C19 Coffin

Third Uncle gestured dismissively and said, "No, not today. I've just examined the Fengshui configuration and it's drained a great deal of my energy. I need some time to recuperate."

Liang Yue responded promptly, "Alright then. I've reserved rooms for both of you at the hotel opposite Tianyou Square. We can head over there and wait for Director Wu to arrive..."

She was cut off mid-sentence when she abruptly stopped, her eyebrows knitting together as she barked, "Who's there?"

Both Third Uncle and I jumped at her sudden outburst. We spun around to see Liang Yue spin on her heel and dash toward the rooftop's iron gate.

Simultaneously, a loud clang echoed from the direction of the gate, followed by the sight of a shadow flickering and the sound of footsteps.

Liang Yue went through the gate in hot pursuit.

The entire episode unfolded in the blink of an eye. Third Uncle and I exchanged puzzled looks. It was only after Liang Yue had given chase that we realized someone had been spying from behind the gate and she had caught them in the act.

Liang Yue's agility was evident; her reflexes and movements were significantly quicker than the average person's. Third Uncle and I couldn't help but see her in a new light.

After a short time, Liang Yue returned, grumbling, "Why did I have to wear my uniform today? And these shoes... If not for them, I would have caught the culprit..."

I quickly inquired, "Who was spying outside?"

Liang Yue shook her head, "I couldn't get a clear look. They were quite skilled. By the time I got there, I only saw a retreating figure already making their way down the stairs. These shoes are so impractical..."

Third Uncle reflected for a moment before remarking, "Assistant Liang, it seems there's some unrest within your organization."

This unexpected event had unsettled us a bit. Liang Yue appeared contemplative. Third Uncle mentioned there was nothing more to see on the rooftop for now. So, Liang Yue led us away from the main building of Tianyou Square and across the street to a hotel for some rest. The establishment was the Four Seas Hotel, opulent and grand, reputed to be five-star.

Liang Yue handled the check-in at the reception while I surreptitiously noticed the room she had booked for us was a suite, priced at well over two thousand.

I smacked my lips in awe. I had never stayed in such a lavish room in my life, and this time, I was lucky enough to benefit from Third Uncle's generosity.

Liang Yue handed us the room card, mentioning she wouldn't be joining us upstairs as she was off to fetch Director Wu.

After Liang Yue departed, Third Uncle instructed me to head up first while he attended to some business.

Curious, I inquired about his errand, to which he cryptically replied that I'd find out soon enough. His air of mystery left me uninterested in prying further, so I ventured to the room alone. The room boasted complete amenities and was exquisitely decorated, featuring not one but two bedrooms and a cozy sitting area.

After circling the room a couple of times, I decided to indulge in a hot shower. However, just as I began to undress, Third Uncle called, asking me to meet him at the Chinese restaurant on the third floor.

Wondering what Third Uncle was up to now, I begrudgingly redressed and made my way to the restaurant. There, I found him already seated with an unfamiliar figure.

As I approached, the stranger rose, looking rather anxious. I noted he was a man in his sixties, with weathered skin and an unkempt beard, clad in a security guard's uniform that seemed out of place in the opulent setting.

With Third Uncle's introduction, I learned that the man was the hotel's night watchman, responsible for the security booth at the entrance.

I finally understood that Third Uncle had sought out this man, though his reasons remained unclear to me.

Once we began conversing, the man introduced himself as Old Wai. He explained that he had been employed at the hotel since its inception, which was precisely why Third Uncle had sought his acquaintance.

Later, Third Uncle shared with me a lesson he'd gleaned from our experience with the desolate tower. He emphasized the importance of not relying on hearsay or a single perspective when investigating such places. A thorough, multifaceted understanding was crucial to uncovering the true origins of a haunted site. Given that Old Wai had been on duty during the construction of Tianyou Square, he undoubtedly possessed valuable insights into the events of that time.

Old Wai seemed out of his element in this upscale setting, appearing somewhat uncomfortable as he glanced uneasily at me and Third Uncle.

Third Uncle had ordered a feast, and I couldn't help but shiver as I leaned in and whispered, "Can you actually afford this?"

With an exasperated look, Third Uncle replied, "Don't you have any common sense? High-end hotels like this charge everything to the room, get it? It's their bill, we just enjoy the perks. Remember how you complained about always eating simple fare with me? Well, now's your chance to indulge. I've made a promise to treat you to the finer things in life."

As dish after dish arrived at our table, Third Uncle filled a glass of wine for Old Wai. Just as Old Wai was about to take a sip, Third Uncle offhandedly inquired, "Old Wai, could you share any stories about when they were digging the foundation for Tianyou Square?"

Old Wai nearly choked on his drink, hastily setting down his glass with a troubled look directed at Third Uncle.

With a dismissive gesture, Third Uncle pointed at me and explained, "Don't overthink it. My nephew here is a web novelist who's into all sorts of bizarre tales. I heard there were some incidents here in the past, so we came to gather some material. Share what you know with us, and the drinks are on me."

Old Wai took a moment to consider us both, then took a hearty swig from his glass before agreeing, "Fine. I'm off duty today with nothing else on my plate. If you're keen on hearing it, I'll tell you. But that place across the way... it's got a bad aura... Ask your questions, but steer clear of going there, lest you invite trouble upon yourselves..."

Old Wai was more focused on his drinking than eating, taking his time with the alcohol as he recounted the events of the past.

Just as Third Uncle had suspected, there had been complications during the foundation excavation at Tianyou Square.

The blueprint called for eight buildings, each with its own foundation. Naturally, the construction was phased, not all eight at once. The first set included three buildings, and it wasn't long before they unearthed not one, but three coffins from the depths.

As Old Wai spoke, he was visibly moved, his hand clutching the wine glass trembling slightly. I surmised that he must have witnessed the excavation of the coffins, which would explain the profound impact it had on him. Third Uncle refilled Old Wai's glass, urging him to elaborate on the story. Clearly, Third Uncle had chosen the right man for the tale; Old Wai remembered the events of that year with remarkable clarity. After steadying himself, he resumed his account.

The three coffins unearthed were in a state of disrepair, but when the sunlight hit them, the coffin nails shone so brightly they reflected images, and they were adorned with unusual patterns, appearing as pristine as if they had just been hammered in.

At the time, Tianyou Group took the matter seriously and promptly reported it to the police. Officers were dispatched to the site to pry open the coffins, where they found nothing but decayed remains and a heap of bones. Astonishingly, aside from the bones, the interior walls of the coffins were plastered with yellow Taoist Talismans that, despite the years, had not faded and looked as fresh as the day they were placed.

Experts who examined the remains concluded that the bones held no archaeological significance and that the coffins were merely ordinary relics of the past. The government then instructed the relevant departments to dispose of the coffins and skeletons.

However, tragedy struck the construction site the night the coffins were removed; three workers died under bizarre circumstances. They had been drinking outside, but were later found impaled on the steel reinforcement bars of the foundation, their bodies skewered like a string of candied hawthorns.

Rumors quickly spread that the coffins were not to be disturbed, claiming that moving them would cost human lives—three coffins, three fatalities. With such talk circulating, the workers were too unsettled to focus on their jobs. To calm the situation, Tianyou Group called in several Taoists to perform an extensive ritual at the site, which finally quelled the unrest.

Subsequently, the construction of the three buildings was temporarily halted, and efforts were redirected to excavate the foundations for the other five buildings.

However, as soon as excavation began on the five foundations, something even more astonishing occurred.

Third Uncle interjected at this point, "Three have appeared, now it's time for the remaining five..."

Old Wai didn't grasp what Third Uncle meant, only catching the part about five, and nodded in agreement, confirming that indeed, five more coffins had been unearthed at the construction site, identical to the previous three.

Eight foundations had been dug, yielding eight coffins. No matter how you looked at it, it seemed ominous. Therefore, Tianyou Group spared no expense in hiring a Taoist priest from afar to conduct a more elaborate ritual.

Third Uncle shook his head once more, "Eight pythons encircling a dragon, this isn't something that can be resolved with a ritual."

Upon hearing this, Old Wai eagerly agreed, "Exactly, exactly. That's what the Taoist said. Sir, are you also versed in the Taoist magic arts?"

Third Uncle gestured dismissively, "I've just heard about it, please, continue your story."

Old Wai took another sip of his drink and went on.

As Third Uncle had mentioned, the Taoist priest was quite skilled. Upon arrival, he declared the site a Fengshui configuration. He insisted that the eight coffins be returned to their original locations, as this was a formation from the Qing Dynasty. Once the coffins were buried, they were not to be exhumed or even moved; breaking the formation would result in the death of eight people.

This was now an impossibility, as three of the coffins had already been dealt with. Furthermore, such news would only spread fear and escalate the situation. Consequently, Tianyou Group had the Taoist perform a cursory ritual and publicly claimed the issue was resolved. The five coffins were removed, and construction resumed.

From that point forward, Tianyou Group made it a priority to contain the spread of information. What happened subsequently was known to very few. Rumor had it that, as the Taoist had predicted, more deaths occurred. Deaths on construction sites are not uncommon, but the details of how many died, the circumstances of their deaths, and how they were managed remained unknown.

It wasn't until Tianyou Square was completed and thrived in its early years that the incident faded from public memory. However, in recent years, a series of suicides at Tianyou Square brought the old rumors back to light. Privately, people speculated that the Taoist's prophecy had been fulfilled; the spirits of the eight coffin owners were seeking vengeance, and the deaths at Tianyou Square would not be limited to just eight.