Chapter 440: Open Coffin (1/2)

”I’m not sure. In fact, as a village chief, I’ve never really approved of superstitious beliefs and activity in the village. But since everyone partakes in superstition, I can't do anything about it except respect their beliefs. In fact, I don't believe in this so-called sacred tree,” admitted the village head.

Removing her shoe soles, the village chief’s wife reminded, ”Old man, have you forgotten that the tree once glowed at night? Everyone said that the tree god had appeared.”

The village head recounted, ”Oh, yes! That was in 2013.”

”2013?” I mused. That was just five years ago and the glow of the tree must have been the effect of phosphorus volatilizing from the corpse, the same principle as the will-o-wisp. This meant that someone hid the corpse in the tree before the incident.

”Young man, why are you so interested in this tree?” asked the village chief.

I wanted to keep the matter out of the limelight for the time being so I said, ”It’s nothing, I'm just curious.”

The village chief insisted on keeping us for lunch which we had a hard time refusing. When I left his home, I found myself at a loss. What a conundrum indeed–I couldn't touch or identify the body!

With these thoughts on my mind, I silently paced back and forth along the ridge. Song Jie chuckled, ”What's wrong with him? Has he gone mad?”

”He’s thinking about the case,” explained Song Xingchen.

”Tang-ge, come with me up the hill! We’ll catch sparrows!” suggested Song Jie.

”You two have fun. I'll hang around here for a bit and meet you back at home later,” I said.

”See you later then!” Song Jie chirped as she pulled Song Xingchen away.

After an hour of cudgeling my brains, I suddenly noticed the hill where the ghost wedding was held yesterday and the lonely graves. Despite no disappearances in the village during the five years, deaths must have still occurred. Could the body be one of the dead villagers? In this case, there must be an empty grave.

Wandering down this line of thought, I quickly headed back to the Song family's old manor. Song Heting was picking vegetables when she noticed me. ”Aren’t Xiao Jie and Song Xingchen with you?”

”Aunt Song, to investigate the case, there’s something I must do! I’d like to go up the hill at night to check the graves!”

Song Heting froze and arched an eyebrow, ”If the villagers find out about this, you’ll be in big trouble!”

”I don't really have to open the coffins. I just need a Luoyang shovel. Don’t worry. A Traditional Coroner knows how to perform an autopsy without leaving any traces behind,” I assured.

It was to my utter relief that Song Heting supported my actions. Thus, I headed to the backyard and created a Luoyang shovel with iron sheets and a bamboo pole. When I tried digging up some soil from the ground, the Luoyang shovel proved useful.

As the afternoon turned to dusk, it was soon time for dinner. When Song Jie heard I was going up the hill to conduct autopsies, she squealed excitedly and insisted on coming along.

Hence, the three of us headed out, surrounded by the darkness of the night. With Cave Vision, neither of us needed lighting equipment. As we neared the graveyard, Song Jie grew frightened. ”There won’t be any ghosts, will there?” she asked.

I laughed, ”Are you afraid of ghosts? Aren't you a Song?”

”I'm not like you. I don’t face dead bodies every day,” pouted Song Jie. “Song Yang-gege, have you ever seen a ghost?”

”Yes,” I nodded.

”Let's about hear it then… Oh, forget it. Tell me when we’re home… No, no! Tell me about it when the sun’s out!” Song Jie covered her ears in fear.

I picked up the homemade Luoyang shovel and dug at the grave. Shoveling out the soil to catch a whiff, I confirmed a body was indeed buried below. Then, I explored all the graves in the same manner but couldn't find any empty ones. ”How can this be?” I muttered to myself. “Why are all the bodies here? Could there be other graves nearby?”