Chapter Twenty-Two: Mourning the Corpse in Broad Daylight

“Ran, should we call the Chief?” Fan Beixiao looked at Lin Ran and asked.

“I doubt anyone would believe us if we did! What are we supposed to say, that the villa is haunted? That Officer Wang and the others could be killed by ghosts?” Lin Ran frowned, troubled. Policemen are skeptical about the supernatural, which makes things even more difficult.

“So what do we do? Are we really supposed to rely on this strange woman?” Guo Ting had never liked the Third Aunt from the beginning, always feeling there was something odd and unsettling about her.

Lin Ran shot Guo Ting a warning glance, signaling her to keep quiet. He looked at Third Aunt, who merely smiled faintly and said nothing. Truth be told, Lin Ran was still uneasy about Third Aunt’s methods, unsure of her true capabilities. He wanted to see for himself whether she had any real skill.

“Hmph!” Guo Ting turned away in anger, refusing to say anything more. She dared not contradict Lin Ran.

“Third Aunt, we’ll be counting on you soon,” Lin Ran said, ignoring Guo Ting and turning to Third Aunt. He knew exactly what Guo Ting was thinking.

Lin Ran wanted to see if the jade Third Aunt had given him—which had saved his life—was mere coincidence. Despite his skepticism, he still felt a measure of gratitude toward the mystic who had saved him. What he didn’t know was that Third Aunt hadn’t saved him just once, but twice.

When they arrived, Lin Ran and his companions got out of the car. For some reason, the weather, which had been fine moments before, suddenly turned gloomy. The sky was gray and oppressive, making it hard to breathe. Several police cars were already parked outside the villa—Officer Wang must have arrived earlier.

“Third Aunt, let’s go,” Lin Ran said.

“Wait,” Third Aunt’s face darkened as she looked at the villa, her expression changing subtly.

“What’s wrong, Third Aunt? Is something off?” Lin Ran frowned, wondering if she really was just a charlatan.

“Hmph! What’s the matter? Are you scared? I knew you were a fraud! I bet waking Ran was just luck!” Guo Ting seized the chance to mock her.

Hearing this, Lin Ran turned in surprise to Guo Ting. He hadn’t realized he’d been revived by Third Aunt. Fan Beixiao was equally astonished.

“This house is cursed. To hang a corpse in broad daylight is to summon vengeful spirits,” Third Aunt said after a silent pause, her voice grave as she looked at the villa.

“In broad daylight? You mean someone hanged themselves from that tree?” Lin Ran asked in shock.

“Yes,” Third Aunt nodded.

Lin Ran, Guo Ting, and Fan Beixiao exchanged glances, all staring at her in disbelief. Did Third Aunt see the hanged woman in the tree too?

Lin Ran looked at Guo Ting, who shook her head, understanding what he wanted to ask. Lin Ran realized Guo Ting hadn’t mentioned the incident to Third Aunt.

“The people inside are in danger. A corpse hung in daylight means death is inevitable,” Third Aunt sighed.

“Third Aunt, what does that mean exactly?” Lin Ran asked with a furrowed brow.

“When a corpse is hung in daylight, it’s always the person the deceased hated most in life. The vengeful dead hang the bodies of those they hated—or the ones who killed them—in the tree to vent their resentment. The soul of the hanged will be forever trapped in the tree, unable to reincarnate, tormented for eternity. That’s why the sky is so overcast here—the resentment is so strong it blocks out the sun,” Third Aunt explained.

“Why is it that sometimes I can see it, and sometimes I can’t?” Lin Ran asked.

“That’s because your ‘ghost eyes’ haven’t fully awakened. That’s why I insisted you come. In fact, your superior sent you back to the mortal realm specifically to deal with these vengeful dead. You could say it’s your duty,” Third Aunt said, gazing at Lin Ran.

“So only I can resolve this?” Lin Ran realized this challenge was his alone.

“Yes,” Third Aunt nodded.

“Alright. But I have one question. I hope you’ll answer honestly,” Lin Ran said, his face serious.

“Go ahead. As long as it doesn’t touch on too many forbidden matters, I’ll tell you the truth. Perhaps after today, you won’t be the same person anymore,” Third Aunt replied after a moment’s thought.

“My true identity,” Lin Ran pondered the deeper meaning behind her words.

“I don’t know your true identity. But I brought your weapon,” Third Aunt seemed to have anticipated his question. She took something from her bag she had prepared in advance.

Lin Ran’s expression changed as he saw what Third Aunt held—it was a mourning stick used in the village for funerals.

“This is my weapon?” Lin Ran looked at the stick in disbelief.

“Yes. But I can’t give it to you yet. Only once we’re inside,” Third Aunt nodded.

“Ran,” Guo Ting looked at him anxiously.

“It’s alright. I trust Third Aunt—and myself. Twice now, I’ve escaped from the hands of the King of Hell,” Lin Ran smiled. He understood at last; Third Aunt meant him no harm. From the jade she gave him to everything else, if she wanted to hurt him, he would have been dead long ago.

“Let’s go inside. I want to see what’s causing all this trouble,” Third Aunt said.

Lin Ran and the others nodded, following her into the villa.