Chapter 42

Yesterday, when Secretary Jin sang this song on stage, her Cantonese was standard and her performance professional, but the boy didn't like it very much.

Although Secretary Jin's Cantonese is not standard now, the feeling she sings with is like river water opening its floodgates and flowing into a pre-dug channel, naturally.

Singing is indeed a magical thing; it can be recognized even with a mask on, and even with a different skin.

Earlier, when Secretary Jin's hands rested on his shoulders, a familiar feeling told Li Zhuiyuan who she truly was.

Similarly, if nothing unexpected happens, the true perpetrator of last night's terrifying and bloody scene should be the being beneath Ding Dalin's human skin.

It is the true dominant position here.

This means that his crisis here has not been resolved, because Little Yellow Oriole is only in a secondary status beside it.

That group of Water Monkeys, dug out... should be it.

Li Zhuiyuan suddenly realized that he, Little Yellow Oriole, and the Water Monkeys, who were originally planned, had all become supporting roles, no, worse than supporting roles, purely background.

Whether he and Great Grandfather can keep the skin on their bodies now depends on its whim.

Therefore, the current song and the previous actions were all hints from Little Yellow Oriole.

For a moment, the vigilance that had slightly relaxed due to Little Yellow Oriole's appearance was once again severely heightened.

Li Zhuiyuan suddenly realized something: since "it" from last night could control Secretary Jin to use the Light Signal to trick the six Water Monkeys at the Outer Observation Post into being collectively skinned, how could it not have noticed him and Run Sheng on the rooftop?

Could he and Run Sheng have escaped home with their whole skin and tails intact truly because they ran fast?

Except for Ding Dalin, all the Water Monkeys were outsiders. Ding Dalin's only acquaintance in this village, with whom he had already connected and even bought property in whose name, was Li Sanjiang.

If it wanted to fill in the fish pond and plant peach trees on this contracted land, it would need to go through Li Sanjiang.

So, the one who had been desperately holding the situation together and preventing it from collapsing was still his Great Grandfather.

Secretary Jin finished her song.

Li Zhuiyuan took the lead in applauding, and Tan Wenbin followed suit when he saw this, repeatedly praising, "Good, good, good!"

Li Sanjiang reached out and touched the sound system, saying, "Alright, it's quite good. When Mule comes to pick up the tables, chairs, bowls, and chopsticks later, have him take this along too."

"Heh heh, as long as you're satisfied."

Li Zhuiyuan asked with a look of innocence, "Grandpa Ding, how much is this?"

Li Sanjiang frowned slightly. This was supposed to be a freebie; he would just take it back. Why was this child asking how much it cost? Was he stupid?

But immediately, Li Sanjiang's frown eased: That's good. This child is honest and kind-hearted, truly different from those ungrateful people.

Li Zhuiyuan asked intentionally. After experiencing so many things, he had vaguely touched upon the rules of "Karma and Causality," especially when dealing with the other side under the Shadow Side. One could not easily take its things.

"Let's hear the other party's request first."

"That's right, Lin Hou. How much did you spend buying it from the troupe? Come on, I'll give you the money. I can use this thing. Renting it for half a year would cover the cost."

"Between you and me, talking about these things hurts our feelings."

Li Sanjiang threw an arm around Ding Dalin's shoulders and shook him vigorously. "Alright, I misjudged you when you first came back. You, Lin Hou, are indeed a kind person. I'm not as good as you."

When they first met, Li Sanjiang had thought Ding Dalin was deliberately putting on airs and showing off.

But since the man had provided a house, land, and even sound equipment, it was hard not to change his impression, especially since he had given so much.

"Actually, Sanjiang Hou, I also have something I need your help with."

Seeing the man climbing up the ladder, Li Sanjiang subconsciously dug his ear with his little finger.

"No problem, no problem. You can come to me if you need anything in the future."

Li Zhuiyuan asked, "Grandpa Ding, you can tell us directly what you need."

He couldn't follow his Great Grandfather's tone and postpone it, because if he couldn't fulfill his request, his grandson and he would likely have no future.

Li Sanjiang pursed his lips. He couldn't get angry at Little Yuanhou, so he could only echo the child's words. "Yes, Lin Hou, please tell us."

"Sanjiang Hou, it's like this. I originally planned to live here long-term, but I received news from back home about some matters that I need to return and handle.

So, I'll have to ask you to look after this house for me."

"You're leaving again? How long will you be gone?"

"It's hard to say. If things go smoothly, I might be back in half a year. If not, at my age, I could leave at any time. It's possible I might never come back."

"Then you must come back alive soon."

"What, you can't bear to part with me?"

"It's not that I can't bear to part with you. You've acquired so many things in my name. If you don't come back, I'll feel too embarrassed to have benefited from this unexpected gain."

"I do want to come back. I truly want to spend my twilight years here peacefully."

"I truly want to see you off. If I leave first, Little Yuanhou can handle it. Otherwise, you won't feel at ease taking these things."

"Sanjiang Hou, once the village's contract is finalized, I'll pay the contract fee first. Then I'll leave some money, and you can help me organize people to level this fish pond and plant the peach trees. That way, things won't be delayed."

Li Sanjiang rubbed his forehead. Planting trees was a tiring job.

This wasn't just a matter of money anymore. As the host, he would also need to worry and exert himself.

"Alright, Grandpa Ding, don't worry. You go handle your business. When you return, you'll be able to enjoy peach blossoms."

Li Sanjiang nodded, "Don't worry, Lin Hou. I'll take this on."

It wasn't exactly coercion from his great-grandson. Since he'd accepted a favor, Li Sanjiang knew he couldn't refuse. He wasn't willing to give back the houses and land he owned.

Li Zhuiyuan secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He wasn't afraid of demands, only of no demands.

If it was just planting trees, it was nothing. Besides, the land was rented, and the money would be paid.

"That's good. Thank you, Sanjiang Hou."

"Come on, why thank me? It's only right. In that case... Zhuang Zhuang."

"Yes."

"Go back and call Runsheng Hou to bring the cart over. We'll load everything up."

Tan Wenbin looked at Li Zhuiyuan and Li Sanjiang with some unease. He didn't want to leave. While he wasn't as strong as his father, having an extra person would help against the Water Monkeys.

"Brother Bin Bin, go home and call Brother Run Sheng to help move things."

Considering what happened to nearly twenty Water Monkeys last night, having one more person now would be like having an extra shrimp to peel.

"Okay."

Bin Bin left.

"Little Yuanhou, I've noticed. It's one thing that the mules at home listen to you, but why does Zhuang Zhuang listen to you too?"

"Huh? Does he?" Li Zhuiyuan looked bewildered.

"Heh, that's good," Li Sanjiang patted the boy's head. "It shows that my Little Yuanhou is naturally destined to be a leader."

The will had been made. Great Grandfather's view of his great-grandson had shifted from biased to biased in a way that was only natural.

Ding Dalin said, "This shows the child has organizational skills. He's indeed suited to be an official."

Li Sanjiang tugged at his pants drawstring. "Lin Hou, is there paper by the outhouse?"

"There's some in the basket."

"Then I'm going to the outhouse."

Li Zhuiyuan started to follow, but Ding Dalin called him back after only two steps. "Little Yuan."

He hesitated, not daring to pretend he hadn't heard and get away with it, and stopped.

"Yes?" Li Zhuiyuan turned to Ding Dalin. "What is it, Grandpa Ding?"

"Your Great Grandfather didn't misjudge you. You truly are a kind-hearted and good child."

Li Zhuiyuan lowered his head, revealing a shy smile.

He didn't show his usual shy gaze because the skin on Ding Dalin's brow had split.

It was like a tear in clothing, not fully ripped, but the color had a distinct break.

This performance was nearing its end, and he had to avoid any accidents.

Ding Dalin reached up to touch his brow. Secretary Jin walked over, wanting to help, but he instructed her, "Fetch a basin of water. I need to wash my face properly."

"Okay."

Secretary Jin brought a basin of hot water. A towel hung from the basin's edge. She stood there, holding it, acting as a human stand.

Ding Dalin walked to the basin, bent over, and tilted his face down, his fingers continuously tapping his face.

This scene was strikingly similar to a city woman touching up her makeup in a mirror with a compact.

Li Zhuiyuan wanted to leave the room, but Secretary Jin's position blocked the door. To avoid seeing something he shouldn't, Li Zhuiyuan turned towards the stereo instead and reached out to touch its cover.

"Little Yuan, did you just learn the local dialect?"

"Yes, I'm still not very good at it," Li Zhuiyuan said, fiddling with the microphone.

"Where did you live before?"

"In the capital," Li Zhuiyuan replied into the microphone, "Hoo hoo... hello, hello."

"Jiankang?"

The boy's hand holding the microphone trembled.

Jiankang?

Li Zhuiyuan knew Jiankang was the ancient name for Nanjing, the capital during the Six Dynasties period.

Eastern Wu, Eastern Jin, Liu Song, Southern Qi, Southern Liang, Southern Chen...

So, which era was he from?

"Oh, you're from the capital, hehe. I didn't react just now; I misheard."

Ding Dalin chuckled, as if glossing over his earlier slip-up.

Li Zhuiyuan's heart was in turmoil. Even someone from the Southern Chen period would be nearly fifteen hundred years old.

Did that also mean the tomb in the Fish Pond was that old?

He wondered if that group of Water Monkeys was lucky or unlucky to have found such an exquisite water burial tomb.

But, it seems even more unfortunate for myself. I had only just started reading the book, still in the stage of reading, learning, and practicing.

In today's popular martial arts novels and action movies, the protagonists would first encounter thugs and bullies who harass women as practice targets after closing themselves off for arduous training.

As for me, I haven't even finished learning and descended the mountain yet. I just gently pushed open my own door to sunbathe: Hey, the Eastern Depot is right across the street.

"Little Yuan, you promised Grandpa you'd help me plant the Peach Trees well."

"Mhm, I will."

"Louder, Grandpa's hard of hearing."

"Don't worry, Grandpa."

"Turn around and say it to Grandpa."

Li Zhuiyuan turned around.

Facing him directly was a red, flushed face without any skin!

After a moment of shock and thought, Li Zhuiyuan raised his hand and opened his mouth, just about to scream, when the face suddenly pressed close to him:

"Little Yuan, you were a step too slow."

Li Zhuiyuan's expression froze. His hand, raised halfway, stopped. His mouth was open, but he didn't dare to scream.

"Little Yuan, were you just thinking whether you should scream in fright?"

Li Zhuiyuan didn't know how to answer.

"You child, why are you acting like you don't recognize me?"

A similar sentence was spoken by Ding Dalin this morning when he accompanied Great Grandfather for a walk and they saw Ding Dalin.

It had indeed seen me and Brother Run Sheng on the roof last night.

"I will help you plant the trees."

"Hehehe..."

Its hand caressed the boy's face, patting him gently.

"You're acting so well, it's making me confused. Between you and me, who is the one wearing Human Skin?"

"Beep-boop!"

The sound of electricity jolted Li Zhuiyuan awake. He lowered his head and looked at the microphone in his hand.

"Little Yuan, turn off the microphone, Grandpa's ears hurt."

Li Zhuiyuan turned off the microphone, and the static disappeared. He turned around and looked at Ding Dalin.

Ding Dalin was looking up, a hot towel covering his entire face.

His voice came from under the towel:

"Little Yuan, did you just learn the local dialect?"

The same question.

Li Zhuiyuan was confused. Was the scene just now an illusion?

"Yes, I just learned it."

"Where did you live before?"

"Youzhou."

"Hehehe..."

Ding Dalin let out a laugh, removed the towel from his face, revealing a face slightly flushed from the hot compress, like a normal person's.

"You're such a clever child."

Ding Dalin walked up to Li Zhuiyuan, his hand once again touching the boy's face.

"Grandpa, I like you very much."

"I also really like the red envelopes and gifts Grandpa gave me."

Ding Dalin's hand moved down, grabbing the boy's right hand and spreading it open.

There was a burn mark and five scabs on the palm of Li Zhuiyuan's right hand.

Ding Dalin ignored the five scabs and pressed his fingertip against the burn mark, feigning surprise.

"Look, your skin, didn't it almost get burned through?"

"I was playing and accidentally did it myself."

"You have to be careful then. If your skin breaks, it's not easy to fix. Even if you find new skin, it won't be as good as the original, don't you agree?"

"Yes, Grandpa is right."

Ding Dalin smiled and raised his left hand, slowly clenching it into a fist.

Back then, even A Li could tell that the burn was self-inflicted by Li Zhuiyuan, let alone him?

But Li Zhuiyuan couldn't figure out its temperament at all right now. Logically, he had already persuaded Great Grandfather to agree to help it plant trees, and this matter should have ended there.

But it seemed to want to continue having some interaction with him.

Li Zhuiyuan began to envy Tan Wenbin. Sometimes, knowing too much wasn't meaningful; it was better to be muddled and feel more at ease.

Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through him.

Li Zhuiyuan lowered his head and looked at his palm. The burn scar that had already healed had cracked open again, the skin and flesh on his palm splitting open.

His heart began to race. The feeling of watching his skin split open with his own eyes was too horrifying.

It felt as if, in the next moment, it would spread, the entire skin peeling off, and he would walk out covered in blood.

Li Zhuiyuan glanced sideways at Secretary Jin. She was still standing there holding the basin, motionless, not looking in his direction.

Ding Dalin stuck out his tongue and licked his lips. Struggle flickered in his eyes.

Immediately, his neck began to jerk suddenly to the right, then to the left. The expression on his face kept changing, from kind to calm, then to gloomy, and finally to greedy.

At last, He suddenly threw his head back:

"Beast, you've deceived me so terribly."

"Thump!"

The receiver fell to the ground.

Li Zhuiyuan swallowed. He turned around and saw Ding Dalin washing his face.

He cupped water in his hands and splashed it on his face, rubbed his face, and finally wiped it with a towel.

This was the third time.

However, this time, Ding Dalin didn't ask about his accent again. He didn't speak.

The door was pushed open, hitting Secretary Jin in the back.

The door bounced back, but Secretary Jin didn't budge.

"Huh?"

Li Sanjiang's voice came from outside the door.

Li Zhuiyuan knew that the previous few times were not illusions. It was impossible for Great Grandfather to finish his business so quickly. For a period of time, it had indeed been misappropriated.

Secretary Jin moved aside, and the door opened. Li Sanjiang said to Ding Dalin, "My Mule is here, I'll start packing things."

"Okay."

Li Sanjiang turned and went out again, without calling Li Zhuiyuan out. He couldn't bear to make Little Yuanhou do the work.

This left Li Zhuiyuan in the room again.

However, Bang!

The door opened again, this time forcefully. Run Sheng stood at the doorway with a tense face, holding a shovel.

It was clear he was very scared; his tense face was his defense mechanism.

But he still came. He was here to save someone.

"What are you doing?" Li Sanjiang's voice came. "Move the tables and chairs first, and the sound system last."

Run Sheng looked at Li Zhuiyuan, waiting for a look. As long as he got the signal, he would not hesitate to swing the shovel at the two people in front of him.

In short, it was either their flesh and blood or his own skin.

Ding Dalin reached out to Li Zhuiyuan, "Come, let's go upstairs. I have some snacks in my room that I brought back from abroad. I'll give them all to you."

In reality, there was no choice at all.

Li Zhuiyuan grabbed Ding Dalin's hand, and the two walked past Run Sheng, one after the other, up the stairs.

Downstairs, Run Sheng was hit on the back of the head by Li Sanjiang, who cursed, "What are you standing around for? Little Yuanhou went to get his things, and you should be doing your job, moving things!"

Run Sheng was conflicted, but since it was Little Yuan's choice, he put down the shovel and started moving tables and chairs.

However, the courage he had mustered couldn't last forever. The scenes from last night began to replay in his mind. As he moved things, his body started to tremble.

Seeing this, Li Sanjiang quickly walked over and asked, "Are you feeling unwell?"

"Huh?"

"Never mind, you sit there and rest. I'll move them."

Upon reaching the second floor, Ding Dalin was still holding his hand. Li Zhuiyuan felt something sticky in his hand. He was afraid that when he let go later, he would pull off a piece of the other's skin.

In fact, that's exactly what happened.

As they walked into the room, Ding Dalin let go of his hand voluntarily. His skin stuck to the boy's hand, stretching taut with the pull, and finally...

"Bang!"

The sound was so loud it stunned Li Zhuiyuan. When he recovered, he found the room dim; it had gotten dark.

The room's furnishings were all there, but Ding Dalin was nowhere to be seen.

Li Zhuiyuan closed his eyes, attempting to find that floating sensation. He found it and felt himself begin to drift.

He immediately opened his eyes, interrupting his Yin Walking.

Yes, he had walked the Yin, but not by his own volition. Ding Dalin had pulled him in.

Since that was the case, waking up now felt somewhat impolite.

He walked out of the room and onto the balcony, wanting to find Ding Dalin. Since Ding Dalin had pulled him in, he must have had a purpose.

In the dark night sky hung a moon, a rather large one, with its craters even visible.

Li Zhuiyuan's gaze shifted downward to the ground ahead, and he blinked hard.

The Fish Pond, which had been restored in reality, had now returned to its state after the Water Monkeys had been busy the previous night: the water drained, leaving a deep pit.

He had a rough idea of where to find Ding Dalin.

He went downstairs. The scene downstairs was still that of the banquet after it had dispersed the previous night; the tables were still there, not yet cleared.

As he walked out of the Hall Entrance, Li Zhuiyuan paused, then took two steps back and looked up.

He saw Little Yellow Oriole hanging from the Hall Top.

Because her long hair dangled down, you could only see her face by walking into that specific narrow area, allowing your gaze to penetrate the veil of her hair.

She had her eyes closed, her expression indifferent.

Li Zhuiyuan didn't know if she had been hiding there since last night or if she was simply there now.

Little Yellow Oriole didn't open her eyes or give any reaction.

Li Zhuiyuan didn't linger. He walked out of the hall, descended the Terrace, jumped into the Fish Pond, and reached the Pit Edge.

Only up close could one truly grasp how deep this pit was.

Li Zhuiyuan turned his head and looked at the roof of Big Beard's house behind him, where he had hidden and observed last night.

He bent down and carefully slid down the Pit Slope. After sliding for quite a distance, he reached the bottom.

Before him stood a dug-out Tower Spire.

A dark Opening, just like that, lay exposed.

Li Zhuiyuan gripped the wall surface and slowly walked inside. As he advanced, lamps lit up one by one. Because the tower was tilted, the lamps inside also appeared to be at an angle.

The surrounding wall surfaces were bare, without any murals, making them seem very monotonous. It seemed the tomb owner did not intend to continue cultivating his character in the underworld after death.

Or perhaps, this tomb was built by the tomb owner during his lifetime. If someone else had built it, they would have inevitably left behind some writings or pictures to record his life.

Fortunately, the tower was tilted, which created a place to walk. If one entered from above vertically, it would probably be no different from jumping into a well.

The further he went, the colder the lamplight became, gradually changing from the bright yellow of the outermost section to green.

Finally, Li Zhuiyuan reached the bottom.

He saw a huge stone coffin, fixed to the bottom of the tower. It now looked as if it were plastered against the wall.

Around the stone coffin were some pieces of furniture, all fixed like the coffin, so they were not scattered. They were not only inlaid with gold and silver but also adorned with the gleam of jade and jewels.

All good things. No wonder those two Water Monkeys who went down last night were so excited when they came up. It also explained why they came up empty-handed, saying they couldn't move them.

However, he had reached the bottom, and still, there was no sign of Ding Dalin.

Li Zhuiyuan's gaze fell on the stone coffin again.

Could he still be inside the coffin?

Chains were bound around the stone coffin, and runes were drawn around the coffin. This was very characteristic of a temple tomb, used to suppress evil spirits.

"Clang... clang... clang..."

The chains began to shake, and whatever was inside seemed to want to get out.

Li Zhuiyuan stood still. Although he was unsure if opening the coffin during Yin Walking would have any chain reactions in reality, he would not take that risk.

He wasn't worried about his own safety, but this was Siyuan Village, after all. Who knew what consequences would arise from releasing whatever was inside this coffin.

He had been forced to come here step by step due to a threat to his life, but no matter how threatening it was, he would not open the coffin.

However, he wouldn't have to agonize over it for long.

Because with a crisp sound, all the chains on the stone coffin broke loose.

Immediately after, a dull friction sound was heard, and the stone coffin lid slowly slid open.

He didn't need to help at all; it could open by itself.

Li Zhuiyuan held his breath, concentrating fully, waiting for the person inside the coffin to sit up.

But after waiting for a long time, it did not do so.

The scene fell into a strange silence.

Gradually, a wind began to rise within the tower. At first, it was faint, merely causing the lamplight to flicker. Then, the wind grew stronger, forming a howling sound inside the tower.

The howling sound slowly became more refined, eventually forming a human voice, very hoarse, like an old, unmaintained phonograph.

"Aren't you curious?"

Li Zhuiyuan replied, "I am very curious."

"Then why don't you dare to come closer?"

"I'm scared."

"You get scared?"

"Yes, fear is an instinct, just like pain."

"Let's be open and honest, shall we?"

"What does that mean?"

"Take off that skin you're wearing. I don't want to talk to a child."

"No, I am me. This is me, now."

"Heh heh, some people's skin is on their body, while others' skin is in their heart."

Li Zhuiyuan knew the other party was mocking him, but he didn't care. All his efforts were to protect this skin, both for himself and for A Li.

"Even if you don't want to peel off my skin, don't talk to me like a child."

"I am a child. Fine, I'll try my best."

"Do you know where this is?"

"Some kind of... Temple Tomb."

"Yes, a Temple Tomb. Do you know who suppressed me here?"

"You yourself."

The sound of the wind seemed to pause for a moment.

But soon, it began to howl again, forming words:

"Did you guess?"

"I don't even know who you are specifically, nor the era you were born in. Since you're asking me this question, the answer should be within my options, leaving only yourself."

"You really resemble someone. When he was young, he was also unbelievably smart, just like you."

"Can you tell me his name?" Li Zhuiyuan probed. "That way, I can look him up when I plant trees in the future."

"You won't be able to find him by name."

"Oh."

"He's a beast."

"He's the one who deceived you?"

"It was me, I trusted him too much. Although he's almost the same age as me, I've always looked up to him as a role model. To him, I'm like those two people beside you are to you."

Li Zhuiyuan knew the two people it was referring to must be Run Sheng and Tan Wenbin, as those were the only limited options it had.

"Being deceived by someone you trust is indeed infuriating."

"He didn't just deceive me, he deceived all of us, all of us who followed him."

"He's truly detestable."

"He's like you, very good at pretending."

Li Zhuiyuan tried to calm his emotions. The greatest harm to a mentally ill person is to constantly remind them of their illness.

This conversation with the person in the stone coffin made the boy seem to recall the scene when he was on the phone with Li Lan that night.

"Pretending is your instinct, you seem to be born with it."

"Do you have any final requests?"

Li Zhuiyuan deliberately interrupted this topic, continuing the conversation. He was worried that his cold emotions would be stirred up.

"Fill in the Fish Pond and plant it full of Peach Trees."

"Don't worry, we will do it."

"Actually, I should have left long ago."

"Where to?"

"You can guess, yet you still ask. As expected, just like him, hypocrisy is your instinct."

"Can you stop describing him in such detail, or stop lumping me together with him? I'm only here, going along with you, because I'm afraid of death."

"And then?"

"But there are some things I would rather die than give up."

"He also said one..."

The sound of the wind stopped again.

After a long while, the wind picked up again.

"Good."

"Thank you."

"No need to thank me. I originally intended to call you here to be buried with me."

"Thank you for your original intention."

Seeing that the other party had fallen silent again, but the wind was still blowing.

Li Zhuiyuan, out of consideration for the "original intention," took the initiative to speak:

"How did he trick you?"

"He taught me a method that can control Death Collapse."

Li Zhuiyuan's heart trembled. In all the books he had read, there were countless methods recorded for dealing with Death Collapse, yet none mentioned that Death Collapse could be controlled.

"I was very happy and excited. I admired and respected him so much that I learned it."

"Did you... learn it successfully?"

The wind continued to blow, and at this moment, a movement came from within the stone coffin.

A man sat up from inside the coffin.

Because the coffin was suspended on a base, the man was facing Li Zhuiyuan at this moment.

He had long hair, a cold and clear face, and an ethereal and refined demeanor.

However, his eyes were closed, and the voice that followed still came through the wind, not from his own mouth.

"I learned it. I can also control Death Collapse now."

"Then where did he trick you?"

"Where did he trick me?"

The man turned his head. The wind blew his temples, revealing a pair of eyes, a nose, and a mouth – a human face.

The man increased his turning motion, revealing his back. The wind blew his long hair, and his entire back of the head was another woman's face.

It was a chilling sight. Such a handsome man, yet so many faces had grown on him.

No, Li Zhuiyuan realized he was Yin Walking, so what he saw might not be real. These materialized faces might represent the man's inner self.

"Hoo hoo hoo..."

The wind grew stronger, lifting the man's long robes. Everywhere his skin was exposed—his arms, his chest—was covered in dense, human-like faces.

Li Zhuiyuan instinctively took two steps back. Seeing this, he already felt an itch on his own body.

He unconsciously lowered his head to look at his arms, afraid that unfamiliar faces might sprout on them at any moment.

"He didn't tell me that while I could control them, they could also control me."

Li Zhuiyuan shifted his gaze. Only when the wind subsided did he look back.

The man returned to his original posture, his clothes and hair falling back into place.

"He said he wanted to eradicate all evil spirits in the world and bring peace to the martial world.

I believed him and followed him. But the result was, the more Death Collapses I dealt with, the more I myself became like a Death Collapse.

By the time I realized it, there was no turning back.

So, I built this tower and sealed myself within.

I planned to use time to wear them down, and in doing so, wear myself down.

The ones you just saw were all with their eyes closed. In reality, they should have all been open, crying, screaming, roaring, and wailing every day...

Now, they are all gone. I succeeded.

Originally, in a few more years, I should have worn myself to death.

But who knew a group of monkeys would come."

"So, you want to fill this place in and plant Peach Trees, and you want to continue suppressing yourself?"

"It needs to be done quickly, because I am no longer who I was. The me back then, to avoid harming the common people, personally suppressed myself. The me now, inwardly craves to keep you here to be buried with me.

That true me is already dead, or perhaps I can no longer distinguish which face hides the real me."

"I understand. I'll arrange it immediately, while you still retain your clarity."

"You're wrong. I'm not clear-headed. I'm not coming out because I've entered an irreversible terminal stage. If I went out, I would perish very quickly. I want to preserve some dignity for myself.

Actually, when I was skinning those Water Monkeys, I was very happy. Nothing is more fun than teasing monkeys.

If there had been more of them, if I could have savored that joy a little longer, I probably would have truly emerged.

If there had been two more last night, just two;

I wouldn't be talking to you like this here now."

Li Zhuiyuan mentally noted how close that was, because two Water Monkeys were currently in the hospital.

Their accomplices had intended to pick them up from the hospital. Following their usual style, they would have brought even injured companions here, even if it was just to stand guard with a flashlight.

Fortunately, he had called the police in time.

By sheer coincidence, it had also saved his life.

"And the reason I changed my mind about burying you with me isn't out of pity for you, but because I discovered another, more interesting way."

"What way?"

The sound of the wind became more delicate at this moment, like someone whispering temptations in your ear:

"How about I tell you the method he taught me?"

Li Zhuiyuan shook his head: "You learned that and became like this. With a living example right in front of me, how could I possibly learn it?"

Seeing the other party remain silent, Li Zhuiyuan added:

"You said you were about to dissipate. If I fill in the Fish Pond and plant Peach Trees all over it, you won't know if I learned it or not, and you won't be able to come back to find me, right?"

"Heh heh, you will learn it. After learning it, you won't be able to resist using it.

When I 'saw' you peeking from the rooftop, I was certain of it."

Li Zhuiyuan fell silent.

"The item is in the first drawer of the vanity. Whether you take it or not is up to you."

With that, the man lay back down in the stone coffin.

A method to control Death Collapse...

Li Zhuiyuan walked towards the vanity and placed his hand on the handle of the first drawer.

The sound of the wind came again:

"Now, is there anything else you want to say?"

Li Zhuiyuan pursed his lips and said, "You really know people well."

"Heh heh heh... That's why, dragging you to be buried with me isn't as fun as letting you become neither human nor ghost like me in the future.

You should have just continued planting your trees. If you want to blame someone, blame yourself for being too much like him.

But I can no longer get revenge on him, so I can only transfer this hatred onto you."

"Creak..."

On the Stone Coffin, Li Zhuiyuan opened the drawer. It was empty.

Immediately, a great sense of loss washed over him.

"Are you messing with me?"

"Have you forgotten where this is?

This place has already been restored. Do you still need to dig it open again to retrieve things?

I've already placed it in a location where you would definitely see it in advance."

Li Zhuiyuan pushed the drawer back and nodded. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. Because in the future, you will hate me, just as I hate him now.

After learning this, those Death Collapses you controlled will enter your heart, twisting and polluting all your emotions.

One day, When you look in the mirror, You will find that the person in the mirror is so unfamiliar."

Li Zhuiyuan: "..."

The sound of the wind completely disappeared.

The iron chains on the stone coffin retracted, locking the coffin once more.

The lamplight around them also gradually extinguished.

Before Li Zhuiyuan could close his eyes, a wave-like sensation surged towards him. He didn't resist, feeling the sensation of floating upwards.

Suddenly, the sky brightened again.

Li Zhuiyuan found himself standing in the room. The afternoon sun shone in, bringing a hint of warmth.

He saw Ding Dalin again, but at this moment, Ding Dalin was very thin.

He was like a shirt, neatly folded on the floor.

Li Zhuiyuan bent down and picked up the "shirt."

He had no choice; he couldn't just leave him lying there.

Besides, although he had never weighed a piece of adult human skin before, he still felt it was a bit too heavy.

He reached out and pressed down on it, sensing some hard lumps.

After searching, I couldn't find a crack.

In the end, I could only take a deep breath and reach my hand into Ding Dalin's mouth, digging all the way down until I grabbed something hard and cold.

Pulling it out and looking at it, it was a bright yellow, large Gold Ingot.

This should be the money for renting the land and planting trees.

"You're surprisingly kind."

From the Terrace below, a voice called out:

"Little Yuan, Little Yuan!"

Li Zhuiyuan carried Ding Dalin to the balcony and looked down.

Run Sheng stood on the Terrace, waving a Human Skin in his hand. The Human Skin unfurled, and with his waving, Secretary Jin swayed gracefully in the air.

"You scared me to death, Little Yuan. I'm glad you're okay. I was really worried you'd turn into this too."

"Where's Great Grandfather?"

"Elder Uncle pushed the cart back. What happened here?"

"It's nothing, Brother Run Sheng. Come up here for a moment."

"Oh, okay!"

Run Sheng quickly ran up, not even having time to put Secretary Jin away.

It was probably snagged on a corner of the wall. In any case, by the time Run Sheng appeared on the balcony, the Secretary Jin in his hand had ripped open.

"Little Yuan, you have a set here too. So what should we do with these two Leather Coats?"

"Put them away for now. Tonight, you can throw them into the Workshop furnace and burn them."

"Okay."

"Brother Run Sheng, move the ladder."

"What for?"

"To the rooftop."

"Right, I almost forgot. Our things are still up there." Run Sheng moved the ladder and climbed up first. As Li Zhuiyuan climbed up, he looked back and reached out a hand to pull him up.

The two sacks containing the Formation Flags and equipment were still there. On the ground beside them lay the person-sized Yellow River Shovel that belonged to Run Sheng.

"Little Yuan, I'll move them down."

"Brother Run Sheng, don't move yet."

"Oh, okay."

Li Zhuiyuan walked to the burlap sack containing the tools and squatted down. He opened the opening of the sack and saw an ancient book with a black cover placed inside.

This, was the method it left for him...

He took out the book. There was no title on the cover.

It never mentioned the word "book," only "method." So this should be like a handwritten study notebook.

Without hesitation, he turned the page directly.

Then, Li Zhuiyuan froze. The handwriting was so familiar, more familiar than he could ever be.

He immediately flipped through several more pages, finally confirming a fact.

Holding the book, he stood up and looked down at the fish pond.

So, The person who lied to him, was his name...

Wei Zhengdao.