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The flowers were bright red, like fire, blood, and sunset. That unmistakable shape and color of pomegranate flowers were a clear giveaway.

“Hurry, let’s go down there,” Gao Yang urged.

Lin Xian and Gao Yang turned around and found a path leading down to the valley. They didn’t care about the dry branches and thorny underbrush beneath their feet. Walking one behind the other, they made their way through knee-high greenery toward the long-sought pomegranate tree.

In no time at all, they had trodden a small path through the grass and stood in front of the tree. Panting and scratching their itchy arms, they looked up at the towering pomegranate tree, which stood nearly ten meters high.

“Can pomegranate trees usually grow this tall? It’s incredible!” Gao Yang bent over, resting his hands on his knees.

“I’ve never seen a pomegranate tree this big, not in real life, not even in movies or TV shows. This one must be some kind of mutant!” Lin Xian shook his head. “Obviously, this is a cultivated variety that grew in the wild without any pruning or intervention.”

“My uncle used to grow pomegranates. He had to prune them regularly. You cut off one branch, and two or three new ones grow from the cut. That way, the tree produces more fruit,” Gao Yang explained.

“But look at this tree now. It’s in a great growing environment. There aren’t any large trees nearby to block the sunlight, and nothing with thick roots to compete for nutrients. The weeds and wildflowers here don’t have deep roots.”

“So, all the nutrients, water, and sunlight went to this pomegranate tree. Plus, it’s had 24 years to grow unchecked. It’s no surprise it got this big. But I’ll tell you this—fruit from a tree like this usually doesn’t taste good. The nutrients are used wrong,” Lin Xian concluded.

Gao Yang shuddered. “Even if it did taste good, who would dare eat from a tree on a grave?”

He took out his phone and saw there was still a signal. He marked the location on his map app so they wouldn’t get lost next time.

Lin Xian circled the pomegranate tree. Instinct told him that people usually wouldn’t plant a tree in front of a grave. It would make more sense to plant it behind or directly above the buried coffin.

If it were directly above, that would be a problem. A tree this big would require heavy machinery to deal with; Lin Xian and Gao Yang’s small shovels wouldn’t suffice.

But it wasn’t impossible. After all, it was a pomegranate tree, not as thick as a poplar or willow. If they brought a chainsaw, they could handle it.

“How’s your preparation? Is everything set?” Lin Xian looked at Gao Yang.

“I trust you, so I haven’t asked much. Even though you sometimes lead me astray, you’re generally reliable,” Gao Yang said with a smile.

Gao Yang snapped his fingers. “Don’t worry, everything’s covered. I even arranged to rent a Toyota Prado from a local car rental shop. It’s perfect for carrying our gear and off-roading.”

“To be honest, Lin Xian, we should thank Zhang Yu Qian’s parents for choosing such a remote spot for her grave. It’s so secluded and hard to find… This gives us the chance to dig up the grave.”

“If they had buried her in the family cemetery back home, we wouldn’t stand a chance. We’d get beaten up by the clan before we even reached the grave with our shovels,” Gao Yang remarked.

Lin Xian nodded. “It’s a fortunate misfortune. But it’s also inevitable.”

He explained to Gao Yang, “Think about it. Why did Zhang Yu Qian’s father choose such a remote place for her grave? It means he felt guilty! If there were no hidden secrets about the car accident, he would have buried her openly in the family cemetery.”

“This means… We won’t come back empty-handed. We’ll uncover some truth.”

“Let’s head back now and get ready. You take care of the car and the gear, and I’ll scout the area to make sure everything’s set. I’ll also buy us some work clothes, so we don’t get all scratched up again. And I’ll grab some flashlights, food, and water.”

“Let’s meet around six or seven at the mountain entrance?” Lin Xian suggested.

Gao Yang thought for a moment, circling the pomegranate tree, making strange gestures with his right hand and muttering, “Seeking dragon, watching for gold… One layer of mountain, one layer of obstacles…”

He opened his eyes, his face serious. “No, six or seven is too early. It should be later.”

“What are you doing, pretending to be mystical?” Lin Xian asked, bewildered.

“You don’t understand! It’s a tradition! And at six or seven, there will still be tourists around. If some adventurous hiker sees us digging up a grave, they’ll definitely call the police!” Gao Yang waved his hand. “So, nine o’clock! Let’s meet at the mountain entrance at nine.”

He snorted. “Moonless night, time to dig graves!”

At ten o’clock that night, the sky was dark and windy. The moon and stars were hidden by clouds. Lin Xian and Gao Yang stood fully equipped in the valley, about ten meters from the pomegranate tree, looking ahead.

“Seriously?” Lin Xian turned to look at Gao Yang, who was ridiculously over-equipped.

Gao Yang wore a miner’s helmet, held a Luoyang shovel in one hand and a military shovel in the other. He had a large cloth bag of glutinous rice tied to his waist and an ivory charm around his neck. The most absurd thing… he had a black donkey hoof in his mouth!

Lin Xian couldn’t take it anymore. “Black donkey hooves are for shoving into a zombie’s mouth, not yours! What are you doing?”

“Oh, is it? My bad.” Gao Yang pulled the hoof out of his mouth, wiped it on his clothes, and put it in his pocket. “These tools are all useful. If you want to do a good job, you need the right tools!”

He raised the Luoyang shovel, looking at Lin Xian. “This thing helps locate the coffin. The pomegranate tree is so big, we need to pinpoint the coffin before we start digging.”

“Spare me the explanations. Just get to work,” Lin Xian urged.

Gao Yang took off his other gear, then picked up the Luoyang shovel and added two more sections to extend its length. Unlike regular shovels, the Luoyang shovel is mainly used for soil sampling and analysis. Its cylindrical blade is sharp, easily penetrating the soil.

It’s a geological tool, but Gao Yang had done some strange research. Coffins aren’t usually buried too deep, so such professional tools weren’t necessary. A long steel rod or sharp iron bar could locate it. When it hits something hard, you’ve probably found the coffin.

Lin Xian didn’t want to argue with Gao Yang. He just wanted to open Zhang Yu Qian’s coffin and see if there was a body inside.

Gao Yang was fully into his role. He bent over and thrust the Luoyang shovel into the ground.

Shush— The wet soil let the shovel slide in smoothly. Gao Yang twisted and pressed down, pushing the shovel deeper.

“It’s not here.” Gao Yang pulled out the shovel and tried another spot. “The coffin shouldn’t be that deep. I’ll try somewhere else.”

He tried several spots, thrusting the shovel into the ground.

Finally!

Crack! A clear sound!

Gao Yang had used all his strength to thrust the shovel in, but it stopped suddenly, hitting something hard!

“Lin Xian! Come here!” Gao Yang shouted excitedly. “We’ve hit something!”

Lin Xian jogged over, grabbed the thin steel pipe of the Luoyang shovel, and pushed it up and down. Sure enough, there was something hard beneath, and it sounded like wood.

“A coffin…” Lin Xian said softly. “It seems the old lady was right. Zhang Yu Qian’s grave is here.”

The two continued using the Luoyang shovel to locate the coffin. With a reference point, it was easier. They quickly determined the size and position of the coffin by repeatedly thrusting the shovel into the ground.

“Phew…” Gao Yang threw down the shovel and wiped the sweat off his face with his sleeve.

“Luckily, the coffin is in front of the pomegranate tree and far enough away not to be affected by its roots. It’s not buried too deep… though the soil might have eroded over the years. Our luck is really good.”

“Indeed,” Lin Xian agreed.

“But unusual things always have a catch!”

“Can’t you stop talking? Start digging.”

…

Scrape, scrape, scrape.

They dug at the spot, shoveling soil away until they reached the coffin lid. In the darkness, illuminated by their flashlights, the lacquer had long since peeled away, revealing the rough wood. The quality of the wood was impressive; after more than 20 years in the ground, it was still solid.

“Good thing this is the north, where the air and soil are dry. In the south, even the best wood would have rotted away after 20 years,” Gao Yang chatted while digging. “Zhang Yu Qian’s father must have been wealthy. This coffin is solid wood, probably even redwood. Redwood furniture is expensive, and a whole coffin made of it must have cost a fortune. This plank alone could be turned into a nice table.”

“Can you talk less?” Lin Xian frowned, pausing with his shovel to look at Gao Yang. “We’re digging a grave, not treasure hunting. You’re making me more nervous.”

“I’m trying to distract myself!” Gao Yang yelled. “Man, it’s a moonless, windy night, in the middle of nowhere, digging up a girl’s coffin… Who wouldn’t be creeped out?”

Soon, they had cleared all the soil from the coffin lid, which was nailed shut with thick boards. Even though the edges had rotted, the heavy solid wood lid was too much for two people to lift without a crowbar.

A crowbar has a pointed end that can be wedged into the gap between the lid and the coffin, then pried open using leverage.

Lin Xian licked his lips. In this eerie, secluded place, with a coffin and blood-red pomegranate flowers… it was getting more chilling by the minute.

“Let’s get it done.” Lin Xian handed a crowbar to Gao Yang and picked up another one. “Let’s open the coffin and see what’s inside.”

“Wait.” Gao Yang, looking cautious, stopped Lin Xian. He took a cloth bag from his waist and began sprinkling glutinous rice around the coffin. “I’m drawing a barrier.”

“This is your ‘scientific’ approach?” Lin Xian joked.

“This is.” Gao Yang pulled out a candle from his backpack and waved it in front of Lin Xian. “We need to light a candle on the southeast side of the coffin. If it stays lit, we’re safe. If it goes out, it means the spirit doesn’t want us here, and we have to leave everything as it is.”

“Who would agree to that?”

“Hey, it’s tradition! These customs have been around for years. Just don’t ask so many questions! Show some respect!”

Ignoring Lin Xian, Gao Yang placed the candle in the southeast corner of the coffin. He lit the candle with a lighter. In the dark, cold forest, the tiny flame brought a bit of warmth.

“Alright.” Gao Yang clapped his hands. “We’re ready. Let’s open the coffin!”

He bent down, picked up the crowbar, and stood at the narrow end of the coffin lid with Lin Xian.

Clink, clink.

They wedged the crowbars into the gap under the lid, tapping them with stones to ensure they were secure.

Lin Xian and Gao Yang adjusted their positions. The lid was heavy and nailed shut, so they had to use all their strength simultaneously to pry it open.

“Ready?” Lin Xian looked at Gao Yang.

Gao Yang glanced at the candle, still burning steadily in the southeast corner, and nodded, his muscles tensing. “Ready. Count us down!”

Lin Xian took a deep breath. He gripped the crowbar tightly. “3, 2, 1, pry!”

They pushed with all their might.

Eeeee— A strange, cat-like sound echoed!

Instantly! A sliver of moonlight peeked from behind the clouds, illuminating the swirling mist, the silent forest, and the crack in the coffin lid.

Whoosh— A gust of wind blew out the candle in the southeast corner.

Gao Yang’s face turned pale! His crowbar clattered to the ground, and he dropped to his knees, hands clasped. “Ancestor! Ancestor! Spare us! We’re leaving! Don’t come out!”

“Are you crazy, Gao Yang!” Lin Xian couldn’t stand it. “There was nothing to fear until you freaked out! Get over here!”

But Gao Yang was too scared, fumbling with the black donkey hoof in his pocket, unable to hold it steady.

“Useless.” Lin Xian cursed, using his weight to stomp on the crowbar, leveraging the lid open with a creak. He then kicked the coffin lid aside.

Thud!

“Ahhhhh! Take this, zombie!”

The lid crashed down, and Gao Yang’s scream echoed. His black donkey hoof flew past the coffin, hitting the pomegranate tree. A few leaves rustled, petals fell, and then all was quiet.

Lin Xian exhaled. He stepped forward. Bending down, he let the light from his headlamp shine into the coffin.

Neat, clean.

There were neatly folded clothes, stacks of notebooks, a once-popular doll, a Sony Walkman, a makeup mirror, a photo album, certificates, trophies, hair accessories in a glass box, a red leather certificate tied with a ribbon, and a pink plastic picture frame…

It didn’t look like a coffin.

It looked like a young girl’s storage room.

Lin Xian slowly raised his head. The headlamp’s beam illuminated a picture frame on the makeup box.

In the photo was a smiling girl. She held up a playful peace sign. Her brown ponytail flew behind her; her pretty eyes curved into crescent moons; dimples appeared at the corners of her mouth; a perfectly placed mole by her left eye.