Zhang's father chose a truly terrible burial site. It wasn't just that he was in the business of the netherworld; even an ordinary person wouldn't select a bare hill, especially one devoid of trees and grass, to place a grave.
"What did he say?" Zhang Dabiao furrowed his brow deeply, trying to recall his father's dying words. After a long pause, he shook his head. "He didn't say anything. The only thing he repeated incessantly was that he absolutely had to be buried here. He spoke of nothing else for almost the entire night before he died, reminding me no less than a hundred times."
This was peculiar. Insisting on being buried in such a desolate place, ensuring his lineage would end, was not something a normal person would do. Moreover, Zhang Dabiao's father was involved in the netherworld. Even if he were confused in his final moments, it shouldn't have been to this extent.
Could this mountain have some special characteristic?
With this thought, I ignored the somewhat dejected Zhang Dabiao and walked around the small hill. I meticulously surveyed the mountain, its base, and even the riverbed.
According to the "Book of Burial," this was indeed a desolate place. Those buried here were destined to have no descendants, and this was undeniably correct.
After confirming it was a desolate location, I told Zhang Dabiao that if he wanted his descendants to continue, he must move his uncle's tomb. If it remained here, not only would he have no heirs, but he would also suffer from frequent illnesses. I surmised that his wife must have already experienced some ill omens in recent years.
Zhang Dabiao nodded, not denying it. "Indeed. She often wakes up startled from dreams, encounters malevolent spirits, and her health has always been frail. However, she has always managed to escape danger. Could this also be related to my father's burial site?"
I was not entirely sure. I said it was possible, but to confirm if it was related to the burial site, we would need to open his uncle's tomb and see if anything had changed inside. However, I could assure him that the lack of descendants was indeed connected to this burial site.
Zhang Dabiao lit a cigarette and remained silent, his eyes distant as he smoked intermittently.
I understood his thoughts. Although Zhang Dabiao appeared carefree, he was actually a very meticulous and emotional person. His father had chosen this burial site himself and repeatedly insisted on burying him here. Now, he faced a choice: obey his father's last wishes and face the prospect of his lineage ending, or defy his father's will for the sake of descendants.
If I were in his shoes, I probably wouldn't know how to choose. To have descendants meant disrespecting the deceased's final testament, necessitating the relocation of the burial site. But if he honored his father's will, he would have no children in this life, and the Zhang family line would end with him.
After flicking the third cigarette butt far away, Zhang Dabiao made a decision: he would exhume the grave and relocate the burial site. He wanted to understand why his father insisted on being buried here, and he did not want his Zhang family line to end.
Although his decision was unexpected, I agreed. After all, the continuation of the family line was a significant matter, the greatest aspiration for people living in this land. Perhaps his father had unavoidable difficulties in choosing this burial site back then.
Since the decision to relocate the burial site was made, we had to prepare accordingly. First, we needed to find a suitable location, which could not be taken lightly.
"Brother Zhang, take me to see the surrounding mountains. Are there any suitable burial sites?"
Zhang Dabiao nodded and said, "What kind of location are you looking for? I'll see if there are any plots in the nearby mountains that fit your description."
I thought for a moment and said, "Ideally, it should have a mountain at its back, be open in front, have a ridge on the west, be sheltered from the wind and face the sun, and preferably have water in front of the entrance."
"That complicated?" Zhang Dabiao frowned, thought for a moment, and then said, "There's one place that might work."
"Let's go, we'll go and see."
The sun was still high, so we should find the burial site first. The rest could wait until tomorrow.
Following Zhang Dabiao for over ten li towards the northern mountain, a small lake appeared before us. A mountain ridge naturally formed a dam, holding back the lake water, leaving only a small stream trickling out.
"Surrounded by mountains, embracing the dragon's dwelling."
Looking at this mountain hollow, my eyes lit up. This was an excellent burial site.
It had the support of the northern mountain at its back, the eastern mountain was slightly lower, shielding it from the rising sun, and the high western ridge could block the whistling cold wind. The best side was the south, which was flat and stretched as far as the eye could see, offering a wide vista.
Before us lay a gleaming lake. The water was like a polished mirror, capable of reflecting oneself and clarifying the mind. Descendants would surely be upright individuals. The ridge blocking the lake water also had a name: the scholar's desk. With such a celestial desk, future generations would undoubtedly produce scholars of the highest caliber.
"Brother Zhang, with such a good place, why didn't you think of moving Uncle here!"
Zhang Dabiao chuckled, scratching his head. "Mainly because I don't understand the art of geomancy. Besides, people say it's unlucky for someone to have died in this lake. If you hadn't mentioned looking for such a place just now, I wouldn't have thought of this spot so quickly."
"Someone died?" I looked towards the lake. The water was deep and dark. Staring for too long gave me an urge to jump in and take a bath. As a faint white shadow moved, I had an idea.
"There's a water ghost in the lake, looking for a substitute. We just need to guide it to peace. Let's choose the burial site first, and deal with this fellow when it gets late."
Zhang Dabiao nodded in agreement. After confirming the location for Zhang's father's grave, the sun had already descended behind the western mountain. A vast shadow completely enveloped the lake, and a faint mist drifted across its surface.
Looking at the mist rising from the lake, I inwardly sneered. I had intended to guide the water ghost to peace, but now it seemed unnecessary. Judging by the ghostly aura, this creature had not only taken lives but more than one. It was likely that more than one person had died in this lake.
"Brother Zhang, do you know who died in this lake?"
Zhang Dabiao thought for a moment before saying, "It seems to have been a young woman who had just married into Willow Village. I was young at the time, and the event was a long time ago, so I don't remember clearly. Is it difficult to deal with?"
"Mmm!"
"The black mist rose from the lake before the sun had even set, indicating her immense resentment. Dealing with her will be a bit of a struggle." Then, my gaze fixed on a spot in the lake, and I said solemnly, "No matter what, I'm claiming this burial site. If you're smart, get lost on your own, and I'll make you vanish into thin air when I make my move."
A gentle breeze swept across the lake, creating ripples. Faintly, a dismissive laugh reached my ears, as if saying, "Are you afraid of me?"
Zhang Dabiao seemed to have heard the voice too. He frowned, looking at the lake, and asked, "Do you have a way to deal with her?"
I nodded and said, "Let's go home first. We'll gather our tools and then confront her."
Generally, I don't fight battles without a guarantee of success. If I want her to give up the place, the best approach is to return to the village and ask some elders if anyone knows who the person who died in the lake was.
Even if I have to make her vanish, there must be a sufficient reason. I cannot act rashly, as I don't want to damage my own virtue through impulsive actions.
When we returned to Zhang Dabiao's house, Zhang's wife had already prepared dinner and was sitting at the table, propping her chin with her hands, lost in thought.
The sound of the door opening startled Zhang's wife. Seeing us return, she chided, "Where have you two been? Why did it take you so long to come back?"
"We went to look at Father's grave. We're planning to move him to a new resting place," Zhang Dabiao said without concealment, repeating what I had told him on the mountain.
After hearing this, Zhang's wife frowned. "Is that okay? That's the burial site Father chose himself. Is it really appropriate to disturb his resting place for the sake of the children?"
Zhang Dabiao laughed heartily. "What's not okay about it? It's been ten years. He should have reincarnated by now. Even if he hasn't, he wouldn't want to see our Zhang family line end, would he? If the line ends, who will offer him incense in the future?"
Zhang's wife opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but it turned into a sigh, signifying her acceptance of Zhang Dabiao's reasoning. After all, a woman without children in her life could hardly be considered complete.