“But - who the hell would do something like this? Or - who the fuck do something like this?” Gloria felt more fused, 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 snatg 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 fa 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 seo me. Something is missing - something is wrong…”

  “I think it actually started to make seae Kuo said as he fixed his eyes on the wood carving: “I - I’m not gonna pretend I know anything ih, 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 only 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 ’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, ed that someone might just walk in and hear what they were saying: “It’s not - ly an allowed knowledge. Even the younger geion of potential watchers and clergymen don’t know about this. If it weren’t for what happened in that fug underground temple - ” Before he could tinue, footsteps approached and he immediately stopped. It was a man in a white coat, a doctor, or healer, from this unity care ter.

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

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

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

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

  “Now, dies, I don’t think I o 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 Sue and Gloria: “Also - uh if possible, eat some mb and beef, or better yet, some dog with bck fur if possible. The extra Yang energy should help you clear out your body of the iion.”

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

  “Now - you are discharged. So please, safe travels. A 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 dey, they left the unity care ter and headed off to Fuman Coffin home, the pce 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 pd were not hindered by the unity collective’s seals and locks at all.

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

  “I o firm something, I don’t want to trouble you with some unproveions, but - ” Gyuu Park sighed: “But just as we said - these things that happehey 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 py here - but - there’s this ihat you might not know about, Gloria. It happened 15 years ago, almost - before the i with the ship.”

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

  “No - it seemed less ected, 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 i, which is why no one made the e at the time. It was a small temple, uered with the collective. It was built underground, hidden underh 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 perf actual animal and human sacrifice. They were found, of course, and the unity 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 beeroyed, many of those who were members of the raid team died one by one of horrible fate and in gruesome ways. The unity 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 dire of Qiyun manipution. And after a few months, the i in Lake Aqiu happened, so the iigation ut on hold and remained uncluded for years. Until arou 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 presenens were fused as byproducts instead of actual causes.”