Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Chapter Two: The Night of Isolation
As night fell, Li Dazhuang had been taken to the town hospital. Li Fugen sat in the Village Committee office, his brow furrowed, holding the Ancient Copper Coin and examining it closely.
He did not recognize any of the symbols on the coin. He felt that this coin seemed to be connected to Li Dazhuang's predicament in some way.
At that moment, the village Barefoot Doctor hurried in.
“Village Chief, it’s bad! Li Dazhuang’s condition has worsened!” the Barefoot Doctor said anxiously.
Li Fugen's heart sank, and he quickly asked, “What happened?”
“Li Dazhuang has started experiencing hallucinations and aggressive behavior,” the Barefoot Doctor replied. “The doctors suspect he has entered the onset phase of Rabies.”
Li Fugen's expression turned grave. He knew that once Rabies set in, the mortality rate was nearly one hundred percent.
“What did the doctors say?” Li Fugen asked.
“They said they would do their best to save him,” the Barefoot Doctor said, “but there isn’t much hope.”
Li Fugen fell silent. He understood that all they could do now was wait.
“Village Chief, what should we do now?” the Barefoot Doctor inquired.
“All we can do is wait,” Li Fugen replied. “However, we cannot just sit idly by. We must quickly find more clues and see if we can discover a way to treat Li Dazhuang.”
“But we don’t have any leads right now,” the Barefoot Doctor said.
“No, we still have this coin,” Li Fugen insisted. “I believe this coin might be related to Li Dazhuang’s situation.”
“But we don’t even know where this coin came from,” the Barefoot Doctor pointed out.
“We must find a way to figure it out,” Li Fugen said. “Perhaps this coin can bring us a glimmer of hope.”
Li Fugen decided that he would personally go to the town library to research information about the copper coins.
Early the next morning, Li Fugen arrived at the town library. He found books related to copper coins and began to study them carefully.
After a day of research, he finally discovered some clues.
"Village Chief, look, this book says that this type of copper coin was an ancient tool used in witchcraft," said a library staff member. "It is said that these coins can be used to curse people."
Li Fugen was taken aback, recalling Li Dazhuang's unfortunate experience.
"Could it be that Li Dazhuang was cursed?" Li Fugen murmured to himself.
"Well... I can't say for sure," the library staff member replied, "but these copper coins are indeed related to witchcraft."
Li Fugen decided he needed to consult the village's Old Wizard about the copper coins.
He made his way to the Old Wizard's house, where the wizard was basking in the sun in his yard.
"Old man, I want to ask you something," Li Fugen said.
"What is it?" the Old Wizard asked.
Li Fugen took out the copper coin and handed it to the Old Wizard.
The Old Wizard accepted the coin and examined it closely. His expression grew serious.
"Where did you get this coin?" the Old Wizard asked.
"It was found in a dead dog's doghouse," Li Fugen replied.
"A dead dog?" The Old Wizard's expression became even graver. "This coin has been cursed by someone."
"Cursed?" Li Fugen was startled. "Who cast the curse?"
“I don’t know,” the Old Wizard shook his head. “However, the curse on this coin is quite powerful. Those who are cursed will suffer terrible torment.”
Li Fugen recalled Li Dazhuang’s plight, and his heart filled with worry.
“Is there any way to lift the curse?” Li Fugen asked.
“There is a way,” the Old Wizard replied, “but it is very dangerous.”
“What is it?” Li Fugen pressed.
“You must find the one who cast the curse and have them lift it,” the Old Wizard explained. “However, the person who cast the curse may very well turn against you.”
Li Fugen fell silent. He understood that this was a risky approach. Yet, to save Li Dazhuang, he had to take the chance.
“Can you help me find the one who cast the curse?” Li Fugen asked.
“I can only guide you in the right direction,” the Old Wizard said. “Whether you find them or not will depend on your luck.”
The Old Wizard provided Li Fugen with some clues, directing him to an old, dilapidated house on the West Side of the Village.
Li Fugen arrived at the West Side of the Village and found the rundown house. It was dark inside, devoid of any signs of life.
He stepped into the house and began to search around. Suddenly, he spotted a photograph.
In the photo was a young woman, her face marked by a hint of sadness.
Li Fugen picked up the photograph and examined it closely. He felt that this woman seemed to have some connection to Li Dazhuang’s situation.
Li Fugen tightly clutched the photograph; the woman’s features were delicate, yet her eyes revealed an enduring sorrow. He scrutinized the image, hoping to find a clue, but aside from her expressive eyes filled with untold stories, he found nothing.
“Who is she? What is her connection to Li Dazhuang?” Li Fugen repeatedly questioned himself.
He looked around; it was clear that this dilapidated house had not been inhabited for a long time. The furnishings were simple and worn down, and a musty smell lingered in the air. He tried to search for more clues about the woman in the photograph, but aside from a few pieces of broken furniture and some scattered debris on the floor, he found nothing else.
As he felt utterly at a loss, his gaze was drawn to a worn wooden box in the corner of the room. He approached it cautiously and opened the box, revealing some old clothes and various trinkets inside. Among these items, he discovered a tattered diary.
Li Fugen picked up the diary and flipped through its yellowed pages, where elegant handwriting caught his eye. He began to read the contents carefully, gradually uncovering the story of the woman in the photograph.
The woman in the photo was named Lin Wan'er, the daughter of a simple farmer in the village. She was kind-hearted, gentle, and well-loved by the villagers. However, her fate was fraught with hardship.
The diary detailed Lin Wan'er's tragic experiences. She had been bullied by a local tyrant named Li Dazhuang, suffering immense physical and emotional harm. In her despair, she chose to end her own life.
Li Fugen closed the diary, filled with anger and sorrow. He had not expected Li Dazhuang to be such a despicable person.
"Could it be that Lin Wan'er's death is related to Li Dazhuang's actions?" Li Fugen wondered to himself.
He recalled the words of the Old Wizard and thought of the cursed copper coin. He felt that everything was not merely a coincidence.
He decided he needed to find Lin Wan'er's family to uncover the truth behind these events.
Upon arriving at Lin Wan'er's home, he discovered that her parents had passed away, leaving only an elderly grandfather behind.
"Old man, I would like to ask you some questions," Li Fugen said.
"What do you want to know?" Lin Wan'er's grandfather replied.
"I want to ask you how Lin Wan'er died," Li Fugen inquired.
"She... she was harmed by Li Dazhuang," Lin Wan'er's grandfather said, his voice trembling with tears streaming down his face.
"Li Dazhuang?" Li Fugen's heart sank. "Why would he want to harm Lin Wan'er?"
"He... he bullied Wan'er," Lin Wan'er's grandfather explained. "Wan'er couldn't bear it, so... she took her own life."
Li Fugen fell silent. He hadn't anticipated that the truth would be so cruel.
"Old man, have you ever thought about seeking revenge for Wan'er?" Li Fugen asked.
"I... I have thought about it," Lin Wan'er's grandfather said, "but I'm just an old man. What can I do?"
"Don't worry, old man. I will definitely avenge Wan'er," Li Fugen replied.
He left Lin Wan'er's home, filled with anger and determination. He decided he would uncover Li Dazhuang's true nature and avenge Lin Wan'er.
Returning to the Village Committee, he took out the Diary and photos to show the villagers.
"Everyone, look! This is Li Dazhuang's true face!" Li Fugen declared.
The villagers looked at the Diary and photos, shocked and furious. They had never imagined that Li Dazhuang was such a villain.
"Village Chief, we must avenge Lin Wan'er!" one villager exclaimed.
"Yes, we must avenge Lin Wan'er!" the others echoed in agreement.
Li Fugen nodded and said, "Rest assured, I will give everyone an explanation."
He resolved to find Li Dazhuang and get to the bottom of the truth.
He went to the town hospital and found Li Dazhuang.
Li Dazhuang lay on the hospital bed, pale and filled with fear in his eyes.
"Li Dazhuang, do you remember Lin Wan'er?" Li Fugen asked.
Li Dazhuang's body trembled slightly, a flicker of terror crossing his gaze.
"What... what do you want?" Li Dazhuang stammered.
"I want to ask you why you wanted to kill Lin Wan'er," Li Fugen demanded.
"I... I didn't kill her," Li Dazhuang replied. "She... she died on her own."
"You are still trying to argue!" Li Fugen shouted. "You bullied her, and she couldn't take it anymore, which is why she committed suicide!"
Li Dazhuang fell silent. He knew he could not deny his guilt.
"Li Dazhuang, just admit it," Li Fugen said. "You have committed a crime, and you must be punished."
"I... I know," Li Dazhuang replied. "But I have already been punished."
"You have been punished?" Li Fugen scoffed. "You were just sick; what kind of punishment is that?"
"I... I'm dying," Li Dazhuang said. "That is my punishment."
Li Fugen fell silent. He looked at Li Dazhuang's pale face, filled with complex emotions.
"Li Dazhuang, don't worry, I will atone for you," Li Fugen said.
He left the hospital, his heart heavy. He knew he had to find the truth quickly and avenge Lin Wan'er.
As Li Fugen walked back to the village, the night wind brushed against his face, sending a chill through him. He knew a storm was about to come.
Comment 0 Comment Count