Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Living Funeral
As soon as those words fell, both Gao Ling and I turned around abruptly at the same time. My heart raced, but when I looked back, I saw a stranger's face.
It was a girl with long hair and a pretty face. She wore a short-sleeved top that revealed her midriff and a pair of rolled-up jeans.
I was momentarily stunned before asking, "Who are you?"
She replied, "I was just about to ask you the same thing. What are you doing at my uncle's house in the middle of the night?"
Uncle? I murmured to myself, quickly recalling the connection.
I glanced at Gao Ling, who was rolling her eyes. "Gao Qing, when did you get back?"
Gao Qing said, "I just got back. As soon as I arrived, I couldn't wait to come to my uncle's house because I found this." With that, Gao Qing pulled out a piece of paper from her pocket, which had a pattern stamped on it.
Seeing that pattern, both Gao Ling and I asked simultaneously, "Where did you get that?" It was identical to what we had discovered.
Gao Qing teased us, "Haven't you already figured out a lot? And why did you come to my uncle's house without permission? Is there some kind of conspiracy?"
Gao Ling retorted, "Why are you talking to your brother like that?"
Gao Qing replied, "I can't control what you want to do, but don't interfere with what I want."
After saying this, Gao Qing walked over to the pillar that bore the same pattern. Gao Ling grumbled, "Fly! My sister has gotten wild following our parents around; don't take it personally!"
Before I could respond, Gao Qing interjected, "Gao Ling, stop talking nonsense."
The sibling argument continued.
I opened the computer webpage and continued to look at it. On the fifth image, the numbers 198 appeared.
These numbers were written by hand, and they must have some special meaning. I typed the full name of the funeral home along with the four digits into the search box, but the search returned no results.
This seemed impossible!
Zhang Xun must know what this pattern means; it's just that Zhang Xun isn't here right now.
I sat in front of the computer in a daze. At that moment, the two siblings had also fallen silent, both staring at the pattern on the pillar, while Gao Qing murmured something I couldn't catch.
Gao Ling walked over and asked me if I had discovered anything. I shook my head in response.
Gao Ling then turned to Gao Qing and asked, "Where did that pattern come from? Did you come back just for this pattern?"
Gao Qing replied, "No, that's not it. Actually, I came back because of something at Uncle Liang's house."
"What happened at Uncle Liang's house?" Gao Ling asked.
Gao Qing said, "Didn't Mom and Dad tell you? Uncle Liang's son seems to be possessed. They wanted me to come back and take a look."
Gao Ling quickly responded with a tone of disdain, "With me and Uncle here, why would Uncle Liang's son need you to check on him?"
Gao Qing retorted, "Gao Ling, just because you can't do anything doesn't mean others can't either. To be honest, I've suspected something was wrong with Uncle for a long time. I noticed this pattern three years ago. My dear brother, how could you only just realize it? Are you really that slow?"
Gao Ling: …
I looked at the two siblings and felt a wave of speechlessness wash over me. They both seemed to think their uncle was not a good person.
After a moment, Gao Ling asked, "So, did you discover anything?" Just by looking at you, I can tell you haven't found much, but I, Brother Fei, have made a significant discovery.
At that moment, I was thinking of sending a picture to Zhang Xun to get his opinion. So, I stood up and took a photo of the pattern on the pillar, then sent it to Zhang Xun.
Gao Qing then asked me, "Did you find something?"
I had videos and photos; I knew more than Gao Qing did, but he must have known something as well.
I shook my head.
Gao Qing leaned closer and said, "Actually, I can trade with you."
I suggested that Gao Qing go first, but he insisted that I should go first. After thinking for a moment, I said, "This pattern might be the emblem of some mysterious organization."
As soon as I finished speaking, Gao Qing retorted, "Is that all? You really lack sincerity."
After saying that, Gao Qing added, "I'm heading to Uncle Liang's place now. Call me when you have some sincerity. Remember, I know much more than you think."
Upon hearing that Gao Qing was going to Uncle Liang's house, Gao Ling wanted to go too. However, Gao Qing said, "You don't need to go. Mom and Dad didn't tell you because they were afraid you'd cause trouble." Gao Ling's pride was hurt; she stubbornly insisted on going along.
With both Gao Ling and Gao Qing about to leave, I naturally followed them.
I still hadn't received a reply from Zhang Xun regarding the message I sent earlier. So, I sent another message asking what secrets were hidden behind this pattern.
However, this message seemed to sink into the sea without any response for a long time.
I fell silent as the three of us took a car directly to Uncle Liang's house.
Gao Ling told me that Uncle Liang and my dad were old friends. Uncle Liang had a son late in life, so he was exceptionally indulgent. Now that his precious son was in trouble, Uncle Liang must be extremely anxious.
I nodded in acknowledgment, indicating that I understood.
This area was upscale, and it was around five in the morning. After Gao Qing spoke with the district security, we entered. I surveyed the tall buildings in the area and noticed only a few were lit up, so Uncle Liang must live in one of those.
My guess was correct. After making a phone call, Gao Qing quickly led me to Building A6.
Once inside, I sensed something was off. The atmosphere felt strange, and there was a strong smell of blood permeating the air—either from a chicken or from Black Dog Blood.
The interior was simply and modestly decorated.
Gao Ling and Gao Qing called out for Uncle Liang simultaneously. Uncle Liang responded, "You’re here."
Gao Qing and Gao Ling replied in unison.
However, I noticed Uncle Liang's gaze quickly fell on me. I nodded in greeting, and he managed to force a smile from the corner of his mouth. Gao Ling promptly introduced me, then asked, "How is Yao Hua doing?"
At the mention of Yao Hua, Uncle Liang sighed heavily. His expression looked grim. After a moment of hesitation, he said, "Come with me."
Gao Qing reassured Uncle Liang not to worry too much; Yao Hua would be fine. We soon entered the bedroom, where I saw an eight or nine-year-old boy lying on the bed. He appeared to be in a deep sleep, but what shocked me was that he was bound with thick ropes and had a cloth stuffed in his mouth.
Gao Qing looked at him and asked, "What happened to Yao Hua?"
Uncle Liang replied, "I had no choice. After Hua Zhongxie harmed himself, I was afraid he might hurt himself again or bite his tongue off, so I had to do this."
Listening to Uncle Liang, I couldn't help but think this seemed excessive for an eight or nine-year-old boy. Did he really need to be tied up like this?
Gao Qing quickly walked over to Hua's side.
Gao Ling asked me, "Brother Fei, have you noticed anything unusual?"
I shook my head.
Gao Ling leaned in closer to take a look and noticed that the boy's face was pale, with beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He was likely having a nightmare. Gao Qing immediately reached out to touch Hua. But in the next moment, Hua suddenly opened his eyes wide, bloodshot and filled with terror. Seeing him like this, a phrase popped into my mind: "a fierce visage." I wasn't sure if it was appropriate to use this term for the boy, but it was the first thing that came to me.
Gao Qing suddenly asked anxiously, "Where did the vermilion on Hua's forehead come from?"
Uncle Liang quickly replied, "The vermilion was given to me by a traveler outside. He claimed to have some divination skills. He stopped me on the road and said someone in my family was possessed. I was frantic, so in my desperation, I took his advice. He gave me a packet of vermilion and told me to apply it to Hua's forehead. At first, it seemed to work, but as time went on, its effectiveness diminished."
Gao Ling said, "Gao Qing, that's not wrong! Vermilion is meant to ward off evil spirits; Uncle Liang didn't make a mistake."
But Gao Qing suddenly retorted, "What do you know!"
Comment 0 Comment Count