Chapter 4, Turtle Blood Nail

I am at a loss for words; I know that nothing I say now can change the fact that the grave has been desecrated, and I, the unfortunate one, have inevitably borne the blame temporarily for those who cause harm

Mr. Wu came to my side once again. First, he pried open my eyelids to take a look, then he pinched the corners of my mouth to examine my oral cavity. His grip was painfully tight, yet I was powerless to resist. Following that, he inspected my fingers and lifted my shirt to see what was underneath. I felt a deep sense of frustration; what on earth was this fortune-teller doing? He paid no heed to the fiery glare I shot him, and finally, he removed my shoes to examine my toes.

The cover features three seal script characters; I only recognize the first and the third, "Xuan" and "Fa," while the middle character has too many strokes for me to identify.

I was left at the edge of the shattered stone tablet, and everything here remains as I saw it last night, unchanged. Perhaps this is what Mr. Wu ordered. The large pit of the grave still emanates a faint smell of blood. Inhaling this scent, I inexplicably feel a sense of comfort, and the pain and itchiness within my body have lessened considerably. However, the murky thoughts in my mind have gradually intensified, and I am very afraid, very afraid of this feeling

I ... ! ... I remember that at the moment I turned around, it felt like I took a few steps, but at most I walked back to my original position. The original position was at the entrance of Old Lady Zhou's tomb. I am certain that I did not enter the tomb

Mr. Wu glanced at me and then let out a deep sigh, saying: "Chuqii, you need not say anything. I know you are feeling very uncomfortable right now. I am thinking of a way to treat you, but you must honestly tell me one thing!"

I opened my mouth, and now I really want to curse this damn fortune teller. What does it mean that I should have already died? Am I really supposed to die like this?

I was carried to the Longgou Cemetery by two men from the village using a bamboo frame. In fact, anyone with a little strength could easily lift my weight. However, let us not forget my identity; those who could distance themselves from me would never come into contact with me, except for this bamboo frame.

Just as I was about to move, a surge of chaotic and murky thoughts suddenly flooded my mind. Following that, a complex sensation of unbearable pain and itchiness spread throughout my body, as if millions of ants were gnawing within me. Beneath the intense itching, I was also overwhelmed by a sharp pain. Gritting my teeth, I groaned and attempted to sit up, but unexpectedly, Mr. Wu leaped to my side and pressed me down with one hand.

The sensations of pain and itchiness in my body grew increasingly intense, while my mind became progressively more muddled and unbearable. I had the urge to retort, yet at that moment, I found myself unable to utter a single word

Although I was in a daze, I could still hear the voice of Uncle Zhou Er. Uncle Zhou Er was already approaching fifty years of age. In the mountain valleys, people tend to show signs of aging after fifty. Uncle Zhou Er had graying hair, a gaunt face lined with wrinkles, and a medium build. He was dressed in a coarse gray Tang suit. Upon hearing this, Mr. Wu Da immediately closed his book and walked out to meet him

Wow

I am currently feeling uncomfortable due to an unknown entity, and upon hearing this, I naturally nodded more emphatically

I did not! At that moment... After I finished answering, I still wanted to say something, but Mr. Wu suddenly reached out to stop me

Mr. Wu Da looked at me solemnly and asked, "Before you fainted, did you indeed enter the tomb of Old Master Zhou?"

"It is indeed a malevolent force! However, the size of the dragon trench is also a dragon vein, and with the protection of dragon energy, how could there be such a significant malevolent aura? It seems that the answer to this matter can only be found at the grave of Old Master Zhou!" Mr. Wu said to himself, then hurriedly ran into the inner room. After a short while, he emerged holding a yellowed ancient book, furrowing his brow as he flipped through its pages.

I tilted my head back with great effort, and the sight of the coffin before me caused me to collapse onto the ground. Just that one glance would be etched in my memory for a lifetime. The coffin lid was placed upside down, and several rows of rusted iron nails were driven into it in reverse. Surrounding the nails were splatters of blood

I woke up again, surprisingly lying in a dilapidated temple. What caught my eye were the ancient paintings on the walls, which had developed patches of moss over time. As my gaze shifted, I saw Mr. Wu at the doorway, his brow furrowed as he looked up at the already brightening sky, seemingly lost in thought.

Since arriving at the edge of the grave, Mr. Wu's expression has not improved. First, he instructed those who were not involved to keep their distance, preferably not to gather nearby to watch. Later, when he approached the grave to take a look, Mr. Wu reached into the hole and wiped his hand, pulling it out stained with a trace of black liquid. The smell of blood in the air became even more intense; I suppose it must be the scent of that black liquid.

I am now extremely thirsty and really want Mr. Wu to get me some water, but seeing him muttering to himself endlessly, I hesitate to interrupt him. However, I can vaguely understand a few of his words, and I then ask: "Fortune teller, did you say that someone wants to harm Uncle Zhou's family? Am I also being targeted by them?"

Several grave diggers, wielding large iron shovels, swiftly cleared the earth from the grave, revealing the coffin of Old Master Zhou. The air grew increasingly thick with the scent of blood, and Mr. Wu's face turned inexplicably pale. Uncle Zhou, gazing at Old Master Zhou's coffin, cried out repeatedly: "How could this happen?! How could this happen!!"

The fortune teller ... ... "I feel ... ... in my body" I wriggled my dry lips, wanting to express the sensations within my body, but I did not know how to articulate them

"Master Wu, the altar has been set up, and you may now commence the ceremony," Uncle Zhou said respectfully to Master Wu at the entrance.

Is this... turtle blood? This is not good! Mr. Wu's face instantly turned pale, and he stepped back a few paces, saying to Uncle Zhou Er: "Quickly dig up the grave and the library tomb, we must hurry!"

Many times I have seen Mr. Wu with an expression that seems as if someone owes him two hundred taels of silver, but whenever he displays such an expression, it indicates that something is about to happen, and it is certainly not a good thing

Almost all the villagers came to Longgou Cemetery, including the elderly, children, and women gathered together joking with one another. The remaining villagers stood around three zhang away from the graves, ready to heed the commands of the village chief, Uncle Zhou Er.

A wave of extreme nausea surged in my chest, and I opened my mouth to retch, yet nothing came out. Immediately afterward, my entire body went numb and weak. I exerted all my strength to try to move, but suddenly everything went dark before my eyes, and I lost all awareness...

The atmosphere in the venue suddenly turned extremely cold, Uncle Tuesday's eyes were bloodshot, and tears were welling up in his eyes. It is indeed difficult for anyone to bear such a situation. Just yesterday, they had sent the elder off in a grand manner, and now, not only had the first seven days not passed, but even the first day had not yet been completed, yet they were to unearth the elder's grave. This...! ... was indeed somewhat unreasonable. However, no one could refute Mr. Wu's words, for everyone knew that he would never make rash assertions about anything. Since he said it must be done, then it must be done!

Is this the Nine Nails Coffin? No... it is... the Blood of the Tortoise Nails?! It actually is the Blood of the Tortoise Nails! Mr. Wu staggered back a few steps, and his body inadvertently bumped into the altar. The incense on the altar was knocked over, and the items on the table fell to the ground with a crash

Mr. Wu Da nodded, but soon turned back to look at me and the books. At that moment, Uncle Zhou Er also glanced at me inadvertently. I could sense a hint of disappointment and anger in his gaze; in short, the previous warmth and kindness were gone, replaced by an indescribable coldness. Could it be that Uncle Zhou Er also believed that I, this unfortunate soul, was responsible for the destruction of Old Master Zhou's grave?

"Do not move recklessly!" Mr. Wu admonished sternly

Uncle Zhou Er did not look at me again, but instead nodded slightly to Mr. Wu Da and said, "Alright then, I will arrange for personnel immediately"

Mr. Wu Da no longer looked at me, slowly turned around, and gazed at the horizon again. After a long while, he suddenly lowered his head and said: "It must be so, but whom have the Zhou family offended? Who is so determined to harm the Zhou family? Yet, it doesn't quite make sense. If someone intends to disturb the grave of Old Master Zhou, then this child, Chuqii, would certainly obstruct their actions during the burial. How could they possibly let this child go? It doesn't add up, it just doesn't make sense! Alas..." Yet, it doesn't quite make sense. If someone intends to disturb the grave of Old Master Zhou, then this child, Chuqii, would certainly obstruct their actions during the burial. How could they possibly let this child go? It doesn't add up, it just doesn't make sense! Alas...

Hello, esteemed teacher! Is the esteemed teacher available?

Mr. Wu nodded slightly and said with a serious expression: "You must ensure that no one approaches within three zhang of the grave. I will go to open the altar immediately. By the way, that child, Chuqii, has been affected by malevolent energy; if not treated in time, it is very likely that... How about this: since this matter concerning Chuqii originated at the grave, let someone carry him there. When we find the source of the malevolent energy, I can also eliminate it for him!"

Mr. Wu said coldly without turning his head: "It seems to be the case, but you should have been killed by them by now; yet you are still alive, which is truly puzzling..."