Volume One: The Graveyard of Eight Coffins Chapter 45: The Mastermind Behind the Scenes

Third Uncle shook his head. “This leads directly to the question you just raised—the one who was advising Wu Tianxiong. That person has always operated from the shadows, never showing himself. It was likely him who used the flute to control the corpses and manipulated the elevator with the magnetic fields of yin and yang. I suspect his assistance to Wu Tianxiong was not without ulterior motives. He may be after the Record of Haunted Houses itself. Take a look here…”

As he spoke, Third Uncle turned the sheepskin scroll to the last page.

I noticed that at the end of the scroll, there was a cleanly cut edge, suggesting several pages had once been attached but were sliced away with a sharp instrument.

Third Uncle continued, “See that? There was more to the Record of Haunted Houses. What exactly was written, and why it was removed, is a mystery. Perhaps the missing pages contained something crucial, and that mysterious advisor was after them.”

I had to admit, Third Uncle’s reasoning was sound. Yet, some things remain impossible to guess before the truth is known.

Third Uncle evidently didn’t wish to speculate further. He patted the sheepskin scroll and said, “Even half this book is more than enough for us to digest over a lifetime. As for the aftermath of Tianyou Plaza, those matters are relatively simple, so there’s no need for us to meddle any longer. Let’s get a good rest tonight, and set out for home tomorrow morning.”

I nodded; the time for departure had come, and a faint sense of melancholy welled up inside me.

Noticing my mood, Third Uncle suddenly winked at me. “Are you reluctant to leave, still thinking about someone?”

I glared at him. “What nonsense are you talking about? There’s nothing to be reluctant about.”

He chuckled, patting my shoulder. “Nephew, I’ve been around the block—nothing escapes my eyes. If you’re missing someone, go see them. It’s not a big deal.”

I waved him off, telling him to stop his foolish talk.

Early the next morning, Third Uncle and I packed our things and left the hotel, bound for Shenzhen. I made sure to return Liang Yue’s car key to her room, so she would see it when she checked out.

Standing by the roadside, we were about to hail a taxi when a white sedan sped towards us, screeching to a halt with a sharp braking sound that startled me. Anger flared up within me, just as the car door opened and Liang Yue emerged.

She wore oversized sunglasses that covered half her face; I barely recognized her.

She waved at us and called out, “What’s this, you two masters leaving without so much as a goodbye?”

Upon seeing Liang Yue, I hurried over, concerned. “You… Are you alright now?”

Her expression was stern. “Surprised you actually care whether I’m alright or not.”

“Of course I do. I’ve always cared,” I replied.

Liang Yue suddenly raised her voice, shouting at me, “If you cared, why didn’t you call me? If you cared, why didn’t you come to see me? Well?”

I frowned, bewildered by her shifting moods, and tried to explain, “I was…”

Before I could finish, she covered her ears. “I don’t want to hear it, I don’t want to hear it…”

I was both amused and helpless. This girl left me with no temper at all. Third Uncle stood by, his face flushed, trying hard not to laugh—he probably didn’t dare provoke Liang Yue either.

Growing impatient, I waved my hand. “Listen, believe what you want. We’re heading back to Shenzhen now. As long as you’re alright, goodbye.”

I pulled Third Uncle away, ignoring Liang Yue and preparing to hail a taxi.

But Liang Yue caught my sleeve. “Why are you yelling? You left me alone in the underground parking lot and you think you’re in the right? I haven’t even settled the score with you, and now you’re raising your voice?”

“You…” I was at a loss, blushing from her retort.

Third Uncle interjected, “Alright, you two. Clearly you both care, so why keep bickering? Carry on with your lovers’ quarrel, but I, Daoist Li, haven’t got time to keep you company…”

“Daoist Li!” Liang Yue called after him, exasperated.

Third Uncle, thick-skinned and unflappable, seemed to have found the perfect way to handle Liang Yue. She had no choice but to lower her voice. “Get in the car. My uncle asked me to drive you back to Shenzhen.”

I waved her off. “That’s not necessary.”

Liang Yue put her hands on her hips, glancing at Third Uncle’s suitcase and grinning. “Oh, now that you’ve got money, you’re tough, huh? Aren’t you worried that traveling with cash might be unsafe?”

Third Uncle didn’t bother arguing. He dragged me into the car, calling out to Liang Yue, “Thanks to Mr. Wu and Assistant Liang, then.”

Liang Yue snorted, started the engine, and drove straight out of the city, heading for Shenzhen via the expressway.

On the road, I couldn’t help but ask Liang Yue, “How is Wu Tianxiong?”

She answered irritably, “He’s currently detained, but there’s no evidence directly linking him to those who jumped to their deaths. The bone flute isn’t considered evidence either. However, his homemade firearm counts as illegal possession, which is a crime. My uncle has already hired a lawyer, so we’ll wait for the verdict.”

I said, “What about those hanged Daoists? None of that was pinned on Wu Tianxiong? And another thing I don’t understand—if everything at Tianyou Plaza was orchestrated by him, why was he so eager to bring us in to help Mr. Wu resolve the feng shui issues?”

“I do know a bit about that,” Liang Yue replied. “Like you, those Daoists were hired by Wu Tianxiong to help my uncle fix the feng shui. But their cultivation wasn’t high enough, so all of them died underground. He wanted you, Third Uncle, because your spiritual cultivation was strong enough. Wu Tianxiong planned to use your pure soul to ignite my uncle’s final life lamp. That was likely his original intention in seeking you out.”

I nodded. “Impure energy, the soul of the Dao, can nurture Mo Tuoluo. I never imagined a pure soul could also kindle the life lamp.”

Third Uncle then asked, “What about the tomb underground—how will it be handled?”

Liang Yue shook her head. “I’m not sure about the details, but my uncle doesn’t want more people to know. Most likely, it’ll be backfilled.”

Third Uncle nodded. “I’ve already spoken to Old Xiao. The feng shui of that place isn’t something that can be changed overnight. After the tomb is filled, they can erect a tablet bearing Wu Baozhang’s name. On the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month, just follow the proper rituals for incense and offerings. The rest—like the color of the building and the name of Tianyou Corpse Market—will need to be changed as well.”

Liang Yue nodded. “Uncle Xiao has already begun preparations.”

Suddenly remembering something, I asked, “Did Old Ma return to see your uncle?”

“Old Ma? I don’t know him.” Liang Yue shook her head.

(End of this chapter)