Chapter 78

Chapter 78

Mr. Gu thought that Daoist Quan's behavior today was quite unusual, his speech peculiar.

Before the grave robbers had even woken up, Mr. Gu had ordered people to apprehend them – an unexpected delight. In truth, they had been well concealed, and those present, out of fear, hadn't considered that possibility. These two seasoned criminals might never guess who had turned them in, even while serving their sentences. As for Professor Li, who had awakened from his confusion, he seemed dazed when he saw everyone in the room: "What happened to me?"

He only remembered coming to the site for an investigation that morning. A student had reported that someone seemed to be lying in one of the tombs. Concerned about potential dangers in the unexcavated tomb, he had stopped the students and entered himself. After inspecting the scene, he found that the two men were merely unconscious but still breathing, so he helped carry them out.

The moment he stepped out of the tomb, for some reason, he faintly heard a distant roar from beyond the heavens. When he woke up again, he was here.

What on earth had happened? Professor Li found it all rather inexplicable.

Hearing his puzzled question, the enthusiastic Unity Yi was about to offer an explanation, but Mr. Gu intervened.

Mr. Gu smiled and said, "Professor Li, there was a lack of oxygen in the tomb. You fainted for a moment, and your blood pressure seems elevated. Have you not had enough rest lately?"

Professor Li: "So that's what happened."

This was clearly not the truth. Not only Unity Yi, but Wei Xi also glanced at him sideways. Mr. Gu gently shook his head at them: "There are some things they cannot know. Part of our department's work is to uphold the core socialist values with unwavering determination."

Wei Xi: "What?"

"Ahaha." Mr. Gu felt it was rather awkward to say that after everything they had just experienced, so he simply took out a business card and passed it over. "But these past few years have been tumultuous. Daoist Wei, if you have the time, you can take a look at our featured program. Your local Taoist Association has given us a lot of help. The previous episode was actually assisted by Daoist Quan's temple behind the scenes."

Wei Xi took it and saw four large characters on the front: 'Believe in Science.'

Wei Xi asked his second disciple, "What's this? Have you seen it?"

Second Disciple: "...I have."

Not only had he watched it, but he had also helped with the production before, though not under his current identity.

Tuan Jieyi leaned in for a glance and exclaimed, "I've watched this show too! So it was produced by Mr. Gu?!"

Mr. Gu smiled even more awkwardly. "Please don't laugh."

"The previous episode..." Tuan Jieyi recalled, "Oh, it was about a villager in Qingshui Village who would often wake up inexplicably, finding herself soaking in her own well. The show filmed for four full episodes, almost two hundred minutes in total, with a particularly eerie background music. In the end, the conclusion was that she sleepwalked at night and went to the well to drink water, falling in each time because she couldn't reach while leaning over the edge? There were many online articles mocking your show, and I thought it was ridiculous too."

Mr. Gu: "...\Well, we couldn't think of a better explanation."

Unity Yizhi realized the truth: "…So it wasn't actually because of that?"

The wise old Daoist, Quan Yongzhen, spoke quietly, "There was a ghost in that well seeking a substitute to take its place at night. The lady of the house had the most compatible birth chart with it. Fortunately, she was an excellent swimmer and could instinctively paddle even while asleep, preventing the ghost from succeeding. After I exorcised the ghost in Clear Water Village, there were no more incidents."

Unity Yizhi was speechless. "No wonder the production team said the subject recovered from sleepwalking after treatment. I was wondering what kind of bizarre plot twist that was… In the episode before last, when the person kept hearing strange noises at night, it turned out to be their neighbor's phone alarm clock set to the wrong time, but the neighbor slept so soundly they never noticed…."

Mr. Gu continued, "A female corpse was embedded in the walls of their house."

"In the episode where the resident's curtains would open on their own for no reason, it was because the curtain rod was installed crooked and slid open by itself…."

Mr. Gu explained, "He attracted bad luck outside, and a ghost wanted to enter his home."

Not only Unity Yizhi, Wei Xi was also stunned. Could this really happen? Unity Yizhi felt like he had been introduced to a whole new world as he murmured, "No wonder viewers say your first half is full of suspense and the second half is just QNMB (an internet acronym for a curse word). The truth turns out to be like this."

Mr. Gu sighed. "What can we do? To dispel superstition, we have to use some tactics. No one would watch a serious science program. But despite the complaints, the show has had a great impact since airing. Many rumors and urban legends circulating among the people have been suppressed."

As a fellow administrator, Black Impermanence empathized, "Sometimes, people don't want to hear your preaching. You have to use some means to get through to them."

Compared to the Underworld Bureau, the mortal realm was much smarter, using subtle culture to convey values. The Underworld Bureau's harsh methods, like throwing souls into hot oil, were less effective than the entertaining approach taken by the living.

Mr. Gu was delighted upon receiving the approval. He still remembered the remarkable ability of this man in black to summon the Earth God earlier – he was definitely a formidable figure! He promptly extended an invitation: "If Mr. Black is interested, you can collaborate with us for a few episodes as our art consultant. It's everyone's responsibility to dispel superstitious beliefs among the public."

Daoist Quan: "…"

The thought of Black Impermanence serving as an art consultant to debunk superstition for 'Believe in Science' left him gasping for air. Wasn't that like asking someone to refute their own existence?

However, Black Impermanence didn't seem to mind. Whether humans in the living world believed in ghosts or not made no difference to him. He was here to cooperate with the government, not to establish his presence among ordinary people. He nodded and said, "If there comes a day when I can collaborate with your mortal realm, I will certainly not hesitate."

Mr. Gu: "???"

What was he talking about? Struggling to maintain his composure, Mr. Gu asked, "Then, that's great. May I ask if Mr. Black's surname is actually Black? Would you mind sharing your full name?"

Black Impermanence: "My given name is Fan Wujiu, not Black. 'Black Impermanence' is just a nickname given to me by the folks in the living world."

Mr. Gu: "…"

This expert looked refined and elegant, but turned out to be unexpectedly melodramatic, referring to himself as 'Black Impermanence' from the living world. Mr. Gu tried hard to keep his smile intact. "Ha! Ha! Is that so? You truly stand out. This name is perfect for our production team."

He had something else he wanted to ask for the help of this man in black. After they stepped outside, Unity Righteousness pondered, "If we're so committed to promoting socialist core values, how should we advertise our sect, Master?"

"No worries, Mr. Gu has already agreed." Wei Xi recalled Mr. Gu's attitude and reassured them, "He will find a solution for us, won't he?"

Shuo Zong: "... Mm."

Priest Quan: "... Huhu"

***********

Outside the car, journalists with their equipment were surrounding the archaeologists at the excavation site:

"Professor, could you tell us the reason for the archaeology team's unconsciousness?"

"How are the two initial coma cases? Why were they here? Local villagers speculate that their condition is due to a curse from the ancient tomb. What's your take on this?"

"Is the legend of the ancient tomb curse true?"

"Are there ghosts in the mausoleum?"

The archaeologists were overwhelmed by these esoteric questions, drenched in sweat. The unexplained unconsciousness at the excavation site had somehow made its way online, fueling rumors and diverse opinions. With so many speculations, not only the archaeologists but even the police officers who came to maintain order started feeling fearful. Archaeology was never an easy task, especially when dealing with mausoleums – it was inherently mystical, and sometimes, the occurrences were inexplicable.

The young police officer couldn't help but question the foundations of his worldview. Fortunately, Mr. Gu promptly approached and began to earnestly explain into the camera, "Everyone, please don't believe or spread rumors. Professor Lin has just woken up and is not in any life-threatening condition. He merely overexerted himself at the excavation site, triggering his high blood pressure. As for the two villagers who were initially found, we have confirmed that they are grave robbers. Their fainting was due to oxygen deprivation after entering a sealed tomb…"

Black Impermanence played the part of his assistant, introduced by Mr. Gu as a traveling physician. His handsome looks and refined attire dispelled much of the skepticism in the crowd when he nodded politely. The young officer couldn't help but find it amusing that this peculiar young man, who had been eager to meet their superior, turned out to be an intellectual. He chuckled at his earlier suspicious thoughts about the bizarre occurrences on site—Master Wei's ability to deduce the kidnapper's escape route with a mere hand gesture was already incredible. How could there really be ghosts in this world? Anyone who had watched even a single episode of "Believe in Science" wouldn't entertain such baseless notions.

Elder Quan watched from the side as Black Impermanence advocated for the core socialist values on behalf of humanity, dismantling all feudal superstitions in the process. It was a scene that left him feeling weightless, like a leaf swirling in the wind. Unable to bear it any longer, he decided to lead his disciples and the archaeological team to excavate the Heavenly Square Seal.

The Fang Tianhua Seal was buried in the main chamber of the tomb, radiating an inexplicable ominous aura the moment it emerged. However, Director Si Ma had indeed been truthful. Upon pouring a mouthful of white wine over it, the seal's crimson hue gradually faded, transforming into a white jade with an ancient and rustic charm.

Elder Quan stared blankly at the seal that was supposed to be incredibly challenging to deal with. Recalling the Taoist ritual just conducted by the Taicang Sect, he sighed until there was no more air left in him, feeling utterly devoid of any sense of accomplishment.

What on earth is this?

Amidst the archaeology team's successive exclamations, he looked up and realized that in the southwestern corner of the tomb site where he had unearthed the Heavenly Transformation Seal, the team had discovered an entire chest filled with books.

Professor Li, who could now walk, insisted on coming over and was overwhelmed with joy, tears streaming down his face. Ancient texts! This was one of the most significant discoveries in any archaeological excavation!

He immediately led his students to start cataloging them, occasionally bursting into uncontrollable cheers. "Oh my God! This! This is the 'Houwen Manuscript'! The complete set, when the Beijing Museum only has a fragmentary copy!"

"And this calligraphy album! Oh my God, it's a genuine work by Gao Wuming! It's actually a genuine Gao Wuming masterpiece!"

"The Comprehensive Records of Wen Zhengqing! There's actually The Comprehensive Records of Wen Zhengqing here! There's only one extant copy of the manuscript!"

Professor Li's gaze grew more passionate with each book he examined, his aged hands trembling as he gingerly stroked the covers of the ancient texts, treating them with even more care than a newborn.

After putting away the retrieved books, he continued flipping through the rest. A few volumes were particularly thick and exquisitely bound. He paused when he saw the titles on their covers: "Collected Works of Si Ma Changqing? Poems of Si Ma Changqing? Si Ma Changqing? Who is this poet? I've never heard of him?"

Curiosity piqued, he opened these books by an unknown author.

Old Daoist Quan, upon hearing the mention of the name, suddenly recalled that the director of the local temple was surnamed Si Ma. Recalling the man's request earlier, he realized these might be the poems and writings the director wanted him to publish and recommend for elementary school textbooks.

The director had claimed his literary talent rivaled Li Bai and Du Fu, hinting at a sense of unfulfilled potential. Old Daoist Quan wondered what kind of genius would inspire such self-assurance. He had promised to do his best to promote the man's work, after all. As fellow members of the same community, recommending articles shouldn't be too difficult. By boosting the director's fame, he might even forge a good connection with the temple's spirit official in the future – why not?

With this in mind, he decided to suggest the books to the most knowledgeable person present, Professor Li, who was renowned in the literary world despite specializing in archaeology: "Professor Li, about this book..."

Before he could finish his sentence, Professor Li had already closed the book with an odd expression, setting it aside.

He turned to the students with skepticism, "How did this kind of book end up here?"

Old Daoist Quan: "?????"

He instinctively drew closer, put on the gloves, and opened the book.

"..."

Old Quan felt even more dejected. He dragged himself out of the tomb, utterly dispirited—what good karma was he supposed to be accumulating? After all the effort he'd put into signing an author, it turned out to be this guy. Why was he so unlucky?

**********

Just as they emerged from the tomb, a large jeep pulled up at the scene. The police chief from their district had finally arrived.

Most of the issues at the site had been dealt with, and after shaking hands with Mr. Gu, the chief greeted Black Impermanence, who had proven to be dependable. The young officer, remembering his promise to Black Impermanence, felt a bit embarrassed about his initial suspicions. Taking the opportunity, he introduced the chief to Black Impermanence.

The police chief's surname was Xin, and upon hearing his subordinate's introduction, he warmly greeted Black Impermanence.

Noticing the accent, Black Impermanence smiled and asked, "Chief Xin is from Fujian?"

Hearing his hometown dialect, Chief Xin's face lit up. "You're from Fujian too? Where in Fujian? I'm from Fuzhou."

Black Impermanence replied, "I'm also from Fuzhou."

New Director: "Fellow villager!"

Black Impermanence: "Fellow villager!"

Passing by, Daoist Master Old Quan sighed deeply, turning his head to look at Black Impermanence, who was now speaking in Fuzhou dialect and buddy-buddy with the new director. Not long ago, he had firmly advocated for scientific knowledge and debunked superstition. Then, Old Quan's gaze shifted to Wei Xi, who was already sharing an orange with his second disciple, taking turns to enjoy its sweet flesh.

They seemed to be savoring it delightfully; the orange must have been quite tasty.

A superior, a colleague, and... Director Si Ma, who was desperate for fame but would likely never achieve it.

There was no future in this field. He really couldn't continue like this.