Kaleidoscope of Death

CHAPTER 8: A NEFARIOUS DEITY

It seemed like such a long time since Lin Qiushi had opened his eyes to a beautiful morning filled with pleasant sunshine and clear skies. The fierce winds had stopped, the heavy snowfall had stopped, and the radiant sun hung high in the sky, casting its warm rays upon the earth. It was as if the horrific experiences they went through last night were but mere nightmares not worth mentioning.

Lin Qiushi, who seldom lazed around, actually stayed behind and relaxed in bed with Ruan Baijie. They chatted, sang songs, recited verses, and even explored the philosophies of life.

At last, Ruan Baijie clamored that she was hungry, and she pressed Lin Qiushi to get her something to eat.

Lin Qiushi stood up and went to the kitchen, only to find that everyone had woken up early. They were currently eating their breakfast and discussing their plans to visit the carpenter later.

Xiong Qi caught sight of Lin Qiushi and greeted him, before asking where Ruan Baijie was.

"She's still in bed." Lin Qiushi replied. "She said that it was too cold and that she didn't want to get out of bed, so I came to bring some food back to her."

Xiong Qi hummed. He then told him they intended to go out later, indicating that it'd be best for Lin Qiushi to join them. If this were an ordinary day, everyone would've suspected that both Lin Qiushi and Ruan Baijie did something in the bedroom. But who would do such things after the events that broke out last night? If she and Lin Qiushi still had the energy and proclivity for such activities at such a time, then they truly were gifted and blessed in their own way.

They set off to the carpenter's house today. Xiong Qi mainly wanted to inquire about the well. They didn't know how they should fill it, when they should fill it, and most importantly, what they should fill the well with.

A while had passed since they'd arrived here, and Lin Qiushi just now confirmed that there was one well in nearly every household. Most of the wells were positioned directly in the center of the courtyards, evidently obstructing the paths of the people entering and exiting the building. In terms of structure and composition, this was indisputably unscientific. It seemed as though this village harbored some strange, mysterious customs.

The carpenter's false information led to the deaths of their two comrades yesterday, so when everyone met the carpenter again today, their moods were sour and their attitudes, hostile. Even the polite and good-natured Xiong Qi had a rather cold expression on his face. But the old man could hardly care. As before, he grasped that tobacco smoking pipe in his hand and narrowed his eyes as he inhaled deeply then blew out a hazy cloud of smoke.

"Elder, we've finished paying our respects, what do we need to do next?" Xiong Qi asked.

"Naturally, you must fill the well." The carpenter unconcernedly responded. "Pick a night, dump something lifeless into the well, and then you're done."

"Something lifeless? What do you mean by something lifeless?" A feeling of dread washed over Xiao Ke, and her tone suddenly became hoarser, graver. "What do you mean?"

Shrugging, the carpenter stated, "The literal meaning."

"So, any dead creature can be used?" Xiong Qi quickly verified.

"Yes. Any dead creature will do," replied the carpenter. "Chickens, ducks, dogs, geese. If you can find them, toss them into the well within three days and cover it with soil, then the coffin can be built."

Upon hearing that any dead object would suffice, Xiong Qi sagged his shoulders and heaved a sigh of relief, but he hadn't even finished exhaling, when Ruan Baijie suddenly pointed out, "We've been staying in this village for so many days, yet we haven't seen a single living animal in this village. Just where in the world are we supposed to find chickens, ducks, dogs, or geese."