The corpse fragrance had been lingering for five or six days now—too long. But since Huang Jiu was around, I thought I could stall for a few more days.
I hadn't expected trouble to come so soon.
Recalling how Huang Jiu boasted before, I couldn't help but question him, "Didn't you claim just two days ago that you were the boss of everything within a hundred-mile radius?"
Huang Jiu, clutching a small yellow weasel in his arms with an expression of paternal affection, awkwardly replied, "That's because my wife wasn't home. If she were, no one in these hundred miles would dare step in. But listen, Brother Li, the one coming this time is something from the mountains. You need to be careful."
As he spoke, his beady eyes darted toward the iron cage secured with wire.
This guy was clearly henpecked.
No wonder he looked so aggrieved when he saw the female corpse last time, like a husband who had been caught fooling around.
His wife was coming back soon—so now he didn't dare mess around anymore?
Good thing I hadn't acted rashly, or else if I killed the male, the female would come for revenge.
And from the way he spoke, it seemed like his wife was far more powerful than he was.
Still, no matter how powerful these creatures were, there were things they couldn't do—like opening the cage in front of him.
Out of consideration for his wife, I decided not to make things difficult for him. I twisted open the wire and released the little yellow weasels inside before asking, "So, can you tell me what exactly is coming?"
However, as soon as the cage was opened, Huang Jiu's attitude shifted. He stood upright, clasped his paws together, and said, "Brother Li, we'll meet again if fate allows it."
I frowned slightly, a bit displeased. But I still stopped him and said, "Take the bracelet back. In the future, if you want to visit, you're welcome anytime."
Huang Jiu's tiny eyes flickered as he looked at me. "Brother Li, I truly don't know what's coming from the mountains."
"If that's the case," I replied coldly, "then don't ever come back. Otherwise, I'll beat you every time I see you."
Huang Jiu panicked.
"Brother, don't be like this! How about you name another condition?"
After some thought, I realized that if his wife really was the ruler of this area, she'd be well-informed. So, I compromised, "I won't make things difficult for you. Just inform me immediately if you hear any news over the next few days. Deal?"
This was a simple request for him. Without hesitation, he agreed.
After Huang Jiu left, I felt a heavy weight in my heart.
If something from the mountains had entered the hundred-mile radius, it could arrive as soon as tonight. I needed to prepare.
At noon, I went home.
My mother's eyes were filled with worry, but she didn't ask any questions.
After eating, I packed some rice and sweet potatoes, then grabbed my grandfather's box before heading out.
Before I left, my mother couldn't hold back anymore. She grabbed my arm and asked, "Yangyang, is that girl… dead?"
Was she alive or dead? I still hadn't figured that out myself.
But I didn't want my mother to worry, so I smiled and said, "She's breathing."
Of course, my mother wouldn't believe such words.
After all, that coffin had been in our house for fifteen years. Could the person inside really still be breathing?
But when people are desperate and helpless, even a lie can become hope.
Hearing my words, my mother turned back into the house, then came out a moment later with a small bundle. She handed it to me and said, "We don't have anything valuable at home. These are some clothes I bought yesterday in town. Take them for her to change into."
I took the clothes, feeling a lump in my throat.
Perhaps in every mother's heart, nothing matters more than their child's well-being.
I wasn't great at expressing emotions, so I simply took the clothes and muttered, "I won't be coming back for the next two days. Don't wait for me at dinner."
As I walked away, I turned back and saw my mother standing at the door, quietly wiping her tears.
My heart grew heavier.
Rural folks might be simple, but they weren't ignorant. My mother understood more than she let on.
Back at the old house, I organized the food I had brought and set up a stove.
After that, I took out my grandfather's box, emptied its contents, and found a small wooden case beneath the Taoist robe. Inside were a few yellow talismans.
Since they were stored separately, they had to be valuable.
I counted them—seven in total.
Then, my eyes landed on an Eight Trigrams mirror.
Turning to look at the woman on the bed, I wondered: if I still couldn't tell if she was alive or dead, could this mirror at least reveal whether she was human or a jiangshi (hopping vampire)?
It was a good idea, but I hesitated.
Because she could move.
If I wasn't careful, would she strangle me on the spot?
After struggling internally for a while, I decided to go for it.
Treading lightly, I approached her, lifted the black cloth, and carefully placed the Eight Trigrams mirror on her forehead.
Minutes passed—no reaction. I touched the mirror's surface; it wasn't warm either.
Seemed like she wasn't a jiangshi.
Still not convinced, I tested her with a peachwood sword, a rope soaked in black dog's blood, and other tools meant for dealing with the undead. Nothing happened.
Finally, I tried a yellow talisman.
I licked the back of it, stuck it on her forehead… still nothing.
I let out a deep sigh of relief.
Whatever she was, at least she wasn't a jiangshi.
Feeling more reassured, my gaze drifted to her chest.
Swallowing hard, I figured it was worth checking her heartbeat one more time.
Just to be safe, I left the talisman on her forehead.
Half an hour passed, but I still couldn't feel a heartbeat.
Strangely, instead of being worried, I felt a little happy.
Because that meant I could check again every day.
Not bad.
As night fell, I ate a simple meal and started a fire in an iron bucket.
My grandfather used to say that in places tainted with dark energy, electric lights were unreliable. Only fire from the living world could keep things at bay.
Once that was done, I pulled out the old book that had fallen from the female corpse's body.
Although I had only attended middle school, I had a good grasp of Chinese characters and could read many ancient texts. However, when I tried following the book's instructions, I couldn't get any results.
Especially when it came to manipulating "qi"—I held my breath for so long that I nearly farted, but that was about it.
When night deepened, I spread a layer of ashes inside the room.
Grandfather said that some entities were invisible to the naked eye, but their footprints could be revealed using grass ash or incense ash.
After that, I secured a whip made of willow branches around my waist.
Grandfather and I had made this together, soaking it in tung oil to give it flexibility—an excellent weapon against evil spirits.
Of course, I also carried a peachwood sword and a coin sword.
Feeling a bit more secure, I exhaled deeply.
Just then, the corpse fragrance began to spread again.
Annoyed, I muttered, "You just can't help yourself, can you? What, afraid people don't know how fragrant you are? Flirty…"
Wait, that last word didn't sit right.
We were officially married—she could be anything, but not flirtatious!
Thinking that, I figured I might as well check her heartbeat again.
But before I could reach the bed, I heard a rustling sound from the window.
Turning around cautiously, I saw Huang Jiu's head poking in, wearing his signature floral shorts, looking sneaky as ever.