Zhou Huan rubbed paper ash onto Xiao Si’s hands, using the same method he’d employed on Wang Kuaidao, then instructed, “Go keep Dr. Wang company. You aren’t to do anything tonight!”

Xiao Si was still young and unburdened; aside from continuing the Gu family line, he had few other aspirations. Because of this, no matter how frightened he was, he didn't react like Wang Kuaidao—who, once terrified, sat vacant in the rest area like a sick cat, completely rigid as if stripped of sensation. Zhou Huan’s eyes were somewhat strained; he tried to rub them, but then remembered he had touched the hands of both men earlier, so he had to endure it. What occupied his mind wasn't whether these two would survive until morning, but whether more people might die before then. If the Scarlet Moon appeared again, Zhou Huan truly wouldn't have any recourse. Therefore, Zhou Huan settled on a plan: immediately resolve the curse within the tomb chamber and settle the Liang family dispute.

Time passed quickly, affording Zhou Huan little time to ponder these issues. The sky gradually darkened, and two sharp screeches of brakes pierced Zhou Huan’s ears.

“Master, we’ve arrived. What are we doing tonight?” Shi Bingyuan asked Zhou Huan first. Zhou Huan scratched his head, leaned close to Shi Bingyuan’s ear, and whispered a few words before adding, “Do exactly as I just described. We need to guarantee the highest chance of success.”

Dongzi hadn't heard what Zhou Huan whispered to Shi Bingyuan, but he knew they were summoning spirits tonight. Before Zhou Huan finished speaking, Dongzi had already picked up his small iron shovel.

“Brother, what were you guys talking about?” Dongzi interjected anxiously as soon as Zhou Huan and Shi Bingyuan finished conferring.

Zhou Huan smiled at Dongzi and said, “We were saying a sow ran into a tree and died today, but our Dongzi didn’t die that way. Tonight’s success in spirit summoning hinges entirely on your first scoop.”

Dongzi found the words increasingly odd the more he heard them, but he preferred the latter part of Zhou Huan’s speech, so he didn’t dwell on it. He clapped his hands together proudly, “Don’t worry, I guarantee I won’t mess up tonight, hehe!” As he spoke, he let out an honest, simple laugh. The other disciples understood Zhou Huan was merely teasing Dongzi, and they laughed along because they all loved Dongzi’s straightforward nature and direct approach to things.

A round moon slowly ascended the sky. Today, the sun seemed deliberately eager to flee; just moments ago, it hung in the middle of the sky, but now it had vanished, leaving only the bright moonlight behind.

Zhou Huan felt a small measure of relief; at least there was no Scarlet Moon today. Otherwise, he genuinely wouldn't know how to control the situation. But heaven often thwarts intentions. As soon as this thought crossed his mind, Zhou Huan felt the moonlight slowly turning red. However, this time the color wasn't the piercing crimson from before; this shade of red was terribly dim. The heavy color contrasted sharply with the icy northern wind, and waves of death continually assaulted Zhou Huan’s senses.

“Master, the Scarlet Moon…” Tian Xiong muttered, clutching his tool bag. Everyone at Fushou Hall knew what the Scarlet Moon signified: the beginning of an event with an unknown cost.

Zhou Huan let out a long breath. “Alas, we don’t know who will win tonight. I truly didn’t want to see this Scarlet Moon. We have serious work ahead tonight; it seems this matter will see a major breakthrough. Remember, no matter what strange thing happens to anyone tonight, show no mercy. If someone cannot be saved and threatens to harm others, strike down their spirit without hesitation—including mine.”

His disciples exchanged glances. “We understand, Master.”

Afterward, Zhou Huan arranged for Xiao He to wait outside the excavation site with the police contingent, ready for backup and to witness the unfolding events.

“Disciples, let’s go!” Zhou Huan shouldered his pack. Tian Xiong and Hong Kun carried the necessary equipment for setting up the altar, while Shi Bingyuan held the spirit-summoning banner, the Soul-Striking Mirror, the Bagua Shield, and other items Zhou Huan had recently crafted, as they entered the excavation site.

Only Dongzi carried his small iron shovel, gripping it so tightly his palms sweated. His eyes were filled with sparks and desire; all he could think about was how to time the spirit-summoning shovel strike perfectly to yank the souls right out.

Zhou Huan glanced at his phone; the digital clock read 7:30 PM. He then found a clear, open space on the floor cushion he carried and laid it down, facing the pit where the bones had been unearthed. Zhou Huan donned the Celestial Silkworm gloves he had sewn during the day, sat cross-legged, formed the Harmony Mudra, and began reciting the Harmony Incantation.

Next, Shi Bingyuan and Tian Xiong positioned themselves on either side of Zhou Huan to act as his protectors. One formed the Ingot Mudra, and the other the Galloping Horse Mudra. The three recited the Harmony Incantation together.

Dongzi, watching from behind the trio, was utterly dumbfounded. He had never seen Zhou Huan put on such a grand display. Even when dealing with the Red-Clothed, Green-Sleeved entity, he had settled the matter with a formation he set up alone. This time, however, he required the assistance of two senior brothers to sit with him. He crept over to Hong Kun and asked, “What’s wrong with Master today? Why such a grand setup this time? It would be easier if I just thrust my shovel in and pulled all those souls out so we could have a proper talk.”

Dongzi’s ego was still slightly inflated from Zhou Huan’s earlier praise. Hong Kun smiled at Dongzi and replied, “Master just told me to watch the time for you tonight. He said your iron shovel cannot strike a single second early or a single second late. That’s quite difficult, so I need your cooperation, Brother Dong. Otherwise, if tonight goes poorly, those two chaps sitting behind us might lose their lives.”

“Oh, this is a matter of life and death. Don't worry, I will definitely obey Master’s words. Just tell me when to strike, and I’ll do it.” Saying this, Dongzi turned and shot a fierce glance at the Scarlet Moon above. He then turned back, pulled a self-written Ghost-Repelling Talisman from his pocket, and stuck it to his forehead with a quick spit.

Hong Kun watched Dongzi, stifling laughter inwardly, thinking about what the fellow was doing—he was getting worked up before anything had even happened.

The Harmony Chants from Zhou Huan, Tian Xiong, and Shi Bingyuan never ceased; their voices grew louder and more resonant. At some unknown point, Xiao Si and Wang Kuaidao had shuffled together. Both stared at the Scarlet Moon, shivering uncontrollably, their foreheads slick with sweat—more so than before. They remembered vividly that the two painters had died when the Scarlet Moon was out, and Xiao Si’s own brother, Xiao San, had died under the same omen.

The more they recalled, the colder they felt. The sweat pouring off them was like glaciers from the Arctic. In moments, the thick layer of sweat turned into a heavy coating of white frost. When they looked up at the Scarlet Moon again, it seemed to be circled by many dark, shadowy phantoms. Wisps of black energy rose from the ground, slowly coiling around Xiao Si and Wang Kuaidao with the northern night wind.

At that point, the two truly couldn't hold it in, and they cried out, “Master Zhou, it’s us! We’re surrounded!”

Zhou Huan was focused solely on chanting the Harmony Incantation. Hearing their continuous cries for help from behind him, he roared, “You can’t die now! What are you yelling for? Shut up and sit still!” Then Zhou Huan yelled loudly to Hong Kun, “Hong Kun, go slap those two boys—one slap each—and make them stop yelling!”

Slap! Slap! The two loud smacks silenced the frantic yelping immediately. They sat back down, the sweat on their heads vanished, and their eyes stared blankly forward, two massive handprints starkly visible on their faces.

“Dongzi, watch your time! Exactly midnight, no later than a single second! Remember!” Zhou Huan addressed Dongzi this time. Dongzi checked his watch; there were still over two hours left. He then sat cross-legged, following the method Zhou Huan had taught him to instantly elevate the True Qi within his body. White vapor began to emanate from his skin.