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墨書 Inktalez
The price of rosewood, including some lesser varieties, has been steadily rising because this material takes hundreds of years to grow. It is incredibly dense, resistant to pests and decay, and sinks in water, making it a favorite among the wealthy and powerful.
Currently, rosewood in China, and indeed worldwide, is becoming increasingly rare, which has spurred a trend in rosewood investment. Many are heading to Africa to harvest rosewood; some hoard it while others craft furniture as heirlooms. After all, rosewood is considered a non-renewable resource that cannot be cultivated within a few hundred years.
This Wedding Bed was made from Hainan Huanghuali Rosewood! How could such an already extinct type of rosewood be used to create a Wedding Bed?
I took a deep breath and confirmed my suspicion. "This Wedding Bed is made from coffin wood?"
"What?" Mona looked at me in surprise.
"I can't believe it; merchants today will do anything for money! This type of Sandalwood Rosewood is extremely valuable, comparable to gold and silver. When these people can't find existing rosewood, they dig up old coffins! Many wealthy families in China used this type of wood for coffins. And the person buried inside was none other than Qian! Look here, this is an ink line, made from Taoist Ink Line mixed with Rooster Blood. The ink line was used to bind the coffin, along with coffin nails soaked in chicken blood. According to our customs, if someone died a normal death, nails wouldn't be used; even if they were, they would only be partially driven in."
Seeing the coffin made everything clear to me.
As I pulled out gasoline and other items from my backpack, I explained to Mona, "Chinese coffins have specific requirements: they are built with interlocking wooden structures that don't need any steel nails to secure them. For someone who died naturally, simply placing the lid on the coffin would suffice—this is called 'covering the coffin to conclude.' Even if the carpenter's skills are lacking and nails are used, only half of the nail would be driven in—at most three inches—because long nails would cause the deceased's soul to scatter and prevent rebirth. And look at this coffin; there are still traces of nails left on top—clearly long nails—and combined with the ink line marks, it's evident that Qian died under tragic circumstances!"
Mona looked at the bed board but probably couldn't see anything unusual since it had already been painted over.
What I could discern wasn't visible from the outside. I took out the gasoline and Cinnabar and tossed them onto the Wedding Bed.
Although this was rosewood furniture and wouldn't burn intensely on its own, the Ghostly Energy on this Wedding Bed was so heavy that once I threw on the Cinnabar, it immediately began to emit white smoke. I ignited the wood, and with a loud whoosh, the Wedding Bed burst into flames.
"No!"
In mid-air, Qian waved her hand and sent Alice's spirit flying away before lunging toward me. This time she was reckless, completely disregarding the lightning from the Azure Thunder Staff as she charged at me and Mona.
I swung the Azure Thunder Staff in my hand, aiming it directly at Qian's head.
With a crackle, a flash of lightning surged forth.
Qian was momentarily stunned, but then she lunged at me. With a fierce swing of her arm, she forcefully knocked my Azure Thunder Staff away and continued to pounce on me.
I kicked Mona aside and charged toward Qian's ghostly form.
"You’re asking for death!" Qian's face suddenly turned as pale as death. Blood streamed from her eyes, not just from them but also from her nose, mouth, and ears—blood oozing from all seven orifices!
I felt no fear. I was the Witch Blood Heir, unafraid of ghosts and immune to Corpse Poison, unless it managed to snap my neck.
But it didn’t have that kind of power.
My arm twisted unnaturally a few times before I unleashed my magic. With a hum, a flash of white light erupted, enveloping Qian and sending her flying!
This time, Qian was hurled directly onto the Wedding Bed, which ignited in flames alongside her. She screamed in agony, her eyes glaring at me with hatred.
We locked eyes, and suddenly, a sharp pain shot through my head. I seemed to see images flickering in the flames and heard whispers amidst the fire:
"Duanlang, even though I am in this brothel, I will never sell my body. My heart belongs only to you, and my body is yours alone. For you, I am willing to endure my mother’s scolding and the wrath of customers. Duanlang, take this money; you need silver for your exams and to bribe the examiners, as well as to honor your parents. Duanlang, study hard for your exams."
Days passed.
"Duanlang, don’t be sad. Even if you haven’t achieved any fame or success, with my savings we can still live well. Once I buy back my freedom, we can go to Jiangnan and start a business together. Wouldn’t that be delightful? It’s better than being stuck in those tedious official positions."
A few days later.
“Duanlang, you don’t need to be sad. I don’t need you to officially marry me; as long as I can be with you, I will be content. Duanlang, when are we going to Jiangnan?”
A few more days passed.
Qian lay on the ground, blood flowing from her seven orifices. She looked at the man before her with unwillingness. “Duanlang, why… why did you poison me?”
“I’m sorry, Qian. I have already made a lifelong commitment with the Prefect’s daughter. Although she is quite ugly, I need her. Qian, since you have done so much for me, just do this one last thing and die for me again. Once I poison you, she will let go of our past and marry me… Qian, please do this final thing for me… After you die, I will give you a grand burial.”
“I am unwilling…”
The scene shifted again, returning to the present.
On the Wedding Bed, Qian was still bleeding from her seven orifices. She stared at me intensely, and then a strange smile appeared on her lips before she transformed into a wisp of blue smoke amidst the flames.
The Wedding Bed burned more fiercely, almost heating the entire basement to an unbearable temperature.
I stared at Qian, my mind blank.
At that moment, Alice sighed softly from above. “So she was also a pitiful person. Now it’s time for all of this to come to an end…”
Alice spoke as her figure flickered and then dove into her Heart. The Heart leaped into the flames and began to burn violently.
Endless Demonic Power surged forth, continuously igniting.
I swallowed hard and charged forward!
I knew that whether it was Alice, Qian, or that Ghost Coffin, each one was brimming with Demonic Power!
Endless Demonic Power surged into my body, swirling in my chest, transforming into my Witch Power. The Demonic Power spun around, forming a Black Sphere. The glowing orb grew larger and larger, and I felt a slight pain in my chest, but I couldn't give up this precious opportunity; I continued to absorb it.
Then, with a buzzing sound, a sharp pain shot through my head, and I fainted. In those final moments, I kept absorbing the Ghostly Energy.
...
When I woke up, all I saw was a pure white color.
I looked at the white ceiling and sighed; it seemed I was definitely in a hospital.
"Finally awake, my Taoist," a voice said.
I turned my head and saw Mona dressed in a casual short skirt, tidying up the room.
I was taken aback. "This isn't a hospital?"
"Of course not." Mona straightened up and brushed her hair back. She looked incredibly beautiful now, without a hint of her usual warrior demeanor.
I glanced around; the walls were pristine white. This place was indeed not a hospital but rather a cozy room.
I smiled at Mona. "You look beautiful in that outfit... even more so than when you're not wearing anything."
Mona paused for a moment, then burst into laughter. "Oh, Taoist, are you sure?" As she walked towards me, her clothes began to fall away. By the time she reached the edge of the bed, she was completely undressed.
I stared at Mona in shock. This wasn't in a haunted building; we were in a safe place, with warm sunlight streaming in. Everything felt so peaceful and beautiful. I looked at Mona and smiled, reaching out to wrap my arms around her waist.
Mona suddenly threw back my covers.
I realized I was wearing nothing at all.
Mona looked at me and then covered her mouth as she giggled. "Oh dear, poor Taoist! Are all of you Chinese Taoists so composed, or are you just lacking in ability?"
I felt embarrassed. "Hey, stop with the teasing! Right now, I can barely move a finger!"
Mona playfully poked me and laughed. "Alright, alright, it seems you don't need my payment anymore. So get dressed and get up because we need to leave..."
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