Chapter 96

The police settled into a room in the courtyard, and the police station chief, who seemed to have a wide network of connections, invited two journalist friends to boost the police station's reputation. They were going to film the police officers dispelling the rumors of ghosts for the people.

In their view, the ghost story was pure nonsense. This was a perfect opportunity to stir up some publicity. Who knew, maybe a bit of hype would get them on TV, making them famous and leading to a promotion.

Of course, this wasn't a live broadcast. No audience would have the patience to watch such a boring waiting show. They would film overnight and then edit it before broadcasting.

When the news van arrived at the haunted courtyard, many people had already gathered around, drawn by the reputation of the place.

The two journalists, a man and a woman, were there. The man was the driver and cameraman, while the woman was the host.

Ding Ning noticed that the woman looked familiar. She seemed to be a program host from the Haibin City TV station, in her twenties, and quite attractive.

The cameraman adjusted the equipment, and the female host spent a while getting ready before they started filming.

In the footage, several police officers from the Haibin Old Town police station were seen patrolling the courtyard, looking brave and valiant.

The woman picked up the news microphone and, once the cameraman started filming, said to the camera, "Ladies and gentlemen, today our journalists have come to the haunted house that has been causing a stir over the past few days. We are interviewing the police officers from the Haibin Old Town police station who are stationed here. Let's hear what they have to say."

The camera then focused on the police station chief, who looked composed and said loudly, "In today's era of reform and opening up, it is impossible for there to be any ghostly phenomena in Haibin City. We, the police, firmly believe that there are no ghosts. Any unusual occurrences are the work of people with ulterior motives. I assure the public that we will stay here for a while to thoroughly dispel the rumors of ghosts and restore a peaceful and harmonious living environment to the old town!"

Ding Ning, listening from a distance, felt a bit embarrassed. He was the one the chief was referring to as having ulterior motives.

At this moment, the female host actually had the cameraman focus on Ding Ning and said, "Before coming here, the police investigation revealed that the first person to claim the courtyard was haunted was this young man. Let's hear what he has to say."

As she spoke, the female host seemed to be coming over to interview Ding Ning.

Ding Ning was taken aback. No one had told him he would be interviewed. This was clearly a setup to embarrass him.

Even if there were ghosts, he couldn't say so on TV. Ding Ning knew the consequences of drawing attention to himself. He wanted a peaceful life and to focus on his cultivation.

So, Ding Ning waved his hand, turned around, and walked into the house. After all, many people had claimed the place was haunted, and there was no solid evidence. No one could do anything to him.

The female host smiled and said, "It seems that this matter is still unresolved. We will continue to report on it to find out the truth."

In the footage, Ding Ning's image was somewhat blurry. If it weren't for someone familiar, it would be hard to recognize him. The cameraman was also unsatisfied. According to their plan, they intended to portray Ding Ning as a negative example. After the police station proved there were no ghosts, the chief would criticize and educate him. However, Ding Ning was not cooperating.

The police station chief frowned. Since Ding Ning wasn't cooperating, he would have to teach him a lesson once the matter was resolved.

This was quite a spectacle. Even some idle people had gathered outside the courtyard, waiting for the outcome. Some were even filming the courtyard with their phones and sharing it online.

Ding Ning's phone could also access the internet. Since there was no spiritual energy in the courtyard, he didn't feel like cultivating and decided to browse the web.

After a while, he found a message from a netizen about the haunted courtyard.

This kind of news spreading online wasn't a big deal, but in the video, Ding Ning saw himself!

The people outside the courtyard couldn't have filmed him. The only ones who could have were the TV station or the police.

Ding Ning was annoyed. The matter wasn't resolved yet, and they had already labeled him a fraud and posted his image online. Although the video was blurry, acquaintances could still recognize him.

"Since that's the case, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

Ding Ning gritted his teeth and made up his mind. He would use this opportunity to make the haunted house famous.

*****

As night fell, the courtyard remained lively. People were still enthusiastic, and at least twenty to thirty people were gathered outside, waiting for the ghostly phenomena to appear.

The police and journalists had set up a barbecue in the courtyard. Li Shuqin was busy helping, but no one was attending to Ding Ning.

Checking the time, it was now 9 PM. Ding Ning had been in the room all along.

He casually browsed the web, waiting for midnight, the time when yin energy was strongest, making it the best time to perform the ritual.

By around 10 PM, people's enthusiasm had waned a bit, and some, unable to resist the drowsiness, gradually left.

The police, who had had some drinks, were also a bit dazed.

The female host and the cameraman were still holding on, as they had heard that the ghostly phenomena occurred at midnight the previous night. They intended to stay until after midnight.

In Ding Ning's spiritual senses, a police officer was guarding his door, seemingly to keep an eye on him and prevent him from causing any trouble.

Fortunately, Ding Ning had already scattered the 9,000 yuan around the courtyard earlier in the day. He just needed to activate it at midnight. Having someone watching him would actually be helpful, as it would prove he hadn't tampered with anything.

Outside the courtyard, about a dozen people remained, also waiting for midnight.

Time ticked by slowly...

Midnight arrived, and Haibin gradually fell asleep.

As the clock finally struck twelve, the police and journalists became a bit more alert.

The crucial moment was approaching.

The female journalist turned on the microphone, and the cameraman started the camera. The female journalist busied herself with touch-ups, making sure she looked camera-ready before signaling the cameraman to move the camera closer.

The dazed police station chief also perked up, gathering the officers.

"Last night, the ghostly phenomena occurred at this time. Today, we will patrol the courtyard at this time, covering every corner to reassure the citizens."

The chief gave a few instructions, and the police officers agreed, then split into three groups of two each.

The female journalist also came to the camera, and as the camera started, she spoke to the audience.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it is now midnight. We continue to report on the haunted house. It is said that last night, ghostly phenomena occurred here, causing multiple citizens to be hospitalized with high fevers. Now, only two residents remain in the courtyard, one of whom was the first to claim it was haunted, and the other is a modern woman who insists on staying to prove there are no ghosts."

As she spoke, she signaled the cameraman to slowly pan the camera around the courtyard.

"Let's take a look at the situation in the courtyard. This area belongs to the old town of Haibin, and the courtyard is the site of the planned Haibin Grand Mall. It is said that the developer is about to occupy this area, and there have been conflicts with the residents over the price. It's unclear if the ghostly phenomena are related to this."

The camera swept over the corners of the courtyard. Several floodlights had been set up, illuminating the courtyard brightly, though the footage was not as clear as daytime.

A spotlight followed the camera, and the police station had spared no expense for this publicity campaign.

"Look, our police officers are patrolling the courtyard. It's almost midnight. Let's count down together and welcome the moment when our officers dispel the superstition!"

The female host knew how to stir emotions and initiated a ten-second countdown.

"Ten, nine, eight, seven..."

Ding Ning was also counting the time inside. The ritual would be most effective at midnight, and less so at other times.

"Six, five, four..."

The female host counted down, and the police officers marched confidently in the courtyard, looking quite military-like.

Even though it wasn't a live broadcast, this would definitely bring benefits. The Haibin Old Town police station was about to become famous.

"Three, two, one... Time's up!"

The female host's voice came through, "Please turn the camera, let's show our audience what's here now. There's nothing. The superstition is about to be debunked."

Before she finished speaking, the camera seemed to malfunction, with the image flickering and the screen becoming unstable.

In the footage, the lights slowly dimmed, and the surroundings gradually turned yellowish.