Chapter Twenty-Six: The Deep Pit Beneath My Feet

I glanced once more at the restless spirits; though they lacked weapons, their sharp fingernails served as their deadliest tools. I was convinced they were organized, for ordinary malicious ghosts would charge without hesitation, yet these spirits stood motionless, as if frozen in place. It seemed clear they were awaiting orders.

I gripped the Snow Blade anxiously, muttering to myself, "Come on, old buddy, you’ve got to deliver, or I’m done for..."

Chen Chen readied himself defensively, though I could sense his fear.

Suddenly, a furious roar erupted from somewhere in the darkness.

With that, the spirits tapped their feet lightly and surged toward us, nearly thirty in number, a chill sweeping over us.

Chen Chen unleashed the fire within him, letting out a low growl as he raised his blade and began slashing with impressive speed.

He could defend himself with the curved sword, but I was left fumbling—no matter how many times I swung the Snow Blade, it showed no reaction.

I was utterly dumbfounded.

I had no choice but to treat it as a short stick. When the first spirit lunged at me, I struck its head without hesitation.

To my astonishment, the stick packed quite a punch—the spirit was sent flying, though not fatally.

Delighted, I shouted, "Come on then, hahaha!"

But soon, I was surrounded, my legs and arms wounded one after another.

I spotted a short spirit and charged, grabbing it around the waist.

With a single blow to its head, I killed it instantly.

A new round of battle began.

One against ten—even Master Ip Man wouldn’t stand a chance.

I fought until my last ounce of strength, kicking away a spirit before collapsing to my knees, utterly spent.

Yet the spirits gave me no respite, recklessly charging once more.

Desperately, I pleaded with the Snow Blade, "Please, old buddy... just help me once..."

But this time, it offered no reply.

I looked up at the fierce spirits closing in—this was the end.

I shut my eyes, waiting for death.

But then, something miraculous happened: the talisman in my pocket floated up as if moved by unseen hands.

It hovered before me like a savior. Gasping for breath, I stared at the talisman; it glowed faintly now.

The spirits paused for a moment, then resumed their assault.

Before they could reach me, the talisman vanished. My mouth hung open, a thousand curses racing through my mind.

I struggled to my feet, ready for a final stand, when suddenly a gale swept in.

I crouched low—the wind was fierce, blowing for five full minutes before it finally subsided.

I rubbed the sand from my eyes and looked up again.

Not a single spirit remained before me; only Chen Chen, still locked in combat with the last few spirits.

I hurried to his side.

Together, fighting a handful of spirits felt as easy as swatting children.

Once the last spirit was dispatched, Chen Chen and I collapsed onto the ground.

We both gulped air greedily, then exchanged a smile.

In hindsight, the gale must have been the talisman’s doing. I’d thought it a useless piece, but it ended up saving my life.

We smiled again, grateful to have survived.

Though seated in a graveyard, neither of us felt afraid; we each lit a cigarette.

It didn’t matter—we were alive.

A question crossed my mind, so I asked Chen Chen, "Why do you think the old man in black sent us to the graveyard? What’s his purpose?"

Chen Chen, now relaxed, leaned against a small mound and pondered. "I don’t know. Maybe he wants to harm us?"

I took a deep drag, shook my head. "I doubt it. We have no feud with him, he has no reason to hurt us."

"I think he must have a reason for sending us here. Maybe there’s something hidden," I said.

Chen Chen nodded, agreeing with my logic.

"So where is it hidden?"

I thought carefully. We'd found half of the area before the spirits appeared. Was it possible whatever we sought was buried in the part we hadn’t searched?

I shared my idea, and Chen Chen agreed instantly. "Alright, let’s look again."

After such a fierce battle, we were light-hearted, cracking jokes, the tension from earlier gone.

To avoid further surprises, we stayed close together, ready to help each other at a moment’s notice.

I examined each mound carefully—left and right—but found nothing.

Until I spotted a mound unlike the others.

This one had a tombstone, inscribed:

"The Tomb of Yang Mingwen..."

There were a few offering plates in front, though time had rotted everything, leaving only empty dishes.

I circled the mound several times; aside from better arrangements, nothing stood out.

Disappointed, I turned away to check other mounds.

As I turned, my foot accidentally struck the tombstone, knocking it over.

"Oh, oh... I’m sorry, truly, I just bumped it accidentally. Let me set it back."

I hurriedly propped the stone upright, and noticed a stone recess.

Squinting, I saw it was shaped for a hexagonal stone, smooth as marble, with not a speck of dust.

It was odd—was this recess meant to unlock something?

Just then, Chen Chen called behind me.

"Lin Yao, Lin Yao, come look at this!"

He waved me over, holding something in his hand—a stone.

I hurried to him and examined the stone.

"I found it near the tombstone. The tomb’s owner is Yang Mingwen," he said.

Yang Mingwen? That was the name on my mound.

I looked at the stone—it was smooth, hexagonal...

Suddenly, things clicked. I beckoned Chen Chen to follow me to the mound.

I explained what I’d discovered.

He listened, mouth agape, muttering, "Why would he build two identical tombs..."

Regaining his composure, he said, "So you think placing the stone in the recess will unlock something?"

"Exactly," I replied firmly.

I crouched down and placed the stone into the smooth recess.

As soon as it touched, it was drawn in as though by a magnetic force, merging seamlessly—no trace of the recess remained, not even the slightest gap.

I spread my hands helplessly. "And then... that’s it?"

Just then, I felt the earth beneath my feet grow soft.

Before I could move, the ground gave way, and a deep pit opened below us.

Chen Chen and I plunged down...