Plans can never keep up with changes.
Originally, Li Zhuyuan had intended to prepare a meal with small bowls, neatly presenting each dish in order.
But now that all the dishes had been collectively tossed into the pot, he decided to shift to a more chaotic approach, turning it into a hearty mixed dish instead.
After all, they were here for revenge, and if they could enjoy the spectacle while waiting at the enemy's doorstep, it would be double the joy.
"Remember, no matter what happens, we should solve things outside and not dawdle inside. We have an array set up outside; we might as well use it. It also serves as our escape route."
"Understood."
"Got it."
As they approached the temple entrance, Li Zhuyuan halted in his tracks.
The temple door was not a massive iron or wooden barrier, but rather a half-height sliding door, supposedly electric but in reality manually operated, allowing even a child to easily slip through.
However, at this threshold, Li Zhuyuan detected a different kind of scent wafting through.
The intensity was such that Yin Meng furrowed his brow while Tan Wenbin kept twitching his nose, trying to pinpoint the source.
A temple with age might have a slight musty scent, but this overpowering fishy smell, almost palpable enough to drip down, what could cause it? It was as though they weren't standing before a sacred place but rather a long-decayed swamp.
Li Zhuyuan took out his compass and lowered his head to take a look, confirming it was indeed a land of hidden peril.
Yet, he recalled having visited this place before and even toured the temple itself.
If it truly had the ominous layout he now sensed, why hadn't he felt a thing back then?
While adjusting the Feng Shui of a location wasn’t impossible—after all, he had done it before—it usually involved modifying existing conditions.
During his last visit, all he remembered seeing was a superficial crack beneath the general’s statue, far from any solid Feng Shui arrangement.
Ordinarily, unless an expert provided detailed blueprints and had a large construction crew work on a full transformation during the day...
No, even if a new Feng Shui layout functioned as intended, this rich scent of decay could not have developed overnight; it bore the unmistakable mark of time.
Li Zhuyuan crouched down and reached inside, feeling the moist soil with his left hand while his right covered his mouth.
He quietly chanted descriptors, seeking comparisons to the literature he had read.
To discern the change of seasons from a single leaf, one must have a vast database.
The same principle applied when examining soil.
Tan Wenbin also squatted beside him, mimicking Li Zhuyuan’s actions.
He grabbed a handful of dirt, placed it before him, and extended his tongue to taste it.
In that instant, memories of his own experience trying to eat a type of herb back in the mountainous town flooded back.
Trying to maintain silence, Tan Wenbin could only open his mouth wide and gag silently.
With confusion, Li Zhuyuan turned to him and asked, “Brother Bin, what are you doing?”
Recovering from the earlier shock, Tan Wenbin sheepishly replied, “Learning, just like you.”
Li Zhuyuan removed his right hand from his mouth, revealing a clean palm, and let the soil slip from his left hand.
Tan Wenbin’s eyes widened.
In the darkness, the visibility was poor, making it hard for him to discern right from left.
Yin Meng leaned in and remarked, “He’s seeing things. He thought you were eating dirt, so he tried it too.”
Tan Wenbin replied, “You…”
Li Zhuyuan noted, “The water monkeys do have a habit of tasting soil, but this method is too hasty and short-sighted. It's not smart.”
Tan Wenbin quickly nodded, “Yes, yes, I was wrong.”
Yin Meng shifted the topic and asked, “Little Yuan, why do I get such a strange feeling from inside?”
“When I first came to General Mountain, I noticed this place. It’s a standard water burial site; it must have been chosen for water burials in ancient times.”
Tan Wenbin was puzzled, “But a standard site would be easy to discover. Water burials shouldn’t need to be hidden? Burying someone here seems like inviting grave robbers!”
“When emperors build their royal tombs, they generally expect their dynasty to last forever. High-ranking officials also believe their wealth can endure through generations. Therefore, constructing a site here isn’t shocking; they believed it could be protected for generations.
This water burial has likely been previously excavated by the water monkeys. The temple built above it is merely a product of tradition; it serves to suppress elements in such places. Many small temples located by rivers or within sparsely populated areas were set up this way.
Their existence doesn't mainly serve ritualistic purposes but is for warding off evils and ensuring peace. Thus, offerings in such temples can often seem bizarre, as they prioritize form over detail.
However, these locations can also give rise to unique Feng Shui configurations, with a blend of light and dark forces, where the living are oblivious, and the dead cannot enter. Some Feng Shui masters favor these sites and deliberately choose to build their establishments or houses in such places.
These sites are often referred to as ‘Yin-Yang Burials’ or ‘Combined Yin-Yang Residences,’ merging the houses of the living and the dead.”
Yin Meng inquired, “So, the corpse fishermen in this temple actually walk the gray path?”
Every profession has its hierarchy.
Among corpse fishermen, water monkeys were at the bottom, nearly ousted from the profession and fated to dwell with tomb robbers.
Even among traditional corpse fishermen, there’s a distinction between orthodox paths and skewed ones.
Although the Yin family had long fallen from grace, they still prided themselves on being orthodox.
Li Zhuyuan shook his head. “Yin Meng, your family possesses an old estate, right?”
“Yes, but it's in the countryside. Nobody lives there anymore; it’s quite remote, so I didn’t bring you all.”
“Most likely, your family’s old estate was built in such Feng Shui territory. After all, being a corpse fisherman is a profession that traverses the realms of life and death; building a residence in such a place is the most fitting choice.”
Yin Meng was momentarily speechless, not expecting the skewed path to lead back to her family.
“In fact, your grandpa's family did the same. However, they rebuilt a new house, so it's not obvious. Runsheng's old hometown is the one the mountain master resides in; it’s more apparent there.”
These houses are generally constructed on the edges of old settlements, without nearby neighbors, and those that do exist are usually just next to one side, making it unlikely for dense housing to be found around them.
But these are choices made by ordinary corpse fishermen.
The temple before them…” Li Zhuyuan pointed at the temple,“is already doing well among our peers by settling on a large water burial site.” General Mountain currently had not been developed, and the temple lacked fame.
Upon deeper investigation, even the general's statue prominently displayed was one stolen from another temple. Yet despite all this, it somehow obtained a“protection permit”and hung a board, though the funding and welfare were surely meager, it still served as a way to quell and secure the residence.
The master and apprentice merely pretended to be staff of this temple, changing their work uniforms from the days of the earlier owner. This technique had truly opened Li Zhuyuan's eyes. His own grandfather had needed to report to the police station for permits, while these people had directly hung theirs in their residence.
“I don’t know what they’re plotting, but since the living have gathered tonight, it’s clear the dead have arrived as well.
It seems their scheme is due for execution.
They’ve now closed the door to the living house while keeping the door to the dead wide open.
If we enter the temple now, it will not be as it was in the daytime; we truly would be stepping into the land of the dead.
In any case, be extra cautious inside, for any strange occurrences could happen.” Tan Wenbin smacked his lips and remarked,“Wow, sounds quite impressive.
What if developers chose such places for housing? Wouldn’t homeowners get to exploit an extra area for free?” Yin Meng couldn't hold back a roll of his eyes.
“So, you'd live in the living house during the day and return to the dead house at night?”
Tan Wenbin said,“What’s wrong with that?” Yin Meng replied,“Which developer would be foolish enough to try?” Tan Wenbin countered,“Brother Liang mentioned that with the economic boom ahead, real estate will undoubtedly skyrocket.
If the living houses spike, wouldn’t the dead houses drop in price?” “I saw in a Hong Kong drama where cemeteries were selling for an arm and a leg.
Who knows, maybe in the future, we'll have commercial housing built next to big cities, drawing people from the larger cities just to buy spots for ashes.
In a community where both the living and the ashes reside, isn’t that the Yin-Yang living situation Little Yuan just mentioned?” Yin Meng thought Tan Wenbin was being ridiculous but couldn't find a way to refute him. Tan Wenbin showed a proud expression.
Li Zhuyuan calmly said,“A town near a large city is just our Nantong, isn’t it?” Tan Wenbin:“…”Li Zhuyuan remarked,“Alright, let’s head inside.
The show should have already begun.” Yin Meng was the first to leap in, slightly frowning as she landed. She bent down to brace herself and signaled that all was fine.
Li Zhuyuan followed closely behind, and as he landed, he felt the soil was notably soft; water oozed up around his shoe. When Tan Wenbin jumped in, he whispered,“Is the dead house usually this damp? Plus, it’s getting foggy.”
Just a door apart, but the temple was not only frighteningly humid, it was enveloped in a fog that obscured visibility, reducing those nearby to mere shadows. Moreover, the mist seemed disturbed, swirling and growing denser as it converged towards their location.
“Stay close to me.”
With his right hand, Li Zhuyuan gripped Tan Wenbin’s waist as his left secured Yin Meng. That grasp made Yin Meng flinch slightly.
“Little Yuan…”
Her waist was sensitive, ticklish. Before, when they cleared the path, it was always Runsheng doing the job. With him absent, Yin Meng bravely took the lead.
Li Zhuyuan adjusted his position, using his fingertips to grip the waistband of Yin Meng’s pants, pressing his knuckles against her lower back. It was necessary to guide Yin Meng’s movement with force. They couldn’t hold hands.
In situations like this where they were moving forward and also securing their rear, both should always be ready to face any unexpected twists. Thus, they proceeded slowly, finally escaping the mists, where they reached a notice board featuring ID photos and names. The first row listed two permanent workers, with two temporary ones below.
Lao Zhu Mountain’s name was in the first row, beside an elderly's photo sharing the same surname, Lao Chang’an. Turning back, the clutter they had just navigated was gone. The three of them had only walked ten meters from the temple door, yet it felt longer than a hundred.
It seemed that the water monkeys who had looted this water burial site were quite skilled, managing to preserve much of its original layout while stealing from it, which explained the excellent state of the dead land. The so-called“ghost mist”was a common theft prevention method in water burials.
Yin Meng discreetly pinched her waist, feeling embarrassed that she had shown such sensitivity earlier. Tan Wenbin murmured,“Hehe, I think we should order some operational outfits equipped with wristbands.” Though he was joking, Yin Meng surprisingly did not retort.
There were a few lights on in the temple, casting a pale glow that exuded a greenish hue. “Continue going down the corridor inside.
Do not wander outside.” The corridor was part of the living house's architecture. While it was unlikely to be completely safe, wandering in open areas could lead to numerous unpredictable changes.
As they followed along the corridor, they passed by an open window of an office. Peeking inside, they were shocked by how spacious it was. By normal standards, it should have been a small office of around three to four square meters or a reception area, but now it looked like it spanned dozens of square meters.
Tan Wenbin blinked in disbelief, rubbing his eyes before peering outside again. Earlier, he had jokingly suggested stealing an area; now it appeared his imagination was conservative. Just what magnitude of area had been pilfered here?
Yet, the interior was empty, and the ceiling was flat, with only grooves carved around the periphery. This scene felt somewhat familiar, reminding him of the ear room they had encountered when entering the underworld. So, the corridor he was traversing became akin to a passageway in a grave.
The corridor first passed through the office zone before turning left, leading directly to the main hall, where the statue of the general stood. At that moment, brightly lit and bustling, he could faintly hear voices on the inside.
The crowd that had previously entered the temple must be gathered there, which was also the gateway between the domain of the living and the dead. When he visited last time, he only discovered a hidden layer beneath the general's statue but had never anticipated such a grand layout under the surface.
Because of the heavy slumber of the dead below, he had not traversed deeper during that visit. However, as they came upon the second office window, the scene inside was different from before. Although it remained orderly like the first office, this one was not empty.
Instead, there was a platform featuring six steps, where an old man lay on a bed. His lips were red and skin pale, adorned in a funeral garment. His hands were resting peacefully on his abdomen, his visage serene.
The elder was unmistakably Ma Zhu Shan’s master, Lao Chang’an, whom he once noted for his traits as a corpse fisherman while alive. Has he passed? Beside him lay a pair of mourning couplets, signed by his disciple, Ma Zhu Shan.
Tan Wenbin gasped.
“Did that old guy get killed by his disciple?”
What a coincidence! Just days ago, the vibrant elder appeared alive and well, and now, right when they were about to confront him, he had quietly passed?
Coupled with what person Ma Zhu Shan mobilized earlier to invite everyone into the temple, it would seem this gathering was orchestrated entirely by him, signifying that he had eliminated his interfering master beforehand.
This main office was accurately aligned with the main burial chamber of the water burial, making it seem as if the deceased man was lying on the main burial bed from the outside view. Li Zhuyuan reached out, grabbing the doorknob.
He wanted to push the door open to check on the dead elder inside, even knowing it served little purpose, especially given that tonight’s primary event lay within the general’s statue. However, as soon as he turned the knob, the winds around them stirred suddenly, akin to a dust-laden tomb being cracked open, unleashing ghastly howls.
This noise forced Li Zhuyuan to release his grip. A puddle of muddy water began to gather from outside the corridor, slowly accumulating to form a humanoid shape. As the mud dispersed, a faceless body revealed itself.
Yin Meng and Tan Wenbin promptly grabbed their spades, preparing to engage in combat; this was the very purpose of their visit after all. Yet Li Zhuyuan uttered,“She’s far from us; she can’t see us right now.
Set up the net.” Immediately, Yin Meng and Tan Wenbin pulled out the returning home net and covered themselves. Indeed, even though Qiu Minmin was walking towards them, she did so slowly, not charging at them in an aggressive manner like before inside the practice room.
This was the effect of the lack of a corridor; even the dead could only move with restrictions in this Yin-Yang residence. At last, Qiu Minmin traversed the corridor, instantly rising, sticking to the ceiling of the corridor as she zipped around at high speed.
However, since both of them were shielded beneath the returning home net, she failed to sense their presence. Soon, she returned to the main hall, her form merging back among the group. The alarm was lifted.
Li Zhuyuan hesitated for a moment before glancing once more through the office window, where the old man remained motionless. The mourning couplets beside him appeared freshly penned, the ink seeming to still glisten.
He did not attempt to open the door again but instead gestured for them to lift the net, and the three continued towards the hall's entrance, edging close to the back corner before stopping to observe quietly. Surrounding the hall's entrance were many black stone lions, with a bronze sword hanging above them.
These were not present when they last visited, suggesting they had been placed here specially for this event. These decorations acted as barriers, serving a bi-directional separation; unless there were violent disruptions like earlier, those within would remain oblivious to changes outside.
Naturally, there were seldom people here at night, and the dead house’s layout was sufficient to block any external disturbances. However, in Li Zhuyuan's eyes, this arrangement felt haphazard and careless, seeming to overlook the temple's unique characteristics. Through the cracks of the doors and windows, he could see the eerie greenish flames inside, but nothing else was visible.
To enter required either breaking through the formation or traversing the realm of the dead.
“What’s wrong?”
Yin Meng nudged the somewhat swaying Tan Wenbin. With a sudden gasp, Tan Wenbin seemed to shake off some drowsiness, and puzzledly said,“Despite sleeping well during the day, suddenly I feel inexplicably tired.” At that moment, the lights within abruptly shifted color to a milky white, emitting a radiant glow that seeped outward.
Tan Wenbin’s eyelids drooped uncontrollably, and though he forcibly pinched himself, the tears forming in his eyes were beyond his control. Li Zhuyuan remarked,“They’re performing a ritual inside.” Yin Meng inquired,“Why don’t I feel it?”
Tan Wenbin rubbed his eyes and yawned,“Because you’re slow to react.” Yin Meng glared at Tan Wenbin and asked,“Little Yuan, regardless of what they’re conducting, isn’t this a golden opportunity? Why not just charge in and disrupt them?”
Li Zhuyuan fell silent. Yin Meng was right; it truly was a perfect moment for a sneak attack. Ma Zhu Shan and Ran Qiuping hadn’t shown any principles when dealing with his side.
But as Li Zhuyuan looked back, then glanced ahead, he shook his head and said:“No, let’s hold off a bit longer.
The dead beneath the general statue are still slumbering.
The main course hasn't even been put on the table yet; there is no need to rush.” Yin Meng could only nod in agreement. Tan Wenbin continued to squeeze his thigh, struggling to stay awake, knowing he was about to traverse the Yin realm.
Besides, what he previously voiced to Yin Meng was accurate; the reason she couldn’t feel it was due to her sluggishness. In the coffin shop of Fengdu Ghost Market, Yin Fuhai prowled the realm of the dead at night. In contrast, Tan Wenbin found the courage to lift the coffin lid, while morally bound Yin Meng remained in deep slumber.
“Let’s check it out; I’m curious about what scheme is brewing.
Yin Meng, you keep a close watch on Binbin.” Li Zhuyuan then patted Tan Wenbin's back,“You can sleep now; there’s no need to force yourself—come along with me.” Having received permission, Tan Wenbin leaned lazily against Yin Meng's back and closed his eyes.
Yin Meng helped him to keep his balance but turned to assist Li Zhuyuan, only to find the young man standing there, hands clasped behind his back and half-opening his eyes, as still as a statue.
Without mentioning anything else, the young man’s posture and aura had a distinctly ethereal feel to it, reminding her of the ancient ancestral portraits in their family tree. Tan Wenbin had dozed off completely, while Yin Meng curiously waved her hand in front of the young man. Li Zhuyuan remarked,“Take good care of Binbin and watch your surroundings closely.”
“Have you entered?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“What did you see?”
Li Zhuyuan remained silent. Yin Meng realized that he was finding her bothersome. In the state of traversing the Yin realm, Li Zhuyuan saw different scenes rolling out, resembling glowing doors.
He realized that Ma Zhu Shan was conducting a group séance; these doors represented the memories of those inside. But how did he manage to do so?
Having hidden a switch for a Yin-Yang residence beneath the general statue was astounding; this group séance was clearly not easy to set up unless he had harnessed some other power—perhaps… the slumbering dead. Not seeing Tan Wenbin, Li Zhuyuan presumed that he had entered one of the glowing doors, likely within someone’s memory scene.
Li Zhuyuan didn’t rush in to investigate. His reading speed of similar memories was far greater than the average person’s. So first, he surveyed his surroundings, taking stock of the“environment.” Most doors remained open, with only three kept shut.
Li Zhuyuan approached one of the closed doors and reached out to open it, revealing a young girl’s face hanging within. He recognized the face from the record books and the portrait from Sun Hongxia’s home—it belonged to Qiu Minmin. Why was her face here?
Li Zhuyuan promptly shut the door, and at that moment, he had to reevaluate where this environment originated. He attempted to open the second door, yet it remained firmly closed, as if something inside was resisting him. The third door was the same.
Li Zhuyuan started walking back and stepped into one of the open, glimmering doors. He found himself facing Ran Qiuping, who looked significantly younger than she did now. She enthusiastically clapped while smiling proudly, directly watching Qiu Minmin dance before her.
Qiu Minmin’s dance was genuinely impressive, showcasing her exceptional talent.
“Come, join me in watching my daughter dance.”
Ran Qiuping beckoned to Li Zhuyuan. Li Zhuyuan shook his head, shifting to the side instead. A black line extended from beneath his feet, creating a divide in the scene.
On one side remained the warm image of a mother watching her daughter dance, while the other showcased Ran Qiuping sobbing inconsolably over her daughter’s corpse. Oh, was this all? Li Zhuyuan felt no emotional pull; watching this fragment of memory felt utterly pointless.
He took a step back, exiting through that door, then proceeded into the second one. Inside, he came across Sun Hongxia, seated at a dining table with her son, Zhao Junfeng, enjoying a meal. The boy devoured his food voraciously while his mother chattered away beside him.
Li Zhuyuan noticed the large bowl before Zhao Junfeng, filled to the brim with rice. Also, the cabinet in the background held a set of training outfits and competition awards.
“Come, sit down and eat with my son!”
Just like Ran Qiuping, Sun Hongxia invited Li Zhuyuan to join. After a moment's hesitation, though he felt it was a waste of time, he took a step to the right. In the contrasted scene on the other side, Sun Hongxia was on her knees beside a futon, next to her son’s photo—a stark reminder of his passing.
She was bowing and apologizing to Qiu Minmin, who had been honored on the altar. Li Zhuyuan stepped away from that door and entered another. This time, the atmosphere was lively, filled with students and police officers searching the mountainside.
He spotted Tan Wenbin among them.
“Hey, classmate! Come join us in finding the murderer!”one student called to him.
Li Zhuyuan ignored him as he moved forward. When another student walked by, he shouted the same thing:“Classmate, come join us in finding the murderer!” Li Zhuyuan continued to pay him no mind.
Clearly, Tan Wenbin was heavily engaged in this immersive scene, fully absorbed in the role-play. He approached Tan Wenbin, who was intensely searching about, mumbling,“Damn, Zhao Junfeng, where are you hiding?” As Tan Wenbin turned, momentarily startled by seeing Li Zhuyuan, he seemed to sense something was off but still exclaimed,“Classmate!
Come help us find the murderer!” Li Zhuyuan raised his hand and slapped Tan Wenbin’s face.
“Smack!”
Tan Wenbin cupped his cheeks, with dawning clarity in his eyes,“You are…
Little Yuan?”…
Meanwhile, in the physical realm, with her hand on Tan Wenbin, Yin Meng watched his expression bubble with confusion. She leaned left, instinctively reaching to re-center him. But just as she reached out, Tan Wenbin’s other side shifted as well.
Though the transition felt surreal, it corrected itself seamlessly. … Li Zhuyuan raised his hand and slapped him again.
“Smack!”
Tan Wenbin held his face in surprise, exclaiming,“Little Yuan!” He was completely alert now. Li Zhuyuan hadn’t intended to humiliate him in this way; being in the Yin realm made the Yin Family’s twelve methods and the“Ksitigarbha Sutra”truly torturous for Tan Wenbin, who could be crushed at any moment.
A slap to the face was a relatively harmless yet potentially effective option. After all, Binbin would understand and wouldn’t misinterpret it. “Little Yuan, it feels like I’ve just awakened from a long dream; in my dream, I was catching a killer!
Wait, are we out now? Did you solve it while I was asleep?
So many people, and police officers dressed in those old-fashioned uniforms; my dad used to wear those.”
“Brother Bin, we’re still traversing the Yin realm.”
“Oh? Oh—oh~ oh!”
Tan Wenbin finally comprehended,“Whose memory is this? Oh right, I think I saw Wu Xinhui! I even called him the president; where is he now?”
“Brother Bin, focus.
I'll show you.” Li Zhuyuan stepped to the side, the black line extending from his foot once more and cutting the memory. In this scene, Wu Xinhui and Zhao Junfeng could be seen.
Tan Wenbin took a step closer, realizing he hadn’t actually moved from the original depiction. He began hopping, yet stayed stationary, then started running, but remained with the original memory scene. Li Zhuyuan reached out and grabbed him.
With the leverage, Tan Wenbin finally squeezed through. At this point, Wu Xinhui was brandishing a dagger, menacingly glaring at Zhao Junfeng. Zhao Junfeng’s expression was a blend of confusion and fear as he bellowed,“I didn’t kill anyone!
It wasn't me! It wasn't me!” Wu Xinhui remained silent, threateningly stalking closer.
Zhao Junfeng yelled,“Why are you framing me?
Why?!”
Wu Xinhui retorted,“If you’re dead, it’ll all be over.
If you’re dead, no one will know!” With that, he lunged forward, but Zhao Junfeng spun around, twisting Wu Xinhui’s arm and snatching the dagger just as he restrained Wu Xinhui. Tan Wenbin couldn’t help but murmur,“Zhao Junfeng has some skills.”
Li Zhuyuan replied,“He has won martial arts awards.” In Sun Hongxia's memory, the training outfit and awards were evident.
“Stop, Zhao Junfeng! You’re surrounded! Drop your weapon and cease your attack!”
“I didn't kill anyone! I didn't kill anyone!”
“Bang!”
A shot rang out. Zhao Junfeng froze, and Wu Xinhui shoved backward, causing Zhao Junfeng to lose balance and tumble into the river behind him. The scene unfolded, and the officer who had fired was briefly startled, his body swaying slightly.
Tan Wenbin remarked,“Little Yuan, it seems Zhao Junfeng wasn’t shot.” In the dark, with the other man still holding a hostage, what kind of sharpshooter would dare fire directly at the“murderer”? That earlier shot may have just been a desperate warning.
Wu Xinhui knelt on the ground, supporting himself with his hands; relief washed over his face. That memory ended there. Li Zhuyuan took Tan Wenbin away from that door.
Only one last luminescent door remained open; Li Zhuyuan and Tan Wenbin stepped through. In this scene, the younger Ma Zhu Shan was saving Zhao Junfeng from the water, and they were conversing.
“The newspapers say you were shot and fell into the water; now police and students are searching for your corpse.”
“I didn’t kill anyone; it wasn’t me; it was Wu Xinhui; it was Wu Xinhui…”
Once more, Li Zhuyuan took a side step, splitting another scene in two. In that frame, Ma Zhu Shan met Ran Qiuping, who looked worn, having recently seen her daughter’s corpse.
“Keep your daughter’s body safe; trust me, I have a way to bring her back.”
Both images began to collapse, converging like a flowing tide.
“Little Yuan, what’s happening?”
“The ritual is ending.”
“Then let’s hurry!”
Li Zhuyuan didn’t rush out but raised his hands; the two scenes sped up, revealing the last moments in which Ma Zhu Shan wickedly slaughtered Zhao Junfeng, as Ran Qiuping knelt desperately by his feet, begging for the resurrection of her daughter.
Immediately, Li Zhuyuan and Tan Wenbin exited the door, glancing one last time at the three closed doors, particularly those two they couldn’t open.
“Snap!”
He snapped his fingers. Li Zhuyuan ended the traverse of the Yin realm, restoring his vision to normal. Tan Wenbin awakened, like someone who had just napped, his head throbbing.
“Boom! Boom! Boom!”
The small stone lions scattered around had developed cracks, and the bronze swords above fell, disrupting the hex. Now through cracks in the doors, they could see the people inside awakening. Standing in the center, holding a long incense stick, Ma Zhu Shan spit forth blood, yet his expression reflected something bizarrely invigorated.
Ma Zhu Shan declared,“Hehe, you all saw, didn’t you?” In the earlier visions, the people inside had already glimpsed others’ memories, while Li Zhuyuan and Tan Wenbin were the later entrants, Even if Binbin had merged into the scene.
Ma Zhu Shan’s words weren't directed at the living present; he cast a glance up at the faceless entity hanging above, then glanced towards the general's statue. Ran Qiuping, in a manic fit, lunged at Wu Xinhui.
“It was you, you killed my daughter! You killed my daughter!”
Desperately, Wu Xinhui tried to push her away, yet the woman, consumed by grief, pressed on, even his strength could not halt her fervor.
“You beast! Give me back my daughter’s life! Give me back her life!”
Wu Xinhui yelled,“I didn’t kill her! I didn’t kill her!” Nearby, Zhu Hongyu and Liu Xinya, regaining their composure, rushed in to help Wu Xinhui pry Ran Qiuping away.
“You beast! You still won’t admit it? I’ll fight you! I’ll fight you!”
When Ran Qiuping lunged at him again, Wu Xinhui seized her by the throat and threw her to the ground. Zhu Hongyu and Liu Xinya swiftly moved in to restrain her. “I didn’t kill her.
I truly didn’t kill her!” Wu Xinhui then turned to Ma Zhu Shan, saying,“What poison or dream did you put us under? I didn’t kill Qiu Minmin; it wasn’t me!”
On the other side, Sun Hongxia stood dazed for what felt like ages, first looking at Wu Xinhui, then at Ma Zhu Shan. After years spent apologizing to others for her son’s death, she couldn’t help but ask herself—was her son truly innocently accused? Regret overwhelmed her as she realized, she should have believed her son.
“It was you! It was you who killed my son!”
Sun Hongxia lunged at Ma Zhu Shan, who merely smiled.
“Buzz!”
Above, Qiu Minmin descended, stretching out a hand to grasp Sun Hongxia's neck, allowing her no means of escape, regardless of how she struggled. Ran Qiuping, pressed down, caught the scene from the corner of her eye, immediately shouting,“Minmin, kill him!
Kill him!
He is the one who murdered you!” Yet, the obedient daughter seemed unresponsive. Ma Zhu Shan smiled and commanded,“Go!”
“Boom!”
Sun Hongxia was thrown away as Qiu Minmin attacked Wu Xinhui.
“Ghost!”
“Qiu Minmin?”
Wu Xinhui, Zhu Hongyu, and Liu Xinya screamed in horror, retreating as they released Ran Qiuping. Rage lashed across Ran Qiuping's features as she intended to rise. But then, suddenly, a hand pierced through her chest.
In disbelief, she turned her head, recognizing the familiar faceless countenance—yet she knew all too well it was her daughter.
“Minmin... why…”
Ran Qiuping’s blood began to be drawn back into her body by Qiu Minmin.
“Ahhh!”
“Ah!!”
Zhu Hongyu and Liu Xinya shrieked, finding the horror displayed all too graphic and sanguine. Soon afterward, the general’s statue collapsed with a thunderous crash.
“Boom!”
Once the noise subsided, a bronze door emerged beneath, revealing a pool of water holding a corpse, which slowly sat upright.
Zhao Junfeng!
Sun Hongxia lifted her gaze, staring at Zhao Junfeng, murmuring,“Son, you... you’re still alive? Mom is sorry; I shouldn’t have disbelieved you.
I’m so sorry…” Zhao Junfeng bent down and clamped onto Sun Hongxia’s neck, causing her body to convulse, unable to emit a sound. With a fierce shake of his head, he hurled Sun Hongxia’s body aside, splattering his face with her blood.
On the other side, Qiu Minmin withdrew her arm. Ran Qiuping collapsed, her own arm soaked in her child’s blood.
“Run!”
Wu Xinhui yelled, attempting to escape. For ordinary people, such a scene was akin to nightmares that could hardly be imagined.
“Ha.”
Ma Zhu Shan chuckled. Qiu Minmin appeared just before Wu Xinhui and the others, blocking their path, while Zhao Junfeng positioned himself at the back, blocking their route to escape. Then, with a snap of Ma Zhu Shan’s fingers, a mirror materialized overhead.
Long scrolls of fabric fell from either side, creating an illusory wall, a straightforward barrier that nonetheless prevented escape.
“Ah!!!!”
Zhu Hongyu screamed, clutching her head. Wu Xinhui clutched his head and groaned,“I’ll pay you! I’ll give you anything!
Spare me! Spare me!”
Outside, eavesdropping from the window was Tan Wenbin, left utterly stunned and bewildered. He gazed at Li Zhuyuan and quietly asked,“Little Yuan, what on earth is happening?” Li Zhuyuan replied,“He’s performing a ritual… invoking the duality of life and death.”
Tan Wenbin's expression turned to shock, clearly recalling mixtures from his readings. In Wei Zhengdao's“Records of the Strange,”it noted: males and females in death, bound by life and death, chosen on auspicious days, committing fratricide and avenging relatives, their blood mingling to form a bond.
Li Zhuyuan retained a lasting impression of that note—not solely due to the name of the duality but also the terrifying process of conjuring it. The final meaning behind the story described hints at certain“righteous sects”that favored such results; many mythic images of young boys and girls... their true forms perhaps were not as innocent as one might assume.
But one thing was clear: if Wei Zhengdao went to such lengths to hide it, it meant deep motives drove those esteemed folks, rooted in personal gain.
When factoring in the noble personages who possessed these young boys and girls, one could only conclude they were all madmen, akin to those back in the town beneath the rivers, willing to risk everything in pursuit of immortality. Now, the familial blood had been shed, and the next step would be avenging kin blood.
Tan Wenbin puzzled,“Little Yuan, Qiu Minmin was killed by Wu Xinhui, but Zhao Junfeng was personally slain by Ma Zhu Shan.
Is he planning to sacrifice himself next?” Li Zhuyuan glanced at him solemnly:“He’s avenging kin.”
“Avenging kin blood…”
Tan Wenbin’s face darkened with dread,“So, he murdered his father, intending to use his own dad in the ritual?” Li Zhuyuan added,“His father, Lao Chang’an, is not dead.” Yin Meng suddenly understood why Li Zhuyuan had attempted to open that office door earlier, as well as why he repeatedly warned her to stay alert.
So it was that he had realized Lao Chang’an, lying in the“main crypt,”was indeed still alive. He was still alive! What good was a sacrifice if they acted too early?
The ritual had to be have been completed within the marked halls, precisely when the blood incense burned down completely for it to hold power. At that juncture, Ma Zhu Shan withdrew two puppets, a male and a female, which were stitched and bound.
The back side of the puppets was stained with blood, while the front retained its original hue. Swinging the female puppet lightly, Qiu Minmin darted out of the hall. The two kin-victims were now poised for the next act.
With a sigh, Ma Zhu Shan eyed his father and master, a hint of paternal sentiment lingering. Raising the female puppet, he pointed it toward Wu Xinhui. Qiu Minmin leaned Lao Chang’an against a post, before turning to confront Wu Xinhui.
Upon witnessing this, he screamed in terror,“No, no, don’t kill me! Don’t kill me!
Ah, no!”
“Crack!”
Qiu Minmin swiftly bit through Wu Xinhui’s neck.
“Ah.”
Ma Zhu Shan sighed and then revealed a glimmer of anticipation, lightly pressing a needle onto the male puppet. At that moment, Lao Chang’an suddenly opened his eyes, shouting,“Beast!” Ma Zhu Shan gasped,“How can you awaken after the medication I administered?”
As Lao Chang’an began to struggle, his funeral coffin tore, revealing iron chains fastened to a great copper lock. Evidently, his son had prepared a double-layer of defense beforehand.
“You wretch, after raising you for so long, how could you commit such heinous acts behind my back? Do you fear divine retribution?”
“Old man, I found that book when we first moved in here, and you hide it to prevent me from practicing?! I’m your son and your disciple! If you refuse to train, why keep me from doing so?”
“That was a wicked text! It contains profane techniques unfit for us; I have never dared read it, let alone practice it!”
“It doesn’t matter! I’ve found your hiding spot! I started practicing eight years ago!
The book states the duality of life and death opens the heavenly gates to achieve eternal life! I won’t stay here forever as some corpse fisherman!"
“Zhu Shan, you’ve gone mad! It’s not too late to turn back! Really, turn back, confess, and atone for your sins!”
“I’m on the verge of success! Ha! Turn back now?”
“Celestial forces are watching! Doing this will only bring misfortune; you’ll meet with a terrible end!”
“Come! Show me! Where is it, old man? I’ve been fooled by your empty rhetoric until now! It’s time for you to go!”
“Wicked child, wicked disciple! You even dare to…”
Ma Zhu Shan glanced at the last remnants of incense still burning and declared,“The incense is about to extinguish; I must complete the ceremonial process before it’s too late.
So, Dad, you must go.
After you die, I will offer you a sacrifice.” Outside, Tan Wenbin clutched Li Zhuyuan's arm; Yin Meng stood ready, waiting for Li Zhuyuan to offer a signal to charge in.
“Little Yuan! Go in and save the old man!”
To the two of them, it seemed the ideal opportunity to act. Li Zhuyuan didn’t issue the command but reflected quietly,“Hearing what the old man said sounds so familiar.”
“Huh?”
Tan Wenbin was confused about the purpose behind Little Yuan's remark. Yin Meng echoed his confusion, wondering why they weren’t acting now. Inside, Ma Zhu Shan raised the male puppet while Zhao Junfeng approached Lao Chang’an.
“You treacherous child! I’m enforcing celestial justice!”
No sooner had he spoken, than Lao Chang’an, despite being bound, flipped his hands, revealing two long silver needles, their ends attached to strings.
“Buzz! Buzz!”
The two silver needles flickered forth from his fingertips alternately. One pricked Ma Zhu Shan's wrist, causing him to cry out in pain, his fingers convulsing open. The male puppet fell to the ground, while the other needle perfectly pierced the male puppet before retracting, sending it straight into Lao Chang’an’s grasp.
“You learned… how could you possibly…”
Lao Chang’an, holding the puppet, placed a needle into it’s neck. With a reddened determination in his eyes, Zhao Junfeng lunged at Ma Zhu Shan like a beast. Ma Zhu Shan didn’t even manage to scream before being mauled by Zhao Junfeng.
With the silver needles in hand, Lao Chang’an pinched the brass lock.
“Click!”
He unfastened the lock rapidly and advanced a step forward, freeing the chains. Then, Lao Chang’an swept his gaze over the scattered corpses surrounding him, suddenly dropping to his knees, weeping:“Woe is me! I have failed to teach you, leading you to commit acts against the heavens.
I owe your mother and the Celestial Ways an apology…” His cries echoed raw and pained, filled with regret. Outside, Tan Wenbin and Yin Meng instinctively gulped, amazed by this elderly man’s ferocity.
It also began to dawn on them—this old man was astonishingly strong. Why had he not taken action sooner? Li Zhuyuan, remarkably calm, appeared entirely unfazed.
No doubt, the elder’s rhetorical flourishes upon awakening rang familiar to him; the tone of coaxing the heavens was all too close to home. His son was the murderer, and the crimes were of his own making; yet through it all, the old man remained oblivious.
In the end, when he turned against his son, it was simply a self-defense response. Look at this innocent act, only to then receive the gift of duality in life and death.
From Ma Zhu Shan’s last words, it seemed that years ago when they chose to settle here, a younger Ma Zhu Shan had discovered the sinister text, which he then passed to Lao Chang’an. The book belonged to this water burial site.
It remained unclear whether the book held some hypnotic influence or if they merely desired the power it contained. But clearly enough, the father outmaneuvered the son. Witnessing this fervent display of fatherly loyalty unfolded before him, Li Zhuyuan suddenly felt as though his own mother-son bond with Li Lan was not all too distant.
In his case, they merely stripped one another bare during their meetings, while the bond shared here was genuinely heartfelt. Evidently, feelings of happiness are derived from comparisons. Li Zhuyuan, watching the scene, spoke softly,“Enough crying; the incense is nearly burnt out.”
Lao Chang’an ceased his weeping and leapt up to seize the other female puppet.
“Such malevolent items must be watched over and suppressed, lest they bring disaster upon the world!”
Lao Chang’an pressed the two puppets together. At that moment, Zhao Junfeng and Qiu Minmin aligned themselves. Commencing to chant spells, Lao Chang’an tossed ash from the blood incense over the two dolls before placing them near the flames, igniting them.
Yet, as they stood alongside one another, no further changes emerged.
“This doesn’t seem right! The text stated they should be intertwined in spirit, producing light from the dual existence.”
As the puppets continued to burn, Zhao Junfeng and Qiu Minmin’s eyes began to gleam brighter red, drifting toward a state of imminent autonomy. “No, this can’t be right.
It’s not possible! How could this fail?!” Lao Chang’an reflexively glanced at the son sprawled lifelessly on the ground.
No way; he had sacrificed too much to allow failure to occur.
“What has gone wrong?”
Lao Chang’an swiftly retrieved the partially burned dolls, disregarding the heat as he separated the two puppets. Observing the male puppet now painted red on both sides while the female puppet only revealed blood on its back, he realized that Qiu Minmin’s vengeance was incomplete!
“No, what’s happening?”
Lao Chang’an darted to Wu Xinhui’s corpse, whose neck lay severed, his head and body completely apart—a perfect death.
“Why hasn’t vengeance been fulfilled? Wasn’t he the one who killed Qiu Minmin?”
Lao Chang’an roared, turning angrily to Liu Xinya and Zhu Hongyu, who huddled in a corner, rendered dumb by terror.
“Wasn’t it you? Wasn’t it you two who killed Qiu Minmin?!”
Lao Chang’an hardly comprehended he was pointing at the two women. Liu Xinya protested,“It wasn’t me! We didn’t kill anyone!
We truly didn’t!” Zhu Hongyu insisted,“It has nothing to do with us! We didn’t kill Wu Xin Hui.
We were together all night!” Liu Xinya indicated Zhu Hongyu.
“It was her! She claimed she saw Zhao Junfeng run out from the restroom!”
Zhu Hongyu screamed back at Liu Xinya,“You’re talking nonsense! It was you who said it! You saw Zhao Junfeng run out of the restroom!”
The two women exchanged accusations, ultimately pointing at the slain Wu Xinhui on the ground.
“It was Wu Xinhui! He claimed he saw Zhao Junfeng leave the restroom!”
Lao Chang’an exploded in rage,“But he isn't the murderer of Qiu Minmin!”
“We… we did not see anyone!”
“When we went to the restroom, we saw someone kill Qiu Minmin!”
“Yes, we never actually saw the culprit!”
Lao Chang’an yelled,“Then why did you say Zhao Junfeng was the murderer?!”
“Who knows?
Zhao Junfeng wasn’t cooperating with the investigators and died.
We just wanted to provide the police with some lead for fun…”
(End of Chapter)