The Second Mark

The skull atop the Tower of Bones roared soundlessly, yet the entire salt shop trembled.

The sinister wind wailed like ten thousand ghosts. Cursed smoke, black as ink, coiled around the bone tower and shot into the sky, only to be yanked back by an invisible force and sucked into the skull's mouth at the top!

The two crimson points of light suddenly blazed, like burning coals from Hell, fixing their gaze on the county yamen...

In the county yamen's inner study, the lamplight flickered.

Fang Yunshen finished writing the last piece of "proof" framing the embroiderer, set down his brush, and rubbed his aching temples. For some reason, an indescribable irritation and chill welled up inside him. He instinctively tugged his Official Robe tighter around himself.

"She was only a salt seller... I'll close the case tomorrow, and then there'll be the Li Family's reward..." He tried to soothe himself with thoughts of profit.

Suddenly!

The blue Official Robe on his body tightened violently! The soft silk instantly turned hard and cold, like a sheet of iron freezing solid! It was also like a shroud soaked in well water, constricting around his flesh and bones!

"Ugh!" Fang Yunshen felt his chest was about to burst. His eyes bulged, and half his tongue lolled out uncontrollably! He tried to call for help, but his throat was constricted so tightly that all he could manage was a leaking "hrrk."

At the same time, the candlelight in the room gradually turned a sickly green, and Corpse Water that reeked of rot began seeping through the gaps between the floor tiles.

The viscous Corpse Water, thick as glue, began to writhe across the floor as if it were alive.

Sensing its target, it surged forward like a black flood, forcing its way through