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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 14: Ghost Month Taboos (Part 23)
The words that escaped these people were accompanied by a spicy aroma as they exclaimed, "Refreshing! We'll settle the score in autumn."
A group of us headed toward the empty house I was renting, with Mi, Fat Yi, and Uncle Zhang by my side. Curious glances were cast our way, perhaps because it wasn't the season for hot pot or because so many of us walking together seemed unusual. In any case, our group strutted through the wrong place at the wrong time, drawing attention.
"Qi, won't doing this shorten your life and invite retribution?" Uncle Zhang referred to my act of saving someone. A mortician should only serve the dead and not defy the natural laws of life and death by taking such a grave risk to save someone.
"Uncle Zhang, on the surface, it seems fine. I shouldn't have withheld the truth from you. The issue is that these people shouldn't have died because they possess a repentant heart. A prodigal son returning is worth more than gold. Moreover, it is not the souls of the deceased punishing them but rather those with ulterior motives who exploit the grievances of the deceased to extract evil spirits to harm others."
"Do you have evidence proving these people were meant to die? What makes them destined for death? How is this related to the accident at Hongqiao Supermarket Entrance?" Uncle Zhang debated with me, wanting to understand the situation clearly so he could assist me fully.
I understood Uncle Zhang and hoped he would understand me as well.
"Because their experiences are connected to recent events and dreams."
Uncle Zhang ceased his argument, looking up at the darkening sky, which resembled a gray cloth covering everything above us.
Mi and Fat Yi remained silent, quietly following behind. The sound of their footsteps mingled with the rustling of leaves stirred by the wind, creating a monotonous and lonely atmosphere.
Before it was completely dark, someone at the intersection lit incense and burned joss paper.
A police officer intervened while onlookers gathered. The person burning things eventually had to leave, casting a glance our way before gathering their belongings and walking away.
Uncle Zhang suddenly asked, "Do you know the history of Cobblestone Street?"
"I know a bit."
"Tell me about it."
Fat and Mi leaned in closer as they prepared to discuss Cobblestone Street.
"Cobblestone Street wasn't always called that; it used to be known as Corpse Road. During World War II, the bodies of our countrymen shot by the Island Nation Demons were piled up to the eaves."
"Well, at least you know some history. Given that, you must realize that the Yin Qi on Cobblestone Street is quite heavy. Bringing them here would be like walking into a trap, especially during Ghost Month—"
"They're being guided by someone, waiting for my help."
"Guided by whom?"
"I don't know, but I have a feeling it's him."
"Who?"
"Qin Ye."
Uncle Zhang stood with his hands behind his back, his old eyes sharp and piercing as he looked at me intently. "Ma Qi, you're being foolish. If anyone can guide them and you bring them here on your own accord, wouldn't that be a bad thing?"
Uncle Zhang's words weren't without reason, but I had considered this point as well.
Li Gui is an Evil Sorcerer; if he wanted to use Evil Arts to impersonate someone, he could easily do so. However, the dream I had on the bus, along with what I saw on Strange Mountain, and the fact that Qin Ye is elusive gave me confidence that bringing them here wouldn't lead to trouble.
"Uncle Zhang, my grandfather wanted to help the souls of Cobblestone Street find peace during his lifetime. He believed in the tranquility of this street. Unfortunately, he passed away before he could fulfill this wish, so I want to help him achieve it."
“Ma Qi, are you confused? This street is not as simple as you imagine or have heard. It used to be a cemetery; during World War II, there were too many deaths. At that time, this place was undeveloped and served as a burial ground, filled with unclaimed graves and the remains of those who had no one to mourn them. Later, developers came but did not remove the bones or perform any rites for the dead. They merely symbolically moved the tombstones while the bodies remained buried beneath the buildings constructed above.”
Uncle Zhang's words sent a chill down my spine; if that were true, things were indeed dire.
“What should we do?”
“I brought your grandfather's Tablet, as well as Lao Luo's.”
I felt truly unfilial; before he passed away, my grandfather had told me he didn't want any fuss, no Tablets or extravagant displays. So when he died, I honored his wishes by moving him to a dark room in a simple coffin, handling everything quietly and discreetly.
Thinking about it filled me with guilt.
What I didn't expect was that Uncle Zhang was thoughtful enough to not only honor my grandfather's Tablet but also Lao Luo's.
“Thank you so much, Uncle Zhang,” I said, tears welling in my eyes as I sincerely expressed my gratitude.
Fatty stood by anxiously, trying several times to interject but was shot down by my glare.
Mi also heard Uncle Zhang's words and couldn't help but sweat for me. “Brother Qi, what should we do?”
By this time, it had completely darkened, and there were no signs of life on the street. The traffic had gradually diminished; by nine o'clock, I figured the road would be deserted.
“It’s fine.” I reassured myself even though I felt a bit anxious inside. Looking up, I noticed a flash of blue lightning in the distance—was it going to rain tonight? That would not be good for us.
In just a few steps, I arrived at the empty house I was renting.
A dozen people stood outside waiting for me to open the door.
After I opened the door, I had Fatty take out the Ink Thread that my grandfather used to bind problematic coffins. Don’t underestimate this Ink Thread; according to my grandfather, it was passed down from Lu Ban. It possesses the energy to subdue demons and eliminate evil, and countless coffins have been bound with it, most of which were due to sudden incidents causing Corpse Transformation.
Putting aside the matter of Corpse Transformation, I needed to quickly think of a way to address the situation at hand.
Just as Uncle Zhang said, Qin Ye actually hadn’t spoken to anyone or made any connections. He certainly wouldn’t point anything out to these strangers; rather, there were ill-intentioned individuals lurking around. Temporarily trusting Uncle Zhang's words, I had to take corresponding measures, or else things would go terribly wrong.
I planned to use the Ink Thread to set up a Bagua Formation, with these thirteen people at the center of it. The purpose of arranging the Bagua Formation was to protect them from external harm and keep them away from evil influences.
I shared this idea, and Uncle Zhang expressed his approval.
Fatty had no opinion and could only follow whatever I decided.
Mi, however, remained silent.
"Why aren’t you speaking?"
"Brother Qi, do you really have thirteen people here?"
"Yes, why?"
"I think there are only twelve." Mi’s bright eyes scanned each person seriously and intently.
"Hey, what’s wrong with you? There are thirteen; how can you say there are twelve?"
Mi stared at one of the people. "Brother Qi, you can test it with something and you'll know."
"Dear, don't mess around. We’re short on time; we need to hurry."
Mi angrily replied, "If the Bagua Formation ultimately has only twelve people and one of them doesn’t exist, will you cause trouble?"
"Definitely," he said. "Her words have made me alert."
I weakly shouted at the person standing there, "You all stand straight and tell me your names one by one." Then I took out a Curved Lighter, which my grandfather had bought for me last time he went outsourcing.
It could only be used to light cigarettes. I pretended mysteriously, "This is a Soul Testing Device. If any of you is not 'human,' the Ritual will emit a beeping sound."
I thought Mi was daydreaming, making unnecessary guesses, but surprisingly this tactic worked. Among the thirteen people, one kept trying to hide behind others. In a split second, I unleashed a Soul Absorbing Talisman, chanting an incantation. Suddenly, an elderly voice shouted, "Don't! I'm not dead!" The soul entered the talisman, leaving the remaining twelve people in a panic, almost turning into chaos.
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