Chapter 312: Moonless Night

This novel is translated and hosted only on BCaTranslation

“That should be a pomegranate tree, right, Lin Xian?” Gao Yang exclaimed, patting Lin Xian on the back. “It doesn’t have any pomegranates on it, so I can’t tell for sure. But this tree looks so out of place here, completely different from its surroundings!”

Lin Xian nodded confidently. “Don’t worry, that’s definitely a pomegranate tree. I’ve watched pomegranates grow since I was a kid. I know it when I see it.”

The flowers were bright red, like fire, blood, and sunset. That unmistakable shape and color of pomegranate flowers were a clear giveaway.

“Hurry, let’s go down there,” Gao Yang urged.

Lin Xian and Gao Yang turned around and found a path leading down to the valley. They didn’t care about the dry branches and thorny underbrush beneath their feet. Walking one behind the other, they made their way through knee-high greenery toward the long-sought pomegranate tree.

In no time at all, they had trodden a small path through the grass and stood in front of the tree. Panting and scratching their itchy arms, they looked up at the towering pomegranate tree, which stood nearly ten meters high.

“Can pomegranate trees usually grow this tall? It’s incredible!” Gao Yang bent over, resting his hands on his knees.

“I’ve never seen a pomegranate tree this big, not in real life, not even in movies or TV shows. This one must be some kind of mutant!” Lin Xian shook his head. “Obviously, this is a cultivated variety that grew in the wild without any pruning or intervention.”

“My uncle used to grow pomegranates. He had to prune them regularly. You cut off one branch, and two or three new ones grow from the cut. That way, the tree produces more fruit,” Gao Yang explained.

“But look at this tree now. It’s in a great growing environment. There aren’t any large trees nearby to block the sunlight, and nothing with thick roots to compete for nutrients. The weeds and wildflowers here don’t have deep roots.”

“So, all the nutrients, water, and sunlight went to this pomegranate tree. Plus, it’s had 24 years to grow unchecked. It’s no surprise it got this big. But I’ll tell you this—fruit from a tree like this usually doesn’t taste good. The nutrients are used wrong,” Lin Xian concluded.

Gao Yang shuddered. “Even if it did taste good, who would dare eat from a tree on a grave?”

He took out his phone and saw there was still a signal. He marked the location on his map app so they wouldn’t get lost next time.

Lin Xian circled the pomegranate tree. Instinct told him that people usually wouldn’t plant a tree in front of a grave. It would make more sense to plant it behind or directly above the buried coffin.

If it were directly above, that would be a problem. A tree this big would require heavy machinery to deal with; Lin Xian and Gao Yang’s small shovels wouldn’t suffice.

But it wasn’t impossible. After all, it was a pomegranate tree, not as thick as a poplar or willow. If they brought a chainsaw, they could handle it.

“How’s your preparation? Is everything set?” Lin Xian looked at Gao Yang.

“I trust you, so I haven’t asked much. Even though you sometimes lead me astray, you’re generally reliable,” Gao Yang said with a smile.

Gao Yang snapped his fingers. “Don’t worry, everything’s covered. I even arranged to rent a Toyota Prado from a local car rental shop. It’s perfect for carrying our gear and off-roading.”

“To be honest, Lin Xian, we should thank Zhang Yu Qian’s parents for choosing such a remote spot for her grave. It’s so secluded and hard to find... This gives us the chance to dig up the grave.”

“If they had buried her in the family cemetery back home, we wouldn’t stand a chance. We’d get beaten up by the clan before we even reached the grave with our shovels,” Gao Yang remarked.

Lin Xian nodded. “It’s a fortunate misfortune. But it’s also inevitable.”

He explained to Gao Yang, “Think about it. Why did Zhang Yu Qian’s father choose such a remote place for her grave? It means he felt guilty! If there were no hidden secrets about the car accident, he would have buried her openly in the family cemetery.”

“This means... We won’t come back empty-handed. We’ll uncover some truth.”

“Let’s head back now and get ready. You take care of the car and the gear, and I’ll scout the area to make sure everything’s set. I’ll also buy us some work clothes, so we don’t get all scratched up again. And I’ll grab some flashlights, food, and water.”

“Let’s meet around six or seven at the mountain entrance?” Lin Xian suggested.

Gao Yang thought for a moment, circling the pomegranate tree, making strange gestures with his right hand and muttering, “Seeking dragon, watching for gold... One layer of mountain, one layer of obstacles...”

He opened his eyes, his face serious. “No, six or seven is too early. It should be later.”

“What are you doing, pretending to be mystical?” Lin Xian asked, bewildered.

“You don’t understand! It’s a tradition! And at six or seven, there will still be tourists around. If some adventurous hiker sees us digging up a grave, they’ll definitely call the police!” Gao Yang waved his hand. “So, nine o’clock! Let’s meet at the mountain entrance at nine.”

He snorted. “Moonless night, time to dig graves!”

At ten o’clock that night, the sky was dark and windy. The moon and stars were hidden by clouds. Lin Xian and Gao Yang stood fully equipped in the valley, about ten meters from the pomegranate tree, looking ahead.

“Seriously?” Lin Xian turned to look at Gao Yang, who was ridiculously over-equipped.

“Wait.” Gao Yang, looking cautious, stopped Lin Xian. He took a cloth bag from his waist and began sprinkling glutinous rice around the coffin. “I’m drawing a barrier.”

“This is your ‘scientific’ approach?” Lin Xian joked.

“This is.” Gao Yang pulled out a candle from his backpack and waved it in front of Lin Xian. “We need to light a candle on the southeast side of the coffin. If it stays lit, we’re safe. If it goes out, it means the spirit doesn’t want us here, and we have to leave everything as it is.”

“Who would agree to that?”

“Hey, it’s tradition! These customs have been around for years. Just don’t ask so many questions! Show some respect!”

Ignoring Lin Xian, Gao Yang placed the candle in the southeast corner of the coffin. He lit the candle with a lighter. In the dark, cold forest, the tiny flame brought a bit of warmth.

“Alright.” Gao Yang clapped his hands. “We’re ready. Let’s open the coffin!”

He bent down, picked up the crowbar, and stood at the narrow end of the coffin lid with Lin Xian.

Clink, clink.

They wedged the crowbars into the gap under the lid, tapping them with stones to ensure they were secure.

Lin Xian and Gao Yang adjusted their positions. The lid was heavy and nailed shut, so they had to use all their strength simultaneously to pry it open.

“Ready?” Lin Xian looked at Gao Yang.

This novel is translated and hosted only on BCaTranslation

Gao Yang glanced at the candle, still burning steadily in the southeast corner, and nodded, his muscles tensing. “Ready. Count us down!”

Lin Xian took a deep breath. He gripped the crowbar tightly. “3, 2, 1, pry!”

They pushed with all their might.

Eeeee— A strange, cat-like sound echoed!

Instantly! A sliver of moonlight peeked from behind the clouds, illuminating the swirling mist, the silent forest, and the crack in the coffin lid.

Whoosh— A gust of wind blew out the candle in the southeast corner.

Gao Yang’s face turned pale! His crowbar clattered to the ground, and he dropped to his knees, hands clasped. “Ancestor! Ancestor! Spare us! We’re leaving! Don’t come out!”

“Are you crazy, Gao Yang!” Lin Xian couldn’t stand it. “There was nothing to fear until you freaked out! Get over here!”

But Gao Yang was too scared, fumbling with the black donkey hoof in his pocket, unable to hold it steady.

“Useless.” Lin Xian cursed, using his weight to stomp on the crowbar, leveraging the lid open with a creak. He then kicked the coffin lid aside.

Thud!

“Ahhhhh! Take this, zombie!”

The lid crashed down, and Gao Yang’s scream echoed. His black donkey hoof flew past the coffin, hitting the pomegranate tree. A few leaves rustled, petals fell, and then all was quiet.

Lin Xian exhaled. He stepped forward. Bending down, he let the light from his headlamp shine into the coffin.

Neat, clean.

There were neatly folded clothes, stacks of notebooks, a once-popular doll, a Sony Walkman, a makeup mirror, a photo album, certificates, trophies, hair accessories in a glass box, a red leather certificate tied with a ribbon, and a pink plastic picture frame...

It didn’t look like a coffin.

It looked like a young girl’s storage room.

Lin Xian slowly raised his head. The headlamp’s beam illuminated a picture frame on the makeup box.

In the photo was a smiling girl. She held up a playful peace sign. Her brown ponytail flew behind her; her pretty eyes curved into crescent moons; dimples appeared at the corners of her mouth; a perfectly placed mole by her left eye.

This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation