The evening was late, the night wind sharp, and Zhou Huan hurried his apprentices back home. Upon entering the door, they found Hong Kun and Dongzi busily coordinating with four female attendants, preparing for the next day’s events. After all, it was Zhou Huan’s direct command: the wedding was set for the morrow, which guaranteed a symphony of firecrackers and gongs.

No one at the Fushou Hall slept well that night, yet the reasons for their sleeplessness varied. Hong Kun, Dongzi, and the female attendants were brimming with secret joy, perhaps excitement, each minute ticking toward the approaching ceremony.

Zhou Huan, however, remained preoccupied with the matter of the tomb, and with Shi Bingyuan and Tian Xiong. These two were the type who thoroughly enjoyed unraveling puzzles, and since they had no personal celebrations to attend to, they put their remaining mental energy into contemplating the grave they had seen earlier that day.

As Zhou Huan puzzled over the secrets of the burial site, the two beauties sleeping beside him were actually worrying over his ceaseless efforts, a pang of sympathy rising in their hearts.

“Brother Huan, go to sleep early. There is so much to do tomorrow. How about we help you drift off?” Wang Xiaohe and Yang Xiaoling were long accustomed to sharing a bed with him, and they had their own methods. Though they claimed to be helping Zhou Huan sleep, they employed a special technique: with all three exerting effort together, Zhou Huan quickly succumbed to slumber.

This method proved effective again today. Zhou Huan initially resisted, but being pressed by both wives, he reluctantly conceded and soon slept soundly.

At dawn the next day, Dongzi was up early, transforming the section of Fushou Hall usually reserved for handling funeral arrangements into a storefront booming with matrimonial signs. Many neighboring shops looked on curiously; those aware knew a wedding was underway, but others might have suspected Zhou Huan was changing his line of business. In fact, Zhou Huan had already decided this, and all the local residents knew. Mr. Wang had overnight procured a fleet of fifty large vehicles—all unified, black Mercedes-Benzes. With two couples marrying, the display needed to be suitably coordinated.

“Master Zhou, Master Zhou!” Mr. Wang was ecstatic upon hearing Zhou Huan was getting married. His friendship with Zhou Huan was not a matter of a day or two, and moreover, Mr. Wang held Zhou Huan in extremely high regard, trusting and respecting him completely. The only discrepancy was Zhou Huan’s youth—he was a junior—yet Mr. Wang never hesitated to help him with anything. Frankly, he considered Zhou Huan his own son, though circumstances prevented him from explicitly stating it.

Under the diligent care of Xiaohe and Xiaoling, Zhou Huan dressed. The two women then adorned themselves beautifully. They departed by car, heading toward the five-star hotel they had secured. Upon arrival, the day was a whirlwind of bustling activity, culminating in the successful completion of the Fushou Hall wedding ceremony. Only by nightfall did the crowds begin to thin out.

“I haven't seen the Master smile once today. What’s wrong with him?” Dongzi muttered.

Shi Bingyuan, nearby, advised him, “Don’t speak carelessly. Master is probably just tired. What happened yesterday was quite troublesome and unsettling. We can discuss these matters when we return; don't talk nonsense here.”

“Master Zhou, if you are weary, perhaps you should retire to the bridal chamber first. Since the grand rites have been performed, we can discuss anything else tomorrow. If you face any difficulties, please do not hesitate to tell me!” Mr. Wang remained ever generous toward Zhou Huan.

Zhou Huan finally offered what seemed to be the only genuine smile of the day: “Mr. Wang, I should perhaps call you Uncle, but I fear calling you old would be inappropriate. I shall stick to Mister. You have already provided me with considerable help. At your age, to spend the whole day running errands for me—I truly do not know how to thank you, Zhou Huan.”

“What are you saying? We don't need formalities between us. Let’s go, let’s head back. I will take care of what’s left here!”

Zhou Huan looked up at Mr. Wang, offering another slight smile. He turned back, “Then I shall impose upon you. I need to change my clothes.” Accompanied by his two wives, he entered the dressing room. As soon as they were inside, Zhou Huan instructed Xiaohe, “Go out and bring Shi Bingyuan and Tian Xiong in to me. I don't think I’ll be going back tonight. We have urgent business to attend to outside; if we delay this matter, it will be difficult to manage.”

“Brother Huan, this!” The two women, having just savored the joy of their wedding night, were abruptly dismissed by their husband in this roundabout way. It felt completely absurd, but given Zhou Huan’s status and profession, they understood and were willing to be patient. So, Wang Xiaohe turned and left.

Moments later, Shi Bingyuan and Tian Xiong rushed in from outside. The three men then conferred in the room for nearly two hours. Afterward, Zhou Huan asked Wang Xiaohe and Yang Xiaoling to fetch Mr. Wang.

As soon as Mr. Wang entered, Zhou Huan began discussing the planned renovation of the Fushou Hall. Mr. Wang readily agreed, mentioning that the convenience store next to Fushou Hall was failing, and he intended to buy it anyway, knocking it through to join Zhou Huan’s establishment. This would provide ample room, including space for several specialized chambers.

After Mr. Wang departed, Zhou Huan, in front of everyone, announced, “For a period of time, I need to find a place for seclusion—no eating, no drinking. Therefore, whatever happens, you must hold things down for me. We will address everything after I emerge.”

This announcement greatly surprised everyone. Tian Xiong spoke up immediately, “Master, I have never heard of our Shou Shi masters engaging in seclusion. Furthermore, I only thought practitioners had the custom of entering seclusion. Us? Seclusion?”

“None of you are to ask the specifics. I have already chosen the location. Here is the arrangement: Shi Bingyuan and Tian Xiong will accompany me inside to act as guardians during the confinement. Dongzi, Tian Xiong, and Lingzi will remain outside to handle any complications. As long as they do not enter the sealed area, we are fine. Once we lock the door, do not let us out until you hear me tell you to emerge.”

“Brother Huan, what are you planning? How can a person go so long without eating or drinking?”

“It’s fine. We cultivate true qi. If something goes wrong, I will come out immediately. Don't worry, this won't kill me. We are married now; I won't just die carelessly. But remember one thing: while we are in seclusion, no one is to open that door, or we might truly never return.” Zhou Huan cautioned them solemnly; Mr. Wang took this warning to heart.

“Master Zhou, rest assured. I will assign men to watch the door for you. If anyone tries to force entry, I will ensure they are physically escorted away,” Mr. Wang said, chuckling to himself.

Zhou Huan smiled too. Then, he, Tian Xiong, and Shi Bingyuan all changed into their Shou Shi attire and prepared their toolkits. He then said, “Let’s go. It’s getting late; the hotel staff need their rest. We should go back and pack up, then attend to something else tonight. We will enter seclusion precisely at the hour of Mao tomorrow morning.”

Zhou Huan drove away with Tian Xiong and Shi Bingyuan, heading straight for the solitary grave situated up on the highway slope. When the three men climbed the hill, they all froze simultaneously. The solitary grave they had seen the day before, complete with the tombstone Zhou Huan had inscribed himself, had somehow been reduced to only half a marker. Furthermore, the isolated mound seemed to have been completely excavated. Inside the grave pit, two pale sets of bones were exposed within a rotted wooden coffin, and resting upon the skeletal remains appeared to be several patches of something black and oily.

“Master, what happened to this grave?” Shi Bingyuan couldn't believe his eyes. This wasn't the tomb of some famous person; even if the calligraphy was beautiful, it wasn't particularly valuable. What could possibly be worth excavating inside such a grave? Judging by the decaying coffin, the deceased was clearly not wealthy. So, what was the true nature of this tomb?

Zhou Huan did not answer immediately. He stared intently for a long moment before finally speaking: “This burial site has been bao mu!”

“Bao mu?” Tian Xiong and Shi Bingyuan looked utterly confused. None of them knew what this meant, and they both stared fixedly at Zhou Huan, waiting for him to deliver an accurate explanation.

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