Volume Two: The Secret Burial in the Gorge Chapter 103: The Abandoned Village

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The spirit banner, also known as the soul-guiding banner, is essentially a vertically hung flag used during funerals to summon the departed soul. It is supported by a long bamboo pole and placed beside the body until the funeral procession begins. Typically, the eldest grandson or eldest son carries the spirit banner at the forefront of the funeral procession. When held, the pole rests against the chest while the banner sweeps over the head. After the deceased is buried, the spirit banner is planted on the grave until it is eventually carried away by the wind.

In many regions, the spirit banner consists of three wooden or bamboo sticks—one vertical and two crossed horizontally—forming a frame on which a piece of cloth hangs in the center. On the left side of the cloth is inscribed the deceased’s birth date, on the right their date of death, and their name in the middle. The use of such banners is an ancient tradition, documented historically: the ancients placed them before coffins, and present-day practitioners of yin-yang philosophy continue the custom, believing the deceased’s soul drifts into the vast cosmos guided by the banner.

Though the designs vary across regions, the primary purpose remains consistent: to lead the spirit of the deceased.

Yet, within this forest, both Xing Mo and Zhou Zheng unexpectedly encountered spirit banners.

No graves were found nearby, yet the banners appeared, arousing deep suspicion and unease among the group, uncertain of what might come next.

From the current circumstances, it seemed Zhou Zheng had been ensnared by the spirit banner’s influence, led by it to that water pool, and compelled to behave so strangely.

Though Zhou Zheng, You You, Xing Mo, and the others did not believe in ghosts or spirits, the incident left their faces pale with discomfort.

At this point, Ma Su poured himself another cup of wine and drank thoughtfully.

I nodded and said, “Such strange events prove that Mount Touyang harbors many eerie phenomena.”

Ma Su’s face turned pale, but after I spoke, he shook his head. “That’s nothing. What happened next… was far more terrifying.”

He then recounted what followed:

Though I believe in spirits, I do not understand their ways. I sensed deception but had no means to counter it. So at first, I wanted to lead the team away from Mount Touyang.

But we had come with a mission. Having found no trace of the earth dragon after entering, leaving empty-handed was unacceptable to the others.

Zhou Zheng, being strong and having rested half a day, recovered quickly. They insisted on pressing deeper into the mountain, determined to find the earth dragon, or at least capture a valuable photograph.

Their resolve was firm, and I reluctantly agreed. In hindsight, I should have stood my ground and left.

We departed the original camp, venturing further into the mountains. Not far along, we discovered an abandoned village nestled in the hills—ruined and dilapidated, with shattered walls and remnants scattered about, clearly deserted for a long time.

Our map was a rough sketch with no markings for this village. Its eerie appearance deterred us from entering, yet comparing coordinates, it seemed highly likely to be within the earth dragon’s range.

As we hesitated, studying the map, suddenly You You screamed.

Startled, we looked around, unsure of what had happened.

Zhou Zheng pointed into the village and said, “There… someone. I saw someone.”

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We hurriedly looked where Zhou Zheng indicated but saw nothing.

You You asked, “Zhou Zheng, are you sure? This village has been abandoned for ages—how could anyone be here?”

When no one else saw anything, Zhou Zheng grew anxious, insisting he saw a figure behind a broken wall. He rushed into the village to find proof.

Fearing for his safety, we followed closely. The sky was already darkening; despite searching, we found no trace of the figure Zhou Zheng mentioned.

The sky was overcast, and a chill wind blew; rain seemed imminent. With no place to camp, we resolved to find a relatively intact house in the village to shelter through the night.

But as we stepped inside, unease settled over me. It felt as though one or several unseen eyes watched us.

The four of us were like prey trapped in a cage, ready to be hunted.

The ground was littered with stones and broken wood; only a narrow path wide enough for one person stretched forward.

We formed a single file and cautiously proceeded deeper into the village.

We abandoned the idea of camping here—no house was safe or whole, as if bombed, utterly ruined. Such shelters offered no refuge from the rain.

We wandered aimlessly along the path. Xing Mo led, I followed second, then You You, with Zhou Zheng at the rear.

For protection, Xing Mo carried a steel trekking pole, I held a tranquilizer gun, and You You and Zhou Zheng each bore a dagger. Perhaps sensing the tension, we all drew our weapons instinctively.

Each of us held a flashlight, slowly making our way through the village.

Suddenly, I felt something off. Walking second, I had created some distance from Xing Mo ahead, so I could clearly hear the breathing and footsteps behind me.

At first, their breathing was heavy and footsteps irregular.

But gradually, the footsteps behind became rhythmically consistent. What did this mean?

Two people’s footsteps, differing in stride and pace, would be irregular. For them to become regular suggested only one set of footsteps remained.

Noticing this, I paid close attention. I could distinctly hear two breaths. Two were present, but why only one set of footsteps?

Recalling Zhou Zheng’s strange behavior near the pool sent a chill through me.

I suddenly turned around, shining my flashlight behind me.

What I saw was profoundly disturbing.

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Behind me walked Lin You You, appearing perfectly normal. She jumped in surprise as my light fell upon her.

But Zhou Zheng was strangely clinging to You You.

His head rested on her right shoulder, his body coiled around hers. In the flashlight’s beam, his face was pale as paper, ghostly white. His eyes locked onto me with a fixed, eerie gaze, and a stiff, sinister smile curved his lips.

No wonder I heard only one set of footsteps—it was because You You was carrying Zhou Zheng on her back.

Yet You You, a young girl, showed no sign of strain, walking naturally as if unaware.

Startled by my sudden turn, You You stopped, bewildered by my gaze.

I noticed that while my flashlight cast their shadows on the ground, only You You’s shadow appeared—there was no shadow for Zhou Zheng.

Something was wrong with Zhou Zheng!

Realizing this, I did not hesitate. Raising my gun, I fired at Zhou Zheng’s head resting on You You’s shoulder.

Bang! Zhou Zheng cried out and fell to the ground.

You You was startled, unsure who I had shot at, and turned to look.

Zhou Zheng clutched his head, surprised. “Teacher, why did you shoot at me? Luckily, you missed.”

I rushed over, shining my flashlight on Zhou Zheng. He appeared normal again, his shadow clearly visible beneath him.

(End of chapter)

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