Chapter 8, Natural Death

They are all from the same village, so they wouldn't go so far as to make things difficult for our family, but they have just one request, which is to cremate my grandfather's remains

"It's nothing, it's what I should do. There should still be some money at home, so I won't trouble you." When I heard him say he was going to town, my feelings became quite complicated

"Whoever wants to harm my old man, must first kill me." This was the statement made by the grandmother holding a kitchen knife

Moreover, this time it is not a trivial illness or misfortune, nor is it a matter of being haunted or pressed by ghosts. This situation has escalated significantly, resulting in loss of life. Therefore, when we first approached the village's usual "grandmother," she immediately stated that Lin Lao had been on the battlefield in his lifetime and had killed many. Now, countless vengeful spirits are seeking trouble with him.

"Fart, too many killings attract trouble from ghosts? Does that mean everyone who has been on the battlefield will have to settle accounts after death? Not to mention this, I have heard that those who have killed carry a certain malevolent aura that even ghosts fear. In ancient times, executioners often used their instruments of execution to ward off evil spirits, and there were many such cases." Uncle Two said

I am right behind you, we are family

The thin police officer looked at me and said: "Did you report the crime? This person died of natural causes"

We gave Grandma three yuan as a gift for happiness, which is hard-earned money and a customary practice. In rural areas, most witches are actually local doctors. Often, the remedies they provide for warding off evil are just pills or herbal medicine tailored to the symptoms. Since we are all from the same village, they usually only charge a few yuan as a token. However, Grandma's rule is three yuan; giving less is unacceptable, and giving more is also not allowed.

Lin Sanshui said, "I shouldn't be saying this given my position, but damn it, you should find a Taoist for this matter, why come to me!" The fat policeman stood up and scolded.

There are folk traditions, especially in our region

Therefore, the coffin must be prepared as soon as possible in conjunction with the books, because it is currently hot. Grandfather San must be kept in the coffin; otherwise, after today, the body will become swollen and bloated, making the embalming process very troublesome.

That is why I just told Lin Sanshui that we must find a Taoist priest

Today, due to the death of my great-uncle, my grandfather's practice of raising the dead every seventh day can no longer be concealed. If it were merely a matter of raising the dead to my bed, that would be one thing.

"Is it true or not, young man? You need to know that you are speaking to a police officer!" said the overweight officer, wiping the sweat from his face.

Please invite a Taoist priest. I am speaking to Lin Sanshui

He was the clan leader in his lifetime, a person who strictly adhered to rules. My grandfather was buried two days later, and it was only after my father exhausted all his efforts in persuasion that he reluctantly agreed

However, this time, it unexpectedly led to the death of Grandfather San, a highly respected elder revered by the entire village

"Whether I believe it or not is not the most important thing; what matters is that the villagers believe it." I said, furrowing my brows.

I am happy again, go ahead, once you leave, you can be a little farther away from Wu Miaoke

"No." He replied without hesitation

This matter has become significant, and she is unable to manage it

Having taken care of everything, the sky has turned dark. Since my great-uncle has no sons or daughters, our family is once again obliged to take full responsibility for his funeral. Therefore, it falls upon us to oversee the wake.

Brother Wang, it's true, I initially handled this matter myself," Lin Sanshui said

The first is to prevent the reanimation of corpses in the future, and it also serves as an explanation for the death of Grandfather San.

Why would he go to town when he has such a good wife at home

Do you think your grandfather would do something like this? Moreover, the clan leader has no injuries at all. It is very likely that he was affected by the cold air entering his body at night, and given his advanced age, he is just a hair's breadth away from death. That breath of cold air just happened to be the catalyst for his demise. This time, my second uncle was not very silent; instead, he spoke to me. And what he said seemed quite reasonable.

Indeed, there are no external injuries on him, nor any signs of a struggle; he must have died from organ failure due to old age said the thin police officer

I offered him a cigarette and slowly told him, from the seventh day after my grandfather's passing until the death of my third grandfather today

However, understanding is mutual. They can comprehend our feelings about refusing to cremate our grandfather, and we must also understand their concerns. With such a restless old man's corpse lying in the village, it is likely that those with timid dispositions will have trouble sleeping.

When I returned home, my grandmother was still there weeping. As for my grandfather, I have lost count of how many times he has been reburied. The subsequent burials were not as ritualistic as the first one, which involved careful consideration of the timing and various customs. They were all hastily conducted, and no family can endure such turmoil.

"You can go ten miles away to find a person; this person is a master of yin and yang. In his early years, when he traversed the underworld, he established a connection with the spirits. If you go to find him, he will surely have a way." Grandmother said

In the first half of the night, villagers continued to come and pay their respects to Grandfather San, who was placed in a makeshift coffin. As the night progressed, the number of people dwindled, and gradually only the three of us remained, offering incense to Grandfather San.

"How do you say this?" I asked him

Because we must provide an explanation to Grandfather San, as well as to all the villagers, demonstrating a stance on how to address the matter

Father, you need not worry, I won't be left alone. You should go rest now. Here, it is sufficient for me and my second uncle.

As the atmosphere quieted down, Wu Miaoke did not lose her composure. She poured a cup of tea for each of us. I looked up and saw Lin Xiaoyao in the corner, secretly watching me

If we are to discuss who is under the most pressure lately, it is certainly not me, but rather my father. He is the head of our family and has far more to consider than I do. At this moment, standing before Grandfather San's coffin, he looks extremely haggard and says to me: "Xiao Fan, I am not afraid of anything that happens, but with this incident, who would dare to come to our family when you get married in the future?"

After the burial of my grandfather, the three of us immediately went to find timber to start building the old house of my great-uncle. My grandfather's burial was expedited due to the circumstances of his death and the hot weather, allowing for his interment within two days. However, this was absolutely not the case for my great-uncle, as his standing in our village was entirely incomparable to that of my grandfather.

However, the fat police officer left without even looking back. He didn't even have time to greet Wu Miaoke

"Xiao Fan, take a look at this matter," Lin Sanshui said to me helplessly

I absolutely agree with what he said, because when I was in college, there was a guy in the dorm who liked to watch horror films from Hong Kong and Taiwan, and they mostly contained this notion

In reality, situations do not unfold like in novels, where emotions run high and intense conflicts erupt; since everyone is from the same community, it is unlikely to become too distressing.

Is this request excessive? From my perspective, it is not excessive at all; in fact, I have had this thought myself. Grandfather cannot continue to cause such a commotion.

So you mean to say that my grandfather is truly being troubled by ghosts from the underworld? The fact that I have changed my address to you from 'grandfather' to 'you' shows that what he said makes quite a bit of sense. Moreover, his earlier remark about not sleeping during the seventh hour clearly indicates that he is a person who works quietly, which brings a warm current to my heart.

Therefore, Uncle San must adhere to our local customs and observe a three-day mourning period

A single action conveyed all of his thoughts

Putting oneself in another's shoes, even if it were true that Uncle San coincidentally died there, could I believe it if I were in his place

The chubby police officer, who initially had a slightly flushed face upon seeing Wu Miaoke, began to gradually turn pale as I slowly narrated the story

I became interested and asked him: "In that case, Uncle Er, what do you think about Grandpa's situation? Is it really that Grandpa killed too many people in the past and got into trouble, or is it something man-made?"

Otherwise, sooner or later, I will go crazy

"Brother Wang, why don't you go check the graveyard? It might be a tomb raider," Lin Sanshui said to the chubby police officer.

The police may claim that he died of organ failure, but can the villagers believe it

Some individuals are not adept at expressing their emotions

Uncle Er did not say a word from beginning to end; he merely stood behind Grandma while the villagers were arguing with her. This single action greatly increased my fondness for him

In fact, I understand that this so-called witch, who usually treats minor ailments and troubles for the villagers, can put on a show and scare people. However, when it comes to real matters, she simply does not dare to take on this responsibility

"You go ahead, young man," at that moment, the plump police officer said to me while looking at the back of Wu Miaoke as she walked by.

"Alright, Old Lin, let's meet in town another day to catch up. I'm leaving now!" The fat policeman pulled the thin policeman away, almost fleeing the scene.

However, this is not excessive; for me, for my family, it is unacceptable. Therefore, when my grandmother heard the villagers say they wanted to burn my grandfather, she immediately went home, grabbed a kitchen knife, and ran over.

Uncle Er is indeed clever

When Lin Sanshui and I returned to the ancestral hall, the situation had already confirmed my suspicions. After the police left, the villagers were filled with righteous indignation, all saying they wanted to seek justice for Grandfather San.

"You should go rest; this matter is settled. Hurry to class. Having taken someone else's salary, you cannot delay the child's studies." He insisted on not going. Later, we agreed that he would sleep first, and after a while, I would call him. The three of us would take turns resting, as the vigil lasts for a full three days.

My father's thoughts are almost identical to mine, but due to the existence of this legend, we cannot tolerate them burning my grandfather's body

"You, a university student, believe in this?" Lin Sanshui said, looking at me in disbelief

After my father passed away, I felt exceptionally bored. My second uncle is a rather dull person; what is there for me to say to him? After sitting in silence for half an hour, facing the coffin and the burning joss paper, the heat was quite irritating. I decided to bring up a topic and asked my second uncle, "Do you think that Grandfather could have been responsible for Third Grandfather's death?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the thin police officer pushed the door open and the fat police officer quickly approached him, saying: "Old Song, how is it?"

When a person dies and is cremated, it signifies that their soul is scattered, enduring the torment of intense flames, and they can never be reincarnated

Xiao Fan, I know this Yin-Yang master who is ten miles away. Coincidentally, I am about to go to town, so I can help you invite him over. Since this matter arose because of your grandfather, your family will take care of it, alright? If the money is insufficient, I can advance you a few months' salary.

"It cannot be human-made," he said. "On the night of the seventh, I couldn't sleep at all, but how he got to your bed, I have no idea; there wasn't a sound. This matter must be mysterious."

"Normal death?" the overweight police officer gasped.