Chapter 10: The Mirror of Zhong Kui

I saw Third Uncle's facial muscles twitch - he was barely containing his rage.

"Boss Tang," he said coldly, "if you have money to spare, donate it to children in the mountains! A Golden Immortal is beyond your ability to handle - or afford."

"One Corpse Handler dead, several others injured. Their people will come seeking compensation. Instead of chasing that corpse, worry about dealing with them."

"And this is my final warning - touch my people again, and you'll regret it deeply. Let's go, nephew!"

He turned and strode out, shouldering aside two security guards who tried to stop him. I limped after him, catching one last glimpse of Tang's darkening face as he realized the Corpse Handler with the torn throat had indeed died.

The contrast between the basement's deathly chill and the scorching heat outside was jarring.

Third Uncle led me straight to an old Audi A6, ignoring everyone else.

I followed like a scolded child, and once seated, ventured timidly: "Third Uncle, they kidnapped me..."

"And you just went along with it?" he exploded. "Couldn't you resist? Call the police? Has all that studying made you stupid?"

"If I hadn't tracked you down, and that corpse had consumed your essence, how could I face your grandfather?"

After his outburst, he growled, "Tang's bad news. Stay away from him, understood?"

I nodded, then asked about the Golden Immortal.

"I broke her spine, dispersed her death-force. She won't cause trouble now that she's gained awareness. I'll retrieve her later." He paused. "You're hurt?"

I showed him the claw marks on my leg. "Just scratches."

Third Uncle's face darkened at the sight of blood. "Didn't your grandfather tell you? You're marked by sin!"

I nodded helplessly. From birth, I'd attracted the supernatural - the white-haired flying vampire that tried to drink my blood, the dog in human clothes, the rat army, the paper performers...

Grandfather had said I was like the Tang Monk from Journey to the West - any creature that consumed me would gain tremendous spiritual merit, because I was born bearing sins.

The Golden Immortal, powerful as she was, must have sensed my unique nature. That's why she ignored everyone else to pursue me.

Third Uncle sighed. "She has your blood and flesh now. This could be trouble. I must catch her."

"Take a cab back to the shop! And don't wander off if I'm not back!"

Minutes later, I was back on the street, watching an ambulance race toward Tang's compound. Not that it would help the dead Handler, and the others' injuries weren't serious enough to need one.

As Third Uncle's taxi disappeared, I heard someone call out: "Young brother!"

A Land Cruiser pulled up, revealing the two hemp-clothed Mourners from Mount Wu. Their faces were bruised, one arm in a sling. Despite their current state, they'd shown real courage facing the Golden Immortal with their ritual staffs.

I felt a pang of sympathy - risking death for a mere 300,000 yuan. This business truly meant gambling with your life, as the unfortunate Corpse Handler had discovered.

The Mourners were brothers. The driver said, "Get in, young friend. Let me give you a ride."

I was struggling to find a taxi anyway, so I gratefully accepted. "Thank you, Uncle."

As I got in, the driver continued, "No need for formalities. I'm Wu, everyone in the business calls me Old Wu. This is my brother - you can call him Second Wu."

The one with the sling nodded at me. "Thanks for earlier. That bastard Tang... he must have meant for us to die in there!"

"Brother, watch your words," Old Wu frowned. "Don't make accusations without proof."

"But brother!" Second Wu protested, "That human-skin coffin had been opened before! You think Tang didn't know? A corpse of that level - it was meant to consume us!"

"We only survived thanks to this young friend here!"

"Enough!" Old Wu barked. "It was our own lack of skill! We chose this dangerous profession - death comes with the territory!" He turned to me apologetically. "Sorry about that. What's your name, friend?"

"Zhang Jiuzui," I answered honestly.

Second Wu pulled out a stack of bills from his pocket and tossed them to me casually. "Brother Zhang, take this hundred thousand. It's our thanks."

"Don't refuse. We truly owe you our lives today. Taking this would ease our conscience."

Looking at the thick stack of bills, I suddenly cursed inwardly - Third Uncle had left so quickly, we'd forgotten to collect the original three hundred thousand yuan reward!

Tang had gotten off easy again.

"Brother Zhang," Old Wu asked, "is Master He your teacher?"

"Oh, you mean Third Uncle?" I quickly explained. "He's an old family friend."

"No wonder you could recognize both the human-skin coffin and the Golden Immortal," Old Wu nodded appreciatively. "Poor Handler thought he'd seen it all, but it cost him his life. What a shame."

Out of our group of six - two Mourners, two Handlers, two Yin Walkers - only one Handler had died. Still, it was a heavy toll. I wondered if Tang would actually compensate anyone.

"Brother Zhang," Old Wu continued, "you have impressive knowledge and keen insight. My brother and I actually have something we'd like to ask you about. Would you mind helping us understand something?"

I knew that hundred thousand wouldn't come free. These men had risked their lives for three hundred thousand - that stack they'd given me represented many people's annual salary.

But money accepted meant obligation incurred. "What would you like to know, Brothers Wu?"

Old Wu's face grew serious. "Have you ever heard of the Ghost-Devouring Mirror of Zhong Kui?"