Jan 21, 2024
—
by
Juno
in Fight for Peace and Love
At the seaside, under the bright sun and clear blue sky, the first snowfall
had already descended in the northeast.
Bai Luoluo, who descended from the plane, was still wearing his shorts and
shirt. As he walked out of the plane, he shook like someone with Parkinson’s.
It was only then that Bai Luoluo noticed Lin Zhuomian had already changed
into a thick turtleneck sweater and a black windbreaker early in the morning.
Bai Luoluo didn’t dare to ask him for clothes, so he could only silently endure
in his heart.
The system advised him, "Don’t endure it. Quickly ask if he has any
spare clothes, or you might become the world’s first employee to freeze to
death and log out."
Bai Luoluo said, "Being burned gives you a three-day boost, but what
about freezing to death?"
The system calmly analyzed the situation and said, "Freezing to death
like this falls under suicide, and your salary will be deducted."
Bai Luoluo: "…"
After hesitating for a moment, Bai Luoluo was about to ask Lin Zhuomian for
some clothes when he saw the person who came to pick them up.
The person, seeing Bai Luoluo in short sleeves and shorts, exclaimed,
“No wonder you’re Mr. Lin’s disciple. Even in such cold weather, you dare
to come out like this.”
Lin Zhuomian, hearing this, finally remembered that Bai Luoluo had no warm
clothes. He frowned and asked, “Why didn’t you say anything?”
Bai Luoluo, with a freezing red nose, looked like a pitiful rabbit
struggling in the snowstorm. He said, “I… I forgot.”
Lin Zhuomian: “You can forget about this? If they were late, wouldn’t
you have frozen to death here?”
Bai Luoluo had no response and could only silently get into the car.
Luckily, the car had air conditioning, and the heat relieved the cold on his
body. Finally, he stopped shivering.
The driver asked, “Mr. Lin, it’s getting late. Let me take you to the hotel. I’ll pick you up tomorrow morning.”
Lin Zhuomian agreed.
When getting off the car, Lin Zhuomian took out a thick down jacket from his
own suitcase in advance and handed it to Bai Luoluo. Bai Luoluo didn’t dare to
refuse, so he thanked him while wrapping himself up like a ball.
Lin Zhuomian said, “Even if you’re afraid of me, you still need to say what needs to be said. Otherwise, if you freeze to death, I won’t be able to
see anything.”
Bai Luoluo silly smiled for a moment and agreed.
Inside the room, there was heating. After taking a hot bath, Bai Luoluo fell
into a deep sleep.
The next morning at six o’clock, Bai Luoluo didn’t dare to linger in bed and
got up on time. He then had breakfast with Lin Zhuomian, waiting for the person to pick them up.
It was at this moment that Lin Zhuomian explained to Bai Luoluo, revealing the purpose of his trip to the northeast. He mentioned that he came to relocate a grave, specifically a family ancestral tomb. However, there were Feng Shui issues with the tomb, and it couldn’t be moved casually. Hence, he had gone to Xia City to acquire a highly yin Luo Pan.
Although Lin Zhuomian spoke casually, Bai Luoluo could sense a taste of danger and complexity in his description. Wu Zuzu, who came with Lin Zhuomian, was currently unable to leave the ancestral tomb’s location.
“Be prepared,” Lin Zhuomian said. “Today, we are going into the mountains, and it will be a journey of several days.”
Bai Luoluo nodded.
“Observe and learn as much as you can,” Lin Zhuomian softly advised. “Knowing more things is generally not a bad thing.”
After finishing breakfast, the person who came to pick them up arrived. He prepared two backpacks and also provided two military-grade cotton jackets for them. Although they didn’t look fashionable, warmth was guaranteed. In the coldest forests of the northeast, every part of the body, from head to toe, from fingers to the face, needed proper insulation. Otherwise, you might realize that a certain part is missing only when it’s too late.
Bai Luoluo rarely visited such extremely cold places, and after putting on the equipment, he felt like a clumsy turtle.
The person receiving them exchanged words with Lin Zhuomian, expressing that the snow came at an inconvenient time. They had hoped it would stop yesterday when the snowfall seemed to decrease a bit, but unexpectedly, it started again, as if the heavens were deliberately against them.
Lin Zhuomian said, “The snow came a bit early.”
“Let’s go, Mr. Lin,” the person said. “People in the mountains won’t be able to hold on for too long.”
Lin Zhuomian nodded.
The car drove towards the mountains, with anti-skid chains bound to the tires. Through the car window, Bai Luoluo saw a pure white world of ice and snow, devoid of any color other than white.
Lin Zhuomian handed Bai Luoluo a pair of glasses to put on.
Bai Luoluo asked, “Do I need to wear glasses too?”
Lin Zhuomian said, “Yes, to prevent snow blindness.”
Bai Luoluo obediently took them and put them on.
The mountain road was rugged, and even though it was an off-road vehicle, driving became extremely difficult. After approximately half a day of driving, the car came to a stop. The person who picked them up said, “Can’t go any further. Let’s get off here.”
So, Lin Zhuomian and Bai Luoluo got out of the car, picked up their gear, and began to walk.
The guide parked the car and led Lin Zhuomian and Bai Luoluo deeper into the forest. In recent years, there were many wild mountains and forests in the northeast, and the environmental protection and anti-poaching efforts had been successful, resulting in an increase in wildlife. The guide introduced himself as Qin San, stating that the forest was unsafe, with all sorts of wild animals. He carried a certain item and emphasized that they should inform him immediately if they noticed any movement.
Bai Luoluo, panting, followed behind him, thinking that these people were not ordinary. After walking the entire afternoon without breaking a sweat, they could still talk so casually, their faces looking healthy.
In the mountains, it got dark early. After the sky darkened, traveling became extremely dangerous. Qin San found a suitable place and began to set up a campfire.
The sky quickly became completely dark, and the surroundings fell silent, with only the sound of snowflakes gently falling on the treetops. The three sat around the campfire, and Qin San poked the fire with a branch, saying, “Mr. Lin, can we really fix my grandfather’s grave?”
Lin Zhuomian replied, “It’s a bit troublesome.”
If Lin Zhuomian said it was troublesome, then it must be a very complicated matter. Qin San looked somewhat worried and asked, “If it can’t be fixed, what will happen…”
Lin Zhuomian said, “Actually, it won’t be that bad.”
Qin San relaxed a bit.
However, Lin Zhuomian continued, “Not only will your family have bad luck, but the person who opens the grave will also have bad luck.”
Qin San asked, “How bad is it?”
Lin Zhuomian said, “You could get hit and killed by a dog falling from the sky while walking on the road.”
Qin San: “…” His expression became somewhat twisted, unsure of how to react to such a statement.
If Bai Luoluo didn’t remember hearing such news before, he might have thought Lin Zhuomian was joking. However, despite Lin Zhuomian’s calm expression, it was evident that he was serious and talking about real consequences.
Qin San was a bit speechless and took a while before saying, “Well, that’s really quite unlucky.”
Lin Zhuomian nodded.
The rest of the night passed with each of them taking turns on night watch. Bai Luoluo had the first shift. Lin Zhuomian and Qin San slept in the tent, leaving him alone by the crackling campfire.
Fortunately, with the system around, it wasn’t too lonely.
The night passed uneventfully, and the next day, the three set off again.
Unable to resist, Bai Luoluo asked how much longer it would take to reach their destination. Qin San assessed the surroundings and said, “Another afternoon, hopefully with less snow.” It had been snowing continuously for several days, and the snow had reached the level of their shins. If they continued, the forest would become even more dangerous. Also, it was early winter, and they might encounter bears still foraging before hibernation.
However, Qin San’s hope for lighter snowfall was shattered. On the third afternoon in the woods, the snowfall intensified, accompanied by fog. Looking up, everything appeared hazy, with visibility limited to about twenty meters.
Qin San cursed a few times, mentioning that they were fortunate to be close to their destination; otherwise, considering the weather, it was uncertain whether they could continue on the road.
Bai Luoluo was frozen stiff, not saying a word. He just kept his head down and followed behind Lin Zhuomian. After Lin Zhuomian stopped, Bai Luoluo walked right into his back.
“Zhou Zhizhi?” Lin Zhuomian called Bai Luoluo’s name.
“Huh?” Bai Luoluo looked completely bewildered. He reached up to wipe the snow off his head and said, “What’s up?”
“We’ve arrived,” Lin Zhuomian said. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, I’m fine.” Bai Luoluo, with a mask covering his face, spoke with a muffled voice. He added, “Pretty good, we finally made it.”
Looking ahead, he could vaguely make out a cabin amidst the swirling snow. The cabin appeared elusive in the heavy snowfall, and if Lin Zhuomian hadn’t mentioned it, Bai Luoluo might have thought it was a hallucination.
“We’re here,” Qin San said. “Hurry inside and warm up.”
The three knocked on the door of the cabin, and a sigh of relief escaped them as they entered.
A fire burned in the fireplace, and the floor was covered with thick blankets. Although it was a wooden cabin, the insulation seemed to be quite effective. Bai Luoluo saw almost everyone in the room wearing only sweaters.
“Sir, you’re back,” Wu Zu four, who was not seen before, was indeed in the cabin. Seeing Lin Zhuomian, he hurriedly greeted with a very warm attitude.
Lin Zhuomian’s response was neither cold nor warm. Instead of sitting down to rest, he began to inquire about the situation.
“No change,” Wu Zu four said, “The evil energy is suppressed, but it won’t last much longer. I estimate it can hold out until the day after tomorrow.” He finished speaking and then noticed Bai Luoluo, who was following Lin Zhuomian. He asked, “Sir, why is he here too?”
Lin Zhuomian said, “Any problem?”
What could Wu Zu four say? He could only force a smile and say it was no problem. He was the most sensitive among the three outer disciples Lin Zhuomian took in, so he keenly felt the threat Bai Luoluo posed to their status. Undoubtedly, although Bai Luoluo was a fraud, Lin Zhuomian’s attitude toward him was very special—special enough for Wu Zu four to have some extra thoughts.
“No problem,” Wu Zu four said somewhat reluctantly.
Bai Luoluo thought, why are you so fierce? I’m quite timid too.
Lin Zhuomian asked again, “Where is Qin Shan?”
Wu Zu four replied, “He just came back from outside and is resting upstairs.”
Lin Zhuomian said, “Call him down; I have something to discuss with him.”
Wu Zu four hurriedly went upstairs to call him.
Bai Luoluo took off his coat, shook off the snow, and found a warm corner to sit by the fire. The wind and snow outside grew stronger, and the howling sound seemed like it wanted to tear everything apart. Based on Bai Luoluo’s experience, wooden cabins should not be well-insulated; they not only lack warmth but also tend to have drafts. However, this wooden cabin was like a sturdy fortress, cleanly cutting off the cold air outside. It must have been constructed using some special methods.
The people around Bai Luoluo treated him better than Wu Zu four. One guy even asked if Bai Luoluo wanted sunflower seeds.
Bai Luoluo looked at the sunflower seeds with mixed feelings and declined. The journey had been so boring; he and the system had indulged in a bit too much, reaching a taste of utter darkness and no sunlight. Now, seeing sunflower seeds, he strangely felt a bit of pain in his mouth.
Wu Zu four quickly brought down the person Lin Zhuomian wanted. Bai Luoluo looked upstairs and saw a handsome young man coming down. Qin Shui said, “Here, you’ve worked hard.” He spoke in Mandarin but with a hint of a northeastern accent.
“I calculated the time; we can only start tomorrow. The timing isn’t ideal, but we can’t wait any longer,” Lin Zhuomian said.
Qin Shui said, “Have a smoke,” and lit a cigarette while looking at Lin Zhuomian. He continued, “It’s a bit our fault for not explaining it to you earlier. But is there really no other way?”
“Do you want to choose a more auspicious time?” Lin Zhuomian’s tone was indifferent. He said, “If you want to choose, find someone else. Lin is incompetent.”
“Master Lin, don’t be angry,” Qin Shui said. “I really didn’t know. Okay, tomorrow it is.”
Lin Zhuomian said, “Good. Have you prepared everything?”
Qin Shui said, “Of course, sir. You can check if everything is in order.”
Then, he had his subordinates place all the items Lin Zhuomian needed on the table. Lin Zhuomian tapped the table with his fingers and said, “Zhou Zhizhi, come over.”
Bai Luoluo, still chatting with people, heard Lin Zhuomian’s call and quickly rushed over.
“What’s the matter, sir?” Bai Luoluo asked.
“Come and identify the things on the table,” Lin Zhuomian said. “Describe each item to me.”
Bai Luoluo glanced at the table, realizing he didn’t recognize many things. Hesitating for a moment, he said, “Sir, I only recognize a few things.”
Lin Zhuomian said, “Describe what you know.”
So Bai Luoluo listed the items he recognized, such as rice, coins, tea leaves, bowls, chopsticks, brooms, incense, and candles. The rest were things he didn’t recognize.
Usually, it was Wu Zu four who helped Lin Zhuomian with these tasks. Now, Bai Luoluo took over the job, leaving Wu Zu four on the sidelines, feeling upset. Fortunately, Bai Luoluo didn’t recognize many items, so he got the chance to participate. After Bai Luoluo recounted the remaining items, Lin Zhuomian personally went through them again.
“For these things, you all need to go through them personally,” Lin Zhuomian said. “My eyes are not convenient, so I need you to describe them first. In the future, when you go out on your own, tools must not be touched by others.”
Although Bai Luoluo didn’t understand why, he knew Lin Zhuomian wouldn’t harm him, so he nodded obediently.
After preparing the items, everyone enjoyed a warm dinner.
Dinner was beef bone soup, although the taste was very ordinary, it could stave off the cold. Bai Luoluo drank several bowls, and his pale face finally became rosy.
“We’ll set off tomorrow afternoon,” Qin Shui and Lin Zhuomian confirmed the final time and informed everyone.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
After an afternoon of chatting, Bai Luoluo found that everyone in the room was a member of the Qin family. This time they came deep into the mountains to move their ancestral grave. As for what exactly happened, they were a bit unclear, but it was clear that there was a problem, and they dared not touch the grave.
When arranging rooms at night, Qin Shui apologized to Bai Luoluo, saying that the rooms were already full, and he could only make a storage room available for Bai Luoluo. The place was a bit dirty, and Bai Luoluo shouldn’t mind.
Just as Bai Luoluo was about to agree, he heard Lin Zhuomian next to him slowly say, “He will stay with me.”
Qin Shui’s smile froze on his face, and after a loud “ah,” he said, “Master Lin, what did you say?” Bai Luoluo’s reaction was similar to Qin Shui’s – both had expressions of jaw-dropping surprise.
“He will stay with me,” Lin Zhuomian repeated very confidently.
Qin Shui said, “Oh, okay, Master Lin.”
Lin Zhuomian said, “I have two beds in my room. Let someone tidy up the other one.”
“Alright, alright,” Qin Shui replied, quickly going downstairs. As he left, he glanced at Bai Luoluo, his eyes filled with complexity. It was almost as if he was saying, “Didn’t expect it, big brother. You’re actually Master Lin’s most cherished little darling.”
Bai Luoluo: “…” What should he do? Sleeping in the same room as the boss, would he wake up the next day and find himself back in the real world?
The system said, “Stop trembling. If you shake again, Lin Zhuomian will notice.”
Bai Luoluo sadly said, “I don’t want to shake either. It’s all a physiological reaction.”
The system: “…” Damn physiological reaction, are you a rabbit and Lin Zhuomian a wolf?
Bai Luoluo reluctantly accepted Lin Zhuomian’s kindness, and that’s how things were settled. The two finally had a chance to be alone in a room… though Bai Luoluo didn’t want this opportunity at all.
When it was time to sleep at night, Bai Luoluo got on the bed early, leaving only his nose and eyes exposed under the covers, pretending to be asleep.
Lin Zhuomian also got into bed quietly. After lying down, he said, “Are you cold?”
Bai Luoluo pretended to be asleep and didn’t respond.
After a moment of silence, Lin Zhuomian’s tone seemed to carry a hint of helplessness. He said, “I know you’re not asleep.”
Bai Luoluo: “… How did you know?”
Lin Zhuomian said, “I can hear the breathing rates of others.” Bai Luoluo sadly thought, are you a pervert? How can you even detect this?
Lin Zhuomian seemed to sense Bai Luoluo’s downcast mood. With a tone that was unusually gentle, he said, “I believe I haven’t done anything excessive to you. Why are you so afraid of me?”
Bai Luoluo said, “It’s not that bad…”
Lin Zhuomian said, “Not that bad? Are you starting to shake again?”
Being guessed right by Lin Zhuomian, Bai Luoluo, without integrity, started trembling again. He stubbornly refused to admit it, saying, “No, it’s just a bit cold.”
Lin Zhuomian said, “I’m hot. How about I come over?”
Bai Luoluo almost wanted to burst into tears. He finally realized that Lin Zhuomian was just teasing him. He loved to see Bai Luoluo scared out of his wits and still trying to act tough.
Lin Zhuomian also felt that he had teased Bai Luoluo a bit too much. He said, “Go to sleep early,” and then went to sleep by himself.
Bai Luoluo stared at the ceiling, speaking to the system, “He’s too much.”
The system said, “Yes, it’s really too much.”
Bai Luoluo said, “I don’t have a son like him.” The tiny spark of fatherly affection in his heart was mercilessly extinguished by Lin Zhuomian. Bai Luoluo felt at this moment that nothing could shake him.
The system wanted to remind Bai Luoluo that the term he used is typically used between lovers, but it held back and said nothing.
The next afternoon, everyone set out on time.
While packing his luggage, Bai Luoluo, with Wu Zusi standing behind him, was asked in a soft tone about how he slept last night.
Bai Luoluo said, “…quite well.”
Wu Zusi leaned close to Bai Luoluo’s ear and whispered, “Do you know? I’ve been with Mr. Lin for almost three years.”
Bai Luoluo: “…Why does this sound so familiar?”
“But Mr. Lin has never shared a room with me,” Wu Zusi said softly. “You’ve only been here for a few months, and yet you’re treated so specially. I’m really envious of you.”
These scenes and dialogues seemed so familiar to Bai Luoluo, and he finally remembered that Wu Zusisan, one of Lin Zhuomian’s outer disciples, had said similar things. It probably involved the same expression Wu Zusisan had shown.
Bai Luoluo said, “…How about we switch then?”
Wu Zusi said, “Why are you so ungrateful? Mr. Lin suggested sharing a room with you, and you’re still not happy about it?”
Bai Luoluo said, “I’m not unhappy…”
Wu Zusi said, “Then why do you want to switch?”
Bai Luoluo felt his head spinning. He said, “You’re a man in your twenties, why are you being so awkward? If you like Mr. Lin so much, go tell him. Otherwise, how will he know you like him?”
Wu Zusi: “…” Why does this sound so strange?
“Love is about being brave,” Bai Luoluo said with righteous fervor, then lowered his head to continue packing.
Wu Zusi: “…”
Outside, the snow fell in large, goose-feather-like flakes. After everyone was ready, they finally set out.
The people from the Qin family walked at the front, while Lin Zhuomian and his two disciples followed in the middle. According to Qin Shui, they could encounter any issues, but Lin Zhuomian must remain unharmed.
Due to the snow, the mountain road became particularly difficult to traverse.
Bai Luoluo supported himself with a stick, moving step by step, while Lin Zhuomian seemed to handle it with ease. Bai Luoluo walked and pondered, wondering why their family would bury people in such deep, mountainous woods. It was downright terrifying. Besides, wasn’t there a risk of causing a forest fire when burning incense during holidays? —Bai Luoluo’s way of thinking was quite in line with socialist values, one had to admit.
The heavy snow affected the pace, and by the time the group reached the graveyard, it was almost dark.
Bai Luoluo finally saw the Qin family’s tomb. The soil on the tomb had been dug open, revealing the crypt below sealed with marble.
Above the crypt was a snow-covered shelter made of branches, looking like it was on the verge of collapsing under the snow’s weight.
Lin Zhuomian walked over.
Qin Shui followed him and asked, “Can we open it now?”
Lin Zhuomian said, “Yes.”
So, the several Qin family members standing behind stepped forward to lift the bluestone slab above the grave. As the bluestone gradually rose, a coffin appeared before everyone’s eyes.
Bai Luoluo’s eyes revealed surprise as he noticed that around the coffin flowed a thin layer of black water. Given the current low temperature, this black water should have frozen into ice long ago. However, Bai Luoluo felt as if it were slowly flowing in a clockwise direction, like a black vortex.
“Damn.” Seeing the scene with the coffin, Qin Shui cursed and asked, “Master Lin, how long has this black water been around the coffin?”
Lin Zhuomian remained silent for a moment, seemingly calculating something, and then replied, “Not long, a little over a year.”
“Thank goodness, thank goodness.” Qin Shui sighed in relief. He said, “Luckily, I invited you to help us check our family tomb. You saw that there was a problem with the ancestral grave. Otherwise, who the hell could I cry to?”
Perhaps in this past year, various strange illnesses related to water had sporadically afflicted their family members. One of them unexpectedly developed an allergy to clear water. Just a touch would cause a large area of the skin to turn red, accompanied by pain and itching.
“Can we open the coffin now?” Qin Shui’s face was covered in snowflakes as he asked.
“Wait a moment.” Lin Zhuomian took out the extremely Yin compass he had obtained in Xia City from his pocket. Carefully, he placed the compass in the middle of the coffin.
As soon as the compass left his hand, the air instantly became several degrees colder. Bai Luoluo couldn’t help but shiver, but his gaze couldn’t bear to move away from Lin Zhuomian for a moment.
Upon placing the compass down, the slowly flowing black water around the coffin seemed to solidify.
“Open the coffin,” Lin Zhuomian ordered.
Several more people came forward to slowly lift the coffin.
“Master Lin, can you tell me how the Feng Shui here has changed?” Qin Shui was clearly very puzzled. Why had the perfectly good Feng Shui inexplicably been disrupted?
“Do you know what Feng Shui pattern your ancestors used when they were buried?” Lin Zhuomian’s voice was somewhat cold.
Qin Shui scratched his head and said, “I don’t know. When I asked the elders, they just said it was for wealth.”
“I have carefully observed it before. The hills and valleys here all show traces of artificial manipulation. Upon closer inspection, it is clear that it is the Feng Shui pattern of the Six White Flying Stars,” Lin Zhuomian explained. “The Six White Stars are associated with the Wu Qu star, representing metal, white color, and the Qian palace, primarily governing wealth.”
Qin Shui knew that Lin Zhuomian hadn’t finished speaking, so he continued listening.
“Indeed, the Six White Flying Stars are associated with wealth, but it tends to be deceitful. During its prosperous phases, it can indeed bring prosperity and wealth to the family. However, if its fortune is lost, it will inevitably lead to a catastrophic loss of family wealth and bloodshed,” Lin Zhuomian said. “Your predecessors claimed not to know. I want to ask, is it really that they don’t know, or are they pretending not to know?”
Qin Shui’s expression became somewhat awkward. He knew very well about his own family, and it was evident that they were deliberately keeping him in the dark.
“Mr. Lin, are you implying that my family has already lost its fortune?” Qin Shui became anxious. He asked, “Is there any way to resolve this?”
Lin Zhuomian said, “The Six White Flying Stars pattern is unsolvable.” He calmly continued, “In the world, things go through cycles of rise and fall. Although some things are within our control, there are also things that cannot be controlled.”
Qin Shui’s entire face wrinkled up, and he said, “Mr. Lin…”
“However,” Lin Zhuomian’s tone shifted, and he continued, “The way this black water is flowing around your ancestors’ tomb doesn’t seem to be a sign of the Six White Flying Stars losing their influence.”
Qin Shui was a bit bewildered by this sudden turn, but then he reacted with excitement, “Mr. Lin, are you saying that the misfortune in my family is not because of the Six White Flying Stars’ formation?”
“Yes,” Lin Zhuomian said, “If the Six White Flying Stars were to lose their influence, there wouldn’t be any living thing within a hundred meters here.”
Qin Shui’s face was beaming with joy. He said, “Mr. Lin, just look at this black water, what does it mean…”
“This black water,” Lin Zhuomian interrupted with a cold and astonishing statement, “is the resentment of your ancestors.”
Qin Shui’s expression froze once again.
Lin Zhuomian continued, “If the tomb hadn’t already been opened, my disciple would also have been affected by the resentment. I would have immediately left the mountain, not bothering with any of you.” As he spoke, his expression turned icy, and it was evident that he was quite angered at the moment.
Qin Shui was utterly dumbfounded; he never expected such a sudden turn of events.
Lin Zhuomian explained, “When burying ancestors, there’s a saying ‘rest in peace.’ However, to achieve the Six White Flying Stars pattern, you built a tomb with a blue-stone slab, confining your ancestors inside without any chance of reincarnation. Over time, the resentment grew stronger, eventually turning into this black water, flooding around the coffin.”
Qin Shui said, “Mr. Lin…”
Lin Zhuomian coldly stated, “I know what you want to say. I can only tell you that I can inquire with your ancestors. As for whether they will forgive you, I have no control over that.”
Qin Shui nodded heavily, and with a trembling voice, he asked, “Mr. Lin, what should we do next?”
Lin Zhuomian glanced disdainfully at the black water on the blue-stone slab and said, “Naturally, it’s to find a new burial site for your ancestors and bury them again.”
Qin Shui exclaimed, “Alright, alright, I have already prepared…”
Lin Zhuomian interrupted, “Right around here.”
Qin Shui asked in surprise, “Huh?”
Ignoring Qin Shui’s stunned expression, Lin Zhuomian continued indifferently, “Before I came here, I checked the surrounding area. There’s a suitable place nearby with good Feng Shui. Bury them there.”
Qin Shui hesitated for a moment and finally managed to say, “Okay.”
Lin Zhuomian raised an eyebrow, “What? You’re not willing?”
“No, it’s just that my grandfather said…” Qin Shui hesitated, apparently feeling that the burial pattern had some connection with his grandfather, so he softened his stance, “If that place isn’t suitable, they suggested taking the remains to find another Feng Shui treasure.”
Lin Zhuomian questioned, “And continue suppressing your ancestors for several more centuries?”
Qin Shui remained silent; he didn’t dare to argue.
Lin Zhuomian continued, “Do you know that if you proceed with such a plan, you won’t be able to open the coffin at all?”
Qin Shui was speechless, trembling hands fumbling a cigarette from his pocket. It took him several attempts to light it, and he anticipated that whatever Lin Zhuomian was going to say next would be hard to hear.
As expected, Lin Zhuomian continued, “Resentment turning into black water is a taboo in Feng Shui. As we are in this line of work, this situation is a huge mistake. Once you open the coffin and see the black water, no one present can escape. It can lead to a lifetime of misfortune or even sudden death due to illness; these are common occurrences. Moreover, the Feng Shui pattern of the Six White Flying Stars is mainly used in the construction of residences. You, in your greed for wealth, have applied it to a Yin dwelling. Furthermore, you’ve suppressed the souls of your ancestors for the sake of this. To establish a formation, there must be people in it. For a residence to have living people, the Yin dwelling must have the deceased.”
Lin Zhuomian glanced at the compass on the coffin and continued, “In simpler terms, your ancestors have already escaped from the coffin and are ready to harm you all. Instead of finding a comfortable place for them to rest peacefully, you intend to suppress them. I see that even if you die, you deserve it.”
Qin Shui dared not say anything and nodded repeatedly, agreeing to Lin Zhuomian’s proposal for nearby burial.
By now, darkness had completely enveloped the surroundings, with snow and wind swirling, causing a chilling sensation.
Having heard Lin Zhuomian’s explanation, Bai Luoluo felt that this world was truly treacherous. If they were in his world, they would have already been reported by forest rangers and sent to labor camps. Forgot to mention, in Bai Luoluo’s real world, cremation had been fully implemented, and not having a cremation could lead to imprisonment.
Lin Zhuomian had explained everything to Qin Shui, and now he began to handle the Feng Shui pattern. He first had people use the black soil near the tomb to cover the black water, then inserted three incense sticks into the ground, instructing Qin Shui and the Qin family members to kneel down and kowtow.
The ground was icy, and the group knelt down, continuously kowtowing. Seeing that Lin Zhuomian had not called for a stop, Qin Shui couldn’t help but ask, “How many more kowtows do we have to do?”
Lin Zhuomian glanced at him coldly, his eyes filled with ice shards, and he said, “That depends on when your ancestors tell us to stop.”
Helpless, Qin Shui had no choice but to continue.
The incense burned for half an incense stick’s time, and just when everyone was about to freeze, they watched helplessly as the three incense sticks before them simultaneously extinguished.
If one stick at a time could be considered a coincidence, the current scene made Qin Shui feel like he had been doused with a bucket of cold water.
Lin Zhuomian said, “That’s enough.”
Qin Shui shivered as he stood up.
Lin Zhuomian checked the time and said, “Warm yourself by the fire, and when it’s dawn, we’ll bury the coffin.”
Everyone was on the verge of passing out from the cold, and finally, with the fire lit, they breathed a sigh of relief.
Lin Zhuomian sat next to Bai Luoluo, and in the flickering light of the fire, Bai Luoluo observed him. He noticed that a sparkling snowflake had landed on Lin Zhuomian’s long eyelashes.
Without thinking, Bai Luoluo reached out and plucked the snowflake away.
Lin Zhuomian, as if sensing something, turned his head slightly.
Bai Luoluo said, “There’s a snowflake… it landed on your eyelashes.”
Lin Zhuomian nodded in acknowledgment and softly thanked him.
Bai Luoluo, looking at Lin Zhuomian’s fair face, felt a bit hesitant and didn’t dare to continue staring. He wondered why this person seemed somewhat familiar… but upon careful consideration, he couldn’t recall who he resembled. It was probably just his own illusion, and Bai Luoluo made a confused judgment.
Jan 21, 2024
—
by
Juno
in Fight for Peace and Love
At the seaside, under the bright sun and clear blue sky, the first snowfall
had already descended in the northeast.
Bai Luoluo, who descended from the plane, was still wearing his shorts and
shirt. As he walked out of the plane, he shook like someone with Parkinson’s.
It was only then that Bai Luoluo noticed Lin Zhuomian had already changed
into a thick turtleneck sweater and a black windbreaker early in the morning.
Bai Luoluo didn’t dare to ask him for clothes, so he could only silently endure
in his heart.
The system advised him, "Don’t endure it. Quickly ask if he has any
spare clothes, or you might become the world’s first employee to freeze to
death and log out."
Bai Luoluo said, "Being burned gives you a three-day boost, but what
about freezing to death?"
The system calmly analyzed the situation and said, "Freezing to death
like this falls under suicide, and your salary will be deducted."
Bai Luoluo: "…"
After hesitating for a moment, Bai Luoluo was about to ask Lin Zhuomian for
some clothes when he saw the person who came to pick them up.
The person, seeing Bai Luoluo in short sleeves and shorts, exclaimed,
“No wonder you’re Mr. Lin’s disciple. Even in such cold weather, you dare
to come out like this.”
Lin Zhuomian, hearing this, finally remembered that Bai Luoluo had no warm
clothes. He frowned and asked, “Why didn’t you say anything?”
Bai Luoluo, with a freezing red nose, looked like a pitiful rabbit
struggling in the snowstorm. He said, “I… I forgot.”
Lin Zhuomian: “You can forget about this? If they were late, wouldn’t
you have frozen to death here?”
Bai Luoluo had no response and could only silently get into the car.
Luckily, the car had air conditioning, and the heat relieved the cold on his
body. Finally, he stopped shivering.
The driver asked, “Mr. Lin, it’s getting late. Let me take you to the hotel. I’ll pick you up tomorrow morning.”
Lin Zhuomian agreed.
When getting off the car, Lin Zhuomian took out a thick down jacket from his
own suitcase in advance and handed it to Bai Luoluo. Bai Luoluo didn’t dare to
refuse, so he thanked him while wrapping himself up like a ball.
Lin Zhuomian said, “Even if you’re afraid of me, you still need to say what needs to be said. Otherwise, if you freeze to death, I won’t be able to
see anything.”
Bai Luoluo silly smiled for a moment and agreed.
Inside the room, there was heating. After taking a hot bath, Bai Luoluo fell
into a deep sleep.
The next morning at six o’clock, Bai Luoluo didn’t dare to linger in bed and
got up on time. He then had breakfast with Lin Zhuomian, waiting for the person to pick them up.
It was at this moment that Lin Zhuomian explained to Bai Luoluo, revealing the purpose of his trip to the northeast. He mentioned that he came to relocate a grave, specifically a family ancestral tomb. However, there were Feng Shui issues with the tomb, and it couldn’t be moved casually. Hence, he had gone to Xia City to acquire a highly yin Luo Pan.
Although Lin Zhuomian spoke casually, Bai Luoluo could sense a taste of danger and complexity in his description. Wu Zuzu, who came with Lin Zhuomian, was currently unable to leave the ancestral tomb’s location.
“Be prepared,” Lin Zhuomian said. “Today, we are going into the mountains, and it will be a journey of several days.”
Bai Luoluo nodded.
“Observe and learn as much as you can,” Lin Zhuomian softly advised. “Knowing more things is generally not a bad thing.”
After finishing breakfast, the person who came to pick them up arrived. He prepared two backpacks and also provided two military-grade cotton jackets for them. Although they didn’t look fashionable, warmth was guaranteed. In the coldest forests of the northeast, every part of the body, from head to toe, from fingers to the face, needed proper insulation. Otherwise, you might realize that a certain part is missing only when it’s too late.
Bai Luoluo rarely visited such extremely cold places, and after putting on the equipment, he felt like a clumsy turtle.
The person receiving them exchanged words with Lin Zhuomian, expressing that the snow came at an inconvenient time. They had hoped it would stop yesterday when the snowfall seemed to decrease a bit, but unexpectedly, it started again, as if the heavens were deliberately against them.
Lin Zhuomian said, “The snow came a bit early.”
“Let’s go, Mr. Lin,” the person said. “People in the mountains won’t be able to hold on for too long.”
Lin Zhuomian nodded.
The car drove towards the mountains, with anti-skid chains bound to the tires. Through the car window, Bai Luoluo saw a pure white world of ice and snow, devoid of any color other than white.
Lin Zhuomian handed Bai Luoluo a pair of glasses to put on.
Bai Luoluo asked, “Do I need to wear glasses too?”
Lin Zhuomian said, “Yes, to prevent snow blindness.”
Bai Luoluo obediently took them and put them on.
The mountain road was rugged, and even though it was an off-road vehicle, driving became extremely difficult. After approximately half a day of driving, the car came to a stop. The person who picked them up said, “Can’t go any further. Let’s get off here.”
So, Lin Zhuomian and Bai Luoluo got out of the car, picked up their gear, and began to walk.
The guide parked the car and led Lin Zhuomian and Bai Luoluo deeper into the forest. In recent years, there were many wild mountains and forests in the northeast, and the environmental protection and anti-poaching efforts had been successful, resulting in an increase in wildlife. The guide introduced himself as Qin San, stating that the forest was unsafe, with all sorts of wild animals. He carried a certain item and emphasized that they should inform him immediately if they noticed any movement.
Bai Luoluo, panting, followed behind him, thinking that these people were not ordinary. After walking the entire afternoon without breaking a sweat, they could still talk so casually, their faces looking healthy.
In the mountains, it got dark early. After the sky darkened, traveling became extremely dangerous. Qin San found a suitable place and began to set up a campfire.
The sky quickly became completely dark, and the surroundings fell silent, with only the sound of snowflakes gently falling on the treetops. The three sat around the campfire, and Qin San poked the fire with a branch, saying, “Mr. Lin, can we really fix my grandfather’s grave?”
Lin Zhuomian replied, “It’s a bit troublesome.”
If Lin Zhuomian said it was troublesome, then it must be a very complicated matter. Qin San looked somewhat worried and asked, “If it can’t be fixed, what will happen…”
Lin Zhuomian said, “Actually, it won’t be that bad.”
Qin San relaxed a bit.
However, Lin Zhuomian continued, “Not only will your family have bad luck, but the person who opens the grave will also have bad luck.”
Qin San asked, “How bad is it?”
Lin Zhuomian said, “You could get hit and killed by a dog falling from the sky while walking on the road.”
Qin San: “…” His expression became somewhat twisted, unsure of how to react to such a statement.
If Bai Luoluo didn’t remember hearing such news before, he might have thought Lin Zhuomian was joking. However, despite Lin Zhuomian’s calm expression, it was evident that he was serious and talking about real consequences.
Qin San was a bit speechless and took a while before saying, “Well, that’s really quite unlucky.”
Lin Zhuomian nodded.
The rest of the night passed with each of them taking turns on night watch. Bai Luoluo had the first shift. Lin Zhuomian and Qin San slept in the tent, leaving him alone by the crackling campfire.
Fortunately, with the system around, it wasn’t too lonely.
The night passed uneventfully, and the next day, the three set off again.
Unable to resist, Bai Luoluo asked how much longer it would take to reach their destination. Qin San assessed the surroundings and said, “Another afternoon, hopefully with less snow.” It had been snowing continuously for several days, and the snow had reached the level of their shins. If they continued, the forest would become even more dangerous. Also, it was early winter, and they might encounter bears still foraging before hibernation.
However, Qin San’s hope for lighter snowfall was shattered. On the third afternoon in the woods, the snowfall intensified, accompanied by fog. Looking up, everything appeared hazy, with visibility limited to about twenty meters.
Qin San cursed a few times, mentioning that they were fortunate to be close to their destination; otherwise, considering the weather, it was uncertain whether they could continue on the road.
Bai Luoluo was frozen stiff, not saying a word. He just kept his head down and followed behind Lin Zhuomian. After Lin Zhuomian stopped, Bai Luoluo walked right into his back.
“Zhou Zhizhi?” Lin Zhuomian called Bai Luoluo’s name.
“Huh?” Bai Luoluo looked completely bewildered. He reached up to wipe the snow off his head and said, “What’s up?”
“We’ve arrived,” Lin Zhuomian said. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, I’m fine.” Bai Luoluo, with a mask covering his face, spoke with a muffled voice. He added, “Pretty good, we finally made it.”
Looking ahead, he could vaguely make out a cabin amidst the swirling snow. The cabin appeared elusive in the heavy snowfall, and if Lin Zhuomian hadn’t mentioned it, Bai Luoluo might have thought it was a hallucination.
“We’re here,” Qin San said. “Hurry inside and warm up.”
The three knocked on the door of the cabin, and a sigh of relief escaped them as they entered.
A fire burned in the fireplace, and the floor was covered with thick blankets. Although it was a wooden cabin, the insulation seemed to be quite effective. Bai Luoluo saw almost everyone in the room wearing only sweaters.
“Sir, you’re back,” Wu Zu four, who was not seen before, was indeed in the cabin. Seeing Lin Zhuomian, he hurriedly greeted with a very warm attitude.
Lin Zhuomian’s response was neither cold nor warm. Instead of sitting down to rest, he began to inquire about the situation.
“No change,” Wu Zu four said, “The evil energy is suppressed, but it won’t last much longer. I estimate it can hold out until the day after tomorrow.” He finished speaking and then noticed Bai Luoluo, who was following Lin Zhuomian. He asked, “Sir, why is he here too?”
Lin Zhuomian said, “Any problem?”
What could Wu Zu four say? He could only force a smile and say it was no problem. He was the most sensitive among the three outer disciples Lin Zhuomian took in, so he keenly felt the threat Bai Luoluo posed to their status. Undoubtedly, although Bai Luoluo was a fraud, Lin Zhuomian’s attitude toward him was very special—special enough for Wu Zu four to have some extra thoughts.
“No problem,” Wu Zu four said somewhat reluctantly.
Bai Luoluo thought, why are you so fierce? I’m quite timid too.
Lin Zhuomian asked again, “Where is Qin Shan?”
Wu Zu four replied, “He just came back from outside and is resting upstairs.”
Lin Zhuomian said, “Call him down; I have something to discuss with him.”
Wu Zu four hurriedly went upstairs to call him.
Bai Luoluo took off his coat, shook off the snow, and found a warm corner to sit by the fire. The wind and snow outside grew stronger, and the howling sound seemed like it wanted to tear everything apart. Based on Bai Luoluo’s experience, wooden cabins should not be well-insulated; they not only lack warmth but also tend to have drafts. However, this wooden cabin was like a sturdy fortress, cleanly cutting off the cold air outside. It must have been constructed using some special methods.
The people around Bai Luoluo treated him better than Wu Zu four. One guy even asked if Bai Luoluo wanted sunflower seeds.
Bai Luoluo looked at the sunflower seeds with mixed feelings and declined. The journey had been so boring; he and the system had indulged in a bit too much, reaching a taste of utter darkness and no sunlight. Now, seeing sunflower seeds, he strangely felt a bit of pain in his mouth.
Wu Zu four quickly brought down the person Lin Zhuomian wanted. Bai Luoluo looked upstairs and saw a handsome young man coming down. Qin Shui said, “Here, you’ve worked hard.” He spoke in Mandarin but with a hint of a northeastern accent.
“I calculated the time; we can only start tomorrow. The timing isn’t ideal, but we can’t wait any longer,” Lin Zhuomian said.
Qin Shui said, “Have a smoke,” and lit a cigarette while looking at Lin Zhuomian. He continued, “It’s a bit our fault for not explaining it to you earlier. But is there really no other way?”
“Do you want to choose a more auspicious time?” Lin Zhuomian’s tone was indifferent. He said, “If you want to choose, find someone else. Lin is incompetent.”
“Master Lin, don’t be angry,” Qin Shui said. “I really didn’t know. Okay, tomorrow it is.”
Lin Zhuomian said, “Good. Have you prepared everything?”
Qin Shui said, “Of course, sir. You can check if everything is in order.”
Then, he had his subordinates place all the items Lin Zhuomian needed on the table. Lin Zhuomian tapped the table with his fingers and said, “Zhou Zhizhi, come over.”
Bai Luoluo, still chatting with people, heard Lin Zhuomian’s call and quickly rushed over.
“What’s the matter, sir?” Bai Luoluo asked.
“Come and identify the things on the table,” Lin Zhuomian said. “Describe each item to me.”
Bai Luoluo glanced at the table, realizing he didn’t recognize many things. Hesitating for a moment, he said, “Sir, I only recognize a few things.”
Lin Zhuomian said, “Describe what you know.”
So Bai Luoluo listed the items he recognized, such as rice, coins, tea leaves, bowls, chopsticks, brooms, incense, and candles. The rest were things he didn’t recognize.
Usually, it was Wu Zu four who helped Lin Zhuomian with these tasks. Now, Bai Luoluo took over the job, leaving Wu Zu four on the sidelines, feeling upset. Fortunately, Bai Luoluo didn’t recognize many items, so he got the chance to participate. After Bai Luoluo recounted the remaining items, Lin Zhuomian personally went through them again.
“For these things, you all need to go through them personally,” Lin Zhuomian said. “My eyes are not convenient, so I need you to describe them first. In the future, when you go out on your own, tools must not be touched by others.”
Although Bai Luoluo didn’t understand why, he knew Lin Zhuomian wouldn’t harm him, so he nodded obediently.
After preparing the items, everyone enjoyed a warm dinner.
Dinner was beef bone soup, although the taste was very ordinary, it could stave off the cold. Bai Luoluo drank several bowls, and his pale face finally became rosy.
“We’ll set off tomorrow afternoon,” Qin Shui and Lin Zhuomian confirmed the final time and informed everyone.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
After an afternoon of chatting, Bai Luoluo found that everyone in the room was a member of the Qin family. This time they came deep into the mountains to move their ancestral grave. As for what exactly happened, they were a bit unclear, but it was clear that there was a problem, and they dared not touch the grave.
When arranging rooms at night, Qin Shui apologized to Bai Luoluo, saying that the rooms were already full, and he could only make a storage room available for Bai Luoluo. The place was a bit dirty, and Bai Luoluo shouldn’t mind.
Just as Bai Luoluo was about to agree, he heard Lin Zhuomian next to him slowly say, “He will stay with me.”
Qin Shui’s smile froze on his face, and after a loud “ah,” he said, “Master Lin, what did you say?” Bai Luoluo’s reaction was similar to Qin Shui’s – both had expressions of jaw-dropping surprise.
“He will stay with me,” Lin Zhuomian repeated very confidently.
Qin Shui said, “Oh, okay, Master Lin.”
Lin Zhuomian said, “I have two beds in my room. Let someone tidy up the other one.”
“Alright, alright,” Qin Shui replied, quickly going downstairs. As he left, he glanced at Bai Luoluo, his eyes filled with complexity. It was almost as if he was saying, “Didn’t expect it, big brother. You’re actually Master Lin’s most cherished little darling.”
Bai Luoluo: “…” What should he do? Sleeping in the same room as the boss, would he wake up the next day and find himself back in the real world?
The system said, “Stop trembling. If you shake again, Lin Zhuomian will notice.”
Bai Luoluo sadly said, “I don’t want to shake either. It’s all a physiological reaction.”
The system: “…” Damn physiological reaction, are you a rabbit and Lin Zhuomian a wolf?
Bai Luoluo reluctantly accepted Lin Zhuomian’s kindness, and that’s how things were settled. The two finally had a chance to be alone in a room… though Bai Luoluo didn’t want this opportunity at all.
When it was time to sleep at night, Bai Luoluo got on the bed early, leaving only his nose and eyes exposed under the covers, pretending to be asleep.
Lin Zhuomian also got into bed quietly. After lying down, he said, “Are you cold?”
Bai Luoluo pretended to be asleep and didn’t respond.
After a moment of silence, Lin Zhuomian’s tone seemed to carry a hint of helplessness. He said, “I know you’re not asleep.”
Bai Luoluo: “… How did you know?”
Lin Zhuomian said, “I can hear the breathing rates of others.” Bai Luoluo sadly thought, are you a pervert? How can you even detect this?
Lin Zhuomian seemed to sense Bai Luoluo’s downcast mood. With a tone that was unusually gentle, he said, “I believe I haven’t done anything excessive to you. Why are you so afraid of me?”
Bai Luoluo said, “It’s not that bad…”
Lin Zhuomian said, “Not that bad? Are you starting to shake again?”
Being guessed right by Lin Zhuomian, Bai Luoluo, without integrity, started trembling again. He stubbornly refused to admit it, saying, “No, it’s just a bit cold.”
Lin Zhuomian said, “I’m hot. How about I come over?”
Bai Luoluo almost wanted to burst into tears. He finally realized that Lin Zhuomian was just teasing him. He loved to see Bai Luoluo scared out of his wits and still trying to act tough.
Lin Zhuomian also felt that he had teased Bai Luoluo a bit too much. He said, “Go to sleep early,” and then went to sleep by himself.
Bai Luoluo stared at the ceiling, speaking to the system, “He’s too much.”
The system said, “Yes, it’s really too much.”
Bai Luoluo said, “I don’t have a son like him.” The tiny spark of fatherly affection in his heart was mercilessly extinguished by Lin Zhuomian. Bai Luoluo felt at this moment that nothing could shake him.
The system wanted to remind Bai Luoluo that the term he used is typically used between lovers, but it held back and said nothing.
The next afternoon, everyone set out on time.
While packing his luggage, Bai Luoluo, with Wu Zusi standing behind him, was asked in a soft tone about how he slept last night.
Bai Luoluo said, “…quite well.”
Wu Zusi leaned close to Bai Luoluo’s ear and whispered, “Do you know? I’ve been with Mr. Lin for almost three years.”
Bai Luoluo: “…Why does this sound so familiar?”
“But Mr. Lin has never shared a room with me,” Wu Zusi said softly. “You’ve only been here for a few months, and yet you’re treated so specially. I’m really envious of you.”
These scenes and dialogues seemed so familiar to Bai Luoluo, and he finally remembered that Wu Zusisan, one of Lin Zhuomian’s outer disciples, had said similar things. It probably involved the same expression Wu Zusisan had shown.
Bai Luoluo said, “…How about we switch then?”
Wu Zusi said, “Why are you so ungrateful? Mr. Lin suggested sharing a room with you, and you’re still not happy about it?”
Bai Luoluo said, “I’m not unhappy…”
Wu Zusi said, “Then why do you want to switch?”
Bai Luoluo felt his head spinning. He said, “You’re a man in your twenties, why are you being so awkward? If you like Mr. Lin so much, go tell him. Otherwise, how will he know you like him?”
Wu Zusi: “…” Why does this sound so strange?
“Love is about being brave,” Bai Luoluo said with righteous fervor, then lowered his head to continue packing.
Wu Zusi: “…”
Outside, the snow fell in large, goose-feather-like flakes. After everyone was ready, they finally set out.
The people from the Qin family walked at the front, while Lin Zhuomian and his two disciples followed in the middle. According to Qin Shui, they could encounter any issues, but Lin Zhuomian must remain unharmed.
Due to the snow, the mountain road became particularly difficult to traverse.
Bai Luoluo supported himself with a stick, moving step by step, while Lin Zhuomian seemed to handle it with ease. Bai Luoluo walked and pondered, wondering why their family would bury people in such deep, mountainous woods. It was downright terrifying. Besides, wasn’t there a risk of causing a forest fire when burning incense during holidays? —Bai Luoluo’s way of thinking was quite in line with socialist values, one had to admit.
The heavy snow affected the pace, and by the time the group reached the graveyard, it was almost dark.
Bai Luoluo finally saw the Qin family’s tomb. The soil on the tomb had been dug open, revealing the crypt below sealed with marble.
Above the crypt was a snow-covered shelter made of branches, looking like it was on the verge of collapsing under the snow’s weight.
Lin Zhuomian walked over.
Qin Shui followed him and asked, “Can we open it now?”
Lin Zhuomian said, “Yes.”
So, the several Qin family members standing behind stepped forward to lift the bluestone slab above the grave. As the bluestone gradually rose, a coffin appeared before everyone’s eyes.
Bai Luoluo’s eyes revealed surprise as he noticed that around the coffin flowed a thin layer of black water. Given the current low temperature, this black water should have frozen into ice long ago. However, Bai Luoluo felt as if it were slowly flowing in a clockwise direction, like a black vortex.
“Damn.” Seeing the scene with the coffin, Qin Shui cursed and asked, “Master Lin, how long has this black water been around the coffin?”
Lin Zhuomian remained silent for a moment, seemingly calculating something, and then replied, “Not long, a little over a year.”
“Thank goodness, thank goodness.” Qin Shui sighed in relief. He said, “Luckily, I invited you to help us check our family tomb. You saw that there was a problem with the ancestral grave. Otherwise, who the hell could I cry to?”
Perhaps in this past year, various strange illnesses related to water had sporadically afflicted their family members. One of them unexpectedly developed an allergy to clear water. Just a touch would cause a large area of the skin to turn red, accompanied by pain and itching.
“Can we open the coffin now?” Qin Shui’s face was covered in snowflakes as he asked.
“Wait a moment.” Lin Zhuomian took out the extremely Yin compass he had obtained in Xia City from his pocket. Carefully, he placed the compass in the middle of the coffin.
As soon as the compass left his hand, the air instantly became several degrees colder. Bai Luoluo couldn’t help but shiver, but his gaze couldn’t bear to move away from Lin Zhuomian for a moment.
Upon placing the compass down, the slowly flowing black water around the coffin seemed to solidify.
“Open the coffin,” Lin Zhuomian ordered.
Several more people came forward to slowly lift the coffin.
“Master Lin, can you tell me how the Feng Shui here has changed?” Qin Shui was clearly very puzzled. Why had the perfectly good Feng Shui inexplicably been disrupted?
“Do you know what Feng Shui pattern your ancestors used when they were buried?” Lin Zhuomian’s voice was somewhat cold.
Qin Shui scratched his head and said, “I don’t know. When I asked the elders, they just said it was for wealth.”
“I have carefully observed it before. The hills and valleys here all show traces of artificial manipulation. Upon closer inspection, it is clear that it is the Feng Shui pattern of the Six White Flying Stars,” Lin Zhuomian explained. “The Six White Stars are associated with the Wu Qu star, representing metal, white color, and the Qian palace, primarily governing wealth.”
Qin Shui knew that Lin Zhuomian hadn’t finished speaking, so he continued listening.
“Indeed, the Six White Flying Stars are associated with wealth, but it tends to be deceitful. During its prosperous phases, it can indeed bring prosperity and wealth to the family. However, if its fortune is lost, it will inevitably lead to a catastrophic loss of family wealth and bloodshed,” Lin Zhuomian said. “Your predecessors claimed not to know. I want to ask, is it really that they don’t know, or are they pretending not to know?”
Qin Shui’s expression became somewhat awkward. He knew very well about his own family, and it was evident that they were deliberately keeping him in the dark.
“Mr. Lin, are you implying that my family has already lost its fortune?” Qin Shui became anxious. He asked, “Is there any way to resolve this?”
Lin Zhuomian said, “The Six White Flying Stars pattern is unsolvable.” He calmly continued, “In the world, things go through cycles of rise and fall. Although some things are within our control, there are also things that cannot be controlled.”
Qin Shui’s entire face wrinkled up, and he said, “Mr. Lin…”
“However,” Lin Zhuomian’s tone shifted, and he continued, “The way this black water is flowing around your ancestors’ tomb doesn’t seem to be a sign of the Six White Flying Stars losing their influence.”
Qin Shui was a bit bewildered by this sudden turn, but then he reacted with excitement, “Mr. Lin, are you saying that the misfortune in my family is not because of the Six White Flying Stars’ formation?”
“Yes,” Lin Zhuomian said, “If the Six White Flying Stars were to lose their influence, there wouldn’t be any living thing within a hundred meters here.”
Qin Shui’s face was beaming with joy. He said, “Mr. Lin, just look at this black water, what does it mean…”
“This black water,” Lin Zhuomian interrupted with a cold and astonishing statement, “is the resentment of your ancestors.”
Qin Shui’s expression froze once again.
Lin Zhuomian continued, “If the tomb hadn’t already been opened, my disciple would also have been affected by the resentment. I would have immediately left the mountain, not bothering with any of you.” As he spoke, his expression turned icy, and it was evident that he was quite angered at the moment.
Qin Shui was utterly dumbfounded; he never expected such a sudden turn of events.
Lin Zhuomian explained, “When burying ancestors, there’s a saying ‘rest in peace.’ However, to achieve the Six White Flying Stars pattern, you built a tomb with a blue-stone slab, confining your ancestors inside without any chance of reincarnation. Over time, the resentment grew stronger, eventually turning into this black water, flooding around the coffin.”
Qin Shui said, “Mr. Lin…”
Lin Zhuomian coldly stated, “I know what you want to say. I can only tell you that I can inquire with your ancestors. As for whether they will forgive you, I have no control over that.”
Qin Shui nodded heavily, and with a trembling voice, he asked, “Mr. Lin, what should we do next?”
Lin Zhuomian glanced disdainfully at the black water on the blue-stone slab and said, “Naturally, it’s to find a new burial site for your ancestors and bury them again.”
Qin Shui exclaimed, “Alright, alright, I have already prepared…”
Lin Zhuomian interrupted, “Right around here.”
Qin Shui asked in surprise, “Huh?”
Ignoring Qin Shui’s stunned expression, Lin Zhuomian continued indifferently, “Before I came here, I checked the surrounding area. There’s a suitable place nearby with good Feng Shui. Bury them there.”
Qin Shui hesitated for a moment and finally managed to say, “Okay.”
Lin Zhuomian raised an eyebrow, “What? You’re not willing?”
“No, it’s just that my grandfather said…” Qin Shui hesitated, apparently feeling that the burial pattern had some connection with his grandfather, so he softened his stance, “If that place isn’t suitable, they suggested taking the remains to find another Feng Shui treasure.”
Lin Zhuomian questioned, “And continue suppressing your ancestors for several more centuries?”
Qin Shui remained silent; he didn’t dare to argue.
Lin Zhuomian continued, “Do you know that if you proceed with such a plan, you won’t be able to open the coffin at all?”
Qin Shui was speechless, trembling hands fumbling a cigarette from his pocket. It took him several attempts to light it, and he anticipated that whatever Lin Zhuomian was going to say next would be hard to hear.
As expected, Lin Zhuomian continued, “Resentment turning into black water is a taboo in Feng Shui. As we are in this line of work, this situation is a huge mistake. Once you open the coffin and see the black water, no one present can escape. It can lead to a lifetime of misfortune or even sudden death due to illness; these are common occurrences. Moreover, the Feng Shui pattern of the Six White Flying Stars is mainly used in the construction of residences. You, in your greed for wealth, have applied it to a Yin dwelling. Furthermore, you’ve suppressed the souls of your ancestors for the sake of this. To establish a formation, there must be people in it. For a residence to have living people, the Yin dwelling must have the deceased.”
Lin Zhuomian glanced at the compass on the coffin and continued, “In simpler terms, your ancestors have already escaped from the coffin and are ready to harm you all. Instead of finding a comfortable place for them to rest peacefully, you intend to suppress them. I see that even if you die, you deserve it.”
Qin Shui dared not say anything and nodded repeatedly, agreeing to Lin Zhuomian’s proposal for nearby burial.
By now, darkness had completely enveloped the surroundings, with snow and wind swirling, causing a chilling sensation.
Having heard Lin Zhuomian’s explanation, Bai Luoluo felt that this world was truly treacherous. If they were in his world, they would have already been reported by forest rangers and sent to labor camps. Forgot to mention, in Bai Luoluo’s real world, cremation had been fully implemented, and not having a cremation could lead to imprisonment.
Lin Zhuomian had explained everything to Qin Shui, and now he began to handle the Feng Shui pattern. He first had people use the black soil near the tomb to cover the black water, then inserted three incense sticks into the ground, instructing Qin Shui and the Qin family members to kneel down and kowtow.
The ground was icy, and the group knelt down, continuously kowtowing. Seeing that Lin Zhuomian had not called for a stop, Qin Shui couldn’t help but ask, “How many more kowtows do we have to do?”
Lin Zhuomian glanced at him coldly, his eyes filled with ice shards, and he said, “That depends on when your ancestors tell us to stop.”
Helpless, Qin Shui had no choice but to continue.
The incense burned for half an incense stick’s time, and just when everyone was about to freeze, they watched helplessly as the three incense sticks before them simultaneously extinguished.
If one stick at a time could be considered a coincidence, the current scene made Qin Shui feel like he had been doused with a bucket of cold water.
Lin Zhuomian said, “That’s enough.”
Qin Shui shivered as he stood up.
Lin Zhuomian checked the time and said, “Warm yourself by the fire, and when it’s dawn, we’ll bury the coffin.”
Everyone was on the verge of passing out from the cold, and finally, with the fire lit, they breathed a sigh of relief.
Lin Zhuomian sat next to Bai Luoluo, and in the flickering light of the fire, Bai Luoluo observed him. He noticed that a sparkling snowflake had landed on Lin Zhuomian’s long eyelashes.
Without thinking, Bai Luoluo reached out and plucked the snowflake away.
Lin Zhuomian, as if sensing something, turned his head slightly.
Bai Luoluo said, “There’s a snowflake… it landed on your eyelashes.”
Lin Zhuomian nodded in acknowledgment and softly thanked him.
Bai Luoluo, looking at Lin Zhuomian’s fair face, felt a bit hesitant and didn’t dare to continue staring. He wondered why this person seemed somewhat familiar… but upon careful consideration, he couldn’t recall who he resembled. It was probably just his own illusion, and Bai Luoluo made a confused judgment.
