The Way You Looked Just Now Was Very Much Like a Thief

After reading the current portion of the original manuscript of "The Mouth of the Madman," Trist felt a bit dizzy.

The story begins with the disappearance of a novelist, a famous horror novelist, who vanished without a trace after leaving behind the opening of his new novel. Everyone is talking about it. Meanwhile, the detective in charge of the investigation and his two assistants are attacked in a teahouse. They defeat the attackers and go to the publishing house to look for clues about the novelist. The story ends right here.

Anyone with eyes can see that the content of this novel is almost exactly the same as Lu Ban and his friends' experiences so far. The only difference is that the novel has some additional plot points, mentioning that the detectives, through their investigation of clues provided by the publishing house, discovered that the novelist may have gone to a small town not far from the city.

This manuscript was clearly submitted to the editorial department by the Gudu two weeks ago, and it was certainly written even earlier.

If it were simply a story about the detective in charge of the investigation being attacked, it could be considered a standard trope in this type of novel. However, the detective has two assistants, a man and a woman, which corresponds to Lu Ban and Xiya. Moreover, the two of them use almost identical methods to defeat the attacker when they are attacked.

More importantly, when the three returned to the detective's office, Lu Ban's act of hugging the orange cat was also described in the manuscript.

"The power of prophecy?"

Xiya first thought of the corresponding magic, but prophecy itself is not accurate. In the end, it is just a display of possibilities. No one relies on that to make decisions. Moreover, in the Ruined City, it is obviously unreasonable for a writer to have such an ability. If the Gudu really could make prophecies, then why did he disappear?

"This is such a perfect start, isn't it? It makes us really look forward to what happens next."

Editor Qian carefully put away the original manuscript.

"Really."

Trist picked up on his words and then asked a question.

"Besides that, do you have any other clues?"

"Since recently, Gudu has been disappearing for days at a time. He said he went to North Cold Town to gather materials, but I don't know where North Cold Town is. Do you know?"

Editor Qian looked distressed.

"I don't know."

Lu Ban shook his head.

"According to the novel, the novelist in this story went to a small town in the north. So, North Cold Town should be north of the Ruined City?"

"Xiya.

"There's a city two days' journey north of the Ruined City capital, but it's not called North Cold Town. It's called Cold Ruins, a mining city."

Trist offered a casual explanation.

"Could the Gudu have gone to the Cold Ruins?"

Lu Ban asked.

"It's possible. Novels always have prototypes. The North Cold Town and Cold Ruins described in this novel have certain similarities. Perhaps we can find the answer there."

Trist nodded.

He had just finished speaking when he suddenly seemed a little dazed.

Upon careful consideration, in the story of "The Mouth of the Madman," the detectives obtained clues from the editorial department and decided to go to North Cold Town.

That time and that moment are just like this moment.

"What's wrong?"

Seeing that Trist's expression was off, Xiya asked him a question.

No, it's nothing.

He composed himself and asked more questions about the details of Editor Qian Qian's exchanges with Gudu before leaving the publishing house.

"We are now conducting our investigation exactly according to the pace of the novel. How exactly is this novel written?"

Arriving on the street, watching the passersby come and go, Trist sighed.

Is it possible that we are currently inside a novel?

Lu Ban suddenly had a whimsical idea.

"."

Trist didn't want to talk to Lu Ban.

"Should we still go to our home in the Gudu?"

Xiya doesn't quite agree with Lu Ban's statement.

"Let's go take a look."

The three of them then headed straight to the inner ring road. Although it was called a series of rings, these areas were not actually separated by walls, but only by streets.

Once we reached the Third Ring Road, the road surface suddenly became clean, as if someone was constantly sweeping it. The stench mixed with excrement disappeared, and instead, there was the sound of birds singing and the fragrance of flowers.

There are rickshaw pullers here, but both the rickshaws and the people's clothes are newer and cleaner than outside, and even their demeanor is quite different.

Even when these coachmen looked at Trist, Lu Ban, and Xiya, whose coats were a little dusty, as they walked from the streets of the Fourth Ring Road, they could glimpse a hint of contempt.

Lu Ban was somewhat surprised by the attitude these people displayed here, but upon closer reflection, it made perfect sense.

In some eras, slaves also took pride in their masters, and even betrayed their fellow citizens for their masters, as if history had always been like this.

The houses here are all detached villas. The wealthy people in the Ruined City not only do not want to share their houses with others, but also because they often hold parties, a bright hall and an elegant garden are essential.

It's much quieter here compared to other places.

"It's very quiet here, and there aren't many people on the streets."

Xiya couldn't help but sigh.

"Yes, they've probably all gone to work or inspected their own businesses."

Before Trist could say anything more, Lu Ban interrupted them both.

"Let's talk about something else."

Trist and Xiya looked at Lu Ban strangely, wondering what was going on.

The three followed the road until they reached the villa at the end of the slope. The villa's garden was clearly neglected and in a mess. Weeds had long since taken over the growing space of normal flowers and plants, growing wildly and spreading to the walls, making the whole house look gloomy and terrifying. The situation inside the house could not be seen from here. Trist first took a walk around the outside of the yard.

"I've discovered something."

Lu Ban looked at Trist, who had circled back, and said seriously.

"What, are there traces of Gudu?"

"You looked like a thief just now."

Lu Ban replied.

"Get out of here."

Trist used her key to open the iron gate to the yard. The seemingly rusty gate creaked, just like the kind you often see in horror movies.

Trist walked in front, while Lu Ban followed at the back. The three of them arrived at the door.

Door Opening, Trist was immediately struck by a putrid stench.

"A corpse?"

He quickly dismissed the idea, because in the kitchen sink, a mass of yellow and green liquid swelled and overflowed—moldy food, from which the putrid smell originated.

When Lu Ban turned on the light, he saw that the room's furnishings were oppressive, dull, and discordant. He could see that the cabinets and tables were not arranged diagonally, which would drive anyone with OCD crazy. There were photos on the cabinets, but only one of Gudu was in them.

As you can see, he is a rather handsome young man with a melancholic quality in his eyes, truly a role model for artistic youths.

After searching the first floor without finding any clues, Trist was about to go up to the second floor to check.

Suddenly, Xiya raised her hand.

"Shhh."

She gestured for the other two to be quiet, then lowered her voice and spoke.

"There's some noise upstairs."

creak—

At the same time, the sound of something stepping on the wooden floor came from above the three of them.