Chapter 2: Gu
It was a movie from decades ago, and the story itself was sowhat clichéd—
A scumbag man went traveling in Nanyang and toyed with a local woman’s feelings and body.
The man failed to return to Nanyang at the appointed ti, and as a result, the woman hired a Head-Descending Curse master to plant a curse upon him. When the curse activated, the man brutally killed his own daughter.
As the lead investigator, Wong Kam-Sun discovered that the case was far from ordinary and directly pursued the trail to Nanyang.
After obtaining so information from the Vegetable Basket God, Wong Kam-Sun followed the advice of a dium and sought out a Buddhist master, attempting to dispel the curse from the man.
The master fought with the Head-Descending Curse practitioner; both sides were severely injured, with no victor. Before parting, the master told Wong Kam-Sun to return in seven days.
Believing the matter had passed, Wong Kam-Sun beca occupied with work and forgot the master’s words.
The woman who had been deceived feared that Wong Kam-Sun might help lift the curse, allowing the man to die too painlessly. Thus, she once again requested the Head-Descending Curse master to hunt down Wong Kam-Sun, subjecting him to terrible tornt.
Had it not been for the life-saving charm the master had given him at the last mont, Wong Kam-Sun and his entire family would have perished miserably.
Li Zhen had watched this movie many years ago and had always rembered vividly the various revolting details of the curse rituals shown in it.
This movie, combined with another “cult classic” that also involved Head-Descending Curse practices, could be called an encyclopedia of the art.
It was said that all the curse rituals in the film had been designed under the consultation of real Head-Descending Curse masters—and that so of them even acted in the film.
For ordinary people, Head-Descending Curses were terrifying beyond asure.
Once one’s birth date, hair, or photograph fell into the hands of a Head-Descending Curse master, there were countless ways for that person to be made to live a fate worse than death.
“In a world like this, completing a mission like this… is truly difficult…”
Li Zhen’s face showed a rare smile. “But here, perhaps… I can still struggle a bit longer.”
Science in the real world could not save him. Therefore, he could only try to seek his cure on the mystical side of this world…
There was still ti. If he waited until his illness reached its final stage—robbing him of all mobility—then it would be too late.
The most pressing matter now was to complete the mission as quickly as possible.
After analyzing all known information, Li Zhen already had a plan of action in mind.
The talisman on his arm slowly faded away along with the vanishing ink.
Upon checking himself, Li Zhen realized that he had brought nothing with him—he had only the casual clothes on his back.
The Nanyang weather was hot and humid, and wearing a jacket made him feel stifled.
No identification, no money—it was troubleso, but not disastrous.
Glancing around, Li Zhen’s gaze landed on the vegetable basket placed on the offering table.
The Vegetable Basket God…
No wonder it had felt so familiar earlier.
“A little creepy.”
Li Zhen unzipped his jacket and took a step toward the door.
Suddenly, sothing dropped beside his foot.
Looking down, he saw a wet whip woven from palm leaves lying at his feet.
What did this an?
Though alert, Li Zhen kept a calm expression as he looked toward the vegetable basket on the offering table and tentatively asked, “Is this for ?”
……
On the small path in front of the house, the old dium woman told Wong Kam-Sun and his companion that once they attempted to break the curse, the Head-Descending Curse master who cast it would imdiately sense it. Since she was no match for that master, being discovered would cost her life—thus, she could not help Wong Kam-Sun break the curse.
Wong Kam-Sun nodded silently, feeling a touch of disappointnt.
The old woman quickly suggested that he go to a place called Thun Thali to find a master nad Wan Madama to break the curse instead.
According to her, this Wan Madama possessed profound power and would surely be able to deal with the Head-Descending Curse master.
Wong Kam-Sun didn’t hesitate and imdiately prepared to set off for Thun Thali in search of Master Wan Madama.
The dium muttered a few more words under her breath before hastily leaving with her entourage.
Nanyang had many rivers, and most houses were built directly over the waterways. Boats served as the primary mode of transport, and for many people, the small pier in front of their hos was the first stop on their journey.
While waiting at the pier for a boat, Songchai suddenly said, “Your friend was struck by two of the most vicious curses. Even if they’re lifted, he probably won’t live long.”
Wong Kam-Sun had not broken police confidentiality by sharing any classified details; he rely told Songchai that his friend had been cursed.
Knowing Songchai was speaking out of concern, Wong Kam-Sun nodded. “I’m just doing what I can. Whether Master Wan Madama can lift the curse or not, I’ll leave Nanyang right after.”
Wong Kam-Sun had no fondness for the murderer Lam Wai. His only reason for seeking a master to lift the curse was professional duty—but that wouldn’t change the outco.
No court would ever accept “Head-Descending Curse” as evidence.
Lam Wai, sentenced to death by decapitation, was dood.
“Officer Wong?”
Suddenly, soone called out to him. Wong Kam-Sun turned and saw a young man running toward him with a jacket in hand and a faint smile on his face.
The young man’s complexion was pale, sweat beading on his forehead, faintly showing signs of illness—but his movents were quick; in just a few steps, he reached Wong Kam-Sun.
This man was, of course, Li Zhen, who had successfully caught up.
“Are you Officer Wong Kam-Sun?”
“You are…?” Wong Kam-Sun looked at the youthful face, surprised.
In a foreign land, hearing a familiar language brought warmth to his heart, but the face before him was utterly unfamiliar—he was certain he did not know this man.
Beside him, the local guide Songchai was also sizing up Li Zhen.
Catching his breath, Li Zhen didn’t answer directly but instead asked, “Officer Wong, did you co to Nanyang because of the Head-Descending Curse incident?”
Wong Kam-Sun was startled.
Very few people knew about his trip to Nanyang—aside from his wife, only two close friends. Yet a stranger had exposed it in one sentence.
His professional instincts imdiately flared, and a sense of unease rose as though he’d been seen through. His guard against Li Zhen went up to the highest level.
However, after years of being a policeman, his composure was formidable. He quickly steadied himself and asked calmly, “Why do you say that?”
The most likely explanation was that this man knew the dium and had heard about it from her.
But that was not the answer Li Zhen gave.
“That case was so bizarre—it even made the Nanyang newspapers,” Li Zhen said. “Knowing Officer Wong was the lead investigator, and seeing you here at the dium’s place, I guessed you ca because of the Head-Descending Curse.”
Wong Kam-Sun studied Li Zhen again, assessing his potential threat. “Sorry, I don’t believe we’ve t…”
Li Zhen smiled. “I saw Officer Wong and your wife once in private, but there were many people around, so you probably didn’t notice .”
Whether true or not, there was no way to verify it—but the fact that Li Zhen knew he had a wife, sothing rather personal, showed that this man did know so details about him.
Wong Kam-Sun didn’t relax—he only beca more cautious. “I truly don’t recall eting you.”
“I’m just an insignificant person,” Li Zhen replied lightly. “It’s normal you wouldn’t have noticed .”
“Didn’t expect to run into Officer Wong here in Nanyang—what a stroke of luck.”
Wong Kam-Sun smiled and extended his right hand. “What’s your na, my friend?”
“Li Zhen. The ‘Zhen’ as in ‘detective’.” Li Zhen extended his right hand and lightly shook his.
“And you’ve co here for…”
“To see the dium.”
“Also because of the Head-Descending Curse?”
“It’s a long story.” Li Zhen sighed, his face pained. “Three weeks ago, I ca to Nanyang on vacation with a childhood friend.”
“I don’t know what happened—after just one day of fun, my friend said he felt terribly unwell. Not long after, he went insane…”
“Later, I t soone who knew about Head-Descending Curses. That person told my friend was most likely cursed.”
“When I saw his symptoms, they were exactly like those described in the news… I went to consult a Head-Descending Curse master, and he told my friend had been struck by sothing called a Corpse Oil Curse.”
Wong Kam-Sun’s expression changed. “Corpse Oil Curse?”
“Yes, Corpse Oil Curse. My friend died from it.” Li Zhen’s tone grew heavy. “That master said he didn’t dare offend the one who cast it—that their power was far greater than his.”
“Later, I heard this dium was very skilled, so I ca to ask if she could help deal with that Head-Descending Curse master.”
“I see.” Wong Kam-Sun didn’t hide his own experience. “I ca to the dium to confirm whether soone had indeed been cursed, and with what kind.”
“She told what the curse was, but said she wasn’t strong enough to oppose the Head-Descending Curse master. She refused to lift it and told us to find another master.”
“If the one who cursed your friend is the sa person, then this dium wouldn’t be able to help you either.”
Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Li Zhen said, “Officer Wong, could you take along to find that master?”
“Wouldn’t you prefer to et the dium first?” Wong Kam-Sun asked, surprised that Li Zhen was willing to follow him without hesitation.
Li Zhen gave a bitter smile. “If that master can’t help either, then I’ll co back to see her… If I don’t find the truth soon, I won’t even have the courage to face my friend’s family.”
The master Wong Kam-Sun was about to find was likely the sa Buddhist master who had fought the Head-Descending Curse practitioner to a draw.
Li Zhen, who needed to complete his mission swiftly, couldn’t afford an inconclusive outco.
He had to follow them—using the plot he knew and the master’s strength—to find an opportunity to eliminate that Head-Descending Curse master quickly.
By himself, or even with Wong Kam-Sun, he had no hope of defeating the master.
Songchai tugged discreetly at Wong Kam-Sun’s sleeve.
But Wong Kam-Sun acted as if he hadn’t noticed and agreed readily. “No problem.”
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