"Thank you."
After coming out, Chen Miao thanked Shi Ying.
"N-no need. How did it go? Any news about Shi Manman?"
Chen Miao said nothing. He took a Peachwood Talisman from his pocket, handed it to Shi Ying, and left.
After leaving the Forensic Medicine Department, Chen Miao checked the time.
It was eight thirty in the evening. Far from quiet, Lin'an City was even livelier at night than during the day.
Ignoring the bustle of the streets, Chen Miao crouched down and set the Paper Offerings on the ground.
Then he picked up the Bone Needles and drove one into the Paper Offerings' right foot.
Hiss!
The top of the Paper Effigy's foot sank under the needle without breaking, as though made of flexible plastic. Yet the sound of the needle going in was exactly like that of piercing paper.
Chen Miao took out his phone and opened the stopwatch as he lifted the Bone Needle.
A full eight seconds later, the Paper Effigy on the ground abruptly turned.
Instead of facing Chen Miao, it now faced to his right.
Chen Miao opened his navigation map and looked at the area to his right.
"According to the Head-Down Curse, a one-second delay means a hundred meters, two seconds means two hundred meters, three means four hundred, four means eight hundred... and so on. An eight-second delay means twelve thousand eight hundred meters, or twelve point eight kilometers away."
Twelve point eight kilometers to the west.
Chen Miao found an area on the map with a village in it.
After setting it as his destination, Chen Miao put away the Paper Effigy and drove off.
In a cellar somewhere.
Shi Manman, bound hand and foot with her mouth sealed shut, suddenly twitched and woke with a start.
Pain shot