Raising the Coffin

After hearing Uncle Nine's words, Master Ren's expression changed. He immediately asked, "Then, Uncle Nine, what should we do?"

"It should have been covered with snowflakes. That's what 'a dragonfly skimming the water' means. The head of your coffin didn't even touch the water, so how can you call that 'a dragonfly skimming the water'?"

"It's fortunate that the feng shui master had some conscience. He told you to raise the coffin and move the grave after twenty years. He only harmed you for half your life, not your whole life; he harmed one generation, not eighteen."

As soon as those words left his mouth, Master Ren went deathly pale with fright. Only now did he realize that people like feng shui masters, who made their living through unorthodox means, were not to be offended lightly.

Otherwise, they only had to harbor some ill intent, and his family could be ruined without him ever finding out who was responsible.

At the same time, he began to wonder whether he should go after the feng shui master's descendants once this matter was settled.

Just as Master Ren's thoughts were in turmoil, one of the young men raising the coffin shouted, "I see the coffin!"

At the shout, everyone present began crowding around the spot where the grave had been.

The young men waiting nearby, ready to lend a hand, brought out a tripod.

Soon, as the others continued digging, the head of the coffin was completely exposed.

Someone climbed down into the grave and fastened thick hemp ropes around the coffin. Using the tripod as a lever, they hauled the entire coffin out.

As soon as the coffin touched the ground, Uncle Nine immediately dispersed the people gathered around it.

He ordered the young men who had been digging to come forward and carry Old Master Ren's coffin to the spot where the tombstone had originally stood.

"All right, prepare to pull the nails and open the coffin."

Seeing that the coffin had been set down securely, Uncle Nine turned to the onlookers and instructed them.

"Everyone, today is the day Master Ren Weiyong sees the light of day again. Anyone aged thirty-six, twenty-two, thirty-five, or forty-eight, or born in the Year of the Rooster or Ox, must turn around and avert their eyes."

As soon as Uncle Nine finished speaking, several people present turned around, not daring to keep watching.

After all, this was no joke. Most of the people Uncle Nine had called in to help were professionals in this line of work. They knew that in a situation like this, it was best to follow the ritual master's instructions.

As soon as Uncle Nine finished speaking, the four young men standing in front of Old Master Ren's coffin, ready to open it, also turned away.

"Good, everyone's turned around. Straighten your clothes, then open the coffin."

At Uncle Nine's words, the four young men immediately got to work.

There were, of course, rules for opening a coffin. First, those opening it must never keep their eyes fixed on the coffin.

Second, the people opening it had to be young, strong men. They all shared one trait: their yang energy was exceptionally strong.

Soon, the four young men heaved together, and Ren Weiyong's coffin was finally opened.

At that very moment, a subtle change came over the world.

Crows scattered through the air, and the sky darkened. Uncle Nine, Master Ren, Ren Tingting, and the others stepped forward together.

When Master Ren and Ren Tingting saw that Old Master Ren looked just as he had when he was first buried, they both fell to their knees and began weeping loudly.

"Father! We've disturbed your rest. Your son has been so unfilial!"

After finishing his lament, Master Ren immediately got to his feet and asked Uncle Nine, "Uncle Nine, can this grave still be used?"

"Alas, a dragonfly skims the water once, then again. It can't skim the same spot twice. This grave is no good anymore."

"Ah, then what should we do?"

Hearing Uncle Nine's answer, Master Ren asked in alarm.

"I recommend cremating him here."

"Cremation? No! My father was most afraid of fire while he was alive. I can't do that to him."

Master Ren immediately rejected Uncle Nine's suggestion.

"Master Ren, if you don't cremate him, there'll be serious trouble."

"Anything else is fine, but he can't be cremated. Think of another way."

Master Ren's response about cremation was firm.

Hearing this, Uncle Nine shook his head and sighed softly.

"Alas."

"All right, then we'll keep him temporarily at our Public Mortuary. Tomorrow, I'll personally find a suitable grave so Old Master Ren can rest in peace as soon as possible."

"Good. Put the lid back on and carry the coffin to the Public Mortuary."

Master Ren glanced at Ren Wei beside him. Ren Wei immediately understood and gave the order.

Seeing this, Uncle Nine turned to Master Ren and said, "Master Ren, please head back first. Leave the rest to me and my two apprentices."

Master Ren didn't stand on ceremony with Uncle Nine. He climbed straight into his sedan chair and left with his daughter and large entourage.

After everyone had left and even the incense table and ritual altar had been taken down, Uncle Nine walked once around the grave. Just as he was about to say something, his junior fellow apprentice came over and said, "Hey, Senior Brother. You know the grave's been tampered with, so why are you moving that thing to the Public Mortuary? Aren't you afraid it'll jump out in the middle of the night?"

"I'm warning you, once it jumps out, it'll be huge and very difficult to subdue."

Taoist Four Eyes came up beside Uncle Nine and warned him directly.

They would never joke about this sort of thing among themselves. If things went wrong, people really could die.

And not just one or two people, either.

"I know. That's why we're going back first, Junior Brother. We'll leave this place to those two boys for now."

"Wencai, Qiusheng, set up a Plum Blossom Incense Formation around the grave. Whatever happens, come back and tell me."

"Also, remember to offer incense at every grave nearby. Don't miss a single one."

"Oh, got it, Master."

After hearing the two apprentices agree, Uncle Nine nodded and left with Taoist Four Eyes.

"Wencai, you set up the Plum Blossom Incense Formation. I'll offer incense at these graves. Let's hurry."

"Got it, Senior Brother."

At Qiusheng's instruction, the two of them immediately got to work.

After Qiusheng had lit incense at all the graves around them, he reached the last tombstone. Looking at the photograph on it, he smiled.

"Found you. I hope you come find me soon."

Qiusheng placed three incense sticks before the tombstone and silently murmured to himself.

Just as he came back to his senses, a soft voice suddenly sounded beside his ear.

"Thank you."

The words fell by Qiusheng's ear, but he wasn't surprised. He simply raised the corner of his mouth, shook his head, and walked toward Wencai.

Just then, Wencai, who had finished setting up the Plum Blossom Incense Formation, came running toward him.