Chapter 31

The siren's wail instantly extinguished Run Sheng's heroic fervor. He pulled out a stick of incense, lit it with a match, clamped the other end between his lips, and puffed out his cheeks, taking a deep drag that exhaled a sense of desolation.

Li Li Zhuiyuan watched with curiosity, wondering if he could actually blow smoke rings.

The next moment, wisps of light smoke puffed out from Run Sheng's nostrils.

He was smoking it.

For a moment, Li Li Zhuiyuan couldn't help but wonder if this was the correct way to use incense.

He did, however, understand why Run Sheng felt so dejected. At home, Run Sheng was always hugging the television, and the local county station loved to loop gangster movies.

Whenever he went out to the latrine at night, he could always hear the sounds of slashing and gunfire coming from the first floor.

Run Sheng had been absorbing too much of it and was being influenced.

In truth, most people at this age have such fantasies and impulses; the difference lies in Run Sheng's physique and strength, which provided him with a powerful capacity for action.

Aside from when he first learned physiognomy and fortune-telling and calculated the fates of his great-grandfather and himself, Li Li Zhuiyuan had deliberately avoided calculating such things for those close to him.

A person's fate is the most private of privacies; prying into it casually is immoral and affects daily interactions.

However, even without using calculations, Li Li Zhuiyuan could see things just by glancing at Run Sheng's face. His physiognomy was classic, the kind that could be used as a textbook example.

Run Sheng had the standard Seven Killings pattern, also known as the Partial Officer pattern—full of drive, perseverance, ambition, and courage, like a tiger in a cage; it was extremely fierce.

However, the Seven Killings pattern can be transformed, turning misfortune into good fortune, depending on whom one follows and by whom one is influenced.

"Brother Run Sheng, treat those movies on TV as entertainment. Don't take them seriously, and don't try to imitate them."

"Huh?" Run Sheng, still immersed in his dejection, was so startled that the incense nearly fell from his hand. "I can't watch TV anymore?"

"That's not what I meant. Watch whatever you want at home, but don't fully immerse yourself in it. Brother Liangliang once said that society will only become more orderly and stable in the future. Fighting and killing have no future."

In ancient times, many generals had Run Sheng's fate, but in this peaceful era, people with such fates often easily go astray.

"Oh, okay, I'll listen to you."

Run Sheng scratched his head. As long as he wasn't forbidden from watching TV, it was fine. He hurriedly took another puff of incense to calm his nerves.

Several police cars drove up to the Jiang residence. Tan Yunlong led the team, but before he could even present his documents to explain their purpose, the people inside Jiang's house opened the door and welcomed the police in.

This surprised Tan Yunlong. Reality wasn't like the movies where everyone was a hidden, smiling tiger. Especially in rural towns, nouveau riche types often liked to act tough in front of the police, even if there was no benefit to it, just to show off their "grit."

Once inside, Tan Yunlong heard the Jiang family asking each other who had reported them. After explaining their purpose, Tan Yunlong was informed that Jiang Dongping, the head of the household who had built this fortune, had been missing for three days.

At first, the family hadn't found it unusual. The Jiang family had several entertainment businesses in town, and socializing was common. It wouldn't be strange if he didn't return at night; Jiang Dongping's wife assumed he was sleeping at a mistress's place.

But yesterday was the day for the Jiang family to pay respects to their ancestors—specifically the grandfather who had raised Jiang Dongping—and yet, Jiang Dongping still hadn't returned.

They had searched all day yesterday and were searching again today. Seeing the police arrive, they assumed someone in the family had reported him missing.

Tan Yunlong frowned. His first reaction was that Jiang Dongping had fled to avoid prosecution, but looking at the Jiang family's reaction, it didn't seem like it. Besides, if he were fleeing, why wouldn't he have handled his assets beforehand?

Regardless, he remembered his purpose for coming. He ordered his men to cordon off the pond while sending others to a nearby construction site to borrow a water pump.

The Jiang family was puzzled, and when some tried to intervene, they were blocked by the officers.

Tan Yunlong noted those who had tried to interfere.

The ornamental pond, dug only a few days ago, wasn't very deep. After pumping for a while, only a shallow puddle remained, revealing a large expanse of mud.

In the very center sat a large vat.

Tan Yunlong walked over. The vat was full of water, containing a large, yellowish-white flocculent mass—a bit like glue, or the jelly his son loved to eat.

"Come, help me move this."

The vat was heavy, its bottom stuck to the mud. Tan Yunlong and several officers exerted their strength together to shift it, then he took an iron shovel and pointed below:

"Dig!"

After digging less than a meter, a hand appeared.

The surrounding officers grew excited. Without needing orders, they immediately began to secure the entire Jiang residence, temporarily forbidding anyone from leaving.

Only Tan Yunlong's gaze revealed doubt, for the hand looked too fresh; it didn't look like it had been buried for long.

Moreover, the hand wore a gold watch that glinted in the sunlight. Why hadn't the person who buried him taken it?

Still, they had truly dug up a person—a dead one.

Although only one hand was visible, the misery of his final moments was evident, as the hand was reaching straight upward, meaning the main torso was much deeper.

The fingertips were severely damaged, and the nails were badly detached. Although the blood had long been diluted by the damp mud, one could still tell he had struggled desperately to survive.

He must have been buried alive while conscious.

But...

Tan Yunlong handed the shovel to a nearby officer and retreated to the edge of the pond, beginning to observe the surrounding environment and the vat that had been moved.

This pond clearly showed no signs of recent excavation. So, how had this fresh corpse been buried alive inside it?

When moving the vat earlier, the moss and vegetation at its base had clearly merged with the pond floor environment; it would have taken many years for that to form. Had someone moved it and then specifically restored it?

Tan Yunlong had heard of people restoring artifacts, but doing so just to hide a corpse? It would be easier to just throw it into a nearby sand quarry to be ground to dust.

"Except for those digging, no one else is to enter the pond. Pay attention to protecting the scene."

After giving the order, Tan Yunlong walked to a corner, crouched down, and pulled out his cigarette case.

In his mind, the conversation with the child named Li Li Zhuiyuan surfaced.

The conversation had been brief. The child had finished reporting the case in a single sentence. What truly surprised Tan Yunlong was when he asked why the child had specifically come to him to report it.

The child had said: Because I know you won't bring trouble to my life.

"Heh."

Tan Yunlong exhaled a puff of smoke. Ordinary suspects sitting before him would deliberately avoid his gaze, but this child could look him in the eye calmly and even dare to seize the initiative in the conversation.

"Tan Team, there's a problem."

"What is it?"

"The corpse is sinking."

Tan Yunlong immediately extinguished his cigarette, tossed it outside the wall, and walked into the pond to observe the situation.

After digging another meter, only the same hand was visible.

Tan Yunlong took the shovel again and joined the digging himself.

As they dug, the corpse indeed sank, as if there were a drain below.

But that shouldn't be. This was a pond dug recently. If the ground were like this, how would it hold water? There was no pump constantly refilling it.

"Use a rope."

A loop was tied and tossed down, catching the corpse's wrist. It tightened instantly. Tan Yunlong and another officer pulled with all their might, but they couldn't budge it.

It felt as if a force below was also pulling the corpse, struggling against them.

If they increased the force, they might damage the body.

"Tan Team, let's call for an excavator."

"That would completely destroy the scene," Tan Yunlong immediately rejected the idea. "And the corpse is so deep; a machine would inevitably damage it. Keep digging and see."

The officers dug for a while longer, but it was useless. Every meter they dug, the corpse sank another meter. Even though the mud layer nearby was relatively dry, the corpse continued to sink.

At the same time, the officers digging below were in danger; at any moment, the ground beneath their feet could give way, and they could be smothered by the surrounding mud.

At this point, an older officer walked silently to Tan Yunlong's side and whispered, "Tan Team, this is a bit eerie."

"Brother Sun, do you have any ideas?"

"How about we find a corpse-salvager to try? They might have their own methods to bring the body up while ensuring it remains intact."

"Do you have a recommendation?"

"There's one quite famous one in Siyuan Village, Shinan. His surname is Li."

"Call the station. Don't wear uniforms; go invite him over. And give him a heads-up—ask him not to make too big a scene."

"Understood."

"Never mind, I'll call."

"Okay, Tan Team." The older officer felt relieved; this matter had bad implications, and he didn't want to be held responsible.

Tan Yunlong patted his shoulder and walked toward the police car, took out the walkie-talkie, and relayed the request. After finishing, he leaned against the car door and lit another cigarette.

"Sigh, we can only wait."

"Little Yuan, how much longer do we have to wait?"

"I don't know."

"Why is it so slow? I've been watching them dig for a long time."

The tricycle was parked on a dirt slope, offering a commanding view. Since the Jiang residence was enclosed by iron railings, the view wasn't obstructed. Even though they were a bit far, they could roughly see what was happening inside.

"They must have run into some trouble."

A rumbling sound came from his stomach.

Li Li Zhuiyuan looked over. Run Sheng lowered his head in embarrassment; he was hungry.

Although he had been eating incense intermittently, for him, it was just a garnish like green onions—no one could live on green onions alone.

Li Li Zhuiyuan took out the money his great-grandfather had given him that morning and handed it to Run Sheng: "Brother, there's a small shop by the road ahead. Go buy something to eat."

"Ah, that's such a waste," Run Sheng shook his head. "Those things are just for tasting; you can't really use them as a meal."

"Just buy something to tide you over."

"Then should I ride the tricycle to the town restaurant to buy some food?"

"That's too far. We have to guard this place. Who knows when those two things might come out... or leave."

"That's true. Then I'll go buy some and come back. Little Yuan, what do you want to eat?"

"Anything is fine. Just buy what you like."

"Then wait here for me. I'll be right back."

Run Sheng took the money and didn't even ride the tricycle; he just started running.

Before long, Run Sheng returned with several bags of instant noodles and crackers.

"Here, Little Yuan. Here's the change."

"Why didn't you buy more?"

"I couldn't bear to. With this much money, I could have bought so much rice and flour."

Li Li Zhuiyuan ate a few crackers. He had eaten breakfast late, so he wasn't very hungry. Run Sheng had been working in the fields all morning, so he needed to eat first. After all, Run Sheng was his greatest reliance; he couldn't have his best equipment ready but have the user too hungry to perform.

Run Sheng finished eating and gathered the seasoning packets from the instant noodles.

Li Li Zhuiyuan had been curious earlier. Even if conditions didn't allow for boiling or soaking, wouldn't it be tastier to pour the seasoning in, crush the noodles, and shake them?

But Run Sheng didn't do that; he ate the noodle cakes whole.

Now, Run Sheng tore open a seasoning packet, poured the powder into his palm, and then stuck out his tongue to lick a small amount.

Then, he continued to pour and lick, looking completely satisfied. He clearly enjoyed eating it this way.

Seeing Li Li Zhuiyuan watching him, Run Sheng asked with a smile, "Little Yuan, do you want to reach out and have some too? It's delicious!"

"Oh, okay."

Li Li Zhuiyuan held out his hand, let Run Sheng pour some into his palm, and then took a small lick, carefully savoring it.

Sure enough...

It tasted like concentrated instant noodle seasoning.

"Heh, it's great. In the past, we'd all share one packet, but now I get to eat it all by myself."

During this period, children had limited access to snacks, so seasoning packets became a popular way to have flavor and fun.

Li Li Zhuiyuan touched the change Run Sheng had given him. Although the old carpenter hadn't asked for a processing fee, this had cost his great-grandfather's reputation and favors; he couldn't use that excuse again.

And the subsequent material and testing costs, including the potential wear and tear... pocket money wouldn't be enough to support it.

It seemed he needed to find a way to make some money.

"Brother Run Sheng, do you know where people play cards?"

"Cards? My grandfather plays. He likes to play 'Fried Golden Flower.' There are several fixed card games in the village; you can just go and join a table."

"How is your grandfather at playing?"

Hearing this question, Run Sheng suddenly looked embarrassed and whispered, "Usually we can afford dry food at night, but once he goes to play cards, we can't even get enough thin porridge to fill our stomachs."

Li Li Zhuiyuan remembered that his great-grandfather seemed to have said that his grandfather was a habitual loser.

"Brother Run Sheng, do you want to go back and see your grandfather?"

"I do."

"Then tomorrow, I'll go with you to Xiting to visit him."

"Okay!"

Run Sheng stood up happily, stretching his back while looking around. Soon, he stopped smiling and pointed at a motorcycle approaching in the distance:

"That... Little Yuan, does the person sitting on the back of that motorcycle look like your great-grandfather?"

"It is him."

Li Sanjiang sat on the back of the motorcycle, clutching a package between himself and the driver, with another package tied to the back. He held one in each hand.

The howling wind blew, and his arms were shaking—he was exhausted.

When the authorities sent someone to invite him, he had to go; otherwise, he wouldn't have the confidence to hug the police plaque next time.

The only unfortunate thing was that his mule had gone out for a stroll today, and even more unfortunately, the mule had taken the tricycle with it.

"Comrade, stop, please stop."

The motorcycle stopped. Li Sanjiang looked at Li Li Zhuiyuan and Run Sheng standing by the road and asked in surprise:

"Why are you two here?"

Li Li Zhuiyuan replied, "Just like you, Great-Grandfather, we were summoned."

"What?" Li Sanjiang paused, but didn't think much of it. He tossed the things in his hands to Run Sheng. "Let's go."

Li Li Zhuiyuan hadn't expected to be able to enter the Jiang residence so soon.

As soon as they entered, he felt Tan Yunlong's gaze. Li Li Zhuiyuan deliberately avoided it.

To his surprise, Tan Yunlong walked over, bent down, and hugged him, pretending to ruffle the child's hair, while whispering into his ear:

"Did you report the case just to get yourself a job?"

"If so, this money is earned too bitterly."

"Heh heh heh." Tan Yunlong laughed, patted Li Li Zhuiyuan's head, and looked at Li Sanjiang. "Grandfather, sorry for the trouble. Don't worry, I'll pay the labor fee."

"No, no, no," Li Sanjiang waved his hands. "That's too formal. This is what I should do. It's the fish-and-water relationship between the police and the people, right?"

"That won't do. We are already grateful that you are willing to cooperate with our work."

"Is the person in the pond?"

"Yes, please take a look." Tan Yunlong accompanied Li Sanjiang toward the pond and whispered, "Grandfather, when you do your work later, please try to keep the scene small."

"The comrade who brought me already told me. Don't worry, I know."

"Please understand."

"I understand, I understand."

Of course he understood. It didn't look good for those in uniform to be too close to feudal superstition. Last time, when he was fishing out the father and son at the bearded man's fishpond, the arriving police had waited by their cars down the road.

Everyone knew how to cooperate when necessary and how to keep their distance when appropriate.

Li Sanjiang shouted to Run Sheng, "Brother Run Sheng, get the gear!"

Run Sheng hesitated, not moving, and turned to look at Li Li Zhuiyuan, who was already peeking into the pit.

Seeing the hand below, Li Li Zhuiyuan's eyes filled with doubt. Why was this hand so fresh?

According to Leopard Brother, he had helped Jiang Dongping bury the body here a long time ago—it should have been years.

This was the bottom of a pond, damp; the bones should have rotted away quickly. How could there still be clear skin and flesh?

Either this corpse wasn't the victim, Old Zhou, or the current Old Zhou had a problem.

"Brother Run Sheng, why are you standing there like a fool? Get the gear!"

Li Li Zhuiyuan snapped out of it and looked at Run Sheng: "Brother Run Sheng, get the gear ready."

To be safe, he'd use his own.

"Okay!"

Run Sheng responded, immediately uncovering the plastic sheet on the tricycle and bringing over the new set of equipment.

Li Sanjiang looked suspiciously at the new gear, which looked similar but wasn't his own. But with all the police watching, he couldn't ask questions. To him, new or old, it was all the same.

"Great-Grandfather, let Brother Run Sheng try first. If he can't fish it out, it means his teacher, Shan Shan Daye, didn't teach him well, and then you can step in and teach him properly."

"Hmm, that makes sense."

Li Sanjiang thought Little Yuan's reasoning was sound.

Run Sheng took the equipment and laid it out by the pit, his face full of eagerness.

Li Sanjiang found a small wooden stool, placed simple offerings, and even brought two white candles that were nearly burned down.

He had indeed listened to the police officer's request not to make a big scene, so everything was kept small.

Lighting the candles and burning paper, Li Sanjiang muttered to himself and began circling the pit.

Around them, the young police officers watched curiously, while the older ones silently stepped back.

Tan Yunlong looked around. The Jiang residence was large and relatively remote, with few nearby houses. Thanks to the Jiang family's local-tyrant nature, not many villagers dared to come watch the commotion. Outside the wall, there were only a dozen or so onlookers, half of whom were passersby who had stopped because they saw the police cars.

As for the Jiang family, Tan Yunlong had ordered them all to be taken inside for questioning.

It was quiet enough that they wouldn't be gossiped about too much.

Li Sanjiang finished the ritual and took two beer bottles from a package, plugged with cloth strips, filled with a red liquid.

Tan Yunlong immediately stepped forward to stop him: "Grandfather, what are you doing?"

"Black dog blood. To clear the evil spirits first. This thing won't come out and keeps sinking—it has a grudge."

"Can you not splash it?"

"Not splash it?"

"If you splash it, the corpse won't be fit to be seen."

"Then I'll try. Run Sheng, you can start. Let's see if Shan Shan Daye taught you any real skills."

Saying this, Li Sanjiang placed the bottles of pig blood on the ground.

To maintain his status as a master, he walked a few steps away, took out a cigarette, and wanted to light it to look the part.

A nearby officer reminded him, "Grandfather, you need to smoke further away. This place will be used for evidence collection later."

"Oh, okay." Li Sanjiang hesitated, but having already struck the pose, he had to walk to a corner, only to realize he hadn't brought matches in his rush. He had to go find someone to borrow one. Thus, the only ones left standing by the pit were Li Li Zhuiyuan, Run Sheng, and Tan Yunlong.

"Officer Tan, is the corpse sinking?"

"Yes, the deeper we dig, the more it sinks."

"Officer Tan, can you have someone move that vat of 'Tai Sui'?"

"That's important evidence; it has to be taken back to the station for examination."

"I'm not asking you to throw it away, just move it outside the gate. Don't keep it within the house's perimeter."

"Is there a taboo?"

"Yes."

"Alright then." Tan Yunlong immediately ordered the officers outside to move the vat to the gate.

Li Li Zhuiyuan nodded. With that, his karmic debt with Leopard Brother and Zhao Xing was settled. Next, it was time to settle the score.

Officer Tan turned back and saw the boy take out a crude wooden compass. Tan Yunlong thought that even the cheapest toy vendors wouldn't stock such a thing—it was too ugly to sell.

The boy first adjusted his standing direction, then stared at the compass and turned in a circle. After standing still, he muttered some numbers.

Tan Yunlong listened carefully, expecting incantations, but heard only numbers.

After finishing his mental calculations,

Li Li Zhuiyuan looked down into the pit and pointed to the side for Run Sheng: "Use the Yellow River Shovel. Here, here, and here... dig a small, slanted hole in these six spots."

"Okay!"

Run Sheng went down into the pit with the shovel. Without even looking at the hand, he dug six holes in the side walls as instructed.

Li Li Zhuiyuan nodded. These six holes were to break the miasma and disrupt the corpse's "sense of direction," making it lose its composure when it tried to escape.

The *Jianghu Records of Strange Phenomena* described this type of corpse, noting it had abilities similar to a razor clam, capable of drilling through soil and sand.

But strictly speaking, this wasn't a true "dead-walker." Wei Zhengdao had specifically noted: There must be something strange nearby.

Li Li Zhuiyuan took out the inkpad box, pressed his index finger into it, and then dragged it across the Seven Star Hook. Every time a section of the hook opened, he applied the red ink, until all seven sections were open, then tossed the hook into the pit.

"Brother Run Sheng, insert the hook between you and the corpse. Block the path!"

"Understood!"

Run Sheng caught the hook and, as instructed, inserted it between himself and the hand.

Soon, only the top end of the Seven Star Hook remained outside. Run Sheng pressed his palm down and began to rotate it. A "clack-clack-crunch" sound came from underground.

Up to this point, because they hadn't touched the hand, the corpse hadn't continued to drill downward.

Li Li Zhuiyuan pressed all five fingers into the inkpad, grabbed the Soul-Returning Basket and the Homecoming Net, and tossed them into the pit.

"Place the basket in front, and the net in the back."

"Okay!" Run Sheng caught the items, then hesitated for a moment. "Little Yuan, which side is the front of the corpse?"

"The direction the palm is facing is the front."

"Understood!"

Run Sheng placed the Soul-Returning Basket in front of the palm. At first glance, the basket's opening was narrow and shallow, but after releasing the binding, the opening and depth could expand and contract, and it was incredibly tough.

As for the Homecoming Net, he draped it over the back of the hand, covering a large area, almost covering that side of the pit wall.

Li Li Zhuiyuan picked up the Luo Sheng Umbrella and said to Run Sheng, "Brother Run Sheng, catch me."

With that, he jumped into the pit. Tan Yunlong didn't even have time to stop him.

Run Sheng caught him steadily. Once Li Li Zhuiyuan was standing, he looked closely at the hand and took out a talisman he had drawn himself.

The preparations were complete. Now he wanted to conduct a private test—his talisman.

The *True Path Subduing Demons Record* didn't have many specific descriptions of talismans, only listing several prerequisites, similar to needing to master certain courses before learning advanced knowledge.

Li Li Zhuiyuan didn't meet any of these hard requirements; he had simply drawn it based on the style in the book, focusing his Qi and spirit.

Although he knew it was likely useless, but... what if?

The distance was just right. Above the palm, Li Li Zhuiyuan released the talisman. It fluttered down, and just as it was about to touch the hand, the fingers suddenly spread and grabbed the talisman!

The talisman instantly turned black.

"Little Yuan!" This sudden change made Run Sheng immediately shield the boy behind him.

Li Li Zhuiyuan felt helpless. Not only did the target ignore the threat of his talisman, but it had also actively provoked him.

"Brother Run Sheng, pry it out."

"Okay!"

Run Sheng grabbed the Seven Star Hook with both hands, crouched down, and began to exert force.

The hand began to move. The mud beneath it cracked and peeled away rapidly, but this time it didn't sink; instead, it darted back and forth, like a headless fly.

Run Sheng continued to exert force, his teeth clenched, his arms bulging with veins, his feet sinking into the mud up to his ankles.

Li Li Zhuiyuan couldn't help but sigh. Sure enough, corpse-salvaging was physical labor. Looking at Brother Qin from that night, and now Run Sheng, without a strong physique, even with the best equipment, one couldn't perform.

Fortunately, he was still young and could train slowly.

After a great effort, the corpse clearly couldn't hold on anymore. Suddenly, a large amount of mud and black mist erupted from underground.

Li Li Zhuiyuan immediately raised the Luo Sheng Umbrella to block the front for himself and Run Sheng. The umbrella vibrated, and Li Li Zhuiyuan felt his hands go numb, but he held on.

Seeing the faint black mist, Li Li Zhuiyuan took out the Three Pure Ones Fan, pressed the hidden catch, and fanned it. White incense ash drifted out.

In an instant, a faint smell of scorched coal seemed to fill the air.

"It's out!" Run Sheng let out a low roar. "Little Yuan, get back!"

Li Li Zhuiyuan immediately closed the umbrella and retreated. The ground in front of them cracked open, and a corpse in pajamas was pried out. Beneath the corpse was the Seven Star Hook, each section extended with external rings, locking the body in place.

The corpse didn't seem to move, but in a blur, it seemed to be moving forward rapidly, drilling into the Soul-Returning Basket. The basket expanded, the corpse fell backward into the Homecoming Net, and the net wrapped around it.

Then, the corpse went quiet.

Li Li Zhuiyuan exhaled and asked, "Brother Run Sheng, did the corpse move on its own, or were you pulling it with the hook?"

"The corpse didn't seem to move, but its weight kept changing—sometimes very heavy, sometimes very light. I almost lost my footing."

"Then it's not a dead-walker. This corpse isn't a dead-walker."

After the corpse was removed, a small pit appeared. Li Li Zhuiyuan walked to the edge and looked down, seeing two pairs of skeletal hands exposed in the pit wall.

There were two more skeletons buried below!

It seemed that the Old Zhou whom Leopard Brother had helped bury wasn't the only one Jiang Dongping had killed and buried here to nurture the Tai Sui.

Looking closely at the position and spread of the skeletal hands, Li Li Zhuiyuan gestured with his own hands.

"Brother Run Sheng, why are there skeletons down here?"

"Brother Run Sheng, the reason this corpse kept sinking is that these two pairs of hands were pulling it, not letting it go."

"What about now? Can they still move?"

Li Li Zhuiyuan shook his head: "They aren't dead-walkers; they're just yin-spirits. They dissipate when exposed to light."

Only in places where sunlight couldn't reach would such yin-spirits move and cause trouble.

For example, many people hear rustling sounds from the roof or other rooms at night.

Sometimes, it's not the neighbors or mice, but yin-spirits in the house.

But when you muster the courage to turn on the light, you find nothing. Yin-spirits won't let you see them; if you see them, they cease to exist.

Most yin-spirits can only make small noises and cause no harm. A few more powerful ones might come to your bedroom and sit on you while you sleep, rarely causing sleep paralysis.

Run Sheng sighed, "These three people buried here... did they develop a bond, unwilling to let the other go?"

Li Li Zhuiyuan looked at the wrapped corpse and said:

"I suspect this corpse isn't a victim."

"Ah, then who is it?"

"What is the opposite of a victim?"

"What is it?"

"Brother Run Sheng, lift me up. I don't want to climb and get my clothes dirty."

"Okay."

Li Li Zhuiyuan was lifted up, and Tan Yunlong reached out to catch him.

"What happened down there just now?" Tan Yunlong couldn't help but ask.

He had been watching from above when mud suddenly splashed, blurring his vision. He seemed to see a large rat crawl out, and after a few rumbles, when his vision cleared, he saw a corpse wrapped in a net.

"Heave!"

At that moment, Run Sheng lifted the net-wrapped corpse with one hand and grabbed the slope with the other, climbing up with ease.

Tan Yunlong's eyes widened. The strength to lift a "grown man" like a chicken was quite frightening.

After the corpse was placed on the ground, Run Sheng quickly untied the net, retracted the basket, turned around, jumped back into the pit, and retrieved the shovel and hook, packing them away.

This set of equipment was incredibly useful. He decided to work hard for Great-Grandfather Sanjiang, and once he saved enough money, he'd have Little Yuan make him a set—he'd treat it as a family heirloom.

Tan Yunlong took out gloves, put them on, crouched down, and gently brushed the mud from the corpse's face, ears, and mouth, his expression turning solemn.

Li Li Zhuiyuan asked, "Is it Jiang Dongping?"

Tan Yunlong looked up in surprise: "You knew?"

Li Li Zhuiyuan shook his head: "No, I just found out. There are two more skeletons below. Officer Tan, have your men dig a bit more; it'll be easy."

To be held down by two victims, sinking into the mud with them—that could only be the perpetrator.

"I understand. Thank you, Little Yuan."

"Can you give me a piece of Tai Sui meat as a thank you?"

"What do you want that for?"

"Officer Tan, you know, a child's curiosity is always very strong."

Tan Yunlong took a small plastic bag from his pocket containing something like jelly. He leaned in to block the view and slipped the bag into Li Li Zhuiyuan's pocket.

"Promise me, don't eat it. It might be poisonous."

"I won't. But Officer Tan, you're really generous."

"There's a huge chunk left in the vat. Giving you a piece is fine."

"What, it's already been fished out?" Li Sanjiang had only had time to smoke one cigarette, and the job was done. He could only grumble, "Looks like Shan Shan Daye's apprentice has learned a thing or two."

"Great-Grandfather, Brother Run Sheng and I are going to ride the tricycle back."

"Be careful on the road. Run Sheng, ride slowly; don't break my Little Yuan."

Run Sheng carried the gear out the gate and placed it neatly on the tricycle. After finishing, he couldn't help but reach out and touch it.

"Little Yuan, once I save enough money..."

"Brother Run Sheng, don't move too much. Take a quiet look at the slope where we were waiting earlier."

Run Sheng pretended to continue tidying up, glanced over, and saw two people standing there. They looked familiar.

"They look familiar?"

"At the video hall, those four loud-mouthed thugs."

Their boss, the man in the suit, had been arrested and was cooperating, but he was still in the "recruitment" phase and hadn't received any goods, so he hadn't had time to assign tasks to his three underlings.

So the three thugs had been released after a day of detention and education.

"Do they live around here and came to watch the commotion?"

"Shigang isn't as lively as Shinan. Why would people from Shigang go to Shinan to watch video tapes? Brother Run Sheng, look at their feet."

Run Sheng glanced again and lowered his head: "Little Yuan, their feet are on tiptoe!"

"It's them. They've finally appeared—our real target."

Run Sheng grabbed the Yellow River Shovel and said, "I'll rush over now and smash their heads!"

"Brother Run Sheng..."

"Don't worry, Little Yuan, they definitely can't run faster than me, especially since they have to run on tiptoe."

"Brother Run Sheng, there are so many police officers right next to us."

"Ah..."

"Even the gangsters in Hong Kong movies aren't that reckless."

"I was wrong, Little Yuan."

"Let's get on the tricycle and ride in the opposite direction."

"Listening to you."

Li Li Zhuiyuan got on, and Run Sheng pedaled in the other direction. After riding for a distance, they turned behind another residential building.

"Brother Run Sheng, come, drape this Homecoming Net over us. That way, they won't be able to see us."

Run Sheng's eyes lit up: "This thing has that use too?"

"Yes. That's how you bind dead-walkers. They have immense strength; they'd break a normal net easily. Only a net they can't see can hold them."

"Really, Little Yuan, compared to the gear in my grandfather's room, yours could be sold as scrap."

"Don't worry, I'll make you a set later."

"Uh... is it expensive?"

"It's fine. We'll go see Shan Shan Daye tomorrow, and then we should have money."

"My grandfather has no money. If it weren't for the fact that rice and flour are hard to sell in the village, I'm afraid we wouldn't even have enough to eat tomorrow."

"First, let's go chase those two."

"Okay."

Run Sheng began to pedal hard again. Passersby and other vehicles looked on in astonishment at the net-covered tricycle and the two people inside.

After riding to the original spot, Run Sheng said in confusion, "Oh no, they're gone."

"They're ahead, walking toward the river."

Sure enough, the two figures appeared by the river, walking downstream.

"Should I ride down?"

"Ride on the road first. Follow them from a distance and wait until we find a quiet, secluded place to act."

Following that, the two men walked along the river, while Li Li Zhuiyuan and Run Sheng followed on the road.

They gradually headed toward a remote area and turned into a small path.

"Should we act now, Little Yuan?"

"Wait a bit longer. Let's see where they're going. Those two are just puppets; there's someone behind them controlling them."

"Isn't the one controlling them Jiang?"

"Jiang himself was buried in the pond. Who do you think buried him?"

"Little Yuan, you mean..."

"I suspect that among the three people Jiang Dongping buried, one has turned into a dead-walker."

Li Li Zhuiyuan took out the Tai Sui meat Tan had given him. "This Tai Sui is a bit problematic."

Turning into a dead-walker wasn't easy, especially one capable of controlling puppets—that was a very rare level.

The Tai Sui meat smelled fishy and foul even through the plastic bag; he had no idea how anyone could eat it as a tonic.

Dusk fell.

Run Sheng picked up the gear, continued to hide under the net with Li Li Zhuiyuan, and followed cautiously.

Finally, the two men stopped in front of a tombstone and "thumped" to their knees.

Li Li Zhuiyuan and Run Sheng, wrapped in the Homecoming Net, hid behind a tombstone in front of the two. One on the left, one on the right, they peeked out from behind the stone, observing with extreme caution.

However, the two men just knelt there, motionless, for a long time, and the sky gradually turned dark.

Run Sheng looked at Li Li Zhuiyuan with a puzzled expression: What are they doing?

Li Li Zhuiyuan shrugged: I don't know either.

Run Sheng pointed at the surroundings and then at the Yellow River Shovel in his hand: It's very quiet here, no one around. We can smash them.

Li Li Zhuiyuan waved his hand in refusal, then pointed at Run Sheng's arm. Run Sheng didn't quite understand, but seeing Li Li Zhuiyuan lean his head over, he braced his arm to make it more comfortable.

Regardless, Little Yuan must have his reasons.

After a while, the two people kneeling before the tombstone remained motionless, and Little Yuan, leaning against his arm, was the same.

Run Sheng finally couldn't help but look at Little Yuan, only to find him with his eyes closed, breathing evenly. Run Sheng was stunned:

Little Yuan had fallen asleep?

Li Li Zhuiyuan wasn't truly asleep; he was just trying to doze off. In this half-dream state, he heard shrill wails and desperate pleas—it was the voices of Leopard Brother and Zhao Xing.

He knew he had entered the state.

Opening his eyes, Li Li Zhuiyuan found that Run Sheng, who had been leaning against him, was gone. This was normal; Run Sheng hadn't entered his dream.

The wailing and pleading continued. They seemed to be suffering from extremely terrifying torture.

This wasn't strange. Last time, when Leopard Brother and Zhao Xing came to the banquet to find his great-grandfather, they didn't know Jiang Dongping had been buried alive, nor did they know that the one truly controlling them was a former victim—likely the one Leopard Brother had buried himself, Old Zhou.

Li Li Zhuiyuan slowly peeked out from the side of the tombstone. The two people who had been kneeling were gone; they, like Run Sheng, didn't exist in this dream.

Shifting his gaze further back, Li Li Zhuiyuan saw Leopard Brother and Zhao Xing kneeling on the ground, their bodies cracking and peeling.

In an instant, Li Li Zhuiyuan froze, his whole body turning cold.

Because they couldn't see dirty things before, he and Run Sheng had assumed they were kneeling toward the tombstone in front of them.

But in reality, those two were just carriers being used; they were "shoes" that had been discarded after being used to walk here.

When a shoe isn't on a foot, the direction the toe points no longer represents the direction the person is facing.

Now, the direction Leopard Brother and Zhao Xing were kneeling and wailing toward was the tombstone in front of him!

And he and Run Sheng had been hiding behind this tombstone for a long time.

Li Li Zhuiyuan slowly lowered his head and saw a very, very long shadow stretching out from his feet. Clearly, he wasn't that tall, so this shadow couldn't be his.

Therefore,

It

had been standing behind him and Run Sheng the entire time.

(End of chapter)

Because he couldn't see dirty things before, he and Lu Runsheng took it for granted that the two were kneeling toward the tombstone in front of them.

But in fact, those two were just carriers of possession; they were actually "shoes" that were taken off after being used to walk here.

When shoes are not worn on feet, the direction the toes point no longer represents the direction the person is facing.

Now, the direction Brother Bao and Zhao Xing are kneeling and wailing is the tombstone in front of him!

And he and Lu Runsheng have been hiding behind this tombstone for a long time.

Li Li Zhuiyuan slowly lowered his head; he saw a very, very long shadow extending under his feet; obviously, he wasn't that tall, so this shadow couldn't be his.

Therefore,

It,

Has been standing behind him and Lu Runsheng all along.

(End of chapter)