Cao Deyong walked forward and said: "In the past few years, I have learned some things like Feng Shui and hexagrams from an old man outside. I have also followed this old man to exorcise evil spirits for others, and I have learned some things in this regard."
When Yang Xiaobao heard what he said, he just nodded and said nothing.
Cao Deyong continued: "When I came back the day before yesterday, I felt that there was some ominous atmosphere surrounding the entire village chief."
"Yes, I forgot to ask you, when did you arrive the day before yesterday?"
"It was the evening before yesterday." Cao Deyong said, "What? Does it matter?"
Yang Xiaobao pondered for a moment and said, "Maybe, that guy Shi Ran arrived at Beichen Village a few hours before you came back."
"But they didn't show up in the village."
Yang Xiaobao smiled and said: "It's not that they don't show up, it's that they choose to show up at night, so you definitely won't see them."
"Yes." Cao Deyong nodded, "After all, I've only been back for one day and one night."
They had already arrived at the door of Cao Deyong's house.
The three people stood there involuntarily.
Because what they want to know has not yet been told.
"Then are they hiding in someone's house?" Yang Xiaobao asked.
"It's possible," Cao Deyong said, "but I just don't know whose house he will hide in."
"I would like to ask, who else in the village lives here before you come back?"
"They are all elderly people," Cao Deyong said. "Some people have lived here all their lives. They don't want to live with their children, so they can only stay here."
Yang Xiaobao nodded, he knew what Cao Deyong meant by this was that it was impossible for these old people to take Shi Ran in for no reason.
"Other than these permanent elderly people, who else will be in the village when you come back?"
"That's Haitao, advance and defeat them." Cao Deyong said, "They came back relatively early."
At this point, Cao Deyong seemed to understand what Yang Xiaobao meant.
"You, you won't suspect that any of the three of them are related to Shi Ran, right?"
Yang Xiaobao smiled and said, "I just suspect that some of them are hiding Shi Ran."
After a pause, he added: "Now, I suspect not three people, but two."
"I understand, now that Cao Haitao's father is dead, all you have doubts about is progress and long-term victory."
Yang Xiaobao nodded and said, "Yes, they should be the biggest suspects."
"Is there a possibility?" Cao Deyong said, "The Shi Ran you are looking for is hiding in a place where others cannot find him, such as an abandoned house or a cave?"
"Do you have a cave here?" Yang Xiaobao asked in surprise.
Cao Deyong nodded, pointed to the top of the mountain and said, "There is indeed a cave up there."
"Where is it? I want to go up and have a look." Yang Xiaobao said immediately.
Cao Deyong looked at Yang Xiaobao as if he were looking at a monster.
Lao Ma quickly grabbed his arm and said, "Xiaobao, it's already midnight, how can you go? Even if you go, it's so dark, you won't be able to find anything, and there's still danger, so why not go tomorrow."
"Yes, let's do it tomorrow." Cao Deyong also advised.
Yang Xiaobao knew that he was a little anxious just now.
He nodded and said: "Okay, let's do it tomorrow. Village chief, you won't drive us away again tomorrow, right?"
Cao Deyong chuckled: "If I drive you away tomorrow, Cao Haitao will definitely call the police as soon as possible."
Then he added: "I hope the death of Cao Haitao's father was just an accident and was man-made."
Yang Xiaobao didn't say anything, just followed him into the yard.
"Village chief, did you draw these evil charms yourself?" Yang Xiaobao asked, pointing to the charms posted in the yard.
Cao Deyong nodded: "Yes, you also know these charms?"
Yang Xiaobao smiled and said: "I know something, why do you put these talismans on them?"
"I told you just now, as soon as I entered the village, I felt a bit ominous, so I drew a few talismans and posted them in the yard."
"These evil-avoiding charms of yours are not very powerful. I will give you a few tomorrow to ensure that those monsters will not dare to approach your yard." Yang Xiaobao said with a smile.
Cao Deyong stared at Yang Xiaobao blankly for a while before asking: "Xiaobao, tell me honestly, what do you do?"
Yang Xiaobao shrugged and said, "It's almost the same as what the old gentleman you mentioned did."
"I just said, you are not here to climb mountains."
Yang Xiaobao and Lao Ma returned to the room where they lived.
"Xiaobao, do you think this Cao Deyong is trustworthy?" Lao Ma asked.
Yang Xiaobao took a breath and said: "Now, we can only rely on Cao Deyong to investigate. After all, he is the village chief and he has prestige in the village."
"Okay, then I'll listen to you." Lao Ma said, "I hope we can find Shi Ran as soon as possible."
The two of them talked for a while about what had just happened in the village before falling asleep soundly.
The next day, they were awakened by the sound of firecrackers.
Yang Xiaobao opened his eyes and saw the fog outside the window.
He stretched, stood up, and kicked the old horse lying on the other end.
Lao Ma hummed and said: "I woke up a long time ago, you let me be confused for a while."
"Hurry up and get up." Yang Xiaobao said, "I have other things to do today."
"What can we do to get down to business?"
Despite what he said, he still stretched and got up from the bed.
The two people came to the yard and saw Cao Tong and Rabbit Yao muttering something, and laughing from time to time.
"It seems that the two of them have a good relationship." Yang Xiaobao said.
At this time, Cao Deyong opened the door and walked into the yard.
"Dad, aren't we going to worship our ancestors tomorrow? Why are we setting off firecrackers today?" Cao Tong asked.
"I worship my ancestors from time to time because Cao Haitao's father died."
Cao Tong was stunned, with a look of disbelief on his face: "What did you say, Cao Haitao's father is dead?"
Cao Deyong nodded and said, "After breakfast, go burn some paper for your Uncle Cao."
"How could he die? Didn't he look fine yesterday morning?" Cao Tong asked in surprise.
Cao Deyong sighed and said, "I went out to relieve myself at night and accidentally fell down."
Hearing what his father said, Cao Tong let out a long sigh.
Cao Deyong walked up to Yang Xiaobao: "Breakfast is probably ready. Go have breakfast. I won't accompany you today."
"You are busy, you are busy." Yang Xiaobao said with a smile.
He raised his head and looked at the foggy weather and said, "I don't know when the sun will come out."
"In our place, when it comes to this season, eight days out of ten the weather is like this, which can make people moldy." Cao Tong said with a pout.