Chapter 9

The reason for clearly distinguishing between these two types of blood relations here is that there are significant differences between them during the funeral process. When an elder passes away, relatives receive the news and are said to be "rushing to mourn," and they are required to accompany the spirit. In contrast, relatives are referred to as "observing the mourning," and after conducting the rituals, they do not need to accompany the spirit. During the funeral procession, relatives only perform roadside rituals and do not follow to the burial site

Mu Linfeng gently waved his hand: "I have said that this is part of my responsibilities, and no one wishes to see such things happen..."

On a small low table placed at the head of Old Master Tan, there are offerings and a perpetual lamp made from a small dish. This lamp burns fragrant oil, and because the dish is quite shallow, it requires frequent replenishment of the oil. The purpose of this practice is also to ensure that the vigil keepers carefully watch over the body, diligently fulfilling their filial duties, and not to treat the deceased lightly

The elder had left a message for Tan Laoda, stating that the funeral should be conducted according to the customs of the village, and that efforts should be made to avoid disturbing outside friends. Therefore, Tan Laoda did not publicize the news of his father's passing; otherwise, he would be overwhelmed by business acquaintances alone

Mu Linfeng spoke while drawing several lines on the footprint with a branch, then explained: "For individuals around twenty years old, the pressure line of the foot is along the line of the big toe; for those around thirty, it is along the line of the index finger, and so on... You see, the pressure line of this footprint is along the line of the index finger, so I deduce that this person is in their thirties"

A spirit pavilion is erected in the courtyard in front of the main hall, where an incense table is set up and a spirit tablet is placed to represent the deceased's spirit, symbolizing the soul of the departed, allowing relatives and friends to come and pay their respects. The accompanying of the spirit by relatives also takes place within this pavilion. However, during the accompanying, male and female relatives must be separated; the females accompany the spirit inside the main hall, while the males do so in the spirit pavilion in the courtyard.

Hearing Mu Linfeng say this, Tan Laoer called two brothers to go to the next room to rest for a while. In the main room, only Tan Laoda, Mu Linfeng, and Xiao San remained

When Tan Laoda saw his father's corpse rise, he did not feel fear because it was his own family. He hurriedly called out, "Father, what has happened to you? Father..."

Mu Linfeng felt that something was amiss. Suddenly, he caught a faint scent of ink. He bent down and picked up a handful of the black soil he had just dug up, rubbing it in his palm. Instantly, a black mark was left on his hand, indicating that the soil had clearly absorbed the ink.

The vertical flag, also known as "Mingjing", serves the purpose of informing outsiders of the identity of the deceased. The "Book of Rites" states: "Ming, meaning clear flag, is used to signify the deceased, as they are inseparable from oneself, hence the use of a flag to identify them"

The term "relatives" can be analyzed by separating the two characters. The character "亲" refers to blood relations within the family, while "戚" denotes blood relations outside the family. Therefore, these two types of blood relations are sometimes distinguished by the terms "kin" and "relatives".

"Everything will be done according to Master Mu's instructions. Whatever you think is best, we shall do it that way," replied Boss Tan readily

Mu Linfeng wiped the sweat from his forehead and then said to Tan Laoda and Xiao San: "This matter ends here, and it must not be made public; it is sufficient for just the three of us to know."

In the lives of ordinary people, the most important aspect to adhere to is the etiquette surrounding funerals. If the etiquette is not properly observed throughout the entire funeral process, it can lead to significant troubles, even causing conflicts within the family or among relatives. When disputes arise in local rural areas, the phrase most frequently heard is "relative reasoning." Therefore, it is essential to have a clear understanding of the two characters "relative."

Although Mu Linfeng acted quickly, because he was sitting next to the old man and his position was low, the tip of the copper rod still pierced the corpse's chest. If it had not been for Mu Linfeng's quick reflexes, this copper rod, weighing more than one kilogram, would have certainly penetrated the corpse.

Human beings are the original Yang energy of heaven and earth, with form carrying this energy, and energy filling the form. Each form corresponds to an energy, which is to say, each Yin corresponds to a Yang. After death, the soul ascends while the corporeal spirit descends, circulating within the earth

The ritual must be conducted in the morning, and it is already 10 o'clock, so we need to proceed with this matter as soon as possible. The most troublesome part of this process is preparing the offerings, which require two types of tea, two types of wine, two servings of rice, and three sacrificial animals. The three sacrificial animals refer to pigs, cattle, and sheep, with the heads of these three livestock serving as offerings. Fortunately, there is a butcher in the village, so the three sacrificial animals will be prepared quickly.

Mr. Tan, please do not take offense if I speak too much

When Tan Laoda returned, it was already past eleven o'clock at night. He had been gone for more than two hours, indicating that the elders of the Tan family must be very cautious about changing the funeral schedule. Tan Laoda spoke to Mu Linfeng in an apologetic tone: "I apologize for being away for so long. Master Mu, do you think it would be appropriate to arrange the five elements? This is my aunt's wish... She would like to invite some monks and Taoists to chant some scriptures..."

Mu Linfeng's palm was burned painfully by the copper rod, causing him to involuntarily let out a cry of "ah" as he quickly tossed the copper rod to the ground. The tip of the rod made a sharp "bang" as it pierced through the tile laid on the floor, then it stood firmly in place, with the upper part still trembling.

The aforementioned matters are to be arranged by the chief steward. Now, there is a very important task that requires Mu Linfeng to personally undertake, which is to perform the third step in the burial process, "Requesting the Earth." This morning, the site has been selected, and the burial point has been marked. Next, the earth must be broken and the grave dug, which is also a process filled with intricate rituals that must be overseen by Mu Linfeng himself.

Tan Lao Er immediately displayed a look of surprise: "Please, Master Mu, enlighten me."

Seeing that Mu Linfeng did not speak, Master Tan softly asked, "Master Mu, is there any problem?"

Mu Linfeng counted on his fingers for a moment, then looked at Boss Tan and said: "Three o'clock is the most suitable time"

Mu Linfeng raised his hand to point at the ceiling and softly said, "The other party will definitely leave traces up there. I will go check it out after dawn; I should find something. If luck permits, I might be able to trace something back."

Mr. Tan, please forgive my frankness, but the old gentleman's funeral must be changed to a three-day event. Given the current situation, it appears that someone intends to disrupt the old gentleman's 'official matters.' Therefore, we should expedite the funeral arrangements; otherwise, prolonged delays may lead to unforeseen complications, as this person is lurking in the shadows, and we will be unable to guard against them.

Old Master Tan looked at Mu Linfeng with great emotion, feeling so touched that he did not know what to say, repeatedly expressing his gratitude: "Master Mu, thank you... thank you... truly, thank you..."

After the ritual, Mu Linfeng instructed a young man to use a hoe to dig around the pit, forming a circular shape. Tan Lao Er followed beside him, holding a ladle filled with rice, intending to sprinkle the rice while digging the soil. This designated area now belonged to the deceased, serving as the final resting place of an individual, also referred to as the "forbidden ground"

"Does Master Mu mean that this matter was premeditated?" asked Old Master Tan in surprise

"Master Mu, what do you think we should do?" Before Mu Linfeng's words could finish, Tan Laoer anxiously asked, clearly worried that the news would negatively impact the reputation of their brothers.

"Alright, I will arrange for someone to bring the excavator and the dump truck into the mountains right away," said Tan Lao Er as he took out his phone and began to make a call

Mu Linfeng smiled slightly: "I understand a little, I learned from an old squad leader in the army."

Old Master Tan widened his eyes and looked at Mu Linfeng with a face full of astonishment: "Truly remarkable, that person resembles Master Mu very much. I wonder how you discerned that?"

Old Master Tan nodded repeatedly while listening to Mu Linfeng's explanation, constantly exclaiming: "Profound, truly profound, I never expected Master Mu to be such a master of reasoning..."

After obtaining the mulberry stick, Mu Linfeng quickly stepped forward and pressed the stick against the old man's chest. Immediately, the old man's arms dropped down, and the broom fell to the ground.

As it was the first time venturing out to deal with the "gouda", Mu Linfeng had prepared thoroughly. Last night, he had considered all the possible unexpected situations mentioned in the "Xiangmu Notebook" and brought everything he needed, not expecting that it would actually come in handy.

Hearing Mu Linfeng say this, Master Tan revealed a look of gratitude and excitedly said: "Thank you, Master Mu. Once everything is settled, I will definitely make a special trip to express my thanks."

Mr. Tan, such remarks are rather distant; this is also part of my responsibilities. Since I have taken on this task, I must see it through to the end and do it well.

After placing the "upside-down rice" for the deceased, a multitude of complex tasks must be undertaken. Firstly, it is recommended to appoint a respected elder from the family as the "chief manager" to oversee the arrangement of assisting personnel. Funerals differ from other events; family members must mourn and accompany the spirit, and all the intricate tasks must be handled by the assisting villagers. Therefore, a chief manager is needed to coordinate and allocate personnel.

The smooth completion of the entire funeral depends on two key individuals: one is the "Geda" responsible for the ceremonial aspects, and the other is the manager in charge of the affairs. The Tan family holds a high reputation locally, and this should be the largest funeral in the county, making the role of the manager extremely important

It is indeed a great fortune to be able to befriend someone like General Tan, a privilege I have long sought

Mu Linfeng nodded and said, "Yes, we should listen to our elders; this matter should be decided by them"

The five elemental energies that constitute the human body are originally in a state of mutual balance. Only a very small number of individuals will exhibit an excessive abundance of a particular elemental energy. If further impacted by this elemental energy, it is akin to adding fuel to the fire, resulting in the corpse undergoing transformation.

During the vigil, one fears encountering such unexpected disturbances, especially during the period before the body is interred. It is particularly taboo for animals to approach, especially cats and other creatures. If an animal were to leap over the body, its vital energy would be transferred to the corpse, which could result in the body reanimating and turning into a zombie

Tan Laoda and Mu Linfeng exchanged a glance simultaneously; the sudden barking of a dog in the stillness of the night surely indicated that an animal had entered the village

"Alright." The man responded and immediately began to dig with a shovel. After digging down about thirty centimeters, he reached clean yellow soil.

Mu Linfeng remained seated on the small stool, not moving. However, his gaze followed the movements of Boss Tan's body, who was positioned at the head of the old man's remains. After Boss Tan stood up, Mu Linfeng inadvertently looked up at him.

This time, Mu Linfeng almost caused a disaster due to neglecting the warnings of his inner self. Since agreeing to help Old Master Tan arrange the funeral for his father, everything has gone relatively smoothly. The choice of the burial site is quite acceptable, and the time of Old Master Tan's passing is also considered auspicious

Seeing the mistress unwilling to leave, Mu Linfeng said no more, for the mistress must pass this test if she is to follow him in the future. If she is frightened by the sight of a corpse, how can she possibly become a "knot".

As they spoke, the three of them walked back together, making sure to take the time to prepare for two very important aspects of the funeral process

The "Tomb Inspection Notes" left by the ancestors of the Mu family recorded the occurrence of such events. Such situations are often caused by human factors, and it requires someone well-versed in the principles of yin and yang to create such a transformation of the corpse. The ancestors of the Mu family encountered these situations as a result of being secretly plotted against, which led Mu Linfeng to suddenly realize that he too had fallen victim to a scheme.

The results will be available soon, and the area with a diameter of over ten meters has been stained with ink. This corresponds exactly to the area delineated by several individuals in the morning, indicating that someone has deliberately vandalized this location

The body of the old master Tan lies on the spirit bed on the west side of the main hall, covered with a piece of yellow paper. His ankles are bound with hemp rope, and his feet are wrapped in white paper. Before the burial, the deceased's feet must not be spread apart, as this is to prevent the wandering soul from running away. At the time of the burial, the hemp rope and the white paper wrapping the feet are removed; otherwise, the deceased will be unable to walk in the underworld and will become a limping ghost. Before the burial, the deceased's feet must not be spread apart, as this is to prevent the wandering soul from running away. At the time of the burial, the hemp rope and the white paper wrapping the feet are removed; otherwise, the deceased will be unable to walk in the underworld and will become a limping ghost

Old Tan shook his head and ambiguously said: "There shouldn't be any, over the years, although my elder brother has had some unpleasant experiences outside, it shouldn't lead someone to do such things..."

Mu Linfeng calmed himself down, nervously contemplating the unexpected situation that had arisen. This area had only been designated a few hours ago, and this person was clearly very familiar with their actions. Furthermore, anyone who knew to use such a method to destroy this land must be highly skilled in the art of burial, possessing a thorough understanding of the five elements and four preparations of auspicious sites; otherwise, they would not have conceived such a malicious scheme

Old Tan Er also sensed the seriousness of the situation and nodded vigorously: "I understand, I will definitely arrange for a few people to guard this place without leaving an inch."

If it is the seventh day, the time of the seventh day coincides with the old man's eight characters in conflict ... ... " At this point, Mu Linfeng stopped and did not continue speaking

At that moment, a gentle breeze blew in from the doorway, causing the candlelight to flicker incessantly. The shadows cast on the wall swayed accordingly, resembling ghostly figures.

Those who participated felt it was incredible and gathered around. Among the more than ten people, except for Mu Linfeng, Gao Hongjin, and Xiao San, who are all from the village, everyone was talking at once. No one had ever seen black soil around the village; this piece of land was surrounded by vegetable fields. They often turned the soil here and had never discovered any black soil before.

Everyone can take a moment to reflect on whether, during significant changes or sudden events they have experienced, they felt a fleeting sense of unease beforehand that they ultimately ignored. In fact, intuition is a special ability bestowed upon each person by a higher power, which has simply atrophied due to infrequent use.

Old Master Tan nodded and said, "Alright, I will persuade the elders on that matter, and for the other issues, I kindly ask Master Mu to take care of them."

The mistress swiftly retrieved a mulberry stick from the outer compartment of the bag and handed it to Mu Linfeng. This stick, made from the root of a mulberry tree, measures ten centimeters in length and is perfectly round. It is unknown how many generations this mulberry stick has passed through the hands of the Mu family, as it has been polished to a smooth and bright finish. The mulberry stick is specifically a magical tool used to dispel zombies

Three people sat on a small wooden bench beside the corpse, with Tan Laoda and Mu Linfeng engaged in a low conversation. Unbeknownst to them, more than two hours had passed. Just as Mu Linfeng began to feel a bit fatigued, several barks suddenly erupted from the neighbor's house behind them, followed by a cacophony of barking from the neighboring dogs.

In most cases, the inexplicable unease that arises in a person's mind is likely a warning from their inner subconscious, which is what people commonly refer to as the sixth sense. In fact, before a significant danger approaches, individuals tend to be alert, and their inner intuition often reminds them to be cautious; however, this reminder is easily overlooked.

At this point, Mu Linfeng pointed to a mark on the trunk with a branch and said: "The first climbing mark on the trunk is one and a half meters above the ground, and there are no footprints on the ground, which indicates that this person leaped onto the tree while running, sufficiently proving that this person is agile and skilled at climbing..."

However, what Mu Linfeng did not expect was that while there was nothing happening at the cemetery, a major incident had occurred back at home

Mu Linfeng informed Tan Laoer to arrange for a large tarpaulin to cover the entire excavated grave to prevent dew from wetting it at night. This is because the moisture from within and the rainwater from outside both contribute to a malevolent grave. Therefore, the excavated grave must not be exposed to any moisture; once the grave is opened, the greatest fear is rain. If rainwater seeps into the auspicious grave, it will be damaged.

Mu Linfeng understood that this matter put Boss Tan in a difficult position, and he did not want to say anything further. Such matters are largely performed for the sake of appearances, essentially for the sake of face

Oh! Master Tan was slightly taken aback, and then continued to ask, "What does Master Mu think is the best arrangement?"

At this moment, Mu Linfeng still had some doubts about whether he had been schemed against. He secretly pondered that it seemed somewhat unlikely, as he had just come out of the mountains and had never had any enmity with others. How could anyone possibly conspire against him?

After Tan Laoer made the call, Mu Linfeng said to him: "From now until the end of the funeral, there must be someone arranged to guard this place twenty-four hours a day, and there must not be any more mistakes."

Alright, I will do my utmost to resolve some conflicts

At this moment, Mu Linfeng was still unaware that someone was targeting him; he only considered it as an action directed against the Tan brothers

After reciting the scriptures, Mu Linfeng guided Tan Laoer to kneel in accordance with the four cardinal directions, requesting the Earth God to accept the old man's spirit and essence

"Master Mu, although this is our first interaction, I can tell that you are a sincere person. I have decided to befriend you," said Boss Tan earnestly.

At this moment, the corpse that has undergone transformation is standing upright, and because its feet are bound with hemp ropes, it can only bounce forward while keeping its body straight. Zombies only appear before a person is buried; once sealed in a coffin, the likelihood of a zombie appearing is very low. At this time, the corpse's feet are bound, which is why it bounces forward in an upright position. The scenes of zombies bouncing in the movie are indeed real.

Mu Linfeng first covered the old man's face with yellow paper, then let out a long sigh of relief. At that moment, he realized that his back was damp; although he hadn't felt fear earlier, he was still tense enough to break out in a cold sweat. Reflecting on the thrilling scene, he still felt a lingering fear, and upon further contemplation, he felt a bit of dread.

Mu Linfeng's first impression was that someone was up to no good behind his back. In front of so many people, Mu Linfeng did not raise his voice but instead pulled Tan Laoer aside, extended his palm in front of him, and whispered, "What do you see here?"

Speaking, Mu Linfeng stood up and said to Old Tan: "Let us go to the main hall and offer a stick of incense for the elderly, and add some lamp oil." The reason Mu Linfeng wanted to do this was that he had been feeling a vague sense of unease in his heart, always sensing that something might happen tonight

However, when the hoe broke the ground, it took Mu Linfeng by surprise. He hurriedly instructed the young man to stop. He reached down to grab a handful of the freshly dug soil and was astonished to find that the excavated earth was actually a deep black color. He then asked those around him, "Is the soil here all this color?"

After finishing the matters at the cemetery, Mu Linfeng and Xiao San returned to the Tan family in the evening. The spirit altar in the courtyard had already been set up, and candles had been lit inside the altar to facilitate the deceased's enjoyment of the offerings

"Oh! Master Mu can track?" Boss Tan asked in surprise

Such an incident at home, once it spreads, would be very detrimental to the reputation of their brothers. Therefore, Tan Laoda is particularly grateful for Mu Linfeng's words just now

First, burn the paper money brought as a payment for the land deity. After Lin Feng has performed the sacrificial rites, he begins to chant loudly: "Heaven and Earth are filled with vitality, connecting to the southern mountains and the four seas to the north. The position of the land aligns with the vast heavens above and the nine palaces below, harmonizing the forces of Yang and Yin, with the earth being thick and the water deep, as precious as a thousand chariots, and wealthy as ten thousand gold. The actions and stillness gather energy, transforming and giving birth to all things ... ... "

Xiao San held the bag that concealed Ah Huang with both hands, silently shaking her head. This child is truly remarkable; as soon as she came out, she followed Mu Linfeng without a word, diligently attending to what needed to be done

Old Master Tan tilted his ear to listen for a moment, then slowly stood up, indicating that he wanted to go outside to the courtyard to take a look

After dawn, Mu Linfeng circled to the back of the Tan family's old house and quickly discovered the traces left by the person from last night. More than two meters away from the old house stood an old locust tree, and the visitor had come from the roof of the locust tree

Mu Linfeng's eyes quickly scanned the room, and suddenly he spotted a large broom standing behind the door. He then dashed over, grabbed the broom, and turned around to thrust it into the old gentleman's arms.

Please wait a moment while Master Mu enjoys his tea, I will be right back. With that, Boss Tan stood up and walked out

Seeing the fear reflected in the eyes of the mistress, Mu Linfeng softly said to him: "You should go find Master Gao and rest for a while."

Ah, it is ink! Why is this happening?" Tan Lao Er asked in surprise, seemingly somewhat incredulous

From the footprints left by the tree edge, Mu Linfeng could immediately tell that this person had a slender build, was around thirty years old, and was very agile, particularly skilled in climbing

Mu Linfeng calculated with his fingers and realized that if the funeral was scheduled for the seventh day, it would take place six days later. Coincidentally, that day clashed with the Eight Characters of the late Mr. Tan, which caused Mu Linfeng to pause momentarily. Additionally, due to the events that occurred at the cemetery today, he suddenly had a vague feeling that Mr. Tan's funeral might not proceed as smoothly as expected

For the Tan brothers, with a family fortune exceeding 100 million, being wealthy and influential in the region, if their father's funeral is not conducted with sufficient grandeur, it would lead to gossip among the villagers. Moreover, outsiders are unaware of the circumstances, making it difficult to explain such matters to people. Therefore, holding the funeral on the fifth day has become the minimum standard acceptable to the elders of the Tan family

The second thing to do after the elderly person's passing is to erect a flag at home, set up a mourning hall, and prepare to receive relatives and friends who come to pay their respects and condolences

Just as Master Tan was about to turn and leave, Mu Linfeng suddenly heard a faint cracking sound from the roof. He looked up and saw a bright light falling from the ceiling

Mu Linfeng knew that the corpse had been transformed, so he quickly wrapped one arm around the back of the zombie, primarily to prevent the body from falling. At the same time, he called out to Boss Tan to help lift the old man's body and place it back on the spirit bed.

At this point, Mu Linfeng suddenly recalled the person that Tan Laoda had mentioned, who was to build a grave in the southwest of the village. This person should be the prime suspect, yet Tan Laoda claimed not to know him... Who exactly is scheming behind the scenes

Mu Linfeng had not finished speaking when the corpse lying on the door panel suddenly sat up, its upper body standing upright, its arms mechanically spreading out, and then abruptly drawing in towards its own chest... The concern that Mu Linfeng had was finally realized, as the corpse underwent a transformation after being pierced by the scalding copper rod...

Well, I think we can hold both the small and large funerals together around noon today, what do you think

Mu Linfeng noticed that Zhang Xiaosan was always hiding behind him, indicating that Zhang Xiaosan was still not accustomed to guarding a corpse at night. It is indeed a strange feeling for a normal person to find themselves in such an environment for the first time. The human mind finds it difficult to accept a lifeless body, as there is always a lingering sense that the corpse lying there might suddenly sit up.

At this moment, it is not possible to explain the reasons to everyone, and a solution must be devised. To speak frankly, such matters have not been recorded in the "Tomb Inspection Manuscript" left by our ancestors. Mu Linfeng knows that he can only rely on himself to find a way.

After the grave has been dug, it is already afternoon. The next procedure is "building the tomb", but it is too late to carry out this step today. This is because building the tomb also requires selecting an auspicious time, after which a mason can be invited to use high-quality blue bricks to construct the tomb. Subsequently, the family will burn paper money, place it into the "soul-calling bag", and then put it into the tomb, referred to as "paper road ash".

Old Tan Er saw that Mu Linfeng remained silent, and hurriedly asked again: "Master Mu, what do you think we should do? Everyone is waiting for your instructions."

Gao Hongjin has long since disappeared to who knows where, this fellow is quite slippery, always avoiding hard work and only showing up when there is nothing going on

However, instead of erecting flags, the content is now written on a square white paper measuring one meter on each side, which is then affixed to a wooden board and placed at the entrance of the alley outside the main gate. There are also specific requirements regarding the content of the inscription. The "Book of Rites: Notes on Mourning Attire" states: "The inscription is to be communicated from the Son of Heaven to the scholars, and its wording is uniform. Males are to write their names, while females are to write their surnames along with their brothers' names; if the surname is unknown, they should write 'Shi' (氏)."

Mu Linfeng gently nodded without speaking, as there were certain matters he found inappropriate to elaborate on. This person's actions were no different from digging up someone else's ancestral grave, a behavior deeply detested by the common people. Such deeds could only be committed out of deep-seated hatred or enmity.

Mu Linfeng handed the rod to Boss Tan and said softly: "It seems that the other party is well-prepared, with a clear objective, which is to induce a corpse transformation in the old master's remains"

"This..." Master Tan lowered his head in contemplation for a moment, then said to Mu Linfeng, "I cannot make a decision on this matter; I need to discuss it with my aunt and several elders. It is up to them to decide."

Seeing that Master Tan was still able to control his emotions in such a situation, Mu Linfeng secretly admired him; he was indeed a person who had experienced great storms and waves. To avoid distracting him too much, Mu Linfeng changed the subject: "Mr. Tan, have you discussed how to prioritize the elderly's 'official matters'?"

Friends and colleagues outside of the family who receive the obituary should go to pay their respects, also known as offering condolences

Mu Linfeng hurriedly called over two individuals, instructing them to dig outward in a cross shape from the center of the area that had been excavated, to determine the extent of the area stained by the ink.

Mu Linfeng picked up a handful of fresh yellow soil and took a glance at it. He noticed that the soil was fine in texture, moist yet not muddy. Under the sunlight, it shimmered with a crystalline luster, resembling stone yet not quite stone, akin to finely carved jade. It was undoubtedly high-quality soil, making this location an excellent site for a burial.

Old Master Tan pondered for a moment and then said, "I will immediately arrange to investigate the situation of that person to see who exactly is at odds with me"

Mu Linfeng quickly turned around and said to the third party: "Hurry, give me the mulberry stick."

Mu Linfeng said no more, beckoned a person with a large shovel over, and said to him: "Please dig in the spot where I am standing and see how deep we can reach the yellow earth."

The gentle breeze simultaneously lifted and lowered the yellow paper covering the old man's face, occasionally revealing his pale visage, which would indeed evoke a sense of fear in most people upon witnessing such a scene

Old Master Tan said to the three brothers: "You all go take a rest for a while, I will keep watch here."

However, zombies do not hear responses; zombies are what people commonly refer to as the walking dead, lacking any cognitive awareness.

The two individuals emerged from the west room and saw Xiao San sitting on a bench outside the door. Upon noticing their exit, Xiao San hurriedly stood up and followed them into the main hall. Tan Lao Er and his two uncles were keeping vigil there, and upon the entrance of the two, they quickly stood up.

In the face of the unexpected, Mu Linfeng did not panic, for he understood that the zombies, once transformed, would only move in a straight line. As long as he was not embraced by the zombie's arms, he would be safe. However, if he were to be caught in the zombie's grasp, death would be inevitable. The solution in such a case was to throw a pillow or a broom into the zombie's embrace, causing it to hold on tightly, and then use a dung scoop or a broom used for cleaning dung to push it down, thereby breaking the transformation. However, if he were to be caught in the zombie's grasp, death would be inevitable. The solution in such a case was to throw a pillow or a broom into the zombie's embrace, causing it to hold on tightly, and then use a dung scoop or a broom used for cleaning dung to push it down, thereby breaking the transformation.

Old Master Tan had already heard about the matter concerning the cemetery. After Mu Linfeng finished his dinner, he quietly called him to a small room nearby to inquire about the details of the incident

At this moment, there were only three people in the main hall: Mu Linfeng, Xiao San, and Tan Laoda. Upon seeing the corpse suddenly stand up, the most frightened was Xiao San, who quickly dodged to the wall, clutching his bag to his chest, his body trembling uncontrollably. However, with Mu Linfeng present, Xiao San, despite his fear, was still able to hold on.

There are currently two matters that need to be addressed simultaneously. The first matter is the delivery of the obituary, which must be arranged for someone to inform relatives and friends of the death on the day of the funeral. The obituary, also known as "fu gao," carries the meaning of rushing to inform. It should clearly state the deceased's dates of birth and death, as well as the time of the memorial service and burial.

After placing the old gentleman's remains properly, Master Tan turned to run outside. Mu Linfeng knew he wanted to check the situation on the roof, so he called out: "There is no need to check; the people up there must have long since fled."

Old Master Tan carefully added oil to the everlasting lamp, softly murmuring something. In the main room, besides this everlasting lamp, there were also two candles nearby; electric lights could not be used during the vigil, as the bright light would disturb the soul of the deceased. The dimly lit room felt somewhat eerie, and in the middle of the night, the temperature in the mountains dropped significantly, creating a slight chill.

Then let us return now to prepare

All of this happened in the blink of an eye. Master Tan widened his eyes and looked at Mu Linfeng, asking in astonishment: "Master Mu! What is going on?"

Mu Linfeng briefly recounted the matter and then said to Boss Tan: "Mr. Tan, I suspect that this incident is related to the young man who approached you six months ago, as someone unfamiliar with grave digging would not conceive such a method to vandalize a tomb, and moreover, the ink may not necessarily have been poured in this morning..."

The young man shook his head and said, "This place is all yellow earth; I have never seen such black soil."

It is now three o'clock in the morning, the time when people are sound asleep, so the commotion just now did not wake anyone else up

Old Master Tan hurriedly waved his hand and said, "I invited Master Mu here because I trust you. Please feel free to speak your mind."

Mu Linfeng asked the mistress to call Boss Tan over to this place, and then recounted the situation he had analyzed and judged to him. Finally, he asked: "Does the situation of the person I mentioned correspond to that of the person who sought out General Tan six months ago?"

Mu Linfeng said to Tan Laoer: "There is now a way to solve this problem. We can call in an excavator to dig out all the contaminated soil and then transport it away to be disposed of outside the mountain. We can build a large tomb here. No matter who did this, they certainly did not expect that it would just happen to help us."

At the moment Mu Linfeng grasped the copper rod, he suddenly felt that it was extremely hot to the touch. His heart sank, and he quickly realized the purpose behind someone removing this copper rod... Old Master Tan was of the Metal element, and moreover, a strong Metal. The only reason someone would insert this scalding copper rod into a corpse was to induce a transformation of the body... Old Master Tan was of the Metal element, and moreover, a strong Metal. The only reason someone would insert this scalding copper rod into a corpse was to induce a transformation of the body...

Tan Laoda managed the formalities at home, while Laer accompanied Mu Linfeng to the cemetery selected in the back of the village to fetch soil. Additionally, there were five or six strong young men from the village, who not only carried the offerings but also brought along farming tools for digging, including shovels, hoes, and iron teeth.

Oh, I was also preparing to discuss this matter with you. Several elders in the family have conferred, and my father, who is over eighty years old, is in mourning for a joyous occasion. We are planning to hold a seven-day mourning period. What do you think about this?

As he spoke, Mu Linfeng bent down to pull out the copper stake that was still inserted in the ground. This stake was clearly specially processed and polished to a bright shine. Mu Linfeng examined it closely and noticed that there were some mysterious symbols engraved on both sides of the stake, resembling oracle bone script. He speculated that they might be something akin to talismans.

Mu Linfeng's gaze swept over the mountain peaks behind him, and a sudden inspiration struck him, leading him to say to Tan Laojiu: "Aren't you two brothers looking to build a luxurious tomb for the elder? Heaven seems to have the intention to fulfill your brothers' wishes."

This situation is likely a result of someone seeking revenge against the Tan family. Given the scale of the business that the Tan brothers have built, it is inevitable that they would offend a few individuals. Mu Linfeng pondered for a moment and then softly asked: "Do you brothers have any enemies outside?"

Upon arriving at the location where Lin Feng points out the acupoints in the morning, set up the offering table facing the southwest direction, arrange all the offerings properly, and then light a large bundle of incense, placing it in the incense burner, thus formally commencing the earth ritual

What Old Master Tan said is the truth, regardless of how high your official position is or how much money you have, the funeral of your parents must be conducted according to the wishes of the family elders. This principle must not be violated, otherwise, it will be regarded as a great act of disrespect.

Seeing that none of them wanted to leave, Mu Linfeng also advised, "It would be best for everyone to take turns resting; there are still several nights ahead, and we cannot afford to exhaust ourselves like this."

The time of an elder's passing also implies different fortunes and misfortunes, and there are various methods to dispel evil and avert disasters. For instance, the passing of Elder Tan before breakfast in the early morning is considered the best time, symbolizing that he has left three meals for his descendants, commonly referred to as "leaving three meals," ensuring that future generations have food for their three daily meals. If one passes away after breakfast, it foretells misfortune of food scarcity for the descendants. Locally, it is most taboo for an elder to pass away after dinner, as this means the deceased takes away all three meals of the day, indicating a risk of future generations becoming beggars. In such cases, it is necessary to invite a "ge da" to perform a ritual to resolve the situation, and the funeral process must include additional elements, which naturally increases the cost of hiring the "ge da".

Everyone agreed, the elders all know that my brother and I treat our father well. In fact, filial piety does not necessarily manifest in 'official matters.' It is said that this matter will be decided by me.

Mu Linfeng waved his hand and said softly, "It's just a trivial skill. How is the discussion with Mr. Tan and the elders regarding the funeral arrangements going?"

Mu Linfeng hurried over, pressing his hand down on the yellow paper to prevent it from being lifted. He could feel the cold body beneath his palm, yet there was not a trace of fear in his heart. In his mind, a dead person was no different from the tables and chairs nearby; it was merely an object devoid of life. ... If one were to see through everything in the world, there would be nothing left to fear ...

Because we are currently in a patriarchal clan society, family ties are established through male relationships, thus those who are related by blood to males are considered relatives. In contrast, those who are related by blood to females are referred to as kin, such as the maternal grandparents' family, the wife's family, the family of the son's grandchildren and daughters-in-law, as well as the family of married daughters-in-law.

There are many causes of corpse transformation, and being impacted by a certain type of energy from the five elements can lead to such a transformation. However, this situation is quite rare, as the energy from the five elements that impacts the corpse must precisely match the strong energy of the corpse itself.

At this point, Tan Lao Er paused for a moment, then asked in confusion: "Master Mu, what is the purpose of someone doing this?"

Hurry, someone is on the roof

Old Master Tan took the copper pick, furrowing his brows as he looked at this uncommon object, and said indignantly: "What kind of person would resort to such malicious acts? Causing a ruckus over at the cemetery is one thing, but to come into my home!"

Old Master Tan fiddled with the rod in his hand and said with concern, "Fortunately, Master Mu is here; otherwise, it would be troublesome. What do you think we should do next to prepare?"

In the morning, I once mentioned that 'there are three auspicious aspects of a site,' among which the second auspicious aspect is the five types of earth and the four preparations. The five types of earth refer to the five colors of soil, which also represent the five elemental energies. The five energies circulate within the earth: the energy of metal condenses to white, the energy of wood condenses to green, the energy of fire condenses to red, and the energy of earth condenses to yellow, all of which are auspicious, while black is inauspicious. The five elements regard yellow as the color of earth, thus pure colors are also considered auspicious. Currently, some individuals are deliberately dyeing the soil here black; the purpose of this action is quite simple: to transform this precious land into inauspicious land, preventing the construction of burial sites here.

Upon receiving the news of a death, relatives must immediately set out for home, a practice known as "bensang". The "Book of Rites: Bensang" stipulates: "In the case of bensang, one should travel a hundred li by day and not travel at night. Only for the death of parents may one travel at night when the stars are visible and rest when the stars are visible."

Without having time to think, Mu Linfeng instinctively acted quickly and caught the object that had fallen from the roof. It turned out to be a copper rod over one foot long. This copper rod had fallen directly towards the chest of the late Mr. Tan's body

At this moment, Mu Linfeng noticed that more than ten people over there were watching the two of them. Therefore, he returned to the designated area with Tan Laoer. Standing in the middle position, Mu Linfeng glanced around. They had already paid their respects here earlier, and changing the location now would be very inauspicious.

The old gentleman's two arms were as stiff as wooden sticks, rigidly holding onto the broom, and his body remained motionless.

To be honest, after taking on the task from the Tan family, Mu Linfeng has been feeling a sense of unease in his heart, as it is his first time officially engaging in "gouda". It is normal to have such feelings, so Mu Linfeng did not pay too much attention to it

Mu Linfeng smiled gently and pointed with a branch at a clear footprint located one meter away from the locust tree, saying: "It is very easy to infer the body shape and height from the footprint; it can be seen at a glance. The most difficult part may be determining the age, which requires analyzing the pressure lines of the foot..."