The World Below Surface
Chapter 65 The Funeral Procession

As the crowd streamed out of the hall, Lu Yan moved among them. Initially, a subdued hush draped over everyone, but the moment they stepped beyond the hall's threshold, the tension dissolved, and conversations sprang to life.

Meanwhile, Li Li lingered within the memorial hall. Her gaze swept around the room, and she gently tapped the coffin. After a few whispered words, she swaggered out, her hands casually tucked into her pockets as her braids swayed with each confident step.

The village head, however, remained behind, securing the door. As the latch clicked into place, an eerie stillness enshrouded the courtyard.

After a while, faint yet unmistakable scratching sounds reverberated from inside the coffin.

At that very moment, a message from Luo Ying reached Lu Yan, instructing him to find a way to slip away and rendezvous with her in the courtyard. She claimed to have made a significant discovery.

Without a moment's hesitation, Lu Yan maneuvered through the crowd, offering casual greetings as he made his rounds. Completing his circuit, he realized Li Li was conspicuously absent. Swiftly, he melded into the throng, his path taking him to the far end of the small courtyard.

And there stood Luo Ying, awaiting his arrival. Her voice carried a hushed urgency as she spoke, "We must open the coffin now. There's something crucial we require from this old woman."

"But she's undead."

Luo Ying shook her head. "Fret not, I have a plan. I summoned you because you still bear her aura. For the time being, she won't be able to harm you."

"And what's on her?"

"That's not your immediate concern. Just know that time is of the essence after her burial. The village cemetery is forbidden territory. I can only enter with a villager as my guide."

As the gravity of the situation settled upon him, Lu Yan's initial suspicions deepened.

Clearly, her intentions exceeded mere proselytization.

Luo Ying's voice took on a fervent cadence. "For the glory of God's gospel, sacrifices are an honor. The all-knowing God above shall undoubtedly bestow blessings upon you."

Lu Yan harbored doubts about a "God" that exacted payment through unsettling means. Nevertheless, the urgency to unveil this "God's" desires became paramount.

In the Village of the Heavenly Immortals, what could possibly attract the covetous desires of this deity?

With measured caution, they pried apart the lock and slipped into the courtyard. Before the main hall, two smoldering heaps of paper money still exhaled smoke into the air. The pale paper figures, their mouths painted in crimson, sat by the fire pit, their enigmatic smiles staring outward.

Beneath a wreath lay a rooster with its throat slit, life extinguished. Adjacent to it rested a small bowl brimming with viscous chicken blood. Li Li had employed the blood to seal the coffin, leaving a trail of crimson behind.

Luo Ying wielded a specialized tool, extracting nails with remarkable skill; in just over ten seconds, a nail would yield. Lu Yan collected the nails for her, his senses alert for any signs of impending figures.

A scratching noise emerged from within, sending shivers down their spines.

Luo Ying's expression grew somber. "It's indeed a revenant (诈尸: zhà shī, a term used to describe a deceased person who has returned from the dead, often with malevolent intentions.). Stay vigilant." Despite her words, her pace quickened, intensifying the urgency.

Lu Yan inquired, "Are you absolutely sure?"

With unwavering certainty, Luo Ying nodded. "As long as the villagers don't catch us."

With deft fingers, she extracted the final nail.

The once-persistent scratching abruptly halted, leaving silence in its wake.

A subtle but undeniable tension filled her eyes. Her hand hesitated atop the coffin lid momentarily, then resolutely pushed forward.

A faint "creak" echoed as the lid gave way.

The scent that billowed out was overpoweringly putrid, nearly enough to induce fainting. This malodorous haze seemed almost tangible, carrying an eerie hue that dispersed like mist. They instinctively stepped back, evading the gas, wary of potential toxins.

Luo Ying approached cautiously, her steps measured and deliberate. Inside the coffin lay an old woman, her face sunken and frail, adorned in a vibrant silk shroud. But what caught the eye wasn't the jade ornaments adorning her ears, wrists, and mouth—it was the delicate layer of downy fur that covered her withered features.

This fur was unmistakably mammalian, a bizarre visage resembling both a cat and a human. Her pointed fangs protruded slightly, and her hands, resting on her waist, bore menacing claws that added to the aura of horror.

Fixing her gaze, Luo Ying flicked a small object into the coffin, then signaled to Lu Yan to step forward. She handed him a plastic glove, whispering urgently, "Retrieve the item from her mouth."

Seeing his hesitation, she pressed, "You've spent days in that person's house. She won't pose a threat to you right now. Hasten, take it and go!"

With a deep breath, Lu Yan donned the glove, extending his hand tentatively toward the unsettling sight. He too yearned to uncover the motive behind Luo Ying's insistence.

The jade artifact within the old woman's mouth held its peculiar shape, forcing her mouth agape to reveal the glint of sharp teeth. As Lu Yan's fingertip approached the jade, a chilling breath surged forth, almost numbing his fingers even through the protective layer of the glove. After a moment's pause, he swiftly extracted the jade piece.

"Quick!" urged Luo Ying, her hand now at the coffin's edge, pushing forcefully. Unexpectedly, just as the lid was about to close, the old woman's eyes snapped open. In a seamless motion, she rose from her resting place, her body erect.

"Trouble!" Luo Ying exclaimed, her strength driving the lid forward. But what she hadn't anticipated was the old woman's cunning. With unexpected intelligence, she seized Lu Yan, whose hand had yet to retreat fully, and pulled him into the coffin's dark interior. Employing inertia, she exited the coffin in the blink of an eye, the two of them seamlessly trading places.

It all happened in the blink of an eye. The coffin sealed shut with a jarring snap, and the old woman sprang forth, now atop the coffin's lid. Her throat emitted an unearthly, guttural roar—a sound akin to a primal beast.

"Who's in there?!" came the villagers' panicked cries from beyond the door.

Vertical pupils remained fixed upon Luo Ying, unsettling her to her core. Suddenly, the old lady lunged forward, her claws grazing Luo Ying as she failed to evade in time, before she leapt up, vanishing into thin air.

With no time to spare, Luo Ying hastily hammered a couple of nails and rushed out. Just before her departure, she threw a remark, "I'll come find you! Hold on."

Meanwhile, Lu Yan lay trapped within the pitch-black coffin. His intention to pry open the lid was shattered as the courtyard gate swung forcefully ajar.

"What's amiss? Trouble again?" The village chief's voice carried an edge of urgency.

A group of villagers trailed behind him, their eyes widening in shock. "Village chief, the nails on the coffin..."

"Even the rooster blood thread snapped!"

"Quickly! Reattach it!"

Lu Yan's thoughts were singular - he needed help. Yet, the coffin seemed to possess an uncanny quality. He bellowed repeatedly, his cries echoing, but his pleas were lost amidst the villagers' conversation. With a deep breath, he silenced himself, preserving his dwindling oxygen. Instead, he rapped his knuckles against the coffin's interior.

"Wait, there's a noise from inside!"

"Hurry, hurry! Nail it down faster! Complete the burial!"

The rhythmic thuds failed to prompt the villagers to entertain the possibility of a living presence within. The old lady's daytime resurrection had already rattled their nerves. Without hesitation, they secured the coffin just as before. Guided by the village chief, a thread was sealed with rooster blood, marking the coffin's lid.

"Grandma's words were clear - if there's another revival, bury it immediately, day or night. Move it there!" The village chief's decree spurred the residents into action. Swiftly, a cadre of strapping young men congregated in the courtyard, their clamor resonating.

Uncle Zhang stood there, scanning the surroundings, yet failing to catch a glimpse of Lu Yan's presence. He figured Lu Yan was probably goofing off somewhere, and a muttered curse slipped from his lips.

Though Grandma's cautionary words still lingered, the possibility of his son's participation seemed slim. With little choice, Uncle Zhang found himself swept along with the rest of the group.

Bearing a robust and sturdy frame, he was naturally tasked by the village head to shoulder the weight of the coffin.

Tasks were swiftly assigned among the group, and soon enough, the melancholic melody of the suona reverberated through the courtyard once more.

High-pitched and clear, the notes made one's entire being tremble from the soles of their feet to the crown of their head, almost as if the music was reaching into their very soul.

Within the coffin lay Lu Yan, his form rendered rigid.

Whether it was due to the jade ornaments or some trick with the coffin itself, a chilling sensation enveloped him from all sides, causing Lu Yan's limbs to gradually stiffen.

An attempt to emit sound proved arduous; even his throat felt obstructed by the frigidity.

What could this be...?

How am I to proceed?

The cold bore such intensity that it seemed to freeze his thoughts. Resting on the velvety silk, Lu Yan experienced a sensation akin to being within an icebound cellar.

Such an all-encompassing chill...

He inched his body into a fetal position, quivering incessantly.

Then, a sensation from beneath.

The coffin stirred, lifting, and began to move outward.

Whether it was the distant shouts, the echoes of others' cries, or even the mingling symphony of firecrackers, suona horns, and erhu, Lu Yan found it difficult to discern. Huddled within the expanse of the spacious coffin, the soft, cold silk beneath him quivered incessantly. His trembling had turned the once-smooth cushion beneath him into a disarray of rumpled fabric, which he hastily pulled closer, hoping to glean a modicum of warmth from it.

The courtyard gate, aged and timeworn, let out a mournful creak as it swung open, unleashing the mountain wind. It bore with it the distinct aroma of the forest, a scent that held both familiarity and an unshakable sense of unease.

...

Down the winding road, a car sped by, its headlights cutting through the night and painting the path ahead with streaks of white light.

"Shh, did you hear that?" Lin Chu's voice was a mere whisper, her eyes widening abruptly as she pressed against the rear window. She lowered it slowly, and on the wind, faint notes of a discordant melody tiptoed into the car.

Yu Xiang Guang furrowed his brow as he strained to listen. "Why does it sound like funeral music?"

"Could someone be getting buried?"

The implication that they were drawing closer to the village sent a shiver of both anticipation and anxiety through the group.

"Who holds a funeral at this hour…" came a soft inquiry from within the car, a voice tinged with bewilderment.

"Enough speculation. Let's investigate, but with caution and respect. We can't afford to transgress any taboos," Lin Xue Yuan's words were a reminder, a steady anchor in the midst of mounting uncertainty.

The vehicle pressed on, its tires devouring the road beneath, until a surprising twist of fate curtailed the mountain path far sooner than anticipated. Here, the landscape softened, as if nature itself exhaled a sigh of relief. Verdant trees, their leaves a riot of emerald, danced gracefully in the wind, forming a serene corridor on either side.

Continuing their journey, the distant echo of suona horns began to crescendo, a haunting melody that tugged at their senses. Gradually, through the thick tapestry of trees, a sight emerged - a procession, solemn and unhurried, winding its way like a mournful river.

A funeral procession it was, unmistakably.

At the head, two young men raised aloft their hands, releasing yellow and white paper money that fluttered like fragile hopes into the open air. Following them, figures draped in somber sackcloth and mourning bands mourned in quiet solidarity. Amidst the assembly, a cadre of stalwart men bore a weighty burden on their shoulders - a coffin.

The casket, an imposing load, caused even the unyielding wooden poles to bow, a testament to its heft. Yet, these strapping men, accustomed to the burden of labor, moved forward with an understated strength. Notably, a contingent of individuals trailed behind, their hands gripping stout wooden stools, poised to offer respite should it be required.

Shadows and souls entwined, a communal dance of existence. Such a sight unfurled before the occupants of the car.

On the opposite side, the figure evidently caught the glimmer from their car's headlights. The car's speed decelerated, finally halting as it drew near. Gradually, the two groups converged.

Seeing that the figures ahead might be locals, a few members of the team got out of the car. An Xing Yu led the way, extending a greeting to the person at the forefront, explaining that they were journeying back from a distant region to honor their forebears.

"Ah?... Oh, I see, you're here to pay your respects to your ancestors? Well, come on in, welcome! A couple of days back, two other folks came to do the same, but they ain't here now. Probably taking a rest in the village," the villagers responded warmly, with the village head setting the pace for hospitality. If it weren't for the things they held in their hands, they might've been tempted to hug the whole bunch.

His words left the team members exchanging puzzled looks.

Others had also come to honor their ancestors?

Could they be on a mission too?

The village head interjected, "Hey, young man, we're quite busy at the moment. Save the chat for later and make your way to the village."

Curious, Yu Huan inquired, "How much longer until we reach the village?"

A member of the group gestured behind them, explaining, "Stay on the main road without any turns, keep driving straight, and you should spot it in about ten minutes."

Only ten minutes away? But the navigation had predicted several hours just a mere ten minutes ago.

Had they been wandering in circles earlier?

Yu Huan refrained from voicing his suspicion aloud, his gaze filled with doubt. Thanking the villagers, he returned to the car. Meanwhile, the navigation chimed in once more, "...Distance to the Village of the Heavenly Immortals is three and a half kilometers..."

The once soothing electronic voice now sent shivers down their spines.

Despite the unsettling events, they had no choice but to press on toward Tiger Mountain. Xie Zi Qing and Yu Huan swapped seats upon settling in, allowing the lengthy funeral procession to pass by the side of their car.

Leaning against the window, Lin Chu offered smiles and greetings to the villagers. Her gaze swept across each person, and as the weighty coffin passed within a meter of her, she caught a faint sound.

That sound... it came from within the coffin!

Although Lin Chu had steeled herself mentally for encountering supernatural occurrences that defied scientific explanation during the mission, confronting death and the eerie in real life proved to be an entirely different ordeal. In a mere heartbeat, a shiver raced down her spine, every strand of her hair stood on end, and a prickling sensation rippled across her scalp. It was so intense that her breath quickened involuntarily.

Beyond the realm of death, aside from the gradual decay into a lifeless body, could there exist other forms?

What were ghosts, really? And how did this world accommodate their existence?

Unconsciously, her grasp on her own hand tightened. The insatiable thirst for knowledge within her propelled the words "I need to see this" from her lips, and she promptly swung open the car door to trail along. Sporting her trademark winsome smile, which had proven advantageous on many occasions, she addressed the villagers, "Can I join in the ritual? No need to worry; I won't be a bother."

Only moments ago, the villagers had been brimming with enthusiasm, but now they waved her away and declined, "No, it's not fitting for a young lady like you. Your aura carries potent Yin energy. You should head back."

Upon receiving this perplexing explanation about her yin energy, Lin Chu simply shrugged and replied, "Alright then, I'll head back." With those words, she pivoted and retraced her steps, slipping back into the car under the watchful gazes of the villagers.

The rest of the group remained completely unaware that Lin Chu had such a daring move up her sleeve. Even before anyone else could voice their thoughts, Lin Chu raised a finger to her lips, her expression urging silence. "Let's drive a bit further ahead," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I'm planning to slip out of the car quietly and tail them."

"But they explicitly warned us not to follow them," someone piped up, concern evident in their voice.

"I know, but I feel the need to find out," Lin Chu replied, her eyes shifting from the rearview mirror to the procession ahead. "I swear I heard a faint noise coming from the coffin just a moment ago. Investigating is the right thing to do. Don't worry, I won't put myself in unnecessary danger."

Her words left the others even more unsettled. Yu Xiang Guang reached out and tugged at the fabric of Lin Chu's sleeve, his expression pleading. "Can't we just stick to the plan and head to the Village of the Heavenly Immortals?"

Lin Chu gently pulled her sleeve from his grasp, shaking her head. "The instructions for this mission, the ones we found on the website, often require us to actively seek out clues. Waiting around might lead us to our demise without us even realizing what's happening.

— And did anyone else notice?" Lin Chu continued, her gaze encompassing the group. "This funeral procession is heading in the wrong direction. We just came from this very road. Did any of you see a graveyard on our way here?"

One by one, the others shook their heads, realization dawning on their faces.

"So, where are they intending to take the body for burial?" This question rendered everyone speechless.

As the vehicles slowly advanced, the procession in the rearview mirror diminished in size. Lin Chu commented softly, "Alright, please stop here."

Responding, Yu Huan gently pressed the brake pedal. After a moment of indecision—uncertain whether to admire her courage or pray for her safety—he finally spoke, "You take care and try to stay out of trouble."

Lin Chu nodded. "Don't worry, I'll stay connected through texts." With those words, she swiftly opened the car door and leaped out, having recently changed into a dark coat. She seamlessly melded into the night.

The lengthy funeral procession maintained its course, while Lin Chu trailed behind in the distance. Thanks to the band, the grand and melodious music resonated exceptionally clear in the pitch-black night, aiding Lin Chu in her steady pace.

With utmost caution, Lin Chu adjusted the brightness of her phone to its lowest setting. After plotting out the route on her notepad and saving it, she maintained an unblinking focus on the path stretching ahead.

The procession's chosen route seemed rather peculiar. Following the path they had initially taken to reach this point, they veered abruptly into the uncharted woods up ahead.

What could be going on?

Making a mental note of this, Lin Chu discreetly captured a few photographs, intending to share them in the group chat. With that task done, she seamlessly resumed her pace with the funeral procession.

Within the group chat, eyes widened as several individuals strained to discern the details in the photographs she had snapped. Yu Huan joined this collective effort, scrolling through the images one by one. Suddenly, his pupils contracted sharply. An icy shiver slithered up his spine, prompting an involuntary shudder.

"Quick, look at the seventh picture, top left corner! Am I the only one seeing this?!" Yu Huan promptly alerted the others, a hint of dryness betraying his throat.

At his words, Lin Xue Yuan instinctively held her phone at a distance, cautiously navigating to the seventh picture. An Xing Yu mirrored her action, zeroing in on the indicated spot in the top left corner and employing a two-finger zoom.

The photograph predominantly showcased trees, clearly marking her entry into the forest. However, what sent a chill down Yu Huan's spine was the faint, nearly imperceptible visage of an elderly woman, emerging like a ghostly specter from behind the branches in the upper left corner.

An Xing Yu's heart quivered, though he masked the reaction behind a composed expression. He zoomed on the photo once more, detecting an oddity in the old person's face.

The face appeared emaciated, bluish in hue, wearing a sinister yet bristled grin – akin, at first glance, to the visage of a lynx.

"Notify Lin Chu about this; there could be danger," An Xing Yu urged.

After making a few adjustments to the photo, he encircled it with a red line and forwarded it again. However, silence hung in the air, with no immediate response from the other end.

Unaware of their revelation, Lin Chu proceeded, perceiving the current scene as entirely ordinary. With each stride, she captured fleeting moments and sent them to chat. Strangely, her phone remained devoid of any feedback!

Yu Huan's anxiety mounted as he continued his vigil. "What do we do? Chu Chu is still sending images, but she's not acknowledging me."

The group chat overflowed with snapshots and Lin Chu's journal-like entries – her distance covered, her emotional state, and more. Yet, in the series of pictures she shared, the old lady with the feline resemblance drew nearer, growing larger in the frame with each shot.

"Must've been bewitched, a common occurrence in previous missions," An Xing Yu murmured, drawing in a deep breath. He swiped through the photos, one after another. "From now on, none of you should glance at your phones. I'll handle this alone. If anything eerie unfolds, I'll ditch the phone immediately."

With a spare phone in tow, An Xing Yu had come prepared. At his suggestion, fear had already cast its shadow, prompting everyone to hastily exit the chat interface. Only he remained, meticulously dissecting each photo.

Before long, they found themselves at the entrance of the Village of the Heavenly Immortals. Sᴇaʀᴄh the NʘvᴇlFɪre.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

Meanwhile, Lin Chu shadowed the funeral presetion's every move, her steps navigating the twists and turns. She pressed forward along the rough path that cut through the dense forest. Mentally, she plotted the course and realized the group was unmistakably skirting the mountain looming before them.

Skirting around to the mountain's rear?

She furrowed her brows in puzzlement.

Within the confines of the coffin, Lu Yan's body was nearly immobilized.

He could still recall Luo Ying's earlier action, casting something into the coffin. Summoning his final reserves of strength, he reached out and clutched it. With considerable exertion, a modicum of clarity returned.

And now, he found himself... still inside the coffin...

No, he couldn't afford to be trapped.

A lingering sensation of suspension clung beneath him as the team pressed ahead, forging deeper into the unknown.

Where were they headed? What was their intended burial site for the coffin?

Now, at this very moment, the funeral procession had finally reached the forest's edge. One by one, the procession members stepped forward; each person followed by the next.

As the coffin emerged from the woods, a surprising change swept over Lu Yan - the icy grip that had engulfed him faded away, much to his astonishment.

It was as if the frigid paralysis he had just experienced was a mere illusion. In his grasp, he held the item Luo Ying had cast into the coffin, while his other hand subconsciously clutched the jade artifact retrieved from the old lady's mouth. Inside the coffin, he lay, sensing the oxygen slowly thinning, slipping away.

Audible voices drifted in from outside.

"At long last, we've arrived. Everyone, let's put in an extra push and move forward!"

"No need to fret about anything once we're here. Let's hasten the process and lay it to rest."

"Where exactly is the old lady's grave?"

The village chief's voice seeped through, muffled by the dense layers, rendering it challenging to decipher with clarity; only fragments were discernible, just enough to comprehend that he led from the forefront.

With even greater control over his breath, Lu Yan retrieved a metal knife from his pocket and, recalling the coffin's design, pinpointed a spot to begin his work, initiating a careful drilling.

Now, his lungs were screaming for air.

The soft yet insistent sound of wood being slowly drilled into the ears of those outside. Though not deafening, it refused to be dismissed entirely. Among the stout men laboring under the weight of the coffin, one abruptly froze, his muscles tense.

"Village Chief, Chief," his voice quivered, "there's something still making noise from within."

The Village Chief jolted, his usual composure slipping as he gestured urgently, "Quick, quick, don't dawdle! Hurry over there!"

Lu Yan felt it distinctly – the collective pace of the group surged ahead. He fought to regulate his breathing, his fingers never pausing in their meticulous task. Eventually, the thick coffin yielded, exposing a minuscule opening, scarcely wider than half a fingernail, yet sufficient.

Strategically positioned within the shadow cast by the coffin's lid, the addition of this hole went unnoticed. With the hole finally complete, Lu Yan leaned in close, greedily drinking in the fresh air.

Only now did he find a moment for coherent thought. What had just happened? Why did that stiff, icy sensation vanish in an instant?

Peering through this tiny peephole, he traced the procession's advancement. Lu Yan mulled over his potential escape when, seemingly guided by a mysterious influence, his mind conjured an image of the bone whistle that Li Li had entrusted to him.

Should he use it now?

Yet, he hesitated to resort to such a drastic measure unless cornered. The bone whistle possessed a power that could just as easily draw Li Li's animosity as it could secure his release. Gathering himself, Lu Yan extended his hand, tapping gently against the interior wall of the coffin. Simultaneously, a knife blade danced in his other hand, deftly carving into the coffin lid. Amidst these actions, he sought to convey a call for help, a beacon of sound and desperation.

This time, the whole group was startled by the sudden commotion.

"Thud thud thud, thud thud thud..." The echoing sound emanated from the depths of the coffin.

Despite the clamor, the burly men shouldering the casket remained oblivious to the eerie shouts for help from within. Their legs wavered, weakened by fear. Alongside them, the village chief quivered in trepidation, yet he pushed himself to rally the crew.

"Don't let fear grip you! We're safe as long as we're together. Quick, quick!" His words laced with anxiety, he led them to the final resting place they had readied for the old lady.

Exhales of relief were shared among the villagers as they pressed onward. With focused intent, they aligned themselves with the prepared grave, gently lowering the casket. Once unburdened, they massaged their aching shoulders and complained about their sore backs.

"Let's not dawdle—let's lay her to rest swiftly!" Anxiously impatient, the village chief was the first to grasp a shovel and scatter a mound of earth upon the coffin.

Following his lead, the other villagers plunged their shovels into the soil, diligently filling the grave. Nearly twenty individuals had gathered, each armed with a spade. Before long, the bulk of the coffin was concealed beneath the mound.

Then, a faint rustling reverberated against the coffin's lid.

Lu Yan comprehended that immediate action was essential; otherwise, they would truly bury him. Seizing the bone whistle, he released a soft, haunting tune.

"What's this sudden gale that's picked up?"

"Put aside questions for now. Once we're done burying, all will return to normal."

"Wait, did anyone else catch that? The sound of a distant dog barking?" The initial speaker's tone wavered, knotted with confusion.

Not just him, but a shiver ran down everyone's spine. Lin Chu, hidden within the thicket, widened her eyes in sheer astonishment.

Out of the shadows emerged a colossal dog, its flesh mostly decayed, unveiling a forest of ivory bones. It came bounding out from who knows where, hurtling at an incredible speed, and raising a noxious gust that nearly swept away her hiding place. The massive canine advanced with relentless strides, its thunderous roars propelling it onward. In an instant, it bounded to the forefront of a grave.

"Ghost!!!"

"Run!"

The villagers had only glimpsed Li Li fishing on a few occasions. Others hadn't encountered such a spectacle before. They dropped their tools instantly, fleeing in vain. Lucky, whose hunger seemed insatiable even beyond the grave, sprang lithely and landed before a slower villager. With a single sweep of its paw, the villager's head tumbled down and rolled away.

Witnessing all this unfold, Lin Chu's muscles clenched. After dousing herself with a concoction of Sichuan peppercorn water and pepper powder, she cautiously ventured deeper into the burial ground.

A sensation of rigidity brushed against her suddenly. Swiveling around, she confronted an emaciated, pallid old lady, her visage ghastly, her teeth pointed, and still garbed in burial attire. The old woman stood in eerie silence behind her.

In that heartbeat, Lin Chu instinctively ignited her swiftest pace. Like a cannonball, she burst from the thicket, hurtling headlong into the open grave.

This dog refrained from consuming the just-killed villager; it simply nosed around for a moment, showing little interest in fresh human flesh. As it confronted the coffin, it remained motionless, suggesting that the body within might either be fresh or its partner in crime.

In stark contrast, Lin Chu was prepared to take a risk!

She clung tightly to the rim of the grave. The villagers hadn't finished filling the pit with dirt just yet, leaving a convenient hiding spot. True to her assumptions, the colossal hound bellowed and surged towards the elderly lady.

A sigh of relief escaped Lin Chu's lips.

Only then did she sense that something was off.

Gradually, a grating sound that could set one's teeth on edge emanated from the walls within the coffin.

"Is something emerging from within?!"

A shock rippled through Lin Chu, causing her to tremble. Just as she was poised to crawl out, her gaze caught the figures of the dog and the old lady lingering not far away outside. Oddly enough, her intuition hadn't signaled any impending danger from the coffin before her. This unexpected reassurance calmed her racing heart.

Retrieving her mobile phone, she deftly captured photographs from various angles. Delving into her pocket, she produced a plastic bag along with a pair of tweezers. Her movements were deliberate and cautious, as she gingerly plucked a minuscule fragment clinging to the coffin's edge—a faint thread of blood.

Could this possibly be the blood of a revenant?

The mere thought filled Lin Chu with an exhilarating rush.

She stole another glance; the imposing dog and the elderly woman had distanced themselves significantly. Seizing the moment, Lin Chu extricated herself from the pit and darted toward the exit.

Unbeknownst to her, the chicken blood thread she'd snatched away played an instrumental role. Its absence triggered a subtle movement in the coffin lid, setting off a chain reaction that snapped all the blood threads simultaneously.

Gradually, the weighty wooden lid began its deliberate ascent.

From within emerged a man with a pallid complexion, sitting upright.

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