Within half an hour of the village chief’s accident, the entire village knew about it.
His wife, crying bitterly and carrying a shovel, came to Lu’s house, banging on the door and yelling, “It’s all because of you little brats! You brought bad luck, and now my husband has paid for it. Come out and give me an explanation! Give me back my husband!”
Amid her cries, other voices and shouts could be heard.
Hearing just a few sentences, Lu Chu knew things were not looking good.
The second person to have an accident was the village chief, a significant event.
In a poor village like this, the village chief held the most authority, handling all major and minor matters among the villagers. His position was highly respected. If someone else had been the second victim, it might not have been as impactful. But with the village chief being the victim, it amplified the fear of ghosts and spirits among the villagers to the maximum. Moreover, without a respected person to calm and lead them, the village would descend into chaos, self-destructing even before any so-called “ghost” could take revenge.
Lu Chu quickly escorted Grandma Lu to a room aside, repeatedly urging her to stay inside and closing the door to protect her from the commotion.
Ultimately, they had to face this situation themselves.
After exchanging glances, He Mingde stepped forward to open the door.
As soon as the door opened, the village chief’s wife swung her long shovel down. Luckily, He Mingde was prepared and quick enough to dodge, avoiding injury.
Once inside the courtyard, a large group of villagers followed, filling the space.
Even though Lu Chu and his companions were five men, they couldn’t hope to withstand the villagers’ fury. Unlike before when the villagers gathered to watch the excitement, this time they were genuinely enraged, ready to eliminate them on the spot.
Among the five, Lu Chu was the best at communicating with these irrational villagers, being a member of the village himself.
He intercepted the hysterical village chief’s wife, asking sincerely, “Auntie, what happened?”
“What happened?!” The village chief’s wife cried, barely able to catch her breath between sobs, “Ask those bastards behind you what monstrous act they committed to provoke the unclean spirit. It’s one thing if they brought doom upon themselves, but why did they drag my husband into it?!”
Another elderly woman pulled Lu Chu aside, saying, “Lu boy, you should stay away from these troublemakers. Our village has been peaceful for years, but since they arrived, disaster follows. I heard they took you to the old house last night? Don’t let their bad luck rub off on you too!” Lu Chu tried to explain, “Auntie, it’s not like that…”
“Everyone, shut up!” The village chief’s wife shrieked, silencing the crowd. “Today, I’m dragging you outsiders to the ancestors’ graves and burning you there!”
Song Gui frowned, “Are you sure? This is a law-abiding society. If you really do that, you’ll be taken to the police station before you can harm us.”
“Police station? You think I fear that?!” The village chief’s wife was clearly beyond reason, her face twisted with rage. “My husband’s gone; what’s left for me? It’s you who provoked the spirits. You deserve to die!”
She then turned her wrath towards Lu Chu, “And you, Lu boy! You’re no good either, hanging out with them. I’ll take you down too!”
“What did you say? Who are you taking?”
The village chief’s wife’s loud voice was heard clearly by Grandma Lu inside. Forgetting her grandson’s warnings, she rushed out to confront the woman. Lu Chu quickly went to support her.
In these remote, backward places, the hierarchy within clans is strict, and the elderly usually hold significant authority. Even though the village chief’s wife and Grandma Lu weren’t from the same clan, she respected her greatly. Now, with the elderly woman speaking, even though she was still furious, she didn’t lash out, instead saying, “Auntie Lu, please step aside. If these people don’t give me back my husband today, I’ll send them all to hell!”
The villagers chimed in, claiming these people were bad luck and fearing they might be next.
As the situation grew tenser, with both sides on the brink of a brawl, a path opened up outside the courtyard.
Lu Chu looked up to see Wang Po entering.
Earlier, Wang Po had said she was weakened from divination and needed to rest. Now she came personally, indicating she knew about the incident.
The villagers held great faith in ghosts and spirits, burning incense and paper offerings on holidays. Even though they were reluctant to spend money, they would go to Wang Po for divination during major events like weddings, exams, or illnesses. Wang Po was skilled and accurate, respected and trusted by the villagers.
Seeing the usually reclusive Wang Po coming, the villagers automatically made way for her, and the noisy crowd quieted down.
Supported by a young girl who lived with her, Wang Po glanced around before her eyes settled on the village chief’s wife.
It took the village chief’s wife a moment to react before she cried to Wang Po, “Wang Po, you must help me. My husband… it’s all these outsiders’ fault!”
Wang Po stopped her from continuing, “I’m here to resolve this matter.”
Hearing she was here to resolve it, the fearful villagers felt a bit relieved, asking, “Wang Po, what should we do?”
Wang Po shook her head, “I’m not here to deal with the unclean spirit, but to resolve this standoff.”
The village chief’s wife asked, “What do you mean?”
“Everything that started happening in our village last night wasn’t because of these people. In fact, I knew twenty years ago this day would come.”
“Twenty years ago… wasn’t that settled?”
“No, it wasn’t. It has always been here.”
The village chief’s wife was incredulous, “Even if there’s an unclean spirit, it’s these people’s fault.”
Ignoring her, Wang Po continued, “Whether you believe it or not, I divined again just now, for our village. These outsiders aren’t the source of the calamity; they might be the ones who can stop it.”
“In other words, if we let them investigate, most of us might survive this disaster.”
The village chief’s wife asked, “Wang Po, please explain why our village is facing this. Whose sin is this?”
Wang Po replied, “If you want to live, let these young people investigate. If they find the truth and subdue the spirit, we’ll be safe. If they don’t—”
The other villagers quickly asked, “What if they don’t?”
Wang Po looked around, “Some of you know the answer.”
“The spirit’s resentment is too strong. None of us will escape.”
Finished, she ignored the crowd, supported by the young girl, and left. The villagers again made way for her.
“None will escape.”
Everyone heard those words. Some villagers showed extreme fear when hearing about the strong resentment, which Lu Chu noted.
———
That night, the villagers stayed at Lu’s house for a while before dispersing, taking Wang Po’s words seriously. Recalling that she had said the “entire village” would be affected, those who could leave did so immediately, and those who couldn’t shut themselves inside, not daring to come out.
The village became eerily silent.
Despite the late hour, Lu Chu and his group decided to inspect the village chief’s body, uncertain if it was still there.
Lu Chu wanted to inform Grandma Lu first. Qi Li stood up, “I’ll go with you.”
In the courtyard, Qi Li asked quietly, “Do you also think it’s me?”
Lu Chu was momentarily confused before realizing Qi Li was referring to the suspicion that he might be the “ghost.”
Before Lu Chu could respond, Qi Li said, “I’m not.”
Qi Li continued, “Do you remember the note I gave you?”
The note with just two sentences, which Lu Chu still carried.
【From life to death, trust no one.
I will find you.】
“Yes.”
“From life to death, trust no one, including yourself.”
Qi Li stopped, the courtyard dark and silent. Adjusting to the darkness, Lu Chu saw Qi Li’s eyes, deep and determined.
“But you can trust me.”
