Chapter 37.2: The Dreamlike Encounter

At the very least, one thing was certain now: the main tomb the water monkeys were after was right here.

Those inept water monkeys had been misled by the decoy tomb near the Sihai family’s fish pond. They’d disturbed the Earth-Yin Red Fiend and lost two of their own.

The police had already set up surveillance in the clinic’s ward, waiting to catch their accomplices when they came to visit the injured.

But—what the hell was happening now?

Li Zhuiyuan had assumed the sticky stuff dripping down his body came from Little Oriole clinging behind him. But how could anything from her be warm?

Lowering his head, he touched his chest, then his chin, then his nose…

No need to keep groping—he could already feel the blood gushing from his nose.

What the hell?

Was it the recent overexertion from fast-tracking his studies of The Liu Clan's Art of Observing Qi, or was it that his newly grasped technique for reading qi placed a massive strain on his body?

Either way, if he didn’t stop the bleeding soon, he was in serious trouble.

Worse yet, it seemed his blood was making Little Oriole, who had already been uneasy, even more agitated!

She was no longer content with just clutching his shoulders. Her head was now beside his face. Though she didn’t breathe, she loomed like a wild beast sniffing out prey.

Li Zhuiyuan dared not hesitate. The goal had been achieved anyway. He turned sharply toward Runsheng in the distance, pointing to where the candles needed to be placed.

Runsheng had been trailing behind and didn’t know Li Zhuiyuan’s current state. Now, under the moonlight, he saw Li Zhuiyuan’s face and clothes drenched in blood, while Little Oriole shook violently behind him. It looked like she was throttling Li Zhuiyuan and about to bite his neck!

Without thinking, Runsheng grabbed the Yellow River Spade and rushed in to save him—only to hear Li Zhuiyuan shout:

“Those two spots—place the candles and light them!”

Runsheng’s body froze mid-motion, his mind and muscles at odds. Holding the spade, he spun on one leg like a top.

If he hadn’t jabbed the spade into the ground in time, he might’ve rolled straight into the fish pond.

Scrambling upright, he quickly set the candles and lit them with a match.

Li Zhuiyuan shook the bell, guiding Little Oriole precisely to the spot.

Back to the pond, he broke the incense in the censer, extinguishing it.

But Little Oriole didn’t let go. She kept gripping his arm.

She didn’t want to leave.

This was the perfect example of “easy to summon the god, hard to send it off.”

Runsheng picked up the Soul-returning Basket, ready to throw it over the Dead Sinker and plunge it into the water.

Li Zhuiyuan wiped the bell on his face, smearing it with blood, and flung it behind him. The crisp chime rang through the air before it plopped into the pond.

Little Oriole let go, turned, and walked into the pond.

The water slowly rose over her body as her hand reached for the floating bell.

Li Zhuiyuan drew out two sheets of Yellow Paper, lit them from the candles, and raised his arms. He then slammed the burning sheets together with a loud clap.

Snap!

Sparks flew, and the flames died instantly.

The candle flames on the ground turned green.

Li Zhuiyuan stomped them out.

He then looked toward the pond. Little Oriole had turned to face him, water up to her chest. Her head and neck remained above the surface, eyes fixed on him.

“The Gate of Life is shut, the Three Offerings complete. I bid you return.”

At last, Little Oriole slowly sank beneath the surface. Her black hair fanned out, then vanished entirely.

Li Zhuiyuan collapsed with a thump, blood still pouring from his nose.

“Runsheng-ge, help me roll two paper balls.”

“Got it!”

Runsheng grabbed some Yellow Paper and rolled two balls. The first pair was too big for his nostrils, so he had to redo them.

Even then, the bleeding persisted, soaking the paper balls. Only after replacing them again did the blood finally stop.

Li Zhuiyuan took deep breaths, feeling a clear tightness in his chest and a loss of strength—classic signs of blood loss.

Runsheng tended to him with great care. He even ignored the pond’s grim contents and fetched water to cool Li Zhuiyuan’s forehead and wash the blood from his face.

“Huff... huff... huff…”

After resting a while, Li Zhuiyuan finally stabilized.

Runsheng let out a long breath, patting his chest in relief. “Xiaoyuan, she was fierce!”

Li Zhuiyuan shook his head. “She was fine. It was my fault.”

Little Oriole had shown great restraint. The blame was entirely on him. Who would’ve thought fortune-telling could lead to physical collapse?

Even the gentlest lion might eat you if you tease it while bleeding profusely.

But such risks were part of practical learning. It was lucky it was Little Oriole. Had it been another Dead Sinker, even if Runsheng had managed to save him, a brutal fight would’ve followed.

“Xiaoyuan, what were you even doing tonight?”

Li Zhuiyuan pointed at the pond. “Runsheng-ge, there’s a tomb underneath.”

Runsheng’s eyes lit up. He gripped his Yellow River Spade again.

“Xiaoyuan, I’ll dig it up!”

“Runsheng-ge, what movie did you watch recently?”

“Indiana Jones. All three parts, county TV aired them.”

“Runsheng-ge, grave robbing is illegal.”

“Uh…”

“And I suggest you watch the news after dinner from now on.”

“Okay, I will. So what do we do about this place?”

“The water monkeys didn’t find it, so just leave it. It’s still buried.”

Thanks to Li Lan’s work, Li Zhuiyuan had some knowledge of archaeology.

Nowadays, unless there’s major construction, a tomb robbery, or natural damage requiring preservation digs, no one actively excavates tombs.

Water burials were especially deep, harder to unearth than land ones. Since Little Oriole hadn’t dissipated, it meant the main tomb was well-preserved. Best to leave it that way.

“Runsheng-ge, tonight’s events must stay secret.”

“Understood.”

Li Zhuiyuan slowly stood, casting one last long look at the fish pond.

It really was a good place to raise corpses.

If those water monkeys hadn’t all been caught and still obsessed over the main tomb, he actually hoped they’d come.

Because waiting here for them wasn’t just the Earth-Yin Red Fiend.

Back home, Li Zhuiyuan took another shower. He realized the blood-soaked clothes couldn’t be salvaged—they’d scare someone if tossed out carelessly.

He folded them and planned to burn them in the stove tomorrow.

After cleaning up, he lay in bed, hoping to grab a bit more sleep before dawn.

But the exhaustion was real. Blood loss had done him in. That nap lasted till noon.

Even before opening his eyes, he could feel the harsh noon sunlight.

Opening his eyes, he stared at the carvings above the bed, even picking out the different patterns.

Eventually, there was no more avoiding it. He turned his head toward the door.

The girl sat on a chair.

Today, she wore a light green ruqun, blending grace and renewal.

Waking up to see her face every day—it was a nice feeling.

No words were needed. No gestures necessary. Just that one glance brought peace.

Li Zhuiyuan got out of bed, walked to the snack cabinet, and took out three bottles of Jianlibao. As usual, he handed her two, opening one for her.

He didn’t really like sweet soda in the morning, but the girl enjoyed clinking bottles with him.

She took a sip, then set it down. She reached for Li Zhuiyuan’s right hand and opened it.

The wound had scabbed. Li Zhuiyuan hadn’t bothered to bandage it after his bath. The burn mark on his palm had faded, but the five puncture wounds from her nails remained vivid.

The girl ignored the wounds she’d caused. Her finger traced the burn scar gently.

“Don’t worry. There won’t be a next time.”

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