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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 139 White Silk Coffin Lock
I originally thought that Ox-Head and Horse-Face would at least help us, but who knew they would just turn around and run? Looking back at the pile of ghosts behind us, what are we going to do? If I had known, I wouldn't have sought out Ox-Head and Horse-Face. Not only did they fail to help, but they also directly turned a few ghosts to ashes. This grudge has been formed. My mind was racing while my feet couldn't stop; there were ghosts all around us, especially that Headless Ghost, who was chasing us while holding its head and laughing eerily.
The streets were lined with ancient buildings, still retaining their form from a thousand years ago. Many houses had two Lanterns hanging outside, emitting a pale light. The signs of taverns and cloth shops still quietly stood by the roadside a millennium later.
Ahead hung a row of large Red Lanterns, with two Lions at the entrance, looking very impressive. However, I couldn't see what was written on the plaque at the entrance; it must be some big Hut Family.
Ancient architecture generally adhered to the principles of Feng Shui, especially for wealthy families. The foundation must have been inspected by a Feng Shui Master. The Yang Residence had good Feng Shui, ensuring ample Yang Qi. I pointed ahead: "Run towards that Red Lantern!"
After running for several dozen meters, we were caught up by the ghosts. The Headless Ghost threw its head, which flew towards us, eyes wide open and mouth agape, revealing a mouthful of bloody teeth as it tried to bite Cao Qilong. Without thinking much, I bit my tongue again; the old wound hadn't healed, and now I had a new one. A mix of saliva and Tongue Blood sprayed out, hitting the face of the Headless Ghost. It sizzled like acid burning flesh, and smoke began to rise from its head before it fell to the Ground.
When Cao Qilong looked back, he saw that the skin of the Headless Ghost had been burned away by the Tongue Blood, exposing its nose bone. Its eyelids were burned off, leaving it staring at us with a pair of bulging eyes filled with resentment as it gnawed at the Ground with its gaping mouth.
Seeing this sight, neither Cao Qilong nor I dared to look any longer; we turned and ran! Gradually getting closer to the Red Lantern, we could see four characters on the plaque illuminated by the light: Youdou County Yamen. My heart stirred; there was hope!
In ancient China, whether in palaces or Yamen buildings, there was a rule: they faced south while sitting north. Even now, houses facing south are likely more expensive. This is because at noon, sunlight directly enters through the door into the room, representing the most yang energy. From a Feng Shui perspective, living in such houses is ideal. As the saying goes: "The east wing is hot, the west wing is cold; leave an opening in the south and shade in the north." In ancient times, a Yamen represented royal authority and retained righteousness; it symbolized the emperor. Now being chased by ghosts, perhaps the righteousness of the Yamen could save our lives.
The door of the Yamen was tightly shut, revealing pure copper nails on it. Together with Cao Qilong, we pushed against the door, which creaked open slightly enough for us to enter. Upon seeing this, both of us felt a surge of joy. However, we then heard a ghost shouting at us from behind: “Little Yin-Yang, don’t go in! You can’t enter!” At that moment, I couldn't care less; should we just wait outside to die? After all, that Headless Ghost had stopped laughing and was staring intently at us.
Strangely enough, as soon as we entered the Yamen, all the ghosts stopped chasing us and stood at the entrance watching us. Both Cao Qilong and I felt relieved; we had clearly escaped with our lives.
It has been a long time since we encountered the water ghost on the ship. Cao Qilong and I have been exhausting our strength, and seeing ghosts without entering the Yamen made us feel a bit relieved. We both sat down on the ground, gasping for breath, grateful to be alive. After resting for a moment, I began to survey the Yamen. Little did I know that taking a closer look would shock me.
The entrance to the Yamen opened into an outdoor courtyard, with large red lanterns hanging all around. The lanterns bore the Double Happiness character, and a plaque with a mirror hung high, adorned with a red flower and draped in red cloth. Clearly, there was a celebration happening in the Yamen. However, looking at the ground, I saw seven dark coffins lined up along the sides of the courtyard, illuminated by the light of the red lanterns. The black coffin surfaces emitted an eerie glow!
Swallowing hard, I counted a total of seven coffins, each adorned with a white ribbon at the head. Cao Qilong glanced at the lanterns and then at the coffins, asking, "Should we just leave?"
Damn it! Just escaped from one danger only to walk into another; this Youdou County Office is too strange! Whether we stay or go, it feels like we're in trouble either way. I steeled myself and said to Cao Qilong, "At least it's a Youdou County Office; there must be paper, pens, cinnabar, and some kind of County Magistrate seal inside. If we find those things, we can defend ourselves!"
After saying that, I took the lead into the courtyard, intending to head into the main hall of the Youdou County Office. However, as soon as I reached in front of the coffins, I heard a disturbing sound coming from inside one of them—like long nails scratching against wood. It was chilling to hear; the closer we got, the louder it became. By the time Cao Qilong and I reached halfway through, it sounded like someone inside was banging their head against the coffin lid. I grabbed Cao Qilong's hand and ran towards the main hall of the Youdou County Office!
Walking deeper into the courtyard led us to the main hall of the Youdou County Office. Behind that was another hall, which further led to the bedroom where the County Magistrate resided—a courtyard structured like a "日" character.
All six doors of the main hall were wide open; on the left stood a drum for issuing orders. Inside was a table where cases were tried by the County Magistrate. Behind that table was a grand chair for the magistrate and a painting of a qilin descending from mountains on the wall above it. A red banner hung overhead with the words: Righteous Qi.
On the table lay an astonished wooden block for announcing judgments, a bucket of tokens, and a County Magistrate Seal. I quickly grabbed hold of the County Magistrate Seal because it was issued by the emperor himself. With this seal, one could collect taxes, execute people, or mobilize troops; when magistrates left office, they could not take this seal with them but had to hand it over to their successors. Having been issued by royal decree and used by officials, this seal possessed an aura of righteousness. Although it couldn't be used offensively, it would serve well for self-defense.
After passing through the main hall and entering into another hall meant for receiving imperial edicts and discussing matters with colleagues—besides two grand chairs—there was nothing else in sight. Cao Qilong and I arrived at another courtyard where we saw more Double Happiness character lanterns hanging around. At its rear was another hall where a square table was laden with food; two large red dragon-and-phoenix candles were slowly burning away. Behind that table was an offering table where a long sword rested; behind it were several portraits resembling scholars—likely ancestors of the magistrate.
I walked over and took down the sword from its rack; its blade was wrapped in snake skin with a bamboo joint-style grip—exquisitely crafted. Drawing it out revealed three characters inscribed on its blade: Heavenly Emperor's Sword.
Cao Qilong curiously asked what the Heavenly Emperor's Sword was. I explained that it was an Imperial Sword—a reward bestowed by the emperor—not one that granted authority to slay tyrants or traitors as seen on television; rather, it symbolized Yellow Springs! After swinging it around a couple of times and finding it quite comfortable to wield—being royal craftsmanship—it surely had some extraordinary qualities.
Just as Cao Qilong and I were admiring this treasured sword, suddenly a voice came from a corner: "Who dares to intrude upon the magistrate's office?"
Cao Qilong and I were startled by this sudden voice. Drawing my sword loudly declared: "Is it man or ghost? This master does not strike nameless ghosts!"
An old man dressed in a coarse blue robe emerged from the corner, looking at me and Cao Qilong. "May I ask if you are Yin Yang? Do you know the art of talismans?"
I nodded and asked the old man, "You are a ghost; why do you still wander here?"
Suddenly, the old man knelt on the ground and clasped his hands together. "For a thousand years, I have suffered from an unjust grievance. I implore you, Master Yin Yang, to save the seven members of the Magistrate's family!"
A ghost kneeling on the ground asking me to save seven people? I hurriedly asked, "What do you mean, old man?" After saying that, I helped the old man up; after all, he was over a thousand years older than me.
The old man invited me and Cao Qilong to sit at a square table and said solemnly, "The Magistrate's family of seven has been harmed by an evil Yin Yang. I hope you two Yin Yang can rescue them. I have waited here for a thousand years just to seek justice for the Magistrate!"
Since we entered this place, everything felt strange. In the originally spacious magistrate's hall lay seven coffins, and now an old man had come to ask us to seek justice for the magistrate. Seeing that the old man seemed kind and not like an evil spirit, I let him explain.
It turned out that the old man's surname was Xiong, and he was the steward of the Magistrate's family. The Magistrate's family was from Tokyo and was filled with scholars. Unfortunately, they had poor luck in official matters and never achieved any titles during examinations. By the time it reached Xiong Li's generation, he managed to pass the exams and became an official, eventually achieving the title of Jinshi. As part of his experience, the emperor sent Xiong Li far away to serve as an official here and presented him with the Heavenly Emperor's Sword as a sign of his important responsibilities, hoping that Xiong Li would accomplish something significant before returning to Tokyo.
Although Xiong Li did not claim to be incorruptible while in office, he never wavered on major issues and earned much praise from others. However, being a talented scholar, he had a penchant for indulgence, which ultimately cost the lives of his entire family.
At this point, I asked the old man, "Are those seven coffins outside tied with white silk belonging to the Magistrate's family?"
Upon hearing my question, the old man's expression grew agitated, and tears streamed down his face. "Those are not just white silk; they are White Silk Coffin Locks! The Magistrate's family is trapped inside those coffins and cannot escape—what an injustice!"
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