Uncle Huzi had nerves of steel. Even in a graveyard, after everything that had happened, he could still fall asleep.
But I understood. He had been trapped by my Spirit-Locking Formation, pacing in circles within a seven- to eight-meter radius for hours. He probably walked dozens of kilometers. No wonder he was exhausted.
"Get up. No time to sleep," I said coldly.
Sensing something was wrong in my tone, Uncle Huzi immediately opened his eyes and sat up, looking drained.
When he finally regained his senses and glanced around the Zhang family graveyard—especially at the workers lying unconscious—he suddenly jolted to his feet. His face turned pale. "Young Master… did someone die?"
"Almost. If I'd arrived half an hour later, there would've been casualties—more than one," I replied seriously.
When I got here, Zhang Yunliang had already triggered corpse transformation in one of the bodies. If I had been any later, he would've died. And the workers inside the coffins would've had their life force drained dry, dead without question.
"This is all my fault. I nearly caused a disaster!" Uncle Huzi slapped his thigh in regret.
"What happened after I left?" I asked him.
"When you and Miss Zhang left, you told us clearly not to continue the relocation until you returned. At first, everyone listened. But after a while, Zhang Yunliang went into the woods to relieve himself or something. When he came back, it was like he was a different person. He insisted the workers resume digging. I tried to stop them and said we had to wait for you, but he was like someone possessed—offering to double their pay. The workers were loyal to the Zhangs and ignored me. When money's involved, they don't care what an outsider like me says. I tried to stop them physically…"
"And then?" I asked, puzzled. Uncle Huzi is a skilled fighter—those laborers shouldn't have been able to overpower him.
"Then Zhang Yunliang told everyone to stop. I thought I'd gotten through to him. He walked over and apologized, saying he'd lost his temper and agreed to wait. But as he talked, I noticed something was off. His facial muscles twitched, and his eyes kept rolling back, showing the whites. I thought he was just scared, so I let my guard down. Then, as I turned away, he smashed a rock into the back of my head. Next thing I knew, I was waking up here."
I nodded. Things were more complicated than I thought.
Uncle Huzi said Zhang Yunliang had gone into the woods before acting strangely. That had to be when he was possessed—controlled by the dark figure I saw lurking there.
I never got a good look at that shadowy figure, nor did I know his intentions. But one thing was clear: this person had a deep grudge against the Zhang family. He wasn't just trying to kill them—he was willing to take out innocent laborers too. Truly vicious.
Although the situation was under control for now, I doubted that shadow would give up so easily.
By the time I finished talking with Uncle Huzi, the sun had fully risen. The unconscious workers began waking up.
I asked what they remembered. They said they had followed Zhang Yunliang's instructions, dug up several coffins, and then saw a strange white mist rise from the graves. After that, they all felt overwhelmingly tired and fell asleep.
Everything about this was bizarre—even I couldn't make complete sense of it.
Whoever was behind this was no amateur. His methods were terrifyingly effective.
Just then, Zhang Yunliang stirred in the middle of the graveyard. He sat up alone, looking pale and exhausted.
I walked over and crouched next to him, staring directly into his eyes.
He squirmed under my gaze and snapped, "Why are you looking at me like that? My face isn't a flower."
"Do you remember anything from last night?" I asked.
"I don't. I was playing on my phone when I heard someone calling me from the woods. I went to check, and after I entered… I don't remember a thing," he said nervously.
"Tell me honestly. Have you done anything shady recently? Or offended someone dangerous?" I stared into his eyes.
That question made his face go tense, and he avoided my gaze. Then he lashed out, "I didn't do anything! Don't blame me for everything! We hired you to help with the relocation, and we're paying you. If you can't do the job, leave!"
"Brother! How can you talk to Young Master Wu like that? He saved your life last night. Without him, you'd be dead!" Zhang Yunyao said angrily, stepping in.
"I don't remember him doing anything. Stop blaming me for everything. I'm going home to sleep."
Without another word, he got up and left the graveyard.
I didn't stop him. I just watched his retreating back and thought: this guy is definitely hiding something.
From the start, I noticed a heavy aura of death around him—something no one else in the Zhang family had.
But he was tight-lipped, and without evidence, I couldn't force anything out of him.
When he'd walked some distance, I called after him, "Keep hiding if you want. I saved your life once, but I won't always be there. If you keep this up and end up dead, don't blame anyone else."
His body visibly flinched at that, but he quickly got into his sports car and sped away.
Zhang Yunyao stood there helplessly—clearly used to cleaning up after her reckless brother.
Once he was gone, she turned to me. "Young Master Wu, please don't take what he said to heart. He's spoiled rotten by my father and always had that temper…"
I waved her off. "No need to explain."
It always fell on her to handle his messes. Despite being siblings, they were polar opposites. She was kind, gentle, and thoughtful—he was impulsive and erratic.
Trying to change the subject, she cautiously asked, "What should we do now?"
I looked at the unearthed coffins and the exhausted workers and said, "We can't continue during the day. It has to wait until nightfall. Have the coffins moved to the nearby woods and leave two people to watch them. Let the others rest. I'll come back tonight to finish the job."
She nodded and relayed my instructions to the workers.
But after last night's eerie events, the workers were terrified. None of them wanted to continue—not even for extra pay.
They had no memory of how they fell asleep in a graveyard, and if they knew they were dragged out of coffins by us… they'd probably be traumatized for life.
One by one, the workers quit on the spot. No one was willing to risk their lives.
Zhang Yunyao returned looking helpless. "What now?"
"Call the butler. Have him bring in new workers—preferably from outside the village. And make sure those coffins are moved into the woods by noon, away from direct sunlight," I instructed.
She quickly called Mr. Wang and explained everything.
True to form, he acted swiftly.
After waiting over two hours in the graveyard, Mr. Wang showed up with a van full of strong young men. They moved the coffins into the woods and left two guards behind.
Only then did I, along with Uncle Huzi, head back to the Zhang estate in Zhang Yunyao's car.
I was injured and hadn't slept all night. Before we even arrived, I passed out in the backseat.
When I woke up, I found myself in bed. My arm stung with a cool sensation—Zhang Yunyao was applying antiseptic and changing my bandages.
The afternoon sun bathed her in a warm glow, making her look angelic.
I turned to look at her. She didn't notice at first, focused on treating my wound. When she finally realized I was watching her, she blushed. "Young Master Wu, you're awake."
"Thank you, Zhang," I said sincerely.
"You don't need to thank me. It's us who owe you. You saved my brother's life," she replied.
I tried to sit up but winced in pain.
That zombie's claw had torn deep into my flesh. The wound was swollen and incredibly tender.
She rushed over and held my arm. "Don't move. You're injured."
"Help me up—I still have things to do."
She gently placed my hand on her shoulder and helped me sit. I'd never been this close to a girl before. Her scent was sweet, making me slightly embarrassed—but she seemed unfazed.
Just as she helped me up, someone suddenly stormed in.
"Wu! Get your filthy hands off her!" a furious voice shouted.
I looked up and instantly frowned. It was Zhang Yunliang—perfect timing, as usual.
I quickly removed my hand from her shoulder.
He only got bolder. Pointing at me, he sneered, "I knew you had bad intentions! Trying to get close to my sister? You're not even worthy!"
"Brother, stop it! Young Master Wu was injured saving you!" Zhang Yunyao snapped.
"He doesn't look hurt to me. Just a creep trying to take advantage!" Zhang Yunliang growled, charging at me.
Before he could reach me, someone appeared behind him—Uncle Huzi. He grabbed Zhang Yunliang by the arm and threw him several meters across the room.
"You dare lay a hand on my young master? You've got a death wish!" Uncle Huzi growled.
The commotion brought Mr. Zhang rushing in.
"What's going on?" he demanded.
"Dad! Wu was groping my sister—I saw it!" Zhang Yunliang immediately lied.
"No! Dad, he's lying! Young Master Wu was injured—I was only helping him sit up!" Zhang Yunyao cried.
—
(End of this segment. Ready for the next part when you are!)