The sun sank in the west.
Jiang Qiao went out for a stroll around the streets. They were deserted, without a soul in sight. All the residents had gone home early, before darkness fell.
Even the old man's noodle stall had packed up, leaving only an empty carrying frame in the corner by the wall.
The wind swept past.
Ash from burned paper money scattered all over the street.
The scene looked especially desolate.
He did not go to the Sun Family Old House. He only wandered around near his lodging before heading back. But as he passed an alley entrance, he paused.
A black dog crouched in the alley.
It looked painfully thin, all skin and bones, and crouched there without moving.
When Jiang Qiao looked over,
it looked back at him.
"This dog..."
Jiang Qiao narrowed his eyes. The black dog's eyes were blood-red, like little lanterns.
He stared at it for two seconds.
The dog suddenly whimpered, tucked its tail between its legs, and ran.
In a blink, it vanished into the depths of the alley.
"It's actually picked up a supernatural aura, and a very fresh one. Looks like there's an evil spirit active nearby."
He looked away and continued walking.
Just as he was approaching his courtyard,
he heard hurried footsteps behind him. Turning toward the sound, he saw a man come running around the corner.
The man looked about thirty.
He wore a black Zhongshan suit and looked rather dashing.
But his face was full of panic.
He kept looking behind him as he ran, as though something were chasing him.
The man saw Jiang Qiao too.
The instant their eyes met, Jiang Qiao noticed the man's pupils contract sharply. Then he lowered his head and quickened his pace, practically running past him.
He