A dilapidated van that was about to be scrapped was left on the side of a road near Yushugou Village after more than two hours of bumpy driving, and then fled as if it were gone. Yang Guangcheng asserted that the van was stolen, but Shen Mingde was in no mood to answer. He looked at the sky and had an illusion, Shen Mingde felt that such a gloomy weather was probably brought by himself. He stared at the drizzle of trees in front of him, at the top of the mountain in the distance, and wondered if he had made the right choice.

That night, after receiving Xiao Jing's call, Shen Mingde felt extremely desperate. There might be a better way, but surrounded by fear, his brain refuses to think. Shen Mingde, who felt helpless, wanted to find someone to help him come up with an idea. When he searched through the phone address book, he finally called Yang Guangcheng. Shen Mingde agreed that Yang Guangcheng, like himself, was just a fellow traveler who was involved in an incident. However, later, Yang Chuan had already looked for it, and the incident was over for him, what reason did Shen Mingde have to ask Yang Guangcheng to continue walking with them? Although Yang Chuan's ending is embarrassing, let Yang Guangcheng continue to mourn for his son's death. Why bring him back into the event again? However, the development of things was beyond Shen Mingde's expectations. He wanted to tell the rest of the story to someone who could understand him, and then expected the old man who could understand him to help him make a simple decision about whether to run away or not. However, what he heard on the phone was the old man yelling: "What the fuck is over! Escape, what escape! Lao Tzu hasn't avenged his son yet! "If on weekdays, according to Shen Mingde's temper, he would have thrown the phone aside. But that night, those rude insults made his heart feel extremely relaxed. It was as if with those roaring insults, his emotions were also vented.

Shen Mingde leaned against the wall and survived the night. When he woke up, it was already early morning on the 8th. At dawn, he found Yang Guangcheng's residence according to the address. It was an old, four-story building in the family compound of an abandoned factory next door. The surrounding trees, rain and weeds seem to recall the production scene of the factory that was once in full swing. But nowadays, it's decadent and depressed. It was an area forgotten by the city's growth and expansion, where Yang Guangcheng was born, grew up, served in the army, discharged from the army, worked, and finally returned to the place where his parents once lived. Although this place is a little shabby, Yang Guangcheng likes it here. Living here can at least see my son, who is also his only relative in this world, from time to time. Living here, you don't need to stay by the phone every weekend and wait for Yang Chuan's call.

Shen Mingde climbed up the third floor along the dark and narrow stairwell. He knocked at the door, but there was no answer. Listening closely, there doesn't seem to be any movement. As soon as he took out his phone, he heard footsteps coming from downstairs. A moment later, Shen Mingde saw Yang Guangcheng, who was carrying a large bag of fritters and soy milk, walking upstairs at a speed of two steps in one step. He beckoned Shen Mingde into the house with a smile on his face, and in the narrow entrance, he kicked a few instant noodle bags to the wall. After entering the door, Shen Mingde found that the layout of the house was not good. The dining room at the end of the entrance is connected to the kitchen, and it is very dark because it is not close to the window. Against the backdrop of various old furniture, the restaurant appears more crowded and cramped. Chaoyang's bedroom is very clean, and the bed is stacked with angular quilts like "tofu blocks". The small room facing north opposite has been provided with a black-and-white photo of Yang Chuan. Shen Mingde stood at the door of the room and paid silent tribute to Yang Chuan. Yang Guangcheng's greeting came from behind him, "Come!" Mingde, I had the strength to come up with a countermeasure after eating early. ”

They sat across from each other in the dining room, had breakfast, and the plan was made in the cramped room. First of all, it is necessary to call the police. But they should provide more information to the police, not like Yang Chuan's case, which has not been explained so far. Moreover, in that mountain forest, those villagers knew better than anyone else. Once the police are brought with them, they will definitely be discovered, and those people have long been hidden. Summarizing the above information, they cannot call the police until they can provide more clues. Instead, they infiltrate the village, find out the details of the "enemy", and look for clues.

Secondly, if you want to infiltrate that village, Yang Guangcheng thinks that "the enemy is clear and I am dark". If those villagers already know everything like immortals, then everything they do is in vain. But if the villagers, like ordinary people, have to see and hear with their eyes, then they should touch the village without them knowing. If you're lucky, rescue Xiao Jing, and if not, find more evidence. Therefore, Yang Guangcheng decided that this operation must be carried out at night, preferably a windy and rainy night.

In the end, the focus is on how to see that lake. If they can't see the lake, then the two of them can't even see a ghost, let alone looking for any clues.

The plan sounded rough, but Shen Mingde agreed. As for how to see the lake, although Shen Mingde was a little reluctant, he still called Chen Huaizhi under the urging of Yang Guangcheng. Chen Huaizhi did not refuse Shen Mingde's request, and arranged a meeting that afternoon. The meeting place between the three of them was still the same construction site, still in an unfinished building. Chen Huaizhi is still neatly dressed and maintains a polite smile. He did not criticize Shen Mingde's behavior in the rehabilitation home incident, but only solemnly warned him that he must act according to Chen Huaizhi's instructions this time.

Chen Huaizhi claims that he doesn't know anything about "how to see the lake". Perhaps there are only two people who know the method, one is his father, Chen Yongyi; The other is Gao Bowen. Chen Huaizhi did not have the ability to convince his father to let Shen Mingde obtain "immortality" in a "logical" way. Then there may be only one way, which is to use "extreme means" to extract information from Gao Bowen. Of course, the implementation of "extreme measures" does not require Shen Mingde and Yang Guangcheng to intervene at all, and Chen Huaizhi will hire "professionals" to complete it. All they needed to do was ask for useful information from Gobwen's mouth. Chen Huaizhi also reminded: "In the process of coercing confessions, you must never mention my name, Chen Huaizhi." The blame for harming believers must not fall on my head. There was no turning back from the bow. When this is done, you have to continue to do it, whether it is a blessing or a curse. ”

After separating from Chen Huaizhi, Shen Mingde hesitated for a long time. Even if Gao Bowen has done a lot of evil, but he has no grudge against himself, why bother to toss an old man? However, during this period, Xiao Jing called again and again. She gradually showed her impatience, and finally even put on a posture of a female ghost asking for her life, so that Shen Mingde finally made up his mind. On the afternoon of June 9, Shen Mingde and Chen Huaizhi made an appointment. Later that day, the shabby van van that appeared to have been stolen left Yang Guangcheng and him near the intercity highway.

Yang Guangcheng sat on the stone on the side of the road, and Shen Mingde looked into the depths of the woods nervously. After a while, the white-collar man in the white shirt reappeared. He came out of the forest in embarrassment, still waving to Shen Mingde and the others with a blank face. The two of them followed the "old friend" after more than half an hour's walk to a mountain col. Ahead, under the light of a flashlight, a simple wooden house appeared in the glade in the forest. Orange light shines through the window next to the gate, and black figures can occasionally be seen on the ground. It's not cute at all, it's like a witch's hideout in a movie. The white-collar man stopped at a distance of more than ten meters from the wooden house, obviously he had no intention of going in together. Then, he once again instructed Shen Mingde in a serious tone what Chen Huaizhi said yesterday, and told Shen Mingde to "call me when it's over". After taking over, the white-collar man turned around and left.

Shen Mingde and Yang Guangcheng cautiously approached the cabin. From time to time, I could hear a non-human howl coming from inside, and they were creepy. Shen Mingde took a deep breath and glanced at Yang Guangcheng. The other party also looked at him as an encouragement. So, they pushed open the wooden door and entered the house. The cabin was brightly lit, and a person sat on a small bed. The man wore a mask and didn't make a sound, but just stood up and blocked the way of the two. He checked the photos on his phone and looked at the faces of the two. Half an hour later, the man knocked on the wooden door to the back room a few times, as if he had entered a password. The door opened, and a big, shirtless man "greeted" the two of them.

The area of the back room is not large, there are no doors and windows, and it seems to be a confined space. The thick wooden walls and floors are reminiscent of a sauna in a public bath. Two giant-like men are shirtless, showing off strong muscles and terrifying tattoos. They were all masked and did not say a word, except to "beckon" with their fists a man who was sitting in the center of the room, tied to a chair. The man's face was bruised, the right side of his face was swollen, and blood mixed with sweat ran down his nose and sideburns. If it weren't for his full head of white hair, Shen Mingde would almost not have recognized him as Gao Bowen. When the two thugs saw them enter the house, they stopped and retreated to either side of the room.

Gao Bowen raised his swollen face and wailed to Shen Mingde: "Sure enough, it's you!" Sure enough, Chen Laohu is going to tear his face with me! ”

Shen Mingde stabilized his mind, he didn't answer the other party's question, but asked, "Why did you arrest Xiao Jing?" How can you bring her back? ”

Gao Bowen looked at the two people in front of him with disdain, and said in an obscene tone: "Shan Miluo saw that little bitch was beautiful. Catch it and be a little wife......"

Before he could finish his words, the thug next to him was interested, and he went up and punched again. Shen Mingde, don't look over. Although he never thought of himself as a noble person, he really couldn't bear to look at this kind of formation. However, what is unexpected is that the old man is still unrelenting in the face of the thugs' raining fists. Gao Bowen scolded, blurted out all kinds of obscene words, and he really had a bit of a heroic momentum. After a while, the old man seemed tired of scolding, and could only hear a whining moan. The two thugs also seemed tired of fighting, so they withdrew their hands and stood on either side again. Old man Gao slowly raised his beaten face, and at this time he looked at Yang Guangcheng, who was leaning against the wall and smoking.

Gao Bowen grinned and said sarcastically: "Your trick is ruthless enough. The son is dead, but you are still alive. What does it taste like? ”

When Yang Guangcheng heard this, he was immediately furious. He picked up his arm and threw the cigarette butt on the ground, kicked over the chair that bound Gao Bowen, pounced on him, and scolded angrily: "You old rabbit cub! I'll strangle you! ”

Shen Mingde was anxious when he saw this scene. His son Yang Chuan's bones are not cold, Gao Bowen's words really sprinkled a handful of salt on Yang Guangcheng's wounds. But if Yang Guangcheng really strangled Gao Bowen, they would probably find it difficult to find another way. So he personally hugged Yang Guangcheng's lower back, and ordered the two thugs to pull the two apart quickly. As soon as the farce ended, the thugs straightened their chairs, and Gao Bowen woke up again from the fainting of being choked by the neck. The old man still had a dry cough in his mouth, spit out a quick bloody phlegm on the ground, and then began to insult Xiao Jing. Every word he said touched Shen Mingde's heart, and every sentence made Shen Mingde slash at him. However, listening to it, Shen Mingde gradually calmed down in the scolding. He looked at this frothing old man, and wondered in his heart, "Isn't this old man's purpose to beg someone to let him go?" Rather just want a quick death? ”

So, Shen Mingde held his breath and shouted loudly: "Murdering the believers of 'Shanmiluo' is a big crime!" Never think about resurrection! ”

His shout overshadowed Gao Bowen's curses, and even the others around him were startled. Old man Gao finally closed his mouth and stared at Shen Mingde with a dull gaze. The gaze was like a lamb waiting to be slaughtered, like a prisoner begging for forgiveness.

Shen Mingde looked at Gao Bowen indifferently, like a judge, and said condescendingly: "That 'town sacrifice' is a ritual to dispel evil spirits. You do that ritual every year, and you have Takayama perform the same dance every year, and you 'sacrifice' Takayama apricots in the same way every time. Over the course of five years, you have established a faith in the heart of the Immortals. The belief is that as long as the 'town ritual is carried out successfully' step by step, the 'unclean things' will not find them. The festival can be held at different times of the year. In the last year, you chose the day of the apricot to menstruate. The villagers are superstitious and think that women who come to menstruation are 'unclean'. Especially on days when ceremonies are held and so 'sacred' in their hearts. When the 'Immortals' saw that scene, some of them spontaneously combusted, and some of them turned into living corpses. ”

Unexpectedly, after hearing these words, Gao Bowen burst out laughing. He said, "You're right. But it was an accident. If I say that to the villagers like you, who will believe me? So it can only be said that there was a fire. But whether it's a fire or a failed ceremony, it's all an accident......"

"What an accident!" Shen Mingde rushed to Gao Bowen, glared at him and said, "After the old man Zhao and the old man Wang who were soaked in the water tank are resurrected, we will know if it is an 'accident'." ”

Gao Bowen shook his head helplessly and smiled bitterly, and argued: "The dried corpse soaked in the water tank was unconscious at that time. Except for having a lively breath, I haven't woken up for many years. So I soaked the three of them in the tank with the water of that lake, and found a suitable time to bring them back to life. Even if they wake up one day, they probably don't know anything. Besides, every ceremony was attended by the messengers of the high priest, and they didn't say anything. On what basis do you say that I have harmed those people? ”

Shen Mingde said: "There are so many 'immortals', why are you the only one who survived? ”

Gao Bowen replied unhurriedly: "It's not me, it's Gao Zhongchen." Gao Zhongchen survived. At that time, I was just a 'leader'. Not even qualified to participate in the ceremony. So, I'm not the one who murders believers in that way. Don't splash dirty water on me! ”

Gao Bowen was simply a "begging gaze" just now, maybe he was just staring at himself and thinking about countermeasures. Shen Mingde's tone softened at this time, and he asked with some frustration: "Are you saying that the method of harming people by that means is true?" But it was Gao Zhongchen who killed those people at that time? ”

Gao Bowen looked at Shen Mingde, with a kind of victor's joy, and said: "Yes, I know that means." But I didn't do it that time. ”

Just as Gao Bowen smiled at how Shen Mingde would deal next, the other party silently took out a small tape recorder from his pocket. This is a miniature tape recorder with a super pickup function, and Shen Mingde seems to hand over all the information he learns to Chen Huaizhi afterwards. Shen Mingde simply operated the tape recorder, and after a while, the conversation just now clearly echoed in the small room. After the recording was played, Shen Mingde leaned over to Gao Bowen's face, looked at him and said, "Maybe Mr. Chen Yongyi will be very interested in the recording just now." In the past few years, he and those big people who have won 'eternal life' have been 'loyal fans' of the Yushugou Village celebration. Maybe he wouldn't dare murder you, the 'believer'. But I think Mr. Chen may also find you a water tank and soak you in it. You'll be able to live the rest of your life. ”

Suddenly, the tips of Gao Bowen's eyebrows twisted into twists, the corners of his eyebrows were lowered, and the forehead lines were raised like furrows. His lips trembled slightly, and he hurriedly said, "Don't don't, Shen Ye, you have to help me." If you want to know anything, I'll tell you. ”

Shen Mingde said: "The way to see the lake. ”

Seeing Gao Bowen's embarrassed expression again, Shen Mingde immediately understood. He very politely invited the two thugs out of the room. At this time, only Shen Mingde, Yang Guangcheng, and Gao Bowen were left in the house. After getting Shen Mingde's promise to "destroy the tape recorder", Gao Bowen slowly told the story he knew:

Gao Bowen was invited by Gao Zhongchen to help when the Yushugou Village Drama School was established. Gao Zhongchen also arranged a very decent duty for him - to lead the way. The establishment of the "guide" is actually to let the Zhao and Wang families know that this matter cannot be done without their Gao brothers. Only Gao Bowen can bring out the priests and believers of the lakeside village, and only Gao Zhongchen can preside over the ceremony. Over time, the "guide" has become a seemingly important "tradition" in the eyes of outsiders, but in fact it is meaningless.

After hearing about the ways for believers in the lakeside village to make money in the past, the Gao brothers also found a way to make their own fortunes. They took in orphans in drama schools and cultivated "sacrifices". Gao Zhongchen used the opportunity of doing business with the city through the Zhao Family Furniture Factory to find customers who were willing to spend a lot of money to obtain "longevity". Later, they met Chen Yongyi. Before that, the brothers just wanted to make a little money. But at the instigation of Chen Yongyi, they became greedy. Before that, everything they did was sneaky. After meeting Chen Yongyi, they decided that they must get rid of the shackles and surveillance of the two families of King Zhao. The two families of King Zhao are still very well-behaved. They really worship "Yamamira" as if it were a Buddha. They have no other ideas than to live a long life and be healthy. The Gao brothers knew that as long as there were the two families of King Zhao, they would not want to make this "business" bigger. But they were also jealous of the consequences of murdering other believers. So, in their long-term association with the believers in the lakeside village, they found that method.

They deliberately disguised the ritual as an "accident". However, the two eldest sons who had already obtained "immortality" suddenly burned into ashes, and the old man of the Zhao family and the second son of the Zhao family fell unconscious. With the help of the priests, the three men were saved in jars filled with water so that they could be resurrected at a later date. However, how could the brothers of the Gao family, who had finally gotten rid of the two families of King Zhao, resurrect them. So, the two secretly hid the three of them in the basement of the drama school. The two families of King Zhao, who had not yet obtained "immortality", were launched with palpitations because of this accident. In the end, at the instigation of the brothers, they left Yushugou Village one after another. The events of that night were slowly forgotten as if they were a fire accident.

Since then, the brothers have cooperated with Chen Yongyi and started a big "business". Chen Yongyi brought in big customers who were willing to pay a high price for "longevity" or treatment. At the same time, they exchanged cigarettes, alcoholic beverages, and even drugs for antiques, as well as fresh human organs, from believers in lakeside villages. Soon an industrial chain was formed. Strange to say, the believers in the lakeside village are still addicted to cigarettes, alcohol and drugs, even though they can live without eating or drinking. There seems to be a lot of ancient antiques, jade, and even gold buried in that village. Sometimes, it's a good deal to get fresh human organs.

As Gao Shan Xing grew up day by day, the brothers also had disagreements because of her. Gao Bowen thinks that Gao Shan Xing is a trouble when he grows up. But Gao Zhongchen didn't think so. He has no two daughters, and even his wife left him after that "accident". Although he has been spending more and more time with Gao Shan Xing, Gao Zhongchen has become more and more of this "granddaughter" who was adopted from nowhere. Gao Bowen began to stir up the relationship between their grandfather and grandson. In the end, he entrusted Chu Yao to send Gao Shan Xing to study at the art academy in the city. Gao Zhongchen collapsed. At this time, Gao Bowen realized that Gao Shan Xing was Gao Zhongchen's "faith". Under the guidance of the priests, he imprisoned Gao Zhongchen in an abandoned drama school. He was expecting that Gao Zhongchen would slowly calm down. But in the end, Gao Zhongchen gradually became a monster in the drama school. It was the living corpse with a mask that Shen Mingde and Xiao Jing saw in the drama school that night.

After telling this story, Gao Bowen slowly raised his head like a "saint" who had finished repenting. He looked at Shen Mingde, and suddenly lowered his voice and said: "To see the 'Mountain Eye' open, you must have three conditions: First, you must be convinced of the existence of that lake. That's not just a matter of saying it. You have to believe in it as if you were convinced, 'The head is on your neck,' and the second thing is that you have to be afraid. Only the fear from the bottom of your heart can take you to the lake. Even if you can't reach it, you can learn from Zhang Baoshan and roll down the hillside; The last point is to have a strong desire in your heart. It is a desire to be fulfilled by any means. That's the last thing you want to know. Are you ready? You can take turns talking to me about each other. Let me weigh you up and see if you have the qualifications. ”

Shen Mingde and Yang Guangcheng glanced at each other. I don't know if I was afraid that the tightly bound old man would play tricks, or if I hesitated to say what I wanted, but they both stood stiff in place.

Suddenly, the old man commanded in a demonic voice, "Mingde, you come first." You go out. ”

An indescribable powerful force slowly pushed Shen Mingde in front of Gao Bowen. He glanced back at Yang Guangcheng, who was silently walking out of the door. There was only a "click" and the door was gently shut. Shen Mingde knelt down on one knee, leaned down, and said a word to Gao Bowen in his weakest voice.