Chapter 7: Ghost Pressing the Coffin

When I woke up the next day, I found myself lying under the willow tree in my yard. Although I was puzzled as to why I was there, I hadn't forgotten what happened the previous night. As for why I wasn't in the ancestral hall, I had no idea.

It was similar to the night Yang Jian died. I fainted on the grass, but villagers claimed they saw me lying on his grave. I suspected someone might have seen me in the morning and deliberately placed me on the grave.

The village chief's body was to be buried on the back mountain. The deceased were always buried outside the village on the back mountain because the dead had their place, and the living had theirs.

The village chief's wife, following traditional beliefs, committed suicide the night he died. So, that day, two people were being buried, and the entire village had to attend.

Four villagers wrapped thick hemp ropes around the coffins. The village chief's coffin led the way, followed by his wife's coffin. The villagers in front scattered white paper money, and the chief's child, holding portraits of the chief and his wife, cried in front of the coffins.

The path to the back mountain was narrow and remote, and a light drizzle added to the day's gloomy atmosphere, making the scene even more desolate.

The village chief's eldest son shouted, "Father, have a safe journey!"

According to village tradition, the living must lead the way for the deceased until they are buried.

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There was an old woman in the village, called Ghost Granny, who was a shaman specializing in performing rituals for the dead. As we set out, she warned us that the coffins must not touch the ground, or it would bring disaster. The villagers carrying the coffins were extremely cautious.

As we walked, the fog grew thicker. Suddenly, crows began cawing in the woods, an ominous sign that made everyone uneasy, sensing that something bad was about to happen.

I was walking near the end and felt someone behind me, but I knew I was the last in line. There couldn't be any other villagers.

"Auntie, is there anyone behind us?" I asked Aunt Li.

Aunt Li glared at me, "No, we're the last. If you keep talking nonsense, I'll tear your mouth off."

I knew Aunt Li was also scared. I couldn't help but look back, but all I saw was a blanket of white fog. I continued forward, but the eerie feeling persisted, making me uncomfortable.

Just then, several crows suddenly swooped down, landing on the village chief's coffin, their beaks wide open, cawing loudly.

Ghost Granny immediately cursed, "Get lost, you cursed birds, get lost…" She repeatedly hit them with her stick.

Surprisingly, the crows didn't leave but grew more aggressive, attacking Ghost Granny and biting her hand until it bled. Several villagers swung their sickles, slicing at the crows, splattering blood on the coffin lid.

Ghost Granny quickly removed her outer garment and wiped the blood off the coffin, saying that blood on the coffin would bring bad luck to the family.

Ghost Granny looked at the village chief's eldest son and said, "Child, make sure your father doesn't get lost."

As we climbed halfway up the mountain, Da Tong, one of the coffin bearers, suddenly shouted, "Damn it, why is this getting heavier?"

The other three didn't dare to say anything at first, but Da Tong's panic almost caused him to drop the coffin. Ghost Granny quickly intervened, saying they couldn't drop it, as that would bring disaster. Hearing there was a ghost, Da Tong became even more agitated, "I'm done, I'm not doing this anymore!"

He was about to bolt when Wu Da Zhuang came over and slapped him hard, "What are you afraid of? There's nothing to fear about ghosts. Don't cause any trouble, or I'll shoot you."

Though Da Zhuang tried to appear brave, everyone could tell he was scared. As the village leader, everyone had to follow his orders, so Da Tong had no choice but to continue.

Aunt Li pulled me to the front, not wanting to stay behind anymore. I moved to the back of the coffin.

But for some reason, it seemed like the villagers couldn't see what I was seeing.

Because… I saw Yang Jian's wife sitting on the village chief's coffin, holding their ghost child, while Yang Jian clung to the bottom of the coffin like a spider.

I kept my head down, wondering why only I could see them. I didn't dare look directly and ran to Wu Da Zhuang, thinking he might be safer than Aunt Li.

Unexpectedly, as we walked, everyone disappeared. No one was in sight.