Chapter 42.4: The Skin Beneath

“They’re all gone now. I succeeded.”

“Originally, I’d have worn myself to death in a few more years.”

“But who could’ve predicted the arrival of those monkeys.”

“So, you’re going to fill in this place, plant peach trees, and continue suppressing yourself?”

“It must be done quickly, because I’m no longer who I used to be. The former me sealed myself away to protect the world. But now, all I want is for you to be buried with me.”

“That true self is dead. Or maybe I can’t even tell anymore which face is the real me.”

“I understand. I’ll arrange it right away—while you’re still… lucid.”

“You’re wrong. I’m not lucid. I’m staying because I’ve reached the point of no return. Going out would only mean quick death. I just want to preserve a shred of dignity.”

“Honestly, peeling those Water Monkeys brought me joy. Nothing is more fun than teasing monkeys.”

“If there had only been a couple more—just two more last night—I might have really come out.”

“If just two more had shown up, I wouldn’t be talking to you like this.”

Li Zhuiyuan silently thought, That was close—two of those Water Monkeys were in the hospital now.

Their gang had planned to get them out, and knowing their usual tactics, they’d have brought them here, even if just to shine flashlights.

Good thing he’d called the police in time.

By a strange twist of fate, he’d saved his own life.

“And the reason I changed my mind about dragging you to the grave isn’t pity,” the man continued. “It’s because I found a better way to amuse myself.”

“What way?”

The wind grew soft, like a whisper of temptation brushing against one’s ear:

“Want me to tell you what he taught me?”

Li Zhuiyuan shook his head. “You learned that and ended up like this. A living example. Why would I follow suit?”

The man said nothing, so Li Zhuiyuan added:

“You said you’re about to fade away. Once I fill in the pond and plant the peach trees, whether I learn it or not—you won’t know. You’ll never come looking for me again, right?”

“Heh. You’ll learn it. And once you do, you won’t be able to resist using it.”

“When I saw you crouching on the roof, peeking in, I knew.”

Li Zhuiyuan was silent.

“It’s in the top drawer of the vanity. Take it or don’t—your choice.”

The man lay back down in the stone coffin.

A way to control Dead Sinkers …

Li Zhuiyuan walked to the vanity, hand resting on the drawer handle.

The wind spoke again:

“Do you have anything else to say?”

Li Zhuiyuan pressed his lips together. “You really know how to read people.”

“Heh heh heh… That’s why burying you with me wouldn’t be nearly as fun as watching you slowly turn into something not quite human, not quite ghost.”

“You could’ve just kept planting trees, but no—you’re just too much like him.”

“But I can’t get revenge on him anymore, so I’ll transfer that hatred to you.”

Creak…

Li Zhuiyuan opened the drawer. It was empty.

A surge of disappointment hit him.

“You’re messing with me?”

“Did you forget where you are? This place has been restored. Would you really need to dig it all up again just to find something?”

“I already placed it somewhere you’re guaranteed to see.”

Li Zhuiyuan pushed the drawer shut and nodded. “Thanks.”

“Don’t thank me. One day, you’ll hate me—just like I hate him now.”

“Once you learn it, those Dead Sinkers you control will crawl into your heart, twist and taint every feeling you have.”

“One day, when you look in the mirror…”

“You won’t recognize the face staring back.”

Li Zhuiyuan: “…”

The wind vanished completely.

The iron chains on the stone coffin retracted, locking it shut once more.

The surrounding lights gradually went out.

Before Li Zhuiyuan could close his eyes, a wave surged up beneath him. He didn’t resist, letting it lift him.

Suddenly, daylight returned.

He was back in the room, warm afternoon sunlight streaming in.

He saw Ding Dalin again—but this time, he was thin, like a neatly folded shirt lying on the floor.

Li Zhuiyuan bent down and picked up the “shirt.”

He couldn’t just leave him lying there, right?

Besides, he’d never weighed an adult’s skin before, but this felt heavier than expected.

He pressed on it and felt hard lumps.

He searched but found no tear.

At last, he inhaled deeply and reached in through Ding Dalin’s mouth, digging downward until he grabbed a cold, hard object.

He pulled out a gleaming gold ingot.

This must be the payment for the land and tree planting.

“You’re oddly considerate.”

From outside, a voice called:

“Xiaoyuan, Xiaoyuan!”

Li Zhuiyuan walked to the balcony, Ding Dalin in his arms.

Runsheng stood in the courtyard, waving a human skin—Secretary Jin fluttering like a flag.

“You scared me, Xiaoyuan! I was so worried you’d end up like this too.”

“Where’s Great-Grandpa?”

“He pushed the cart home. What happened?”

“It’s over now. Runsheng-ge, come up here.”

“Oh, alright!”

Runsheng rushed up, still holding Secretary Jin. It must’ve snagged on something, because by the time he reached the balcony, the skin had torn.

“Xiaoyuan, you’ve got a set too. What should we do with these skins?”

“Put them away for now. Burn them in the workshop furnace tonight.”

“Got it.”

“Runsheng-ge, get the ladder.”

“For what?”

“The roof.”

“Oh right, I almost forgot—we left our stuff up there.” Runsheng set up the ladder and climbed first. As Li Zhuiyuan followed, he reached back to help him up.

The two burlap sacks containing ritual flags and tools were still there, along with Runsheng’s personal Yellow River Spade, lying beside them.

“Xiaoyuan, I’ll carry them down.”

“Wait, Runsheng-ge.”

“Oh. Okay.”

Li Zhuiyuan knelt by one sack, untied it, and saw a black-covered old book inside.

This—this was the method left for him.

He took it out. No title on the cover.

The man hadn’t said “book,” only “method,” so it was probably more like handwritten notes.

He opened it without hesitation.

And froze.

The handwriting—so familiar, too familiar.

He flipped through several pages quickly and confirmed the truth.

Holding the book, he looked down toward the fish pond.

So…

The one who tricked you—was his name…

Wei Zhengdao.

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