening.

The old man spared him a glance and resumed his work, seemingly unperturbed.

Sir, Im a visitor from the city. I noticed an eerie quietness here and a funeral at the village entrance. Has something happened? Miles ventured.

Get lost! The mans response was brusque.

Miles remained undeterred, his lips twitching slightly at the old mans impoliteness, Sir, do you have any idea how the young man at the entrance met his end? He looked full of life. Its tragic he passed on so prematurely.

Get lost! The old man reiterated, his voice firm and unyielding, echoing like a relentless hammer striking an anvil.

Cant we have a civil conversation, sir? Or is that the only phrase youre familiar with? Miles inquired.

Leave me alone, you youngsters! Cant you see Im busy? A disdainful squint accompanied the old mans curt reply. His attitude was more than just rude; it bordered on the offensive.

After a moment of contemplation, Miles decided to change tactics. He pulled out a hundred dollars from his pocket, offering as bait, How about a hundred dollars for answering three questions?

At the sight of the money, the old mans demeanor shifted. He swiftly abandoned his seedling, rushed over, and snatched the money from Miles, his face breaking into a cheerful grin, Well, arent you a generous lad? Fire away, theres nothing about Huanggang Village that I dont know.

The influence of money never failed to amaze.

Suppressing a sigh, Miles asked his first question, Has Huanggang Village always been this desolate, or is it a recent phenomenon?

Its always been this way. The younger generation has all moved to the city, leaving us elders here. The village only comes to life during festivals and holidays, the old man explained.

Has there been any unusual occurrences in Huanggang Village lately? Miles queried further.

Nothing out of the ordinary, the old man responded, shaking his head.

Miles pressed on, So whos the person being mourned at the entrance of the village?

Not sure, the old man shrugged. I dont recognize him. Hes probably a relative of someone in the village.

This surprised Miles. A person had died, a funeral was happening, and yet this local elder didnt recognize him. It contradicted the norms; in such small communities, news of a death usually travels fast.

Actually, Ive been meaning to ask: Have there been any reports of hauntings in Huanggang Village recently? Miles decided to get to the point.

At the mention of a haunting, the old man hesitated, appearing puzzled, before rubbing his fingers together in a suggestive manner.

Miles realized hed just asked his fourth question, and he hadnt anticipated the old man being so strict. He handed him another hundred dollars.

Only then did the old man elaborate, People in the village have been talking about hauntings for years. Its been going on for decades, but nobodys ever seen a ghost. You seem like a well-educated man. Is it that youngsters these days are into ghost stories?

Well, not necessarily, just a general curiosity, Miles answered nonchalantly.

But his view was hindered.

The absence of any external light meant he couldnt see the door at all.

All of a sudden, the pounding footsteps on the stairs halted.

Whatever it was, the person or thing had reached the second floor.

At this point, Miles was less worried about how this entity entered the house or where it had come from. His primary concern was whether it was targeting him or Liu Genrong.

There was, of course, a chance that its presence was random.

Given the simplistic layout of rural homes, with two rooms on the second floor facing each other, a random visit meant there was a fifty-fifty chance of being left undisturbed.

Hang on, it doesnt seem to have entered the room yet.

Out of nowhere, he heard the footsteps just outside his door again.

It was as if someone was pacing back and forth in the darkness, the echoing footsteps creating an ominous rhythm.

Cough, cough.

The sound was reminiscent of someone on deaths doorstep, teetering between life and death.

Its clear the entity outside had no intention of leaving.

Inside the room, Miless eyes were glued to the direction of the door, his nerves coiled tightly in dread of the unknown visitor entering.

In his current state, escape wasnt an option. He was left with nothing but hope.

It probably wont come in.

After some time, the absent sound of the door opening allowed Miles to exhale a whisper of relief.

He reassured himself that he couldnt possibly be that unfortunate.

But recalling the merciless nature of the school ghost, he found it hard to completely let go of his anxiety.

What if, just what if, the entity outside didnt need to physically open the door to unleash harm?

No, thats not possible. If there truly is a ghost outside and it possesses powers akin to the knocking ghost, there would be no survivors in this village. They would all have been killed by now, Miles argued against his own fears.

However, right at that moment.

The pacing footsteps outside his door abruptly ceased.

Creak.

The chilling sound of the door opening echoed in the darkness.

Miless heart seized at the sound.

Was the entity that had been lingering outside about to enter?