Chapter 50: The Tomb of the Four Generals

At this moment, Fang You noticed that surrounding the tomb was a massive bronze-iron door, yet it had neither keyhole nor lock—appearing as if it were a lifeless slab of metal. Looking around, he saw four stone statues arranged on all sides. These statues stood tall and imposing, resembling four divine generals keeping vigil at the tomb’s corners.

Fang You inspected the statues more closely. Though thick with dust accumulated over countless years, the figures still radiated an aura of formidable might. He brushed off the dust from their chests and found a single character inscribed on each: “Loyalty,” “Righteousness,” “Guard,” and “Propriety.”

Upon seeing this, Fang You understood at once and spoke aloud, “The Tomb of the Four Generals.”

“The Tomb of the Four Generals?” Bai Ling asked, puzzled.

“Yes,” Fang You replied. “In ancient times, there were living figurines—real people used to create effigies, set to guard the tomb’s master below.”

“There were three ways to make these living figurines. The first: A loyal general willingly follows his master to the grave, is granted poisoned wine, and after death, his body is coated in clay to form the effigy—bestowed posthumously with the title of Loyal and Righteous Man. The second: Friends or family volunteer to be buried, their bodies injected with mercury to preserve them, and thus interred whole as corpse effigies. The third: Captured traitors or enemies, cast alive in molten iron, suffering excruciating agony as their bodies are fused—faces forever twisted in torment, their forms set at the tomb’s entrance to deter grave robbers.”

“So how do we break through the Tomb of the Four Generals?” Bai Ling asked.

“The answer lies beneath their feet,” Fang You continued. “Each general stands atop a mechanism; move the statues and the iron door will open.”

“Let me do it,” An Wu declared, striding boldly forward and wrapping his arms around a statue, straining to lift it.

“Wait!” Fang You shouted urgently.

But as An Wu moved the statue aside, it suddenly sprang to life—the sword it gripped slashing fiercely toward him!

“Look out!” Bai Ling cried, hooking An Wu with a rope and yanking him back just in time, though the blade still grazed his arm.

“Are you alright?” Bai Ling quickly dragged An Wu to safety.

Fang You drew the coin-sword from his back, affixed a talisman to its blade, and recited: “Heaven and earth, mysterious sovereigns, lend me your strength—dispel evil, banish demons, defend the righteous!”

The stone general struck again, but Fang You ducked low and, with a swift stroke, severed the statue’s sword-wielding arm. Deprived of its weapon, the general swung its other fist down, but just then, a gunshot rang out—its stone head shattered by a bullet.

The general hesitated. Taking advantage, Fang You struck again, decapitating it with a single blow. The stone form collapsed instantly.

“That was close—why did it react like that?” Bai Ling asked.

“The soul of a loyal general lingers within,” Fang You explained. “Even in death, he wished to guard his master, so his spirit animates the stone, allowing it to move.”

Fang You observed the remaining three statues. “It seems we must break the guardians before we can unlock the mechanism.”

He stepped before the statues, offering a respectful bow. “I am Fang You, a Daoist from Mount Mao. Today I must enter the master’s tomb—my apologies to you three.”

Raising his coin-sword, he swept it around himself, neatly cutting the three remaining statues in half at the waist. As they toppled, the mechanisms beneath their feet sprang up. Working together, Fang You, Bai Ling, and An Wu activated the devices. With a grinding rumble, the iron door slowly opened.

The three exchanged glances. “What lies beyond the four generals must be the tomb’s true master.”

“Let’s go.”

They stepped cautiously into the burial chamber. Behind them, a faint explosive sound echoed.

Darkness and dampness enveloped them. As they moved through the tomb, the only sound was the trickle of water—otherwise, all was silent. Suddenly, a rat scurried across the floor. The tomb door ahead had been riddled with holes by the rodents’ gnawing. Bai Ling kicked the rat away, but Fang You, witnessing this, paled in horror.

“This is bad—quickly, inside!”

Though the other two did not understand, they hurried forward. The door, weakened by the rats, crumbled at a single kick.

They stepped into the main chamber—and the sight that greeted them was shocking.

A general sat beside the coffin, motionless, clutching a jade hairpin. Piled around him were heaps of dead rats; his own body was riddled with bite-marks, yet his arms still fiercely guarded the jade ornament.

“He’s been struck by corpse-rush,” Fang You murmured, surveying the scene.

“There’s a rural custom,” he explained. “When someone dies, their coffin is never left near cats or dogs for three days. These animals, being sensitive to spirits, can accidentally rouse a corpse—turning it into something neither living nor dead, bringing misfortune.”

Fang You continued, “It seems the tomb’s master was animated by the rats, infused with a fragment of consciousness. His sole instinct was to protect the jade hairpin at his chest. Evidently, this Cao Aman truly cared for Lin Muyan.”

“Sadly, with only a sliver of soul remaining, his mind became muddled, unable to seek out Lin Muyan.”

With a sigh, Fang You said, “Let me cremate and release him, so that Cao Aman’s spirit may leave this body and reunite with Lin Muyan in the afterlife.”

As Fang You prepared his charms, An Wu suddenly raised his pistol slowly. “Everything here belongs to the boss—including Cao Aman’s body.”

“What are you doing, An Wu?” Bai Ling demanded.

“Well done,” came a new voice. “The most valuable thing in this tomb is surely Cao Aman’s corpse.”

From the passage they’d entered, Xu Dayang strode in, his men at his side.

“An Wu, what is this?” Fang You asked, eyeing the scene warily.

“I work for the boss,” An Wu replied, gun trained on them. “I’m sorry.”

“I didn’t think you were that kind of person!” Bai Ling spat angrily.

“Your task is complete. Now you can die,” sneered a henchman with slicked-back hair.

“Sir, didn’t we agree—?” Fang You began, but Xu Dayang cut him off with a smile. “Sorry, it’s not about money. I just can’t risk you leaking what you’ve seen.”

“I’ve thrived in the Northern City for years by being ruthless—today is no exception.” A cold smirk twisted his lips.

The henchman raised his pistol, aiming at Bai Ling. She staggered back in panic.

With a crack of gunfire, Fang You threw himself over Bai Ling, knocking her to the ground, though her shoulder still took a bullet.

“Go die, An Wen—remember, it was I, Lin Tiancheng, who killed you. Don’t forget to file your complaint with the King of Hell!” The henchman took aim again.

Suddenly, a voice echoed, “Young master! Young master!”

“Who’s speaking?” Fang You asked, bewildered.

“My name is Cao Aman. I have one request.”

Hearing the ethereal voice, Fang You glanced at the corpse lying to one side. “Could you burn my body and free my soul?”

“But my own life is in danger now. Though I promised Lin Muyan to help you reunite, I may not survive this myself.”

“Do not worry, young master. I know a way to help you escape.”