Volume Two: The Secret Burial in the Gorge Chapter 98: Framed and Slandered

I waved my hand dismissively. “Wait a moment. I just want to know, what does all this have to do with me?”

My third uncle smiled. “Of course it’s related. Because you share certain traits with those two people…”

I was taken aback. “You mean my birth date and time are the same as theirs?”

He shook his head. “Completely different.”

I scowled. “Are you kidding me? You say they’re completely different, yet you claim I have the same traits as them?”

Chu Liuyan caught her breath and continued, “A normal person’s birth chart maintains a balance of yin and yang. Even if it’s slightly off, it won’t be too severe. But those two individuals’ charts show they are ‘yin life’.”

“‘Yin life’? That’s getting more absurd by the minute. What does ‘yin life’ even mean?”

“More precisely, it means their nature lies somewhere between ghostly and human. Such people possess a latent ability known as the yin-yang eye. Given the right environment, this ability can be triggered.”

My third uncle added, “As for you, since you lost a ‘life lamp’, even though you’re not technically ‘yin life’, your yin energy is stronger than your yang, giving you similar attributes.”

Hearing this, sweat beaded on my forehead. I did see a ghost last night—could these two be telling the truth?

Chu Liuyan pulled a photo from the counter and handed it to me. “Take a look at this person. Do you recognize him?”

I took it and at first glance, the face seemed familiar. Upon closer thought, I suddenly realized—wasn’t this the person who ate human brains with Chu Liuyan last night?

“He… he was with you last night…” I stammered, pointing toward the eight-immortal table.

Chu Liuyan nodded. “Yes. This man works with me on cases and, like me, has become a half-corpse.”

I rubbed my head in disbelief. One half-corpse was already shocking enough; now there was another? It was truly uncanny.

Chu Liuyan pointed at the table. “Our bodies have partially transformed into a state between life and death. If untreated, we’ll slowly become full corpses and die. We can only stay in places heavy with yin energy—like mortuaries, funeral homes, or graveyards. But those places aren’t convenient, so we’ve taken refuge here. Many antiques in this shop are unearthed relics, so it’s a fitting place for us. He’s in the back. Do you want to meet him?”

I quickly shook my head like a rattle. “No, no… I don’t know him, and I’m not interested. I want to know why you’re dragging me into this mess.”

Chu Liuyan nodded and spoke plainly, “Then I’ll be direct. We want you to help us deliver a package to Nanliu Village. While you’re there, help us understand the situation and, if possible, find the two missing people.”

I immediately got angry. “What? You want me to go to that godforsaken ghost village and die like those other two couriers? What are you thinking? I’m not going.”

My third uncle also tried to persuade me. “Yangzi, we really have no other choice. Please help us.”

I was furious and pointed at him. “Li Dagang, are you trying to end our family line? Are you really my third uncle? How can you do this to your nephew? I don’t know how you got involved, but this is clearly a death sentence. If you want to go, go. But I won’t. I’m leaving—enjoy yourselves.”

My uncle hurriedly grabbed me and explained, “Nephew, don’t be so upset. I didn’t want you involved either. When I sent the package last night, I warned you not to look back. If you hadn’t looked back at the crossroads and had gone straight through, you wouldn’t have seen those two ghosts, and the senior brother wouldn’t have found you. But you didn’t listen, and he’s ruthless. I can’t protect you this time.”

Chu Liuyan said, “Yangzi, here’s the truth: when your uncle first came to Shenzhen, I helped him a lot. After this case happened, I asked him to help me with the investigation, and he couldn’t refuse. But none of us can enter Nanliu Village, so we thought of you.”

I waved my hand. “That’s your debt to my uncle, not me. I’m not a cop, and I’m not obligated to help with your case.”

Chu Liuyan's expression turned serious. “Li Yang, it depends on how you see it. As a citizen, you have a duty to assist the police. Besides, this case is highly prioritized by the authorities. They’ve issued a reward—though it’s classified and not public knowledge. If you provide clues, you could get 100,000 yuan; if you help solve the case, 300,000 yuan.”

I pointed at my uncle. “Now I see why you’re so eager. There’s a bonus involved. You’re willing to risk your nephew’s life for money—impressive.”

My uncle's face flushed red and pale as he protested, “It’s not as bad as you say.”

Seeing I still refused, Chu Liuyan’s tone hardened. He said quietly, “Li Yang, if you don’t cooperate, I’m sorry. I suspect you’re involved in a murder case, and I am preparing to report this to the city bureau and ask you to assist with the investigation.”

Hearing this, my head nearly exploded. I widened my eyes. “What? Murder? Are you joking?”

Chu Liuyan snorted coldly, pushed open the back door, and said, “Come with me and see for yourself.”

I hesitated but followed him into the back room.

The light in the back room was dim. A person lay on the bed.

As I approached, I recognized him—he was the one with Chu Liuyan last night. But now he was lying motionless, his chest not rising or falling. His face was ashen, as pale as a corpse.

Chu Liuyan stared at me and spoke softly, “At midnight last night, a murder occurred at Wushantang. A man from the antique shop was killed. Surveillance footage shows a suspicious man entering Wushantang. The victim’s time of death matches the time the man was there. A fruit knife left at the scene was matched to this man’s fingerprints. It’s preliminarily determined the knife was the murder weapon. This is suspected to be a home invasion and robbery turned homicide. The man is the prime suspect…”

My heart sank as I listened. I hurriedly stopped Chu Liuyan and asked, “He… he’s dead? But you said he was a half-corpse?”

Chu Liuyan nodded. “He died last night.”

I staggered back in fright and almost fell. I protested, “He’s dead? It has nothing to do with me. I didn’t kill him, I didn’t kill him…”

My third uncle seemed surprised too and said to Chu Liuyan, “Chu Liuyan, what you’re doing is a bit harsh.”

Chu Liuyan shrugged. “I have no choice. Your nephew won’t cooperate. Do we have any other options?”

I pointed at Chu Liuyan and shouted, “How dare you frame me! You’re setting me up.”

(The end of this chapter)