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墨書 Inktalez
Living Funeral
I asked, "What happened?"
Zhang Xun told me that the Shadow Cat King seemed to be awakening, and the Yin Qi in this place was heavy. We should leave quickly.
Lao Liu's body couldn't be taken away; it had to be left here.
At that moment, my hands were covered in Lao Liu's blood as we started moving toward the exit. Zhang Xun carried the Shadow Cat King out.
After passing through the dark and narrow passage, we soon reached the river.
The Yin Cats did not chase us. When we emerged from the water, it was at the peak of sunlight, and we swam toward the shore. Zhang Xun seemed anxious; as soon as we got on land, he said, "Hurry up and dig a hole."
At that moment, everyone was still in shock. While Zhang Xun began digging, Zhao Fan shouted for his two younger brothers to find tools.
Zhang Xun replied that there was no time for that, so he started digging with his hands. Seeing this, I quickly stepped forward to help.
Fortunately, being by the river meant the soil wasn't too hard, making it easier to dig. Gao Ling and Zhao Fan soon joined in as well.
Gao Ling asked, "Why are we digging a hole?"
Zhang Xun's tone softened as he explained, "The Shadow Cat King wasn't completely killed by me. After being awakened by that Cat Person, it's gradually coming back to life. Burying it now is our only option."
After Zhang Xun spoke, we didn't dare delay any longer and dug even harder. After about fifteen minutes, a large pit appeared.
We were all exhausted but couldn't afford to care about that anymore. Zhang Xun placed the Shadow Cat King's body into the pit and then wrote a few characters on it with Cinnabar. He murmured something under his breath.
Next, he sprinkled some Glutinous Rice and Black Dog Blood over it. Zhang Xun's face was pale; after finishing these tasks, he said, "Cover it with soil."
We quickly filled the pit, and after the soil was packed down, Zhang Xun's expression softened a bit. He said, "Burn it after three days."
Everyone looked at Zhang Xun in surprise. He continued, "Trust me on this. During this time, every time you offer incense, a clove of garlic, and a cup of wine—make sure it's realgar snake bile wine."
Zhao Fanzi chimed in from the side, "I've noted everything down."
Zhang Xun insisted, "All three items are essential."
With that, the Yin Cat incident finally came to a close. I instinctively touched my neck and noticed that the swelling had begun to subside.
A breeze swept by, refreshing us a little. We were all panting by the riverbank. In the afternoon, the family of the deceased came to collect the two bodies and provided compensation.
Zhao Fan wanted to give me a share, and I accepted without hesitation; after all, it was hard-earned money bought with our lives.
That evening, Zhao Fan suggested treating us to a celebratory drink, but we declined.
Zhang Xun warned Zhao Fan, "You must follow my instructions; otherwise, that celebratory drink might turn into a death toast." Zhao Fan's face turned pale at those words, and he quickly assured us he would comply.
Night fell swiftly. Zhang Xun turned to me and asked, "Chen Fei, are you ready?"
I was momentarily taken aback by his question. Zhang Xun continued directly, "Don't you want to know what happened in 198? You can come with me now."
I glanced at Zhang Xun and asked, "Are you really willing to tell me the secrets of 198?"
Zhang Xun replied, "Do I look like someone who enjoys joking around?"
His serious demeanor confirmed that he was not one to make light of things. I still hadn't asked why Zhang Xun didn't kill the Shadow Cat King before it woke up; instead, he chose to act only after it had awakened.
I shook my head, and after a moment, I voiced the doubts that lingered in my mind. "It's because the Shadow Cat King wasn't awake, and its soul wasn't in its body. Once it wakes up, I can kill it along with its physical form and soul."
As Zhang Xun finished speaking, I suddenly felt a chill run through me.
"Prepare yourself first. After we burn the Shadow Cat King's corpse in three hours, we'll leave this place," Zhang Xun instructed.
I suddenly wanted to ask what had happened between Zhang Xun and the Taoist that night, or if they hadn't even met at all. Also, what did Zhang Xun mean when he said I could trust him but not completely?
Watching Zhang Xun's back as he turned to leave, I stood by the river lost in thought. Was the mystery behind those four numbers, 198, finally about to be unraveled?
My emotions felt inexplicably complicated. Just then, a pair of cool hands covered my eyes from behind. "Guess who I am?" she said playfully.
Hearing that voice, I immediately knew who it was. "It's you," I replied.
"Who am I?" she asked.
"Isn't it obvious? Stop playing around; I know who you are."
"If you know, then I won't let go."
Reluctantly, I said, "You're Lin Xue." Only then did she release me. The red-clad ghost girl looked even more beautiful than before.
She sweetly called out my name, Chen Lang, and said, "I've missed you."
I replied with a hum, "Aren't I right here?"
The red-clad ghost girl said, "Chen Lang, even if I'm holding you now, I'll still miss you. I don't know why, but I have a feeling something bad is going to happen soon."
I gently stroked her hair and reassured her, "It won't."
The woman in red continued, "Chen Lang, but why is it that I remember you, yet you do not remember me?"
For a moment, I was puzzled by her words. Then I recalled that after our first meeting, she had called me Chen Lang. Perhaps she had mistaken me for someone else.
I had no idea when the woman in red had died, but her attire certainly suggested it was from a long time ago.
Unsure of how to respond to her, I chose to remain silent, and we lingered together for quite a while.
Eventually, when I returned to the grass hut, the woman in red said to me, "Chen Lang, if I were to ask you for a favor, would you help me?"
I looked at her for more than ten seconds before finally responding with a quiet "yes," indicating my agreement.
Upon hearing my answer, the woman in red instantly broke into a radiant smile, beautiful beyond compare. As I entered the hut, Gao Ling and Zhao Fan were engaged in conversation.
Zhang Xun sat nearby, lost in thought, seemingly pondering something.
When Gao Ling noticed my arrival, he leaned closer to Zhang Xun and asked, "Brother, how did your earlier scream manage to frighten that Yin Cat so much?"
Zhang Xun glanced at Gao Ling and replied coolly, "Don't ask what you shouldn't."
After hitting a wall with that response, Gao Ling walked over to me and said, "Fei, what were you doing outside?"
I replied to Gao Ling that he shouldn't ask what he shouldn't. He was momentarily at a loss for words; of course, I was just joking with him.
Time passed quickly, and thankfully nothing unusual occurred during that period.
The body of the Shadow Cat King was reduced to ashes. As we prepared to leave, Zhao Fan remarked, "In the future, let's all make money together! I, Zhao Fan, consider you all my brothers now. Though you may not recognize me."
"Gao Ling said, 'You better show some sincerity in the future, Fan Ge.'"
"Zhao Fan replied with a smile, 'No problem, no problem.'"
As we left the riverbank in Gao Ling's car, I noticed that Zhang Xun's complexion seemed to grow even paler. One of his hands appeared to tremble uncontrollably, though he was forcing himself to keep it steady.
I glanced at Zhang Xun and asked, "Are you okay?"
He shook his head, saying he was fine, but beads of sweat had begun to form on his forehead. As we approached the city, it seemed he could no longer hold back. He turned to Gao Ling and said, "Pull over, stop the car."
Gao Ling replied, "Just hold on a bit longer; we're almost in the city. Let's all have dinner together afterward—no need to rush."
But Zhang Xun suddenly snapped, "Did you hear me? I said stop the car!"
Seeing that something was off with Zhang Xun, I quickly urged Gao Ling, "Just pull over."
Gao Ling, slightly annoyed by the outburst, said, "Fine, I'll stop. No need to be so aggressive." Once the car came to a halt, Zhang Xun got out and turned to me. "I'll come find you tonight. Remember not to wander around; I have something important to discuss."
I promised him I'd be there.
Just then, I received a text message from Zhang Pang.
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