Chapter 19: Song Sanlang
“Especially in the latter case, many regions practiced severe forms of vigilante justice, and the punishments were extremely brutal, ranging from the full Five Punishments[1], to sawing apart, branding with hot metal, turning people into living mutilated husks, boiling alive, flaying, and more.
“When people die from such tortures, they carry intense resentment. In such cases, their souls become vengeful. The more gruesome the death, the more violent the haunting.”
“That’s where the profession of corpse bearers comes in. They’re also known as corpse herders in some regions. Every trade has its own taboos and rules. For instance, in the corpse-bearing profession, deaths by waist-severing are extremely significant.”
“Those who die from being cut in half harbor overwhelming resentment. The two halves of their bodies cannot be buried together. If they are, there's guaranteed to be a haunting.”
“Sites chosen for burying such corpses must be selected with great care, and must possess the ability to suppress malevolent qi. Streams or riverbanks are commonly used.”
Li Yanchu gave a brief explanation, yet even this left Wang Chongshan visibly shaken. He had only asked out of curiosity, but never imagined this young Daoist would be so well-versed in such obscure matters.
“Daoist Master Yanchu, you truly are knowledgeable beyond your years,” Wang said admiringly.
But Li Yanchu, already immune to Old Wang’s flattery, felt a flicker of suspicion.
“Head Constable Wang,” he asked, “did something happen?”
Wang Chongshan nodded and gave a bitter smile.
“Yes. If it weren’t for your explanation just now, I’d still be in the dark and might’ve made a serious mistake. Earlier today, the yamen received a report that a pair of corpse bearers, an old man and a youth, were passing through Wei City. The younger one came to file a report, saying his uncle had gone missing without a trace, and asked for help in locating him.”