“But - who the hell would do something like this? Or - who the fuck CAN do something like this?” Gloria felt more confused, at the same time slightly fearful.

“Probably the same people that did something at the docks to cause the Qiyun flow to be stagnant. And they would probably have something to do with all the children snatching as well.” Gyuu Park sighed.

Tae Kuo opened his eyes and stared at Gyuu Park, his mouth moved, but did not say anything.

“But why? ” Gloria felt like burying her face in her palms. The frustration built up in her mind finally broke through, her head being foggy and her being in a state of exhaustion and slight pain cracked through her walls and she had to let something out: “I - I don’t know - this doesn’t make sense. None of this makes sense to me. Something is missing - something is wrong…”

“I think it actually started to make sense.” Tae Kuo said as he fixed his eyes on the wood carving: “I - I’m not gonna pretend I know anything in depth, but I think - I THINK, if Gyuu, you’re right, then - it’s time we realize that all of these horrible things are happening not because of some natural occurrence, but man-made. At least, the majority of it would be… And - ” He sighed, and took a careful look at Gyuu Park: “I don’t know… I’m not sure…”

“Enough with the useless reservations, Tae.” Gyuu Park shook his head: “I think you know the answer already - the commonly known but almost never brought up secrets around the clergymen and church circles. I get it, you want to move away, and you want to take care of your family. But let’s face it, if it is indeed what we think it is, you can’t ever escape even when you’re away.”

Tae Kuo sighed, shook his head and did not respond.

“What is it? What do you know? ” Gloria and Sue immediately fixed their eyes on Gyuu Park and Tae Kuo: “What is this thing you’re talking about?”

“Let’s not talk here. ” Gyuu Park took a look at the door, concerned that someone might just walk in and hear what they were saying: “It’s not - not exactly an allowed knowledge. Even the younger generation of potential watchers and clergymen don’t know about this. If it weren’t for what happened in that fucking underground temple - ” Before he could continue, footsteps approached and he immediately stopped. It was a man in a white coat, a doctor, or healer, from this community care center.

“How are you doing?” The man came into the room and raised some paper pouches in his hands: “Are you feeling alright?”

“I - I’m fine.” Tae Kuo nodded: “Still a little tired though.”

“Same for me.” Gyuu Park sighed.

“I - I’m very thirsty, and my muscles feel like burning up.” Gloria took a deep breath and answered.

“It’s natural. And it’s becoming more and more common these days.” The man sighed and put down the paper pouches on a small table: “These are your medicine, with your names written on it, don’t mix them up. Three pots for each pouch, three pots per day, and come back if you still feel wrong. ”

Sue hesitated and asked: “Sir, did you happen to mention…”

“Unless they ask specifically, I won’t mention a thing. But please understand that I am beholden to the community collective.” The man shrugged: “And yeah, I don’t think it’s in anyone’s best interest to NOT report injuries from paranormal entities. So - uh, yeah - and remember, take showers with warm water with ginger for the next few days. Go out in the sun more and don’t run into unclean places.”

“Understood, thank you - sir.” Sue nodded.

“Now, ladies, I don’t think I need to remind you, that you are more susceptible to invasion and corruption of Yin energy than men. So - take care and make sure you drink plenty of ginger water.” The man nodded at Sue and Gloria: “Also - uh if possible, eat some lamb and beef, or better yet, some dog with black fur if possible. The extra Yang energy should help you clear out your body of the infestation.”

“Oh - okay… will - will do.” Sue was taken aback slightly, but still nodded.

“Now - you are discharged. So please, safe travels. And let me know if you have any questions. ” The man nodded and turned back, waving at them from behind: “Take care, you folks. And stay away from filth.”

Gyuu Park and Tae Kuo squirmed off the bed, and then helped Gloria off her bed. Without much delay, they left the community care center and headed off to Fuman Coffin home, the nearest place where they could be alone.

The coffin home was still sealed and under lockdown. It was just that Tae Kuo and Gloria were both familiar with the place and were not hindered by the community collective’s seals and locks at all.

“So - what do you want to tell me?” After sitting down in the back room, Gloria asked Gyuu Park and Tae Kuo. Sue sat on her side, nervously waiting for an answer.

“I needed to confirm something, I don’t want to trouble you with some unproven speculations, but - ” Gyuu Park sighed: “But just as we said - these things that happened, they are very likely due to some human effort, and it is - ”

“Let’s not jump straight in.” Tae Kuo raised his hand and interrupted Gyuu Park: “There could be many factors at play here - but - there’s this incident that you might not know about, Gloria. It happened 15 years ago, almost - before the incident with the ship.”

“Geez, that was a common unfortunate number, isn’t it?” Gloria scoffed and rubbed her nose bridge.

“No - it seemed less connected, or at least most people thought so.” Tae Kuo took a look at Gyuu Park, who seemed rather displeased with his interruption but still willing to let him speak: “It’s - I think more than a few months before the incident, which is why no one made the connection at the time. It was a small temple, unregistered with the collective. It was built underground, hidden underneath a tea house.

“The reason for it being hidden was that it was a temple dedicated to - not a god, but a Yasha - a demon, or evil spirit of the ethereal world and of the night. And very, very predictably stereotypically, they were performing actual animal and human sacrifice. They were found, of course, and the community collective and the association of churches gathered forces to get rid of it.

“But that’s far from all of it. In fact it was just the start - days and weeks after the temple had been destroyed, many of those who were members of the raid team died one by one of horrible fate and in gruesome ways. The community collective and association of churches mobilized a lot of resources to look into it but to no avail. Not many even had the idea to think in the direction of Qiyun manipulation. And after a few months, the incident in Lake Aqiu happened, so the investigation was put on hold and remained unconcluded for years. Until around eight or seven years ago, an elder from Kshiti Temple who practiced an unnamed sutra realized it was actually due to the omens and some kind of curse. Those who died were all presumed to be from paranormal causes, and thus the presence of omens were confused as byproducts instead of actual causes.”