C86 The Mystery of a Thousand Years

"What? Words meant for the deceased?" I cried out in astonishment, glancing at my palm, yet the black script was nowhere to be seen.

Could the runes on my hand be the same cursed script as those on the Ghost Gate's wall? And the stone door in the cave that Mountain God Master showed me...

Second Master Lei had previously mentioned that he learned about these peculiar characters, known as cursed script, from the Pond Collecting Man. So, Deaf Zhang must recognize them too.

If Deaf Zhang could teach me the cursed script, then I'd be able to decipher the message Shen Zhenyi left on the Ghost Gate's wall!

As I was lost in thought, Second Master Lei spoke up again, "Finding words meant for the deceased on the secret door of an ancient tomb isn't unusual, but it's certainly peculiar for you to have this black cursed script on your hand."

"Well, it's because..." I hesitated, holding back the full truth. After enduring countless betrayals and deceptions, I was cautious. Though Second Uncle Lei had a close bond with my father, my foster father had never mentioned him. It's always wise to be wary.

I kept silent about the entity within me, the wall at the Ghost Gate, and other sensitive matters.

After listening to my account, Second Master Lei sighed deeply and said, "I had no idea you and your father faced such hardships. It's regrettable that I couldn't assist you then. Your father should have sent you to me sooner! Did he really not trust the Lei family brothers? Sigh, Changsheng, rest assured, I won't let that Evil Taoist harm you. I'll send someone to uncover his background and gather experts to eliminate him!"

I expressed my gratitude, "Thank you, Second Uncle Lei. If you could just help me find out his background and whereabouts, that would be enough. I must be the one to end him, to avenge my father!"

Second Master Lei smiled warmly, "You're a brave young man. I regret not being there for you and your father in your time of need. This time, I won't let you meet an untimely end. I will mobilize all the resources of Lei's Brand to help you find those thirteen bodies!"

I expressed my gratitude excitedly, feeling as though I had glimpsed a lifeline. With Lei's Brand branches all over the country, their assistance could mean that within a year, I might pinpoint the exact locations of those thirteen bodies.

I... I could survive. I could have a future of my own! I could even get married and become a part of the Supernatural World!

While I was quietly rejoicing, Second Master Lei gave a wry smile and shook his head, "Changsheng, don't celebrate too soon. Our next destination is fraught with peril. When we first entered that tomb, we were seven strong, but only three and a half made it out alive... I know you're eager to hear about the past. Let's head back to Lei's Brand, and I'll fill you in on the details."

Once we were back at Lei's Brand, Xiaodieh took a rest downstairs, while Second Master Lei and I ascended to the second floor to the soundproof and surveillance-proof meeting room.

Second Master Lei beckoned Xiaodao to join us before closing the door. Puzzled, I asked, "Second Uncle Lei, isn't Xiaodieh supposed to accompany us to the tomb? Why didn't you invite her up?"

With an air of mystery, Second Master Lei replied, "I'll address that question in due time. Before we depart, I'll clarify everything to all the participants."

I nodded, holding back further inquiries. Xiaodao then retrieved a map from the cabinet, which Second Master Lei spread out carefully on the table before me. "Changsheng, do you know what our objective was when we ventured into this ancient tomb seventeen years ago?"

"To find a vast treasure, surely. You weren't there for tomb raiding, but for archaeology?" I ventured with a chuckle.

But Second Master Lei was stern as he corrected me, "No, our primary mission was to unravel a mystery that has remained unsolved for over sixteen hundred years—to uncover an earth-shattering secret!"