Chapter 9, Stone Figurines

I saw him repeating the actions he had taken when he first picked up the fragment of the stone figurine, gently tracing his fingers along the inner side of the fragment, still leaving a layer of white powder on his fingers

The manufacturing method of the stone figurines is quite brutal, somewhat akin to mummification, yet significantly simpler than it. In mummification, at least the host remains as a dried corpse, retaining a human shape. However, in the case of the stone figurines, the individuals almost entirely transform into larvae, leaving no bones behind, as the entire body becomes food for the larvae

Xue nodded. Although I maintained a calm demeanor on the surface, I was internally astonished. What Xue held in his hand was clearly a fragment of a stone figurine, which is an ancient type of human-shaped coffin that was rarely used and is horrifying in nature. If it were to be used, it would typically be found in a suspicious tomb, serving as a trap. Moreover, stone figurines generally symbolize misfortune and death; encountering one in a tomb rarely allows for survival. Furthermore, the horrifying nature of this human-shaped coffin, if it were to be used, would also be in a suspicious tomb, serving as a trap, and stone figurines typically represent ominousness and death, with very few chances of survival upon encountering them in a grave.

Due to the fragility of the stone figurines, they are commonly placed in suspicious tombs as traps. If a grave robber accidentally breaks one, the worms inside will consume him completely. Since these worms do not approach the dead, some tombs will place many such stone figurines in the main burial chamber as a final line of defense

Therefore, when I heard Xue say that this stone figurine had been reused, I found it quite incredible, because a stone figurine can only be used once and can never be reused like a book

Then I hung up the phone, and at that moment, Xue had already reached out to pick up the fragments of the stone figurine from the pit

He is not afraid of the weevil, so he did not notice that I am different from him, which is why he acted as he did just now. The saying that even the wisest person may make a mistake likely refers to his recent actions

After the stone figurines are made, they are placed in a warm environment, typically in a kiln for baking. The purpose is to raise the temperature of the stone figurines, allowing the eggs of the maggots within the corpses to hatch and lay more eggs

I applied the corpse oil, and only then did Xue lift the floor tiles again. He then tore up all the tiles in the corner as if he were flipping a table. I saw a pit in the corner of the ground that was just big enough to fit a person, and inside was a mass of white objects, including fragments of stone figurines, but more notably, there were wriggling maggots, which made one shudder with disgust.

I finally understood why Xue lifted the floor tiles only to put them back down. I thought even he must have moments of miscalculation. However, the question I asked next suddenly made me realize that this was merely a habit stemming from his subconscious.

However, the most pressing question now is, how could there be stone figurines in my residence when they are rarely found in tombs

He said: "This stone figurine has been used; the original larvae have weathered away, and what we see now are larvae that have been cultivated anew https://wwwhetushu.com.com"

I am not in the mood to discuss this with my fourth uncle right now, so I replied briefly: "I understand."

As soon as I pressed the answer button, I heard a hurried and rapid voice coming from the other end. Who else could it be but Uncle Si? I only heard him say: "Xiao Yuan, hurry and leave your place to come here, it is very dangerous there now!"

This is a transparent small plastic bottle, and I can only see a viscous grease inside, resembling corpse oil. Xue then added: "It is indeed corpse oil; the mud snail does not approach the dead body, as this substance can mask the living aura on you."

I said: "It is Xue, you should know that."

How could there be a stone figurine in this house, and I have lived with this stone figurine for several years? This house was found for me by my fourth uncle; does he know about it?

I saw Xue lift the floor tile for a moment, and then he immediately let go. The floor tile fell to the ground with a "clang." Then Xue took a small bottle out of his pocket and threw it to me, saying: "Apply this on your hands and face; in short, apply it to all the skin exposed to the outside."

I listened while looking at Xue, who maintained the same expression. Even upon hearing such words from the fourth uncle, he showed no reaction, not even a flicker of emotion in his eyes.

Essentially, this type of baking should be done over low heat, as it cannot be too hot; otherwise, the larvae inside will not be able to survive and will perish. This process continues for three to seven days, during which the larvae hatch and grow, then lay eggs and hatch again, until almost all of the interior of the stone figurine is filled with larvae. The body is completely consumed by the larvae, and a complete stone figurine is thus considered finished

Xue gently traced his fingers over the white stone slab, and immediately a layer of powder resembling lime adhered to his fingers. I said, "Is this powder from the mudworm?"

Xue pushed aside some clutter in the corner and then said, "Look here!"

I looked over and was immediately startled to see white maggots emerging from the gaps in the floor. The gaps in the floor were indeed larger, as if they had been pried open. These crawling maggots were about the size of flies, and already more than ten had wriggled out. Xue quickly stepped back, as I knew these maggots were poisonous; being stung by one was no trivial matter.

Someone came here and found it, and then shattered it. Even in the face of such a scene, Xue still maintained his characteristic tone, with not even a hint of fluctuation in his voice.

I said: "Fourth Uncle, we have already discovered the dangerous items you mentioned"

Due to the presence of the stone figurines, the larvae are unable to escape and are completely trapped inside. As the temperature decreases, the larvae gradually enter a dormant state, only to awaken when the temperature becomes suitable or the stone figurines are shattered.

Although Xue stepped back a few paces, I could tell that this action was entirely for my benefit, as I sensed that he was not afraid of this kind of worm at all. I saw him gradually extending his hand into the crack, seemingly intending to lift this piece of floor tile.

The worm crawled under the coffee table, under the sofa; in short, all the dark corners of the house have become its hiding places. In this pit, its true form has also emerged, revealing a pile of broken stones, yet one can discern the shape of a stone figurine.

Its appearance resembles that of a human figure, approximately the same size as a real person. It is not solid; it has only an outer layer of stone shell, while the interior is completely hollow. When shattered, numerous white larvae crawl out from within. The layer of white powder on Xue's hand is the residue left after the larvae have weathered.

The individuals used to create stone figurines are generally living people. Before they are transformed into stone figurines, they are given a substance known as "medicinal guide," which is essentially the eggs of a type of parasitic worm. Once ingested, this substance completely seals their seven orifices, causing them to suffocate and die due to lack of air. Subsequently, a mixture of lime, white stone powder, young boy's urine, and some unique secret formulas is prepared with water. This mixture is then applied to the person's body as if it were being plastered onto a wall, and they are placed in a cool, shaded area to dry. Once this layer of plaster has fully hardened, the stone figurine is considered complete. The process is repeated with the same mixture until the figurine is fully formed.

Xue is not wrong; corpse oil and *picture* books are indeed effective. These moths crawled past me, yet not a single one climbed onto me. What surprised me even more was that these moths kept their distance from Xue, as if they truly feared him, despite the fact that he had no corpse oil on him, except for his face, which was pale enough to resemble that of a dead person.

I heard my fourth uncle's voice filled with even more surprise: "How could he be with you? Xiaoyuan, hurry and come over here, and keep your distance from Xueyuan. He is unreliable and very dangerous!"

I glanced at Xue, but Xue remained expressionless. He was simply looking at me, or more precisely, at the phone pressed against my ear. It was evident that he was also listening, as my uncle's voice was too loud and the surroundings were too quiet; he could clearly hear everything my uncle was saying

I asked him if he wanted to apply the corpse oil as well, but he replied that it was unnecessary, as he did not dare to come near it

Just as I was thinking this, a sudden clear ringing sound completely shattered the silence in the living room; it was my phone ringing. I took out my phone, and it was a call from my fourth uncle.

I heard the surprised voice of my fourth uncle: "What, you discovered something? Wait, you said 'we,' who else is with you?"

It was likely due to the dazzling light that these worms, which were originally wriggling in the pit, suddenly surged out in a rush. In an instant, they spread into the living room like a tumultuous wave, as if a white cloth had been laid across the floor