Mortal Dawn and Dusk, My Eternal Life - Chapter 55

Inside the Tianjin Police Bureau, chaos reigned.

The young police officer, after receiving Su Mingyue’s “guidance,” immediately relayed his suspicions and Su Mingyue’s analysis to Gu Mingxuan’s adjutant, Zhang Meng, word for word. Zhang Meng was a man of rough exterior but keen mind. Although he, too, found the matter of his general being “abducted by a demon” to be sinister, the thought of suspecting Old Master Du, who enjoyed the reputation of “great philanthropist” in Tianjin, made him hesitant.

However, his general’s disappearance was indeed inextricably linked to the Du Mansion. And the young police officer’s analysis, informed by Miss Su, was so well-reasoned that he couldn’t help but feel a hint of suspicion.

“Brother Meng, what… what should we do?” Li Erniu, on the side, was as anxious as an ant on a hot griddle, asking helplessly, “General… he… he isn’t really in trouble, is he?” Li Erniu was young and simple-minded; he couldn’t think of so many twists and turns. He only knew that his general was now missing, his fate unknown, and he had to do something!

Zhang Meng looked at Li Erniu’s anxious expression, then thought about the young police officer’s relayed words. Finally, he gritted his teeth and slammed the table!

“Damn it! Who cares if he’s a great philanthropist or a living Bodhisattva! The general disappeared in his mansion, so his Du family can’t escape responsibility! Even if it’s a dragon’s den or a tiger’s lair, we have to charge in!” A look of determination flashed in Zhang Meng’s eyes. “Erniu, you take a few clever brothers and come with me! We… we’ll go ‘visit’ the Du Mansion again! I want to see what tricks Old Master Du is truly up to!”

He knew that, with their limited strength, forcing their way into the Du Mansion would be like hitting a rock with an egg. But he also knew that if they did nothing, just waited, then his general would probably meet a tragic end! Even… even if they had to face the legendary demon, they, as soldiers, would never be cowards!

Thus, Zhang Meng and Li Erniu, suppressing their immense fear of the “demon,” led a few equally loyal brothers and once again arrived at the eerie Du Mansion gates. Little did they know that their decision, though filled with loyalty and courage, also propelled them into an abyss of no return.

When Zhang Meng and Li Erniu, with their men, cautiously pushed open the Du Mansion’s slightly ajar gate, preparing to investigate the situation, they never expected that upon entering, they would immediately bump into someone rushing out from inside! That person was ragged, covered in blood, his face contorted with terror and despair, as if something extremely horrifying was chasing him from behind!

It was Old Master Du, who had just escaped from the secret chamber!

“Du… Old Master Du?!” Zhang Meng and Li Erniu were both startled to see him. They hadn’t expected to encounter this “great philanthropist” here again, in such a manner. But at this moment, Old Master Du no longer resembled a “great philanthropist” in the slightest! His face was withered like wind-dried orange peel, his eye sockets sunken, and his eyes were filled with madness and… a subtle trace of death qi. His entire being looked like a zombie that had just crawled out of a grave, exceptionally terrifying and bizarre!

And Old Master Du, seeing Zhang Meng and Li Erniu, two strong and robust young soldiers brimming with vitality, a look of ecstatic joy suddenly erupted in his eyes, which had been somewhat unfocused due to fear! He was like a traveler on the verge of dying of thirst in the desert, who suddenly saw an oasis! Like a gambler who had lost all his stakes, who suddenly saw a chance to turn the tables!

“Heaven… Heaven does not forsake me! Heaven does not forsake me!” Old Master Du roared madly in his heart. He knew that his life force was almost drained by that monster. If he didn’t get replenishment soon, he would surely die! And these two “supplements” who had delivered themselves to his doorstep were simply a godsend!

Zhang Meng and Li Erniu looked at Old Master Du’s inhuman, ghost-like appearance. Although they felt a chill run down their spines, out of their duty as soldiers and basic respect for an elder, they instinctively went up to him.

“Old Master Du! You… what happened to you? What’s going on?” Zhang Meng supported the trembling old man, asking with concern. Li Erniu also quickly stepped forward, looking at him worriedly: “Old Master Du, don’t be afraid! We’re from the police station! Is it that demon… that has come out to harm people again?” They still thought Old Master Du had been frightened into this state by the “demon” who had abducted their general.

However, their heartfelt kindness and concern were met with the cruelest, most ruthless betrayal! A sinister and eerie smile suddenly appeared on Old Master Du’s withered face!

“Yes… the demon… has come out to harm people again…” he said hoarsely, and then… violently extended his withered, ghost-like hands! His movements were incredibly fast! Before Zhang Meng and Li Erniu could react, those cold palms had already clamped tightly onto their faces!

“Old Mast—”

Zhang Meng and Li Erniu only had time to let out a startled cry before they felt an irresistible, powerful suction emanating from Old Master Du’s palms! They could clearly feel their life force, blood, and even their souls being frantically drained by those demonic claws at a terrifying speed! Their bodies visibly withered and shriveled… Their eyes, which had initially shown shock and confusion, gradually transformed into boundless terror and… despair. To their dying breath, they couldn’t understand why… why this old man, whom they regarded as a “great philanthropist,” would inflict such a poisonous hand upon them!

“Hah… hah…”

Old Master Du released his grip on Zhang Meng and Li Erniu’s faces, letting their two shriveled corpses fall limply to the ground. In just a few breaths, two vibrant young lives, full of loyalty and courage, had completely transformed into cold, desiccated corpses, their faces still frozen with the startled and painful expressions they wore before death.

And the few police officers who had been following them were utterly terrified by this sudden, horrifying and bloody scene. They scrambled to escape, but ultimately, none were spared. They all became “nourishment” for Old Master Du to regain his strength.

He let out a long sigh of satisfaction, a morbid smile on his face. His previously withered skin, after absorbing the vigorous life force of these young soldiers, plumped up again. Although still far from returning to its previous state, at least… it temporarily freed him from the pain of near-death. He could feel a new power surging within him.

However, even so, his fear of Gu Mingxuan remained undiminished. He knew that his current strength was still vulnerable before that true “monster”! He had to… find a way to contend with that monster! A look of madness and determination flashed in his eyes. He knew he had only one option left. That was… to seek out the fox demon he had imprisoned for many years!

Old Master Du no longer hesitated. He turned and stumbled towards the underground prison that held the red-robed fox demon! He knew he was now in a race against death! He had to find a way to counter that monster before it caught up to him! Otherwise, a fate more terrifying than death awaited him!