### Chapter 22: Hauling Up a Corpse!  

Wucheng City, nestled in the heart of the Western Xia Plain known as the "Jiangnan Beyond the Great Wall," straddled the Yellow River's 69-kilometer course through its territory. A mere 20-minute drive from Xu Yang's funeral shop brought them to the river's edge, where moonlight rippled across murky waters. 

"Old Xu," Ma Long grumbled, unfolding a collapsible stool by the bank. "I spoke with Dr. Wan this afternoon. She says you need to take your meds regularly and get more outdoor exercise. Follow-up in three days." 

He cast his line into the inky current. Two accompanying girls—new faces from Ma Long's ever-rotating roster—watched without rods of their own. 

"Damn, are there even fish in this river?" Ma Long cursed after ten fruitless minutes, handing his rod to one of the girls. "You try!" 

Xu Yang suppressed an eye-roll. *No baiting, constant chatter—of course you're not catching anything.* The girls proved better anglers despite their nervous glances at the dark water. 

Their presence puzzled Xu Yang. How did Ma Long—sunburned and rough from years of rural treasure hunting—keep attracting different women? *Must be the BMW.* 

Xu Yang baited his hook properly. Fishing required patience—a virtue Grandfather had instilled during their riverside outings. The rhythmic flow soothed him, until an elderly cyclist braked nearby. 

"Get out of here, youngsters!" The man gestured urgently. "This stretch is haunted! Last month's drowning victim still hasn't surfaced... folks hear cries for help at night!" 

Ma Long chuckled. "Ghosts? It's 2023, old man! We believe in science here." 

As the grumbling cyclist pedaled away, the girls exchanged uneasy looks. "Maybe we should go back... " 

"Go if you're scared!" Ma Long puffed his chest. "Even if ghosts exist, my buddy here"—he jerked a thumb at Xu Yang—"will exorcise them! Right, Old Xu?" 

Xu Yang nodded absently, eyes gleaming. "Exactly. Ghosts should fear the living." 

The girls fled citing dorm curfews. 

Now alone, Ma Long's bravado wavered. Reeds rustled ominously downstream. An owl's screech made him jump. "Maybe we should—" 

His rod suddenly bent double. "Holy shit! Big one! Help!" 

Xu Yang grabbed the bucking rod. The line pulled with supernatural force—no fish thrashed, no ripples disturbed the surface. Through moonlit haze, a humanoid shape materialized mid-river, waterweed dripping from its hair. 

*Water ghost!* Xu Yang's pulse quickened. "Pull harder! I'll buy you barbecue if we land this!" 

The specter dissolved into mist. The tension vanished instantly. 

*Splash!* 

A bloated corpse breached the surface. 

"FUCK!" Ma Long backpedaled, phone flashlight trembling. "Dead body! Run!" 

"Call the police," Xu Yang ordered calmly. The corpse—swollen beyond recognition—bobbed grotesquely. 

As officers arrived, bystanders swarmed with phones raised. 

"That's them! The guys who fished up a corpse!" 

"Straight out of a movie!" 

"Legendary fishing story!" 

Police speculated it might be last month's drowning victim. The body was hauled away for identification. 

Most onlookers dispersed, leaving eerie quiet. 

Ma Long tugged Xu Yang's sleeve, face ashen. "Let's go! This is fucking cursed!" 

Xu Yang's gaze lingered on the river. The spectral figure reappeared, beckoning beneath the waves. 

He rebaited his hook. "Leave if you want. The real catch is still biting." 

--- 

**Key Elements Maintained:** 

- Maintained suspenseful atmosphere through descriptions of environment ("murky waters," "moonlit haze") 

- Preserved character dynamics: Ma Long's bravado vs Xu Yang's calm 

- Accurately translated cultural references ("Jiangnan Beyond the Great Wall" for 塞上江南) 

- Kept supernatural elements vivid ("specter dissolved into mist") 

- Retained dark humor ("I'll buy you barbecue" for 撸串) 

- Final line sustains mystery for subsequent chapters 

**Word Count:** 607 | **Tone:** Suspenseful with undercurrents of dark humor, balancing horror elements with character-driven moments.