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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 10: Dead Loop
On the way, Mi called me and asked where I was. I was busy, and it seemed like she was looking for something; I could hear the rustling sound of pages turning through the phone. Then she said, "I'll come find you tonight."
Ever since that time wandering outside the Funeral Home, I felt that my relationship with Han Mi had progressed further. We understood each other without needing to say much. After hanging up, I found myself happily imagining what she would wear when she came to see me tonight—a sheer dress, her long, fair legs adorned with a pair of mid-heeled sandals, looking stunning as she appeared before me.
Just thinking about it made me feel good.
In high spirits, I couldn't help but bring up the topic of Lin Tai again. Uncle Lin, such an experienced driver, was calm and composed behind the wheel, completely unfazed by external matters. New drivers were different—nervous and clumsy, many mistook the gas pedal for the brake.
I said, "Uncle Lin, Lin Tai is in danger."
Uncle Lin chuckled lightly. "Qii, this old body of mine can't handle being scared. How could Tai be in danger? I think he's actually more obedient and well-behaved than before; he doesn't run around aimlessly anymore."
I was about to say something else when Uncle Zhang tugged at my sleeve. "Qii, what have you gained from your time outside?"
"I don't know; it's all a bit strange." I knew Uncle Zhang was deliberately changing the subject to prevent me from continuing to trouble Uncle Lin about Lin Tai. After all, Uncle Lin and Chi Ruiqiang were not only work partners but also old classmates.
I learned all this from Uncle Zhang; he was no ordinary person. Wherever he went, he would uncover seemingly insignificant details with great clarity.
Director Chi Ruiqiang was the chief physician, while Uncle Lin was the deputy chief surgeon.
"Qii, I'll drop you off at Qiangzi's house; I have to return to the hospital. There's a major surgery today, and since Qiangzi isn't here, I must be present."
"Okay. Sure." I rubbed my nose awkwardly and didn't want to say much more. Since everything seemed fine with him, I couldn't insist on discussing death or family matters—especially not touching on Uncle Lin's hidden pain. Instead, I casually asked about the Hit-and-Run Vehicle incident at Hongqiao Supermarket.
To my surprise, Uncle Lin reacted strongly. He looked quite shocked. "What made you think of bringing that up? That incident happened two years ago. I still remember how tragic that girl looked when she was brought to our hospital."
"Have you seen that girl?"
"Of course. Not only did she suffer a severe compound fracture in both legs, but she also had multiple fractures throughout her body, internal organ damage, and internal bleeding. Strangely enough, her ribs, which should have been the easiest to break, were completely intact. Last year, due to the rapid increase in the city's population, the Inpatient Department could no longer meet the demand. After some research, we decided to build a brand new inpatient building next to the old hospital. Two years later, everything has changed; that incident has slowly faded from memory, and no one remembers clearly how that accident happened." Uncle Lin said, glancing at me through the rearview mirror with a wary look. "You don't suspect Lin Tai is involved in this, do you?"
"Uncle Lin, where are you going with this? I was just asking casually."
No, Chiang's matter with Lin Tai shouldn't be attributed to the girl Spirit. Chiang's diary mentioned a young lady; perhaps it was the same girl I saw outside their Spirit Pavilion. She looked about sixteen or seventeen years old and quite pretty. Could it be that Chiang and Lin Tai never returned her to the Blade Factory but instead did something unforgivable to her and faced retribution for it? If that's the case, then what Chi Xinrong and the others suspected about those eighteen or seventeen incidents would be completely unfounded.
If that's true, I would have to start looking for clues from Chiang. Damn, isn't that obvious? If I can't find clues from Chiang's death, where else can I look? Living people—what is Lin Tai now? Better off dead?
Perhaps Lin Tai is a breakthrough point.
Just as I thought of Lin Tai, a phone rang in the car. Hearing the ringtone, I remained calm because it wasn't my phone; it was Uncle Lin's.
He answered the call and asked a question before suddenly slamming on the brakes. Then he covered the mouthpiece and said to me and Uncle Zhang, "I'm sorry; something happened at home. I need to hurry back." Uncle Lin looked anxious as he pulled over to the side of the road and opened the door. I didn't get out—not because I wanted to stay behind but because I felt that whatever happened at his home must be related to Lin Tai. I was contemplating whether to go take a look.
But unexpectedly, Uncle Lin was quite rude; he clearly didn't believe any of this. It wasn't me getting out of the car; he practically shoved me out. After that, Uncle Zhang and I could only watch as his car drove away, kicking up dust until it disappeared from sight. We hurriedly made our way to the bus station.
By the time I rushed back to Chi Ruiqiang's house, it was already five-thirty.
With only a little time left before the Ghost Festival, I had to settle things with Chiang tonight.
After a hearty meal and drinks, Chi Ruiqiang gave me enough space while Fatty helped Chi Xinrong with some tasks. I sent Uncle Zhang home and had Chi Xinrong give him a small fee for his trouble. That Fatty really knows how to mess things up; he had Uncle Zhang running back and forth without any clear direction and ended up not getting anything done—so I just sent him on his way.
Uncle Zhang is now also training an apprentice; his apprentice is the grandson of our family’s brother—a young lad named Zhang Shuang. He's quite clever and has several younger members of the Honor Guard working with him. Originally hoping to make a fortune at Chi Ruiqiang's place, they ended up leaving unhappily after just receiving a small fee for their efforts.
I was busy in the room. The tools I needed were all there: a vermilion brush, an inkstone, a calligraphy brush, and scissors. The paper figurine made by the fat man was lifelike; I had seen it before. Once he finished the paper figurine, I affixed Chiang's birth chart onto it, drawing on the eyebrows and facial features. At first glance, it really did look like him.
Then I asked the fat man to keep Chi Xinrong away. The two paper figurines were placed on either side, with hand-drawn talismans for inviting spirits, flanked by protective deities to ensure safety. The Soul Absorbing Talisman released Chiang's spirit; at this moment, he was merely a fleeting essence, not yet a ghost.
I needed to fulfill his uncompleted wishes before going to the Land Temple to obtain the passage document for the Underworld. Only after traversing the Yellow Springs Road and enduring hardships through Evil Dog Ridge could one truly become a ghost. After becoming a ghost, the matter would not be over; I still had to report to Yama's Hall.
Yama's Hall is divided into Ten Halls, each containing records of the deceased's life. It details how you lived in the mortal realm—whether you were good or evil is all recorded in Yama's Hall's Merit Book. When you go to Yama's Hall, your fate of reincarnation or descent into the Six Paths will be determined based on your deeds in life. You might face trials like climbing knife mountains or crossing fire seas, or even descend into the Eighteen Layers of Hell. Yama's Hall is where your final fate as a ghost is sealed.
When a person dies, it doesn't mean it's truly over. Upon reaching the Underworld, depending on your good and evil deeds in life, you might have to die several more times without a burial place, forever losing the chance to be reincarnated as a human.
Enough of that; let’s see how I handle the task at hand!
Uncle Lin refused my request to see Lin Tai. With no other shortcuts available, I had no choice but to seal Chiang's soul along with Lin Tai within this paper figurine; this is what is known as a shadow body. I needed to chant spells to allow his soul to exit and accompany Chiang’s shadow body in searching for his past experiences.
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