401: Yingnan City University! Yin energy!!!

Chapter 393: Yingnan University! Yin Qi!

This was a cold case buried for twenty years. Dormitory Building D of Yingnan University, which was involved, had its vitality completely cut off after the incident—the fourth floor and above were completely sealed off.

The heavy fire door was locked and perpetually covered in a layer of dust. The windows were boarded up, leaving only a few scattered dorms on the ground floor occasionally in use.

The upper floors, however, had completely become a storage warehouse for discarded desks, chairs, and old experimental equipment, turning into a corner of the campus that no one dared to approach easily.

Late at night.

Yingnan University's campus had long shed its daytime hustle and bustle, with only the streetlights on both sides of the main road still glowing.

Bright light filtered through the thin mist onto the road, stretching the shadows of the plane trees long. The rustling sound of wind through the leaves was exceptionally clear in the quiet night.

The hands of the clock silently slipped past midnight, approaching one in the morning.

According to usual practice, at this time, only a faint light from the security office should have been visible at the campus gate, with even passing vehicles being few and far between.

But tonight was different; the scene at the campus gate exuded an inexplicable abnormality—

Not only were several black sedans, rarely seen on regular days, parked there, but beside them stood several figures in suits, clearly high-ranking leaders of Yingnan University.

Even President Zhang, who rarely appeared on non-working days, was among them, making a total of five people.

They did not converse, only occasionally looking up at the road outside the campus, their expressions solemn, as if waiting for something, or perhaps anticipating an event about to unfold.

Of course, their Faces now showed undeniable weariness, with the dark circles under their eyes particularly noticeable under the streetlights.

Evidently, these high-ranking leaders had received an impromptu notice and could only force themselves to stand upright in the night wind, their eyes heavy with sleep, without a single word of complaint.

Although they had to come out in the middle of the night, they simply could not afford to offend the person who had issued the notice.

After all, the other party was an Old Leader of Yingnan City who had long since retired, and also the head of the Lu Family, which had deep roots and extensive influence in the local area.

This retired Old Leader not only maintained old connections in political circles but also had a wide reach in the business world.

Even if he did not often appear in public now, the weight of a single word from him was enough to make these current school leaders not dare to show the slightest disrespect.

After all, the principle that "a higher official can crush a person" would only be more pronounced in front of such a Family.

Ten minutes slowly passed in the still night wind, with occasional late-returning vehicles driving over the asphalt road outside the campus.

Headlights cut through the night and quickly receded, the lingering engine sound soon swallowed by the campus's silence.

Until an exceptionally dazzling beam of high-beam headlights lit up from the end of the road, and a black sedan with steady lines and an air of nobility slowly appeared.

The car's body gleamed with a cold metallic luster under the streetlights, distinctly different from ordinary vehicles. It approached the campus gate unhurriedly, coming to a steady stop in front of the school leaders.

The car door was almost immediately opened by the driver, who moved respectfully and swiftly, circling to the left rear and gently pulling open the door.

The first thing that came into view was a foot clad in black cloth shoes, and then, an old man in a black Zhongshan suit slowly stepped out.

The fabric of the Zhongshan suit was flat and crisp, making the old man's figure, though not tall, possess an inherent imposing demeanor.

Under the bright streetlights, the old man's full head of silver hair was exceptionally striking, meticulously combed, with a few strands of un-faded black hair interspersed.

The car door on the right side opened immediately after, and an old man in his sixties, dressed in a sharp suit, quickly stepped out of the car.

His hair was meticulously combed, and his tie was neatly knotted, yet he did not bother to adjust his lapels, which were slightly ruffled by the night wind. He almost jogged around to the side of the old man in the black Zhongshan suit, bowing slightly, his posture conveying clear deference.

Meanwhile, the President Zhang of Yingnan University—this figure who had managed the campus for a full decade and was usually composed and authoritative in front of teachers and students—

At this moment, his pupils constricted slightly, his gaze fixed intently on the old man in the suit.

He was too familiar with this Face; even though the other party had acquired more silver hair, the demeanor in his eyes remained unchanged—it was Lu Yuliang.

One must know that even before Lu Yuliang retired from his leadership position in Yingnan City, he had already served as the President Zhang of this university.

In those years, many school infrastructure projects and resource applications had received coordination from Lu Yuliang. Naturally, he had a deep impression of this Old Leader, who held significant weight in the local area.

Who exactly was this old man in the black Zhongshan suit?

A tempest raged in the President Zhang of Yingnan University's heart, his gaze fixed intently on that tall and serene figure.

He knew Lu Yuliang's weight too well.

This Old Leader, who had governed Yingnan City for many years, had cultivated deep roots in the local political and business circles for decades. People had always respected him and feared him; when had he ever shown such an almost humble attitude towards anyone?

The hurried steps Lu Yuliang took when getting out of the car, his slightly hunched back, and even the unconsciously lowered volume of his voice when speaking—every detail spoke of his extreme reverence for the old man in the Zhongshan suit.

Was he an elder from the Family?

But President Zhang had never heard of such a venerable elder in the Lu Family.

If not an elder, then this identity was truly unfathomable.

President Zhang's thoughts raced, and he suddenly recalled rumors from back then.

It was said that Lu Yuliang was able to remain unshaken through several political storms and even rise steadily through the ranks because there always seemed to be an inexplicable force secretly assisting him.

Some said it was a reclusive master of metaphysics who had guided Lu Yuliang and helped him overcome calamities.

Others said it was a top-tier figure who had long faded from public view, whose single word could determine one's life, death, glory, or disgrace.

He looked again at the old man in the Zhongshan suit. The other party simply stood there casually, yet exuded a calm demeanor that seemed to look down on all beings, as if everything around him could not enter his eyes.

President Zhang's heart suddenly tightened: someone who could make a figure like Lu Yuliang willingly bow his head was certainly no ordinary powerful noble.

This old man, perhaps, was the "benefactor" who could influence Lu Yuliang's fate, or even a mysterious existence hidden behind the scenes, whom even local magnates had to curry favor with.

The thoughts in the President Zhang of Yingnan University's mind flashed and vanished. He instinctively jogged over, and the other high-ranking leaders, seeing him, followed closely behind.

The chaotic thoughts in the President Zhang of Yingnan University's mind were but a fleeting moment.

He immediately suppressed the surprise in his heart, a proper smile quickly forming on his Face. He instinctively quickened his pace, jogging over, even adjusting his lapels.

The other high-ranking leaders, who had been standing still, quickly reacted and followed President Zhang's steps. The group swiftly walked towards the two old men.

"Old Leader Lu, it's truly inexcusable to trouble you with a journey late at night!" President Zhang was the first to extend his hand, his tone respectful yet appropriate. He then turned to introduce the people behind him.

"I am President Zhang Mingyuan of Yingnan University. This is Vice President Li, who is in charge of administrative affairs.

This is Director Wang of the Academic Affairs Office, as well as Section Chief Zhao of our school's Logistics Department and Section Chief Zhou of the Security Department, and Director Ren of the Student Affairs Office. They are all here specifically waiting for the two of you."

His speech was clear and organized, his posture neither servile nor arrogant, every gesture exuding the seasoned experience of someone who had held management positions for many years.

He neither showed excessive humility due to the other party's status nor dared to show the slightest neglect.

"Mm, President Zhang, I'm truly sorry to have caused you trouble. You'll have to work hard tonight."

Lu Yuliang raised his hand to offer a slight gesture of support to the approaching President Zhang, a warm smile on his Face, his tone carrying a familiar warmth, as if greeting an old acquaintance.

He looked at President Zhang's somewhat familiar Face, his memory actually a bit hazy.

When he was in charge of Yingnan City, affairs were complex, and he had only met this university President Zhang a few times at the school's freshman welcoming ceremonies. He vaguely remembered that the other party's surname was Zhang, but the specific name he could no longer recall clearly.

But at this moment, he had already retired from his leadership position, yet the other party still brought a group of school leaders to respectfully wait in the middle of the night, giving him ample Face.

Lu Yuliang was not one to put on airs. Seeing this, he naturally wouldn't maintain his former prestige, keeping his tone and demeanor calm, and his gaze towards President Zhang also held a few more points of genuine politeness.

Lu Yuliang's gaze swept across the Faces of President Zhang and the others. His eyes were deep, without any superfluous pleasantries, and he went straight to the point.

"President Zhang, I won't say many polite words. I rushed here tonight because my father has urgent matters to attend to."

He paused, his tone crisp and decisive, "Now, take us to Dormitory Building D in the West District's female dorms."

"Ah..."

President Zhang had not yet fully processed the information about "Old Leader Lu's father" when a short gasp sounded beside him.

It was Vice President Li who spoke—a woman in her forties with neat, ear-length short hair.

She wore a crisp white professional shirt on top, paired with black straight-leg trousers, and low-heeled black leather shoes, her outfit both capable and appropriate.

Normally, Vice President Li was always composed and calm in her work, but at this moment, her Face could not hide her astonishment, clearly startled by the place name "Dormitory Building D in the West District's female dorms."

"Th-that building isn't already used for storing miscellaneous items?" Vice President Li's voice trembled slightly, and she instinctively added, "And these past few years, not only the fourth floor and above, but even the first to third floors have been completely sealed off!"

She took a deep breath, trying to calm her voice, and explained the reason: "A few years ago, the school built two new high-rise dormitory buildings. The facilities are much better than the old building, so Dormitory Building D was completely replaced."

"Now that building is considered abandoned. The doors and windows are all welded shut with iron sheets, not even leaving a gap for ventilation. No one usually goes there—

Only during the day do logistics workers push flatbed carts to pile in discarded desks, chairs, and old experimental cabinets."

With such a figure arriving late at night, and heading towards that old building where a cold case had been sealed for many years, it was clear that Yingnan University was destined for an eventful night.

After all, the murder case from twenty years ago had caused a city-wide sensation, almost to the point of being common knowledge.

As high-ranking officials of Yingnan University, they not only knew the ins and outs of the case but also understood why Dormitory Building D had gradually gone from partially sealed to fully sealed.

That building had long become an untouchable "forbidden symbol" on campus.

Not to mention, this past week, the old case of the three female university students who were murdered had, for some unknown reason, suddenly resurfaced on the internet and in the media.

Related topics had been trending for several days, and the comment sections were filled with discussions about the case.

Could it be... Old Leader Lu saw the recent reports and specifically rushed here overnight to "check on the situation"?

This thought, like a vine, silently spread through the minds of all the school leaders, quickly reaching a silent consensus.

One must know that no one who reached their position was a simple character; each was a "thousand-year-old fox" skilled at reading people.

Lu Yuliang showing up late at night with an elder, and insisting on going to the most sensitive Dormitory Building D, combined with the recently resurfaced old case, made it easy for anyone to guess at the connection.

However, no one pointed it out, all tacitly bowing their heads, waiting for Lu Yuliang's next arrangements.

"Back then, I was also one of the main people in charge of that case." Lu Yuliang's voice softened a few shades, carrying a hint of imperceptible heaviness.

It was unclear whether he was explaining the reason for their visit to President Zhang and the others, or simply lost in that difficult memory.

He paused before continuing, "President Zhang, please lead the way."

No one dared to ask another question.

The school leaders all knew perfectly well—that case back then had the entire city watching, and the pressure on the investigators was immense, but what was the outcome?

After all the investigations, not a single useful clue was found, and it ultimately had to be shelved, becoming a regret in everyone's hearts.

Now that Lu Yuliang brought up the old matter, they could feel the helplessness in his tone even from a few steps away.

Several black sedans, like lurking shadows, smoothly drove along the main campus road, their wheels rolling over the silent pavement, leaving only a faint sound.

They passed a few modern dormitory buildings with scattered lights, finally stopping in front of an exceptionally quiet building—this place was distinctly different from the surrounding liveliness, and even the air carried a stagnant chill.

What was puzzling was that this abandoned dormitory building had several high-powered streetlights specially installed outside.

The stark white light densely spilled onto the walls and ground, illuminating the surroundings as if it were daytime, yet it only made the shadows in the dark appear even deeper, exuding an indescribable eeriness.

The two faded red characters "Dormitory Building D" were strikingly illuminated by the streetlights, etched into the mottled wall, like an indelible scar.

Lu Xuan, who had been silent, was the first to get out of the car. He did not look at the school leaders who gathered around, nor did he pay attention to Lu Yuliang beside him. He simply slowly raised his head, his gaze falling upon the wall of Dormitory Building D.

The entire building was pitch black, all windows boarded up with thick wooden planks, without even a sliver of a gap. Only a few large doors on the ground floor, welded shut with iron sheets, still showed the outline of what were once dormitory doors.

Looking inside through the blurred glass on the doors, one could only see an empty corridor extending into the deep darkness.

In the corners, piles of messy, discarded desks and chairs cast distorted shadows under the light, like lurking monsters.

"Hmm?"

Lu Xuan let out an extremely soft hum from his throat. A fleeting golden light suddenly flashed in his eyes.

That golden light, sharp as a blade, swept over every corner of Dormitory Building D.

From the welded iron door cracks to the boarded-up window planks, not even the mottled cracks on the wall were missed, like a precise scanner, taking in every detail of the entire building.

A moment later, Lu Xuan's gaze suddenly fixed on the fifth floor, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly.

With his cultivation at the Core Formation Realm, his perception had long surpassed ordinary people, yet he clearly detected a faint chill, completely out of place with the night.

—That was not the coldness brought by the night wind, nor the damp chill of an old building long vacant, but rather a subtle sense of Yin Qi, faint yet present.

Undoubtedly, Lu Xuan, who had dealt with such "things" for countless years, was all too familiar with this aura.

It was Yin Qi!

This wisp of Yin Qi was extremely faint, so faint it almost blended into the night. It was clearly being firmly suppressed by something, preventing it from spreading.

Lu Xuan instantly made a judgment in his heart—and precisely because of this, it caused no harm to the human body.

Otherwise, given the characteristics of Yin Qi, it should have caused anomalies many years ago, and would never have allowed Dormitory Building D to remain a "disused dormitory building" so peacefully until now.