Inside a side room in the Wu Family Mansion.
After the fifth clack of the night watchman's wooden clappers, Chen Hao and Du Moyu actually calmed down. The fourth clack had signaled A Biao's death and Wang Fugui's departure. This fifth one clearly meant Wang Fugui had failed too.
"Brother Hao, this Wang Fugui isn't simple. He's even more capable than that Jiang Cheng," Du Moyu said, recalling what Jiang Cheng had told them.
Chen Hao stared at the door, his grip on the teacup easing slightly. "But he lasted only seventeen minutes, less than anyone else."
"In other words, even allowing for delays on the way, he got into trouble almost as soon as the mission began," Chen Hao continued. "That doesn't make sense."
Du Moyu fell silent for a moment, then looked at Chen Hao and asked tentatively, "Could it be... they aren't actually dead, but..."
"Bang."
The sudden knock startled them both.
The knock was muffled. They hadn't heard anyone approach at all, and more importantly, no shadow appeared on the paper-covered door. The two of them tensed instantly.
Chen Hao gave Du Moyu a look, telling him not to move or speak, then tiptoed behind the door. He had no intention of opening it; he merely peered outside through a crack.
One glance made Chen Hao shudder all over.
Outside the door... stood a Paper Figure!
Its face was painted with strange features. Its eyes were hollow, represented by two flat circles with no pupils. At that moment, it had one arm raised, slowly and stubbornly pounding on the door again and again.
"Bang."
"Bang."
Seeing Chen Hao's reaction, Du Moyu edged over, puzzled. The result was a double dose of fright, but fortunately, they both had nerves of steel and didn't make a sound.
After