“Now, the typical time for non-relative visits is 5 minutes. But I talked with the related departments and they are willing to give you 15.” Bulu Wang said to Marcus right in front of the gates of a special burial site.

“Thank you, Old Wang.” Marcus nodded: “Please let me know how I can repay this. I’ll do my best.”

“Meh, don’t mention it.” Bulu Wang waved his hand: “You’ve done enough for the community, just continue working with our investigators on the - well, the mess of a case.”

“I’ll try.” Marcus sighed, clutching the paper bag in his arms closer.

“I know this is important for you.” Bulu Wang took a deep look at the paper bag: “Thank you for letting us look at it first.”

“And thank you for your flexibility, and willing to help me get it back.” Marcus smiled.

The lights on the gates lit up, and the gate slid open after a string of warning sounds. Behind the gates was a long winding road up a hill with small tombstones on either side. Some of which had talismans stuck on them, and some even had clearly religious artifacts like gilded Bagua Mirrors or peachwood swords wrapped in chains of copper coins around.

“Looks like there are - many people here.” Marcus sighed.

“There are many that died without reason. And some of them also carried great grudges and hatred in death.” Bulu Wang shook his head: “There had been less incoming victims until recently. A lot of times we just couldn’t find enough resources to give a lot of them out there a proper burial. We had to resort to quick burns, which no doubt would come back to haunt us later.”

“Aside from the rise in crimes and these paranormal incidents, what else is causing the community collective trouble?”

“Well, crime is such a broad umbrella. It’s technically true but it’s glossing over a ton of details.” Bulu Wang shrugged: “For example, do you know which crime is showing a disturbing rising trend in our district and community?”

“I don’t really know, which crime?” Marcus chuckled: “Robbery? Bigamy? DUI?”

“Ghost Weddings.”

“What?!” Marcus clutched the paper page with a sudden force from his arm and made the bag creak: “That’s still a thing?”

“It has always been, it’s just heavily controlled.” Bulu Wang shook his head and almost seemed like he was about to spit in disgust: “All these years, the collective has done a lot of work to make sure that no trafficking ring dare operate in the open. There are some remote villages or small but hardened families and groups that keep the practice, but they are no longer doing it with the living like before. We have several big busts and we caught them doing it with stolen bodies and paper dolls. We put a few of the main brains behind bars and gave the entire families or communities really heavy fines. And we let them know that if we ever caught them doing it with living brides - they’ll be wiped, entire families or communities.”

“ - but?”

“But recently we got word that they are getting contacts from some unknown groups and started practicing using stolen bodies again.” Bulu Want continued: “We don’t know who the suppliers are. But from what we heard, some of the bodies being supplied are actually transplants in other districts.”

“Just like the kids.” Marcus nodded.

“Just like the kids.”

Before long, Marcus got to the lot with a newly placed tombstone. On it there was a simple carved line denoting who was in there under an engraved photo: “Loving Mother, caring friend and neighbor.” No name on it, same as other tombs.

Marcus placed the paper bag in the small empty platform before the tombstone. Then he took out a small flask, took a sip of the high concentration alcohol inside, then poured it on the paper bag.

“Loving Mother that rests here. I here now return what once belonged to your child to you. May you get a chance to hold him where you went.” Marcus lit up the alcohol residue on the tip of his right index finger, then flicked the spark onto the paper bag. “Please watch over me as I seek the justice you deserved.”

The paper bag soaked in alcohol was lit up, revealing what was inside - a red hoodie, already damaged by fire with chars and burn marks. The flames started burning orange, then turned red. After a short moment, some bursts and cracks came from the hoodie, as it caught on fire as well.

Marcus exhaled in relief. From what he was told, this meant that the offering was accepted. He was not sure if it was just superstition or it actually meant something. But he was in no mood to figure out or question it.

The hoodie eventually turned to ash and the flames died. Marcus and Bulu Wang both bowed towards the tombstone before they left.

—------------------------------------------

Someone knocked on a heavy wooden door with metal frames before opening it. It was Wuzui, holding a wooden tray of simple food and drink.

Behind this wooden gate was a small fortified room with candles burning in each of the corners.

On the floor, sat a man stripped of most of his clothes and had his arms and legs chained to a wall behind him.

“Oh, here you are.” Lord of Green Bat Dragon, now a prisoner under the Temple of Forgetfulness, with dozens of silver needles embedded in his flesh and meridian points, said to Wuzui with a smirk: “It’s you again today.”

“Yes. Master Liaoran is busy, with his meditation and scribing of his manuals.” Wuzui put the tray before the prisoner.

“Why doesn’t he come and face me himself?” Lord of Green Bat Dragon asked.

“Master told me he would be willing to face you when you are ready to talk. Otherwise there’s no point.” Wuzui shook his head and carefully backed away.

“Why so worried? You should be more afraid of him than me.” Lord of Green Bat Dragon laughed as he reached for the food with his trembling arms: “I am but a pathetic old man now, ripped from one set of shackles to be placed into the next. ”

“I will come back later to collect the tray. Please don’t damage them again.” Wuzui shook his head and backed out of the room.

“Clank!” The wooden cup slammed at the wooden gate as it closed down.

—--------------- TO BE CONTINUED —---------------