The Strange Face-Changing Technique of Sichuan Opera (Part 2)
Lin Yu and his companions, armed with clues from the teahouse owner and filled with anxiety and anticipation for the unknown, entered the old city district to the west of the city. This place seemed a corner forgotten by time, a stark contrast to the bustling city center. The narrow streets twisted and turned like sleeping pythons, and the buildings lining them were mostly old and dilapidated, the plaster peeling from the walls revealing the gray brickwork within, like weathered and tired faces. The mottled wooden doors, half-closed, creaked, as if telling stories of the past. Occasionally, a few wild cats darted out from the dark corners, flashing past their feet, startling Xiao Zhao so much that he jumped.
Lin Yu looked at the slip of paper with a vague address in his hand, his brows furrowed, a hint of anxiety in his eyes: "This place is like a maze. It's not easy to find Zhang Heling's yard. Everyone is on high alert. There is always an indescribable gloom around here."
Old Chen tightly gripped the weapon at his waist, looked around vigilantly, and whispered, "I also feel something is wrong. It's a bit abnormally quiet, as if countless pairs of eyes are watching us in the dark."
Professor Li pushed up his glasses, his gaze sweeping over the surrounding buildings, trying to find clues from the traces of time. "According to the boss's description, the courtyard should be nearby. Everyone, look carefully and keep an eye out for those very old buildings."
Xiao Zhao swallowed hard, trying to calm himself, but his voice was still trembling slightly: "Captain, why am I getting more and more scared? Could this really be something unclean?"
Lin Yu patted Xiao Zhao on the shoulder and comforted him, "Don't be afraid. We are from the 749th Bureau and have seen all kinds of situations. As long as everyone is careful and cautious, we will definitely find the clues and complete the mission successfully."
After some twists and turns, they finally found the courtyard at the end of a secluded alley. The gate was closed, the paint peeling and flaking, revealing rotten wood that looked as if it would fall apart with the slightest push. The doorknob was rusted, like an iron lock corroded by time, exuding a sense of antiquity. Lin Yu reached out and gave a gentle push. With a creak, the door slowly opened. The sound echoed in the silent alley, as if breaking some taboo. A stale, slightly rancid smell hit them, like an invisible hand gently teasing everyone's nervous nerves, causing them to frown.
Entering the courtyard, weeds grew thickly, more than a meter tall, swaying in the breeze, making a rustling sound like countless small hands rubbing against each other. Several dilapidated houses stood amid the weeds, their walls covered in moss, like green ghosts peering out from dark corners. Many of the roof tiles had fallen, revealing the blackened beams beneath, creating a sense of precariousness. In the center of the courtyard stood an ancient well, its mouth half-covered by a large stone. Inscribed on the stone were obscure symbols, twisting and winding like wriggling insects, emitting a mysterious and eerie aura.
Old Chen looked around vigilantly, a hint of uneasiness in his eyes: "There is an indescribable eerie feeling in this place, and it feels wrong. It's like there's something hiding in the dark, ready to pounce at any time." His hands were tightly gripping the weapon, and his knuckles turned white from the force.
Xiao Zhao tightly gripped the tools in his hands, his body trembling slightly, his eyes revealing obvious nervousness: "Captain, do we really have to go in? I always feel like something is staring at us in the dark, and it makes me feel creepy." His voice was very low, as if he was afraid of disturbing something.
Lin Yu looked at his teammates, his eyes revealing firmness and determination: "Now that we are here, we can't retreat. This place may hide important clues, so everyone be careful. We are a team, as long as we unite and cooperate, there is nothing to be afraid of." Although he appeared calm on the surface, he couldn't help feeling a chill in his heart.
They first entered the main house. The room was dimly lit, the windows nailed shut with wooden boards, allowing only a few faint rays of light to filter in, casting patches of light and shadow on the ground, as if ghostly figures were swaying in the darkness. The furniture was covered with thick dust, and the slightest touch would raise a cloud of choking dust. Lin Yu looked around the room, and with every step he took, the floorboards creaked, as if telling of the weight of time. Suddenly, he found a worn mask in the drawer of a worn table. The colors of the mask had faded a lot, and the once bright red, green, and yellow had become dull and gray, but its unique shape could still be seen. The empty holes in the eyes seemed to stare at the crowd, as if an invisible force emanated from the holes, staring straight into their souls, giving people a creepy feeling.
Professor Li came over and examined the mask carefully, his eyes revealing strong interest and confusion: "The craftsmanship of this mask is exquisite. Judging from the material and style, it should be from the era of Zhang Heling. Maybe it has some connection with the weird mask that the boss mentioned before." He picked up the mask carefully, turning it over and over, trying to find clues from the texture and details of the mask.
At that moment, the faint sound of opera singing suddenly emanated from the previously quiet courtyard. The voice was melodious yet indescribably eerie, like a call from another world. The sound echoed in the silent courtyard, sometimes high, sometimes low, as if someone was whispering in one's ear, but the lyrics were indistinguishable. Everyone was startled, immediately stopped what they were doing, glanced at each other nervously, and then quickly left the house to investigate.
A blurry figure appeared on the stage, singing Sichuan opera and performing facial changes. Due to the distance and the blurriness of the figure, they couldn't tell if it was human. The figure danced on the stage, its movements light yet eerily stiff, like a puppet being manipulated.
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