Chapter 3, Resurrection
If it were just like this, I wouldn't have specifically mentioned this copper coin. It was because the copper coin rolled far away and struck Yang Chuanming on the inner thigh. Normally, it shouldn't have been a big deal, of course, that is according to common sense. However, everything tonight has exceeded common sense. Just a copper coin caused Yang Chuanming to let out a terrible scream, clutching his thigh and rolling on the ground. The piercing scream and Yang Chuanming's waxy complexion both revealed just how much pain he was in. Of course, this pain was unknown to others. But everything tonight has exceeded common sense. Just a copper coin caused Yang Chuanming to let out a terrible scream, clutching his thigh and rolling on the ground. The piercing scream and Yang Chuanming's waxy complexion both revealed just how much pain he was in. Of course, this pain was unknown to others.
At this moment, the mountain wind gradually began to cease, yet the terrifying transformation had not passed; everything was merely beginning. Just as the second uncle took a step back, I was horrified to discover that the old lady's mouth slowly opened, and she expelled the bribe from her mouth in one breath. The copper coins rolled off the spirit bed and fell to the ground, producing a crisp sound that attracted everyone's attention.
However, there was one person who did not look over, and that was my second uncle. His entire focus was on the old lady, who had become quite strange. She opened her eyes, which had originally been closed, and even spat out the bribe money, discarding the toll fee. What else would happen next? My second uncle had spent most of his life dealing with the dead, and he was very clear about the intricacies involved. Although he had indeed never encountered such a bizarre situation, not having experienced it did not mean he was unaware of what was about to unfold. Discarding the toll fee, what else would happen next? My second uncle had spent most of his life dealing with the dead, and he was very clear about the intricacies involved. Although he had indeed never encountered such a bizarre situation, not having experienced it did not mean he was unaware of what was about to unfold.
Indeed, there is a reason behind what Uncle Er said. Both brothers in the village are unfilial, and this is well known to everyone. The old lady lived alone during her lifetime, in two small rooms behind Yang Ersheng's house, without even having electricity. They rarely cared for her, but fortunately, the old lady was in good health and did not require much attention from the two brothers. The elder brother has a son and a daughter, while the younger brother has two sons, along with three grandsons and granddaughters. Together with the two brothers and their two daughters-in-law, they are all rather cold-hearted individuals, especially in their treatment of the old lady. The only exception is their daughter, what was her name? It seems to be Yang Xiufeng, a rather beautiful girl, two years younger than me. Only this girl was close to the old lady. Since childhood, she would occasionally come over after school to help the old lady with some chores, which mainly involved cleaning and cooking. Whenever her family cooked meat or chicken, Yang Xiufeng would secretly bring some to the old lady. Fortunately, although Yang Ersheng did not take care of the old lady, he did not stop Yang Xiufeng from being filial. Even if he knew, he was too lazy to say anything. The old lady's food supply was never short.
"Er Sheng, Chuan Ming, your mother has finally closed her eyes. Once the paper is burned, bow to her a few more times. She endured much hardship in her lifetime and did not enjoy much happiness. You two brothers, sigh... say some kind words to your mother, so she can leave with a bit more joy." Er Daye sighed, not looking back, giving instructions to the Yang brothers, who were burning paper, their faces filled with embarrassment. As the flames rose, the brothers appeared to be in a state of uncertainty.
As soon as the words fell, Second Uncle removed his hand, and I truly saw the old lady close her eyes. It was quite eerie. Just a moment ago, Second Uncle had tried numerous times to get her to close her eyes, but she stubbornly refused. Unexpectedly, after everything was done, the old lady actually closed her eyes. Could it be that in the unseen realm, there truly are spirits? Did the old lady's spirit in the heavens hear Second Uncle's words and fulfill her wish by closing her eyes?
I swallowed hard, preparing to shift my gaze away from the old woman's face. However, at that moment, an unforgettable scene unfolded before me. The old woman's eyes, which had seemed closed, suddenly opened wide, emanating a chilling aura. Her icy gaze met mine for an instant, and I can assure you that there was definitely something in those eyes. At that moment, the terrifying transformation nearly made me wet myself; of course, I just barely held on, but I was so frightened that my body went limp, and I could no longer remain seated in the chair. I slipped off and fell to the ground, causing the chair to topple over with a loud crash.
Second Uncle's face was as沉如水, his sharp eyes gazing intently into the dark night outside, as if he had discovered something. Following his gaze, I was astonished to find that the night outside remained unremarkable, with the distant sounds of frogs croaking and crickets chirping, and a few tall willow trees standing majestically at the west end of the village, not a single leaf stirring, as if everything was merely an illusion of mine
The mountain wind grew stronger, causing the fabric drapes of the spiritual pavilion to flutter and rustle, resembling the cries of ghosts. The light bulb, which was already dim, flickered even more, and even the clothes on my body rustled in response. What a fierce mountain wind, what an eerie mountain wind
The three of us, myself, Fat Dog, and Brother Zhuzi, huddled together, our faces filled with terror as we gazed at the bizarre scene. Meanwhile, the Yang brothers were so frightened that their souls seemed to have fled, sitting trembling in front of the spirit bed, their mouths agape but unable to utter a sound. Their faces were whiter than the white cloth covering the corpse on the spirit bed. Speaking of the white cloth and the illustrations, I couldn't help but shiver. The mountain wind caused the white cloth to continuously billow, with some parts even pulled out from beneath the town stone. As for the piece that covered the face, it had long since vanished. The old lady's pale face, illuminated by the light, emitted an indescribable bluish hue.
Uncle Er thought something had happened to me, and in a panic, he turned around to look at me. Upon realizing that I had merely fallen, he let out a sigh of relief. However, upon seeing my face, which had contorted in fear, Uncle Er was suddenly startled. Following the direction I was pointing, his expression changed drastically, and he couldn't help but exclaim "Ah!" and took a step back in fright.
Both I and Uncle Er let out a sigh of relief. I saw Uncle Er take a piece of white gauze and gently cover the old lady's face, thereby severing her connection with the world, freeing her from having to witness the affairs of the world. Only at this moment did everything feel complete.
No one paid any attention to Yang Chuanming, and even Yang Ersheng instinctively distanced himself a little from his brother. The gazes of me, Fat Dog, and Brother Zhuzi also fell on Yang Chuanming. At that moment, I did not understand why a small copper coin could make Yang Chuanming scream like a pig being slaughtered.
"What the hell are you still standing there for? Hurry up and come help! We absolutely cannot let the old lady turn her palm over, or else she might come back to life, and no one here will escape. We are all as good as dead, and the dead have no regard for kinship." Uncle Er was very anxious. It was the first time I heard him use such coarse language, which made it clear that the situation was truly critical. I hesitated for a moment, but instinctively rushed forward, mimicking Uncle Er's actions, and held down the old lady's other hand.
However, this was not the end of the matter regarding the books. The sealing money was spat out and fell to the ground, followed closely by the toll money from both hands being thrown out as well. One coin kept rolling until it reached the second son of the Yang family, then it rolled into the gap between Yang Chuanming's legs, fortuitously striking the inner thigh, almost hitting a critical area. Upon closer inspection, Yang Chuanming's pants were already wet, and there was a faint stain on the ground.
Uncle Er had been busy all day and was already very tired. I even heard his faint snoring. After a moment's hesitation, I took off my coat and covered him with it, as the mountain wind at night can be quite chilly. Having an extra layer of clothing would help prevent him from catching a cold. However, as soon as I moved, Uncle Er gently opened his eyes and pushed the coat away, saying, "Don't worry about me; I'm not asleep, just resting with my eyes closed. Quickly put your coat on; the wind is strong at night, and you might catch a chill."
Second Uncle shuddered, his face displaying a look of panic as he glanced fearfully at the ceramic basin. He suddenly stood up, but before he could take any action, a sharp "crack" was heard, and the ceramic basin unexpectedly shattered on its own, scattering shards everywhere. The Yang brothers, caught off guard and at a loss, let out a startled cry.
The old lady moved, her hands straining to turn. The stiff joints emitted faint "crack" sounds as they twisted, and her somewhat deformed head seemed to want to lift. Uncle Er's face changed dramatically once again, realizing what was about to happen. Recalling the stories told by the elders in the past, he no longer dared to hesitate. With a low growl, he lunged at the old lady, crashing into her embrace, and then firmly pinned one of her hands down, preventing it from turning over.
The second uncle seemed a bit fatigued, exhaling softly as he unsteadily made his way to a nearby chair, presumably intending to sit down and rest for a while. Naturally, I hurriedly followed him in that direction, as I did not think it was wise to remain alone beside the deceased.
As he spoke, he took off his coat and was about to hand it to me. However, just as I reached out to take the coat, an unforgettable incident occurred. A gust of mountain wind suddenly swept in, cold and chilling, causing me to shiver involuntarily. I lost my grip on the coat, and it fell to the ground. Beside me, the chubby dog also shivered, mumbling, "What a cold wind, it could freeze a person to death."
At this point, everyone understands why Uncle Er said this. However, the Yang brothers did not dare to argue at this moment. While burning paper, they murmured something softly, likely sweet words meant for their mother, hoping to send the old lady off peacefully to her resting place, thus reducing their burdens. Therefore, they were not stingy with their kind words.
Yet all of this was merely the beginning of the mutation. As I was about to bend down to pick up the coat on the ground, a cold mountain wind rose again, growing increasingly strange, as if an invisible hand had slapped the ceramic basin where the paper was being burned, instantly sending the ashes swirling into the air. The flames that had just leaped up were extinguished in an instant, and my vision suddenly darkened.
The mountain wind rushes into the night, causing the fluorescent light bulb in the spirit pavilion to flicker erratically. The expressions on everyone's faces also change continuously. Even more distressing is the white cloth covering the old lady, which is constantly lifted by the mountain wind, despite being weighed down by a stone to prevent it from being blown away. In front of the spirit bed, a ceramic basin holds burning paper, its flames rising in a particularly strange manner against the night.