CLX Book 4 Chapter 16 – Part 1

Chapter 16 – The Bat in the Cabin

On the east, the dawn finally appeared.

At long last, the outline of Bat Island slowly appeared. _{Translated by foxs}

Hu Tiehua changed into sailor’s clothes as quickly as possible, and then stood at the bow of the boat and waited.

“What kind of strange thing is this Bat Island? Could it be there are bats by the thousands and tens of thousands flying around on the island all day long?”

Just by waiting to see what would happen, he already went mad with anxiety.

Now, he finally saw it.

He was utterly disappointed, utterly dumbfounded.

There was not even half a bat on the island.

Not only there was no bat, there was simply nothing.

This Bat Island was unexpectedly only a bare rocky mountain, there was no flower, no trees, no grass, no animal, not even any life.

All those people last night, no one knew where they went.

Hu Tiehua cried out, he said loudly, “Heavens, this is Bat Island? This is the Spending-Gold Cave? Looks like we fell head first into other people’s trick.”

Looking around, Chu Liuxiang’s expression was heavy.

Hu Tiehua said, “What about the endless beautiful scenery, endless fine wine? It’s all damned fart, this seeing-ghost island, practically there is not even a ghost’s shadow in here.” _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Zhang San said, “Other things, this place may not have any, but ghosts, there are at least some.”

Hu Tiehua said, “Have you seen ghosts too?”

Zhang San said, “Those who came last night, if they are not ghosts, then what are they? Those people who followed them, I am afraid they may have been taken to the underworld.”

Naturally he was only joking, but speaking to this point, he himself shuddered unconsciously. With a forced laughter, he asked Chu Liuxiang, “Where do you think all those people are hiding?”

Chu Liuxiang did not answer.

Before he figured out something clearly, he never opened his mouth.

This matter, he obviously did not know the answer either.

But Hu Tiehua could not help wanting to open his mouth, he said, “Maybe they have already prepared another boat waiting on the other side, took people over, and immediately left by that boat.” _{Translated by foxs}

Rubbing his palms together, Zhang San said, “It makes sense.”

Hu Tiehua said, “Maybe this is not Bat Island at all, they are doing this to leave us behind.”

Hu Tiehua heaved a sigh, he said, “Whether this is Bat Island or not, it seems that we will all die of old age on this island.”

Zhang San said with a bitter face, “That’s right. Luckily this boat is trapped by the rocks that it didn’t sink, but no one can make it sail again, also no one can live on the boat for the rest of his life.”

Hu Tiehua sighed and said, “If there are trees on the island, we can build a boat or a raft, but it’s a pity that on this seeing-ghost island, there is not even a blade of grass.”

Zhang San suddenly said, “Wait here.”

No one knew what he wanted, but he ran down the cabin like flying, and then ran back up again like flying, holding a jar in his hand.

Knitting his brows, Hu Tiehua said, “Did you look for wine for me? This moment I can’t even drink wine.”

Zhang San opened the jar and said, “This is not wine, but salt.” _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Hu Tiehua said, “Salt? Such a big jar of salt, what are you going to do with it?”

Zhang San said, “Some people say that salt can ward off evil spirits, and can also remove moldy smell [fig. rotten bad luck] … Come on, you should try a little first.”

Half believing, half doubting, Hu Tiehua stared at him, but in the end he still could not help tasting a little.

Zhang San said, “Come on, a little more.”

Hu Tiehua frowned and said, “How much more do I have to taste to get rid of my bad luck?”

Zhang San said, “It would be best if you could eat the whole jar.”

Hu Tiehua yelled again, he said, “Are you, this kid, crazy? You want to salt me to death, don’t you?”

Chu Liuxiang also chuckled, he said, “Maybe he wants to salt you into salt-cured meat, when he runs out of food, he could then eat you.”

Zhang San laughed and said, “Even if he eats a sack of salt, his meat will be sour. I would rather starve to death than to eat it.”

Hu Tiehua said angrily, “What exactly do you want?” _{Translated by foxs}

Zhang San spoke leisurely, “Nothing really, it’s just that … I have also heard people say that if mice eat too much salt, they will turn into bats; I want to test whether when people eat too much salt, it will be the same as mice?”

He had not finished speaking, Hu Tiehua’s palm struck.

Zhang San already guarded against this move, he jumped three or four chi away, and said with a laugh, “I originally wanted to try it myself, but I don’t want to die of old age here, so even if I really become a bat, it won’t mean anything.”

Hu Tiehua suddenly pulled back his hand, staring at Zhang San, he said, “You mean this place is really the Bat Island?”

Zhang San said, “If this is not Bat Island, then I’m not Zhang San, I’m a groundhog.”

Hu Tiehua said, “If this is Bat Island, those people last night, where did they go?”

Zhang San said, “In the cave.”

Hu Tiehua’s eyes lit up, he blurted out, “That’s right, there must be a secret cave in the rocky mountain, and all the people on Bat Island must be inside the cave, hence we cannot see smoke and fire from the outside.”

He slapped Zhang San’s shoulder vigorously, and said with a laugh, “You, this kid, are indeed smarter than laozi, I admire you.” _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Being slapped by him, Zhang San already bent down in pain, he said with a bitter face, “Please don’t admire me anymore, all right? If you admire me again, my bones will break.”

Chu Liuxiang suddenly said, “Where is Ying Xiansheng?”

Hu Tiehua said, “Ying Wanli … It seems like I haven’t seen this person for a long time.”

Zhang San said, “Maybe he’s still changing clothes downstairs.”

Hu Tiehua said, “I don’t think he is down there. When I came up, I noticed that his door was open.”

He chuckled, and then said, “Older people cannot go hungry, maybe he went to the kitchen to find something to eat.”

Zhang San said, “Not there, when I went to get the salt, there was no one in the kitchen.”

The sailors on the ship were all crowded at the stern, some were whispering to each other, some were staring blankly. At time like this, who would be in the mood to eat?

Knitting his brows, Chu Liuxiang said, “When was the last time you guys saw him?”

Hu Tiehua said, “I think at dinner time last night.” _{Translated by foxs}

Zhang San said, “No, after the ship hit the rocks, I still saw him.”

Chu Liuxiang said, “What about afterwards?”

Frowning, Zhang San said, “Afterwards, I did not pay attention.”

It was the time of big chaos [orig. the whole country in rebellion], no one paid attention to anybody else.

Chu Liuxiang’s expression grew even more grave, he suddenly said, “As long as he is still on this boat, he can’t possibly be missing, let’s look for him.”

The three men rushed to the entrance to the cabins, only to find Jin Lingzhi standing there, blocking the door.

Smiling apologetically, Zhang San said, “Would Jin Guniang please step aside? We are looking for someone.”

Jin Lingzhi asked, “Who are you looking for?”

Without waiting for the other side to speak, she continued indifferently, “If you want to look for Ying Wanli, there’s no need.”

Agitated, Hu Tiehua said, “No need? Why not?”

Jin Lingzhi practically did not pay him any attention. _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Zhang San laughed apologetically again, he said, “Could it be that Jin Guniang know where he is?”

Jin Lingzhi coldly said, “Where he is, I don’t know. But I do know that he is no longer on this ship.”

Hu Tiehua yelled again, he said, “He left already? When did he leave? How come I didn’t see him?”

Jin Lingzhi still ignored him.

In her eyes, it seemed like there was no such person as Hu Tiehua in the world.

Zhang San had no choice but to laugh apologetically again and ask the same thing.

Jin Lingzhi laughed coldly and said, “I don’t have any more pair of eyes than you, if you don’t see him, how could I see him?”

Feeling that she already vented her anger, she then continued, “He already left when the people from the Bat Island came to pick up Yuan Suiyun, sneaking down from the side of the boat. At that time I was standing by the side of the boat. When he left, he even asked me to tell you that he has made a discovery, and he has to track it down quickly. When we get to the Bat Island, he will try to meet you.”

Hu Tiehua heaved a sigh, he said with a wry smile, “Very good, he has guts. It seems that this old man has guts much bigger than ours.” _{Translated by foxs}

Muttering to himself irresolutely, Chu Liuxiang said, “Ying Xiansheng is the number one constable in the world, his hearing ability is superior, nothing that ordinary people can reach; some things that he can do are indeed not the things that we can do.”

Zhang San said, “That’s right, in situation like last night, no matter how good one’s eyesight is, it’s useless, because lanterns practically can’t be lit, so in everything, one must use ears to hear.”

Hu Tiehua said, “Besides, since he is known as the number one constable in the world, naturally he has special skills in tracking. Only too bad that no matter what he hears, now he has no way of telling us.”

Zhang San said, “Shall we go to the island now, or wait for someone to pick us up?”

Hu Tiehua said coldly, “Since we’ve been waiting all night, there’s no harm in waiting a little longer, also to avoid being noticed … Old stinky bug, don’t you think so?”

Chu Liuxiang did not even seem to hear, he suddenly asked, “Where is that Bai Lie Xiong?”

Hu Tiehua was startled, “Right,” he said, “It seems that I haven’t seen him for a long time either …”

Zhang San said, “I haven’t seen him since after dinner.” _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Hu Tiehua said, “Could it be that he also left together with Ying Wanli?”

Zhang San said, “When the ship collided, he didn’t seem to be on the deck.”

Jin Lingzhi said, “That’s right, Ying Wanli left alone.”

Knitting his brows, Hu Xianhua said, “Then where did he go? Could it be that he is hiding and does not dare to see anyone?”

Zhang San said, “Let’s look for him. No matter where he is, we have to find him.”

The first cabin on the left was originally Yuan Suiyun’s cabin.

No one was in the room.

Naturally all the furnishings were the most exquisite, but the colors were very odd and chaotic, it could simply be said that every color under the sun was assembled at random, so that looking at it, people’s eyes were dazzled.

In a blind man’s room, there is no need for color coordination, since he would only use his fingers to touch the softness; coziness is already their enjoyment.

The second cabin was where Chu Liuxiang and the others stayed.

Naturally there was no one in the room now. _{Translated by foxs}

Naturally Jin Lingzhi and Ying Wanli’s rooms were also empty. Looking farther to the right, the door of the last room was still closed.

Zhang San said, “Presumably Gou Zichang stayed here, I wonder if he killed Bai Lie and hid the body under the bed?”

He spoke so vividly that it was as if he had seen it with his own eyes.

Hu Tiehua’s countenance also slightly changed. He immediately crashed against the door — the room was unexpectedly empty, there was nothing at all, not even a bed.

Hu Tiehua glared at Zhang San fiercely, but Zhang San just pretended not to see it.

Gao Yanan and Hua Zhenzhen’s fragrance seemed to still lingered in their room, but although the delicate fragrance was still there, the people were no longer there.

Beyond that was the place where Kumei Dashi perished.

Stopping in front of the door, Zhang San’s hair stood up from a little chill, while his palms were emitting cold sweat. Forcing a chuckle, he said, “Let’s not look inside this room.”

Hu Tiehua asked, “Why?”

Zhang San said, “After she, the Senior perished, the inside has been wiped clean, who would dare to go in again?”

Hu Tiehua said, “Why not?” _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Forcing a smile, Zhang San said, “She, the Senior died with her eyes not closed, her ghost might still be waiting inside, waiting for someone to reincarnate her.”

Speaking to this point, he himself could not help shuddering –– those who wanted to scare others are oftentimes scaring themselves first.

Kumei Dashi was so formidable in life, when she died, presumably she would also become stern ghost [malicious spirit]!

Jin Lingzhi’s face already turned somewhat pale. Biting her lip, she said, “This room, we might as well not look inside.”

Inwardly Hu Tiehua was also a bit scared; if she did not say anything, Hu Tiehua might agree to skip this room, but as soon as she said it, Hu Tiehua simply wanted to take a look.

The door was locked from the outside.

Zhang San was still trying to persuade him, he muttered, “Since the door is locked from the outside, how can other people get in?”

He had not finished speaking, Hu Tiehua already twisted the lock and pushed the door open. _{Translated by foxs}

Suddenly, some kind of a bone-chilling noise came from behind the door.

Could it be a ghost cry?

Just as Hu Tiehua was about to step back, something blackish suddenly flew out!

It pounced straight toward his face!

A bat!

Hu Tiehua waved his hand to strike, only to realize that what he knocked down was just a bat!

But at this moment, in his eyes, there was probably no evil bird or a monster in the world that was more terrifying than this bat, he seemed to feel that all the bones in his body were aching.

Where did this bat come from?

How could it fly into a cabin that was locked from the outside?

Could it be that this bat came from the underworld?

Perhaps this cabin has also turned into the underworld? Otherwise, it has been wiped clean, how could it still reek with blood?

Zhang San suddenly blurted out in alarm, “Blood … Look, there is blood on this bat!”

A dead black bat, it was already stained red with blood!

Hu Tiehua said, “I struck it dead, this must be its own blood.” _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Although he was explaining, his voice had changed a bit!

Shaking his head, Zhang San said, “Such a tiny bat, how could it have so much blood? I hear … bats can suck human blood!”

While he was speaking, he shuddered at the same time.

Jin Lingzhi’s face had turned deathly gray as well, she retreated step by step.

Suddenly Chu Liuxiang stopped her, he spoke heavily, “It looks like this ship also has layer upon layer of dangers, we must not separate.”

Jin Lingzhi spoke hoarsely, “Bb … but … this bat … this blood … where did it come from?”

Chu Liuxiang said, “I’ll go in first and have a look.”

Since there was Chu Liuxiang leading the way, everybody’s guts became bigger.

The cabin was very dark, the smell of blood was even heavier.

Bai Lie was lying on his back at the same spot where Kumei Dashi died last night, even in the same posture as Kumei Dashi, except that he had an extra hole on his chest! _{Translated by foxs}

Bloody hole!

Jin Lingzhi could not help turning her back again, she hid in the corner and vomited.

The only one who could still speak was probably Chu Liuxiang.

But he was stunned for a very long time before saying, “Zhai Xin Shou … [heart plucking hand, see last chapter] he also died from Zhai Xin Shou.”

Zhang San said, “Wh … who killed him? … for what reason?”

Hu Tiehua suddenly turned around to face Jin Lingzhi.

His countenance was also serious, unexpectedly it looked indescribably terrifying; he spoke word by word, “Stretch out your hand!”

This time unexpectedly Jin Lingzhi did not dare not to pay him any attention, she spoke with trembling voice, “Wh … why?”

Hu Tiehua said, “I want to see your hands!”

But Jin Lingzhi hid her hands behind her back. Biting her lip, she said, “My hands are nothing to look at, go see other people’s hands.”

Hu Tiehua coldly said, “Other people have already left, definitely they are not the murderer!” _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Jin Lingzhi cried out, “Could it be that you think I’m the murderer who killed him?”

Hu Tiehua sternly said, “If not you then who?”

Jin Lingzhi screamed louder than him, she said, “What makes you think I am the murderer?”

Hu Tiehua said, “First, you blocked the door upstairs, and then you did not let us come into this room, it must be because you were afraid that we would find his body, isn’t that right?”

Without letting Jin Lingzhi to speak, he went on, “Moreover, now that Kumei Dashi is dead, Gao Yanan and Hua Zhenzhen have both left, the only person on this boat who knows Zhai Xin Shou is you!”

Jin Lingzhi was trembling all over, she said, “I … you said I know Zhai Xin Shou?”

Hu Tiehua said, “Since you can learn Huashan Pai’s ‘Qingfeng Shisan Shi’, you must also learn Zhai Xin Shou!”

Jin Lingzhi was so angry that her lips turned white, she laughed coldly and said, “Dogs can fart, but you can fart too, could it be that you are a dog?”

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