What do you mean by saying that the corpses I sew are all ominous creatures?

"Alright, as long as you have the confidence."

Jin Wanliang seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

"Anyway, if you need any help, just ask."

Whether it's news or equipment, I, Lao Jin, never mince words.

"Thanks, Lao Jin."

"Don't be so polite with me. Alright, I'm getting another call. Probably some scaredy-cat boss asking for directions again. Talk to you later!"

After hanging up the phone, I watched the screen gradually go dark.

I stood up and walked to the window.

The afternoon sun at three o'clock was just right, and it felt warm and cozy on my skin.

But I know that beneath this calm surface, undercurrents are surging in Jiangcheng.

The downfall of Hong Gu was like pushing over the first domino.

The arrest of those glamorous and wealthy businessmen is just the beginning.

Lu Yan was determined to take this opportunity to clean up these filthy corners of Jiangcheng.

"Buzz—"

My phone vibrated again.

This time it was a text message, sent by Lu Yan.

The content was very brief, consisting of only a few words:

"The interrogation is progressing smoothly, but there have been some recent disturbances, so please be careful."

I looked at the text message, but my heart was unmoved.

An expected result.

I put down my phone, sat back down in my chair, picked up the cup of tea that had gone a little cold, and drank it all in one gulp.

The tea was somewhat bitter, but had a long-lasting sweet aftertaste.

I picked up a book about human anatomy from the table and started reading.

Time passed by, second by second.

As evening approached, Grandpa Qin knocked on the door of the duty room: "Xiao Chen, it's time to go home. Nothing much to do tonight, go home and get some rest."

"Alright, Uncle Qin."

I packed my things, changed out of my white coat, and walked out of the funeral home.

The setting sun bathed the entire city in a golden-red hue.

As I drove into the evening rush hour traffic, I passed a large screen in the city center where the evening news was playing.

On the news, the female anchor was reporting with a serious expression: "...This afternoon, our city's police launched a special operation codenamed 'Thunder,' successfully dismantling a criminal gang that had long been entrenched in the Xicheng District and arresting more than 20 suspects..."

The scene flashed by, and I saw several figures wearing suits and hoods being led into a police car.

The pedestrians waiting at the red light were all talking about it, some cheering and some speculating.

I rolled up the car window, the light turned green, I stepped on the gas, and sped away.

……

As the sun rises and the moon sets, time slips away quietly.

On the Lantern Festival, the fog in Wuhan was exceptionally heavy.

Before the day was over, sporadic firecrackers could already be heard on the streets outside the funeral home.

For a place like ours, this kind of festival seems rather deserted.

Grandpa Qin changed into a red Tang suit vest early in the morning and cooked frozen glutinous rice balls in the guard room. The sweet smell wafted into the cosmetic surgery room along the corridor.

After finishing the last task at hand, I washed my hands and changed back into my usual clothes.

More than a week has passed since the incident with Hong Gu. Lu Yan acted swiftly and decisively, arresting those who needed to be arrested and shutting down those who needed to be shut down. The folk culture scene in Jiangcheng seemed to have been jolted by a needle, and instantly became much quieter.

I also had a few rare days of peace and quiet. Every day, besides going to work, I would hide in my rented room to hone my inner energy.

As soon as I stepped out of the funeral home, I saw a black Mercedes-Benz parked blatantly on the side of the road.

Upon closer inspection, two familiar figures came into view.

At this moment, Li Qing was squatting by the roadside smoking, a slight smile playing on his lips, seemingly thinking of something wonderful.

Jin Wanliang, dressed like a round red envelope, was holding a purple clay teapot and boasting to Old Man Qin at the door about which dynasty his teapot was a genuine artifact from.

"Hey, Uncle Chen, you've finally come out."

Li Qing, with her sharp eyes, waved to me from a distance and casually stomped out her cigarette butt under her foot.

"If he doesn't come out soon, Old Jin will trick Uncle Qin into selling him the gate."

I strolled over slowly, looked at the two of them, and asked in confusion, "Isn't today the Lantern Festival? Why aren't you at home eating tangyuan (sweet rice balls)? What are you doing here?"

"Why eat glutinous rice balls? That stuff is nothing compared to important business."

Jin Wanliang smiled so hard his eyes narrowed into slits. He leaned closer and whispered, "Chen Yang, that old bastard Qian Dafu has finished repairing the Liuxian Temple."

It's located on the back mountain of Qianjia Village, covering a considerable area. He called Li Qing dozens of times today, insisting that a few of us go over and take a look.

"The official consecration ceremony is tomorrow, but we need to go through a calming ritual tonight first. How about we get together, guys?"

Upon hearing this, I frowned slightly: "Qian Dafu is quick on the uptake; the ancestral hall is already built in just a few days?"

"Money makes the world go round."

Li Qing dusted off his backside and stood up.

"He's afraid of dying."

That day, the illusory image of Liu Xian terrified him, and now he wishes he could worship Liu Xian as his own ancestor.

He hired the best construction team, and they worked day and night to finish the job, using only the finest materials.

"Let's go, Lao Jin's car's all ready. There's going to be a big event at Qianjia Village tonight."

I initially wanted to refuse, but then I thought that since I was the one who handled Liu Xian's matter, it would be a good way to see the position of the deity secure.

"Okay, let's go then."

I got into Jin Wanliang's van. The car was heated and filled with a faint scent of sandalwood.

Jin Wanliang sat in the passenger seat, directing the driver while turning to chat with me: "Chen Yang, have you been in contact with Director Lu lately?"

I heard that she recently attended a meeting in the province, apparently to give a typical report on the Hong Gu case.

"Tsk tsk, you really helped her a lot this time."

"We haven't been in much contact. She's busy with her own things, and I'm sewing up my corpse. We both have our own things to do."

I leaned back in my seat, watching the street scene rushing past the window.

The city of Wuhan was bustling with activity during the Lantern Festival, with red lanterns hanging everywhere and people performing lion dances at the entrance of shopping malls.

But once the car left the city and headed towards Qianjia Village, the lights gradually thinned out, replaced by endless wheat fields and withered tree shadows along the roadside.

After driving for about two hours, the car stopped at the foot of the mountain behind Qianjia Village.

Qian Dafu had already been waiting there with a group of people.

He was dressed exceptionally formally today, in a long black satin gown. When he saw us get out of the car, he jogged up to greet us.

"Oh, my goodness, you three esteemed masters! We've been waiting for you!"

Qian Dafu's face was all smiles; his once somewhat sinister face was now filled with piety.

"Master Li, Mr. Chen, General Manager Jin, please come quickly, please go up the mountain."

The ancestral hall has just been completed, and the deities haven't been enshrined yet; we're waiting for a few people to make the final decision.

I looked in the direction he pointed.

Halfway up the mountain, an antique-style building with blue bricks and gray tiles rises from the ground.

Although it is not large in scale, it is exquisite.

The two stone pillars at the entrance are carved with lifelike images of snakes playing in the water, exuding an indescribable spiritual aura in the night.

We walked up the stone steps.

As Li Qing walked, he made hand gestures and muttered to himself as he observed the surrounding mountains.