Returning to the Fushou Hall, Dongzi placed the few sheets of diagrams on the table as Zhou Huan had instructed, then retreated to his own room for a deep, restorative sleep.

Zhou Huan, however, remained seated alone, lost in intense contemplation. Inadvertently, the roar of traffic from the highway outside grew louder, and gradually, the footsteps of passersby on the roadside increased. Zhou Huan glanced at his watch; it was past six in the morning. He let out a long sigh, then vigorously stretched out his fingers, desperately scratching his scalp before rubbing his face repeatedly with both palms.

Tired, truly tired, a heavy cloak of drowsiness settled over Zhou Huan. He longed to retreat to his room and sleep.

Suddenly, the sharp jangle of a cell phone broke the silence. Wearily, Zhou Huan answered, his voice weak. "Tianxiong, how is it over there?"

"Master, as soon as I arrived at Mount Wutai, my former junior brother handed me a slip of paper with a few lines written on it," Li Tianxiong reported from the other end of the line.

"A note? You didn't see my old friend?"

"No, but the note read: 'Past life Zhou Huan, soul redeemed at midnight, unfulfilled desire lingers, the flute sounds anew today.' I thought these words might be useful to you, Master," Li Tianxiong recited from the paper.

In that very moment, Zhou Huan snapped fully awake, the prior drowsiness vanishing instantly. "This is what my old friend meant! Hahaha, I know what to do now. This matter is settled. Tianxiong, you need to hurry back. You and Dongzi can be of great help to me in resolving this lingering affair from my past life."

"Understood, Master, I’m heading back right away!" With that, the call disconnected.

The somber expression Zhou Huan had worn all night broke into faint traces of joy. He eagerly rushed to the table, arranging the diagrams from start to finish in sequence. Then, picking up a pen and paper, he began sketching furiously; within ten minutes, the entire sheet was covered with his drawings. He then flopped back into his chair, gazing at the ceiling, letting out a long breath.

A short while later, Zhou Huan picked up his 'Four Treasures of the Study' with renewed interest. Raising his brush, he inscribed a poem on a fresh sheet of paper: Past affections surface in this age, rare is Zhou Huan gazing up at the heavens. The midnight flute startles the lost soul, who calls out human yearning’s deep-seated hold.

As Zhou Huan set his brush down, Dongzi pushed open his door with his eyes still closed, stumbled toward Zhou Huan’s bedroom door, knocked twice with a dull thud, and mumbled sleepily, "Brother, wake up. I’m heading to the washroom, I’ll cook in a bit."

It seemed changing one's life was genuinely difficult when done alone. Zhou Huan watched Dongzi’s sluggish demeanor, shook his head with a wry smile, and replied, "Go back to sleep. I’ll cook breakfast this morning."

Dongzi, who had been half-dozing, looked up at the sound of Zhou Huan’s voice and saw his brother still standing by the desk, looking exactly as he had before going to bed the previous night. He rubbed his eyes. "Brother, you didn't sleep last night?"

"I didn't. Here, help me put this poem away; consider it my journal!" Zhou Huan handed the newly written poem to Dongzi. Dongzi took it, glanced at the characters, recognizing many but not all, yet he still gave an enthusiastic thumbs-up.

"Fine calligraphy, truly written by my brother!" Dongzi exclaimed. Then, looking down, he saw Zhou Huan’s drawings and asked curiously, "Brother, what are you drawing here?"

Zhou Huan smiled. "This is my translation of the earlier diagrams, drawn purely from memory."

"These look like little tadpoles, all swimming in the same direction." Dongzi humorously held up the sheet of drawings with both hands. "Hmm, a wonderful drawing, truly my brother's work!"

Hah, Dongzi’s flattery had been perfectly executed, leaving Zhou Huan utterly charmed. "Dongzi, look closely. This is musical notation. The first part is the melody to open the small coffin. As long as we hum this part, that little coffin won't explode, and the infant inside will obey our commands. The middle section is anesthetic, and the last part details the method for killing. If I’m not mistaken, this piece isn't finished, but I can complete it." As he said this, Zhou Huan's expression suddenly deepened. "Perhaps the rest of the melody will appear the next time someone dies because of this incident, and it will certainly be played on a bamboo flute."

"Oh, I see. Then please complete the latter half of the music, Brother, and teach me how to recognize these little tadpoles too." Dongzi’s desire to learn musical notation completely surprised Zhou Huan.

Zhou Huan considered for a moment, then picked up his pen and finished writing the remaining music. Afterward, he began humming the melody. As he hummed the second passage, Dongzi felt an intense familiarity, and a flicker of agitation crossed his mind. "Brother, stop humming! I know why this sounds so familiar—it’s the music that woman was playing last night."

"Yes, I had a karmic tie with her in my past life. I left without truly understanding things then, and she died for me. But none of us expected she wouldn't pass into reincarnation, choosing instead to practice the art of a vengeful spirit across lifetimes," Zhou Huan stated with grave seriousness.

Dongzi, however, snickered to himself from the side, "So, it was Brother's old flame!"

"Don't talk nonsense. That was a past life matter. Even in this life, I’ve settled things with her—she’s hundreds of years old, no, she’s a ghost!" Zhou Huan frowned slightly, speaking with resignation, before heading to the backyard. "Dongzi, you go back to sleep a little longer. I’ll make breakfast, and after eating, we’ll go find Little Li."

"Okay, I’ll catch a few more winks!" Dongzi tidied the papers from the table, placing the musical score perfectly in the center. He then opened the main gate, swept away the dust near the entrance, and returned to his room for a second bout of sleep.

It seemed that in history, only Cao Cao moved the fastest, for as soon as Zhou Huan mentioned Little Li, Little Li arrived.

Zhou Huan emerged from the back kitchen to see a police car parked outside the gate. Three people stepped out: Little Li, Hong Kun, and another man Zhou Huan had never seen before.

Zhou Huan wiped his hands and stepped forward. "Talk of the devil! I just mentioned Little Li, and here you are!"

"Hehe, we happened to have business with you, otherwise, how could it be so magically timed that you called and we instantly appeared? Do you think we’re immortals?" Little Li joked.

Hong Kun still had a faint bruise around his nose from the punch Dongzi landed the day before. Zhou Huan wanted to laugh but refrained. He directed his gaze to the man standing in front of Hong Kun. This man appeared a good fifteen years older than Hong Kun; based on age alone, he looked to be of the uncle generation to Zhou Huan. As Zhou Huan scrutinized the man's features, he noted an excellent bearing—a full forehead and square jaw, his face glowing with health. He clearly came from a respected family.

Zhou Huan spoke politely. "Ah, Master Hong, we are already acquainted. May I ask who this elder gentleman is..."

Little Li stepped forward, smiling as he introduced Zhou Huan. "This is Master Hong’s master. He is a renowned Funeral Rites Master in the Northeast, and could certainly be considered one of your own lineage, Master Zhou."

"My apologies, I am unobservant and failed to recognize such a distinguished elder here." Zhou Huan extended his right hand, proactively offering a handshake to the newcomer.

The elder returned the courtesy, extending his hand to grip Zhou Huan's. "Master Zhou, I have long heard your name. My name is Shi Bingyuan. Please forgive my unworthy apprentice for troubling your disciple a few days ago; as his master, I offer my sincerest apologies."

Zhou Huan smiled faintly. "No need for such words. Perhaps we should talk inside!" With that, Zhou Huan ushered the three men into the room.

Once seated, Zhou Huan personally brewed tea for the three guests. Shi Bingyuan, however, picked up the musical score from the table, examined it, and smiled at Zhou Huan. "Master Zhou has quite the refined hobby, to compose such a piece oscillating between sorrow and fervor."

Zhou Huan quickly gathered the papers, offering a placating smile. "You mock me. I am but a humble man, writing nonsense!"

Little Li interjected at this moment. "Let's get down to business. We came today to ask Master Zhou for assistance with a matter."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Huan replied readily, "Please, speak freely. There’s no need for such a formal entourage." As he spoke, Zhou Huan felt a flicker of unease. Why were Hong Kun and his master together with Little Li at this critical juncture, and why were they coming to him together? Zhou Huan began to deliberate internally.

Little Li continued, "Master Shi is an expert the Criminal Investigation team specifically invited from Shenyang. His reputation in the Northeast is considerable. I invited him here with the express purpose of resolving this supernatural incident as quickly as possible. We don't wish to drag this out, so..." Little Li paused here.

Zhou Huan sensed a thread of hesitation rooted in fear: "It’s alright. Whatever my abilities allow, Little Li, please speak your mind."

"Uh... so we’ve decided that Master Zhou should temporarily refrain from interfering with this supernatural event for the time being. Although you did help us deal with those two people yesterday, and the police are extremely grateful, the subsequent matters must follow the arrangements made by our superiors." Little Li felt very awkward saying this, especially given the extraordinary relationship between Zhou Huan and Wang Xiaohe. But Shi Bingyuan had been invited by the Criminal Investigation team, and the gravity of this particular incident made it impossible for the police not to take charge.

Zhou Huan frowned slightly, then forced a cheerful smile. "Then this matter must be entrusted to Master Shi's diligent effort. We are colleagues in this field, and I sincerely hope this situation can be resolved perfectly, avoiding protracted delays that might lead to more innocent deaths. None of us would welcome that outcome."

"Indeed, indeed. Master Zhou is truly sympathetic," Shi Bingyuan replied, his tone subtly layered with veiled condescension toward Zhou Huan. "Once my apprentice and I have concluded the matter, we will certainly call upon you to share the full story."

Zhou Huan was not foolish; he detected the underlying tone, but his immediate concern was that these two might not handle the situation appropriately. After all, only the person who tied the bell should untie it. If Zhou Huan did not intervene, the outcome was uncertain.

As the conversation continued, Dongzi burst through the door, his small eyes blazing with anger as he stared directly at Hong Kun. "Bastard, you dare show your face at my Fushou Hall again? What, are you looking for more trouble?"