I was a rookie reporter in the 00s

Chapter 310 Museum Crisis

After receiving the photo, Dr. Chen quickly began analyzing it. He discovered that the symbol was more complex than before, with lines and patterns that seemed to hold a hidden meaning. After further study, he discovered that the strange lines surrounding the symbol might represent a coordinate system.

"This symbol may point to a specific location in the city," Dr. Chen said over the phone. "I need more time to analyze it precisely, but you can first go to the city's central square. It's the geometric center of the city, so perhaps it's related to the symbol."

Zhang Wanqing, Fu Siyuan, and Li Wei quickly rushed to the city center square. In the night, the square seemed remarkably empty, with only the occasional sound of wind and distant traffic. The three cautiously approached the center of the square, illuminating their surroundings with flashlights.

"It's too quiet here," Fu Siyuan whispered, "The killer may have set a trap here."

Zhang Wanqing nodded, her eyes scanning the square, looking for any suspicious signs. Suddenly, the beam of her flashlight fell on an inconspicuous corner - there was a stone slab with a familiar symbol engraved on it.

"There are symbols here too!" Zhang Wanqing exclaimed in a low voice. She walked over quickly and found a hidden basement entrance under the stone slab.

"The killer might be here!" Li Wei said immediately. He quickly turned on the flashlight and walked down the stone steps.

The basement was filled with a damp, musty smell, and it was pitch black. The three of them cautiously advanced along the wall, their flashlights casting streaks of light in the darkness. Suddenly, Fu Siyuan spotted a large map hanging on the wall ahead, with several locations marked with red lines.

"This is a map of the city!" Fu Siyuan whispered, "The places marked by these red lines are exactly the same as where the victims were found before!"

Zhang Wanqing's gaze fell on the center of the map, where a large red circle had been drawn. Her heart tightened. "This circle marks the killer's next target!"

Li Wei quickly stepped forward and carefully examined the map: "The place marked by this circle is... the City Museum!"

The three of them quickly rushed to the City Museum. In the night, the museum was exceptionally quiet, its doors closed, and all around was pitch black. Zhang Wanqing quickly contacted the museum's security personnel and learned that the museum was closed, but no one was inside.

"The killer might be inside!" Li Wei whispered, a hint of nervousness flashing in his eyes.

The three of them quickly entered the museum, illuminating their surroundings with flashlights. The museum was empty and silent, with only the occasional echo echoing through the halls. They cautiously moved along the corridor, and suddenly, Zhang Wanqing noticed a faint light in the exhibition hall ahead.

"There is a light there!" Zhang Wanqing whispered, and she walked forward quickly.

The three of them arrived at the exhibition hall and found some ancient artifacts and exhibits inside. A light shone from a corner, giving it a particularly eerie look. Fu Siyuan cautiously approached the light source and discovered a hidden camera facing a display case.

"There are cameras here!" Fu Siyuan whispered, "The killer might be watching us through the cameras!"

Zhang Wanqing walked over quickly and found an ancient artifact in the display case - an ancient bronze mirror engraved with a pattern exactly the same as the symbols left by the killer.

"This bronze mirror..." Zhang Wanqing whispered, "It might be the killer's target!"

Just then, Li Wei's phone rang. He picked up and heard a familiar voice: "You're finally here. This bronze mirror is the final piece of my plan. It will help me complete my 'mission.'"

"Who are you?" Li Wei asked loudly, with a hint of anger in his voice.

"It doesn't matter who I am," the killer's voice was calm and indifferent. "What matters is that you are too late. This bronze mirror will awaken some ancient power, and you cannot stop me."

Li Wei quickly hung up the phone and looked at Zhang Wanqing and Fu Siyuan: "The killer has already started his plan, we must stop him!"

The three of them acted quickly, trying to find the bronze mirror's weakness. Zhang Wanqing noticed that there was a strange mechanism on the back of the bronze mirror that seemed to be able to be closed in some way.

"This mechanism may be the key!" Zhang Wanqing whispered, and she quickly operated it.

At this moment, the entire museum suddenly shook, as if some powerful force was awakening. Fu Siyuan and Li Wei quickly protected Zhang Wanqing and observed their surroundings vigilantly.

Suddenly, a familiar voice came from behind: "Do you really think that I can be stopped so easily by you?"

The three of them turned around and found Wen Jing standing not far away with a strange smile on her face.

"Wenjing? Why are you here?" Zhang Wanqing said in shock.

Wen Jing smiled faintly. "I've been here all along. I'm the killer's accomplice and the key to his plan. This bronze mirror is a treasure that my family has guarded for generations, and you will never be able to stop us."

During the tense standoff, Wen Jing wore an eerie smile, as if she had a grasp of the situation. Zhang Wanqing, Fu Siyuan, and Li Wei exchanged glances, feeling a surge of unease. They realized that the bronze mirror might not only be the killer's target but also the key to the mystery behind the entire case.

Wen Jing slowly walked towards the bronze mirror, her eyes filled with awe and enthusiasm: "This bronze mirror is a treasure that our family has guarded for generations. Its name is 'Netherworld Mirror'."

Zhang Wanqing frowned and asked, "Netherworld Mirror? What special meaning does it have?"

Wen Jing smiled slightly, a hint of madness flashing in her eyes. "It's not just a relic, but a divine artifact with great power. Legend has it that the Nether Mirror can connect two worlds - the real world and the Netherworld. Through it, one can awaken dormant ancient powers."

Fu Siyuan couldn't help but interrupt, "So, the killer's goal is to use this bronze mirror to awaken some evil power?"

Wen Jing nodded, a hint of excitement in her voice. "Indeed. This power can grant any wish, whether it's revenge or world domination. My family has always guarded this bronze mirror to prevent it from falling into evil hands. But now, I have decided to release this power."

Li Wei's face turned serious: "Do you know what you are doing? Releasing this kind of power will only bring disaster!"

Wen Jing sneered, "Disaster? No, this is a rebirth. This world is filled with sin and injustice, and I will use this power to reshape a brand new world."