Webster explained that the missing roots of the nine trees had been absorbed by the corpses. The grave trees, being yin in nature, had directly become fertilizer nourishing the zombies. These trees grew by absorbing cadaveric qi, indirectly transforming the graveyard into a Corpse-Nurturing Land. Combined with the destroyed Feng Shui - where great auspiciousness had turned to great evil - it would be strange if the corpses didn't become jiangshi.
The nine trees also carried symbolic meaning: "nine returning to one" implied that all wealth the Dai family had earned over the years would be lost.
Webster truly was a master. His analysis of Feng Shui was extremely clever, and everyone present couldn't help but marvel at his skill. Only I remained suspicious - was this old man truly blind or just pretending? How could he possibly "smell out" Feng Shui details like trees and tombs?
Mr. Dai's expression changed upon hearing this. He insisted the Dai family graves had originally been planted with only pine and cypress trees - two of each, maintaining the proper even number - never these three forbidden types. How could this have happened?
Master Raul said someone must have swapped the trees intentionally. The formation-setter had planned this carefully, as trees take years to grow. This formation likely required extreme patience - at least ten years, possibly several decades.
Damn... What kind of deep-seated hatred could drive someone to spend decades setting up a formation to harm the Dai family?
Master Raul echoed this thought. He asked Mr. Dai what powerful enemy would devote such time and effort to harming them, especially using such a vicious formation - this suggested an undying grudge.
Mr. Dai pondered before shaking his head. He claimed the Dai family hadn't made any mortal enemies in modern times. Even business rivals only caused minor disputes, nothing warranting such hatred.
Master Raul found this strange - without deep hatred, no one would invest such effort in the Seven Fiends Formation. He urged Mr. Dai to think harder.
Mr. Dai's face darkened, his lips sealed tight - clearly hiding something.
Webster chuckled darkly. Since the Dai family had invited them to break the formation, full honesty was necessary. Concealment would only backfire.
Mr. Dai shook his head. It wasn't that he refused to speak, but this involved family shame that shouldn't be spread. Besides, the incident happened centuries ago - surely irrelevant now.
Master Raul countered that he would determine relevance. Scandal or not, Mr. Dai should speak frankly. With the Dai family's survival at stake, what use was saving face now? Without resolution, the Dai lineage faced complete ruin.
Mr. Dai finally sighed helplessly. Under pressure from Master Raul and the other Feng Shui masters, he was forced to reveal this old family story.
Pointing at his ancestor in the coffin, Mr. Dai explained that the incident actually involved this very ancestor.
The ancestor, named David, came from a poor family during imperial times. The only way out was through passing the imperial examinations to become a scholar, achieve high rank, and bring honor to their ancestors.
After failing twice, the stubborn David decided to attempt the exams a third time.
His family's poverty meant each journey to the capital required extreme frugality - he carried only meager dry rations and had to beg along the way. This time, his food ran out and begging yielded little. While traversing mountain paths, he collapsed from starvation.
Fortunately, a kind young noblewoman discovered him. Not only did she feed him, but she also provided additional provisions for his journey.
Overwhelmed with gratitude, David vowed to repay her kindness if he ever achieved success. The young lady simply smiled, saying no repayment was needed - her small act required no thanks. With that, she departed in her sedan chair.
Continuing his journey, David's misfortune returned when mountain bandits ambushed him. Finding him penniless with only dry food, the furious bandits threatened to dismember him as sacrifice to vent their frustration at catching such worthless prey.
Terrified, David pleaded for mercy - he couldn't die yet with an elderly mother relying on him, and having not yet passed the exams. But the bloodthirsty bandits remained unmoved.
In desperation, David betrayed his conscience. He revealed that a wealthy party had just passed by - their sedan chair carrying a beautiful noblewoman. If the bandits hurried, they might still intercept them.
The thieves' eyes lit up with greed. Forcing David to lead them under threat of death, they pursued and indeed caught up with the noblewoman's party.
These mountain-dwelling bandits, starved for female company, pounced on the young lady like wild beasts after slaughtering her servants and bearers. They took turns violating her in unspeakable ways.
Unable to bear witnessing the atrocity he'd enabled, David fled during the chaos. He ultimately survived to reach the capital, though his soul bore the stain of his betrayal.
As the saying goes, "One who survives a great disaster is destined for good fortune." David not only passed the imperial examinations this time, achieving the rank of scholar, but his career flourished afterward - his official position growing increasingly prominent.
Several years later, guilt over the young noblewoman's fate compelled David to return. He found only her bleached bones - she and all her servants had been left unburied by the roadside after their murder.
Consumed by remorse, David suffered sleepless nights. He eventually petitioned for troops to exterminate the mountain bandits, slaughtering them all to avenge the young lady.
Yet David knew he remained ultimately responsible for her death. Tormented by guilt, he grew increasingly depressed until illness claimed his life.
Mr. Dai concluded, "This all happened long ago. We shouldn't speak ill of the dead - right or wrong no longer matters."
"Damn it!" I muttered angrily. "Your ancestor was truly inhuman! Repaying a life-saving kindness with betrayal - leading bandits to murder and violate his savior! And you dare say 'right or wrong doesn't matter'? Of course you'd say that about your own ancestor!"
Perhaps I spoke too loudly. The surrounding Feng Shui masters all turned to stare at me with strange expressions, as if warning: Boy, you've got nerve - this is the Dai ancestral grave. Watch your words.
"Ahem... Stein, don't talk nonsense!" I quickly deflected. "The dead should be respected. How could you insult them?"
Stein stood dumbfounded, forced to silently accept the blame.
"Cut the crap!" The Feng Shui masters jeered at me, mocking my cowardice in denying my own words.
"Enough!" Mr. Dai interrupted. "I didn't invite you here for storytelling. Whoever can break this Seven Fiends Formation will receive one million dollars as reward."
But Master Raul shook his head grimly. "It's useless. This formation cannot be broken!"