Chapter 86: The Lost Xie Lingyu

Wu Tieqing drove the car steadily, but it wasn’t long before A-Tian caught up. A-Tian punched the window, shattering the glass into pieces.

“Damn, is his hand made of iron? Hitting glass like it’s nothing—like a sledgehammer!” The shards rained down on me with a clatter. Little Rascal barked furiously, clearly enraged.

I cursed, “Wu Tieqing, can’t you drive any faster?”

Wu Tieqing was also flustered. “I’m not used to driving Thai cars…”

Xie Lingyu took a moment to process the situation before finally realizing, “You mean that sorcerer up there died? Turned into a shrimp?” She couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

As the car took a sharp turn, I spotted a young monk in saffron robes on the roadside—the same one I’d seen yesterday, surrounded by a group of flamboyant Thai ladyboys.

The monk walked lightly, looking quite pleased with himself. I leaned against the window, watching him stroll leisurely until he disappeared from sight.

After the turn, we finally shook off A-Tian. We drove for another ten minutes before Wu Tieqing pulled over. “Master, what now? Should we turn ourselves in at the police station?”

Xie Lingyu, barely suppressing her laughter, shook her head. “If someone’s out to get you, the police won’t help. How exactly did that sorcerer die?”

I recounted He’s last moments. After listening, Xie Lingyu speculated that someone must have attacked from a distance, framing us for the murder.

I punched the wall. “It must be that damn monk! I’m going to the temple to find him.” In the distance, sirens wailed as a firetruck rushed past. Wu Tieqing glanced nervously in its direction, his eyes filled with confusion and worry.

Xie Lingyu said, “Head to the Chinese embassy or a Chinese community. Anywhere else is risky. The Thai authorities will track you down in no time, and that Muay Thai fighter won’t let you off easily.”

Wu Tieqing nodded at me, waiting for my decision.

I said, “Before the police find us, drive to the hotel so I can grab my things. Wu, you go to the embassy. I’ll find that monk.”

Xie Lingyu still didn’t believe the monk was involved. “A young monk wouldn’t have the power to harm you from such a distance, nor would he have any reason to frame you. You’ve got no grudge against him.”

I clenched my fists. “I trust my gut…”

Wu Tieqing asked, “Could it be that Thai businessman? Maybe he killed He to stop anyone from breaking the curse on me.”

Xie Lingyu replied seriously, “You’re not important enough for them to go to such lengths…”

If not the monk, and not Wu Tieqing, then who was targeting me?

Wu Tieqing’s expression darkened as he cleared the glass shards from the car. Then he drove me back to the hotel, stopping in a hidden alley nearby.

Most of Wu Tieqing’s belongings in the hotel were worthless, but mine were different. My luggage contained priceless treasures—our sect’s sacred jade ruler and the copper jar. I couldn’t just abandon them.

I walked briskly toward the hotel. A large tour group crowded the entrance, preparing to visit local attractions. The bus nearby bore the words “Chiang Mai Tours” in both Chinese and Thai.

A group of middle-aged women chatted in thick Northeastern accents:

“I heard this place is crawling with ladyboys. Dunno if it’s true. They look like beauties, but they’re really just dudes who pee standing up.”

“My old man seems a bit too interested… Gotta keep an eye on him,” one woman said sternly.

I swiped a red cap and blended into the group, slipping naturally into the hotel. Just as I passed the lobby, the tour guide’s voice rang out:

“We’re heading to the temple now. Where are you going? Don’t get left behind!”

I quickly replied, “Guide, my stomach hurts. Gotta use the bathroom. If I’m not back in time, I’ll catch up.”

The guide frowned. “Ten minutes. No more.”

I flashed a sheepish grin. “Thanks, guide! Really appreciate it! Gotta go—emergency!”

I took the elevator to the seventh floor.

As the doors opened, I spotted Thai police entering the lobby. My heart pounded—they were fast.

I hurriedly pressed the close button, keeping my head down. Ding! The elevator reached my floor. I rushed to my room, where housekeepers were cleaning.

I asked, “Anyone come in?”

The cleaners looked confused, then one replied, “Yes… ladyboys…”

Ignoring them, I quickly gathered my things. The jade ruler and copper jar were still there—nothing missing. I tipped the cleaners, grabbed a white towel, and covered my mouth as I coughed my way out.

No one paid me any attention. I slipped back downstairs smoothly.

But as the elevator doors opened, two policemen stood there, speaking broken English:

“Sir, hello. Did you lose a cat? The hotel said you lost a white cat. We found one in the area.”

I coughed into the towel. “No English. Chinese.”

The officers eyed me suspiciously. “Do you have a photo of your cat?”

Meanwhile, A-Tian had parked his battered motorcycle outside, his arm wrapped in a white bandage. His hawk-like eyes scanned the tourists taking photos at the entrance.

I quickened my pace, brushing past the cops. They called after me, “Cat… cat…”

I kept my head down, narrowly avoiding A-Tian. A cold sweat broke out.

After a few steps, I broke into a sprint.

A-Tian suddenly roared, “STOP!”

Only an idiot would stop. I bolted.

When I reached the secluded alley, Wu Tieqing’s rented car was gone. I frantically called him—his phone was off.

Before I could curse him for betrayal, A-Tian’s flying kick slammed into my back, sending me face-first into the dirt. Pain shot through me. Damn, this guy must’ve grown up kicking coconut trees.

Reasoning with him was suicide—especially with the language barrier. So the moment I hit the ground, I scrambled forward like a madman.

Since consuming those five insect treasures, my body wasn’t as frail as before. In the past, that kick would’ve left me coughing blood.

Now, I just got up and kept running.

A-Tian shouted something, and the “lost cat” cops joined the chase, blowing whistles and yelling for me to halt.

Yeah, right.

The tour bus was slowly pulling away. The guide, a man in his thirties, waved a flag and announced cheerfully:

“Attention, everyone! We’re heading to the temple now. Check if your seatmates are all here. This is our fifth stop—hope you all have fun! To liven things up, I’ll sing a song!”

“The beautiful jasmine flower~” The bus erupted into off-key singing.

I sprinted after the bus, yelling, “Wait for me! Don’t leave me behind! Egghead, Dumbo, Quackers—save me!”

The guide noticed me and signaled the driver to stop. He looked annoyed as I clambered aboard, panting like a dog.

“Finally! Thought you fell in the toilet.”

“Drive, drive, DRIVE!”

The bus rolled forward, the cheerful tune of “Jasmine Flower” filling the air. I collapsed into the nearest seat without checking who sat beside me.

Glancing back, I saw A-Tian and the cops still chasing.

After the song, the guide—introducing himself as “A-Fei”—launched into his spiel:

“Chiang Mai is Thailand’s second-largest city! Historically, it served as the capital many times, so there are plenty of ancient temples and landmarks. If you’re into Buddhism, feel free to pray—but don’t buy any shady amulets or spirit tablets. Thai folk worship many dark entities… twin-headed ghost infants… If you must buy, only get them from legitimate monks…”

A Northeastern auntie chimed in, “Sounds like our Shamanism back home—we’ve got fox spirits, weasel immortals… the Five Great Families…”

I tried calling Wu Tieqing again. No answer.

Had he turned traitor? But Xie Lingyu wouldn’t be fooled so easily.

Next, I dialed Xie Lingyu—still nothing. If she’d been captured for He Qingling’s sake…

Now not only was He Qingling missing, but Xie Lingyu, Little Rascal, and the Jade Corpse were gone too. And I still had to dodge the cops and that bastard A-Tian.

My mood hit rock bottom. Maybe they’d gone to the embassy? I looked up the Chiang Mai consulate’s number online and called.

A polite receptionist informed me that no one matching their descriptions had sought refuge there. She advised me to verify my information and call back if I needed assistance.

As I racked my brain for clues, a voice beside me said sweetly,

“You don’t seem to be with our tour group. Should I tell the guide?”

The voice was melodious—warm and familiar, like home.