The smell was truly awful, a potent stench that induced nausea.
Even I was forced to retreat, my senses assaulted.
The others in the mourning hall were also waving their hands, overwhelmed:
"This, it smells so bad!"
"Gui Fang only passed yesterday, how did she become so foul-smelling!"
"Ugh, ugh, ugh..."
Some people even began to gag uncontrollably.
The odor was simply too overpowering.
Holding my breath, I moved closer.
I wanted to see why the body had become so putrid.
But as I approached the coffin and looked at the body within,
My heart sank.
Because I noticed the corpse in the coffin had undergone a transformation.
My second aunt's face was covered in patches of sticky, scale-like growth.
Her neck bore six fissures, resembling gills.
This was unlike anything I had ever seen, and I was filled with confusion.
I couldn't understand why this had happened.
At this moment, my second uncle, fifth uncle, and other relatives also moved closer.
"Ze Wa, is there anything unusual with your second aunt's body?"
"Ah! Why, why has Gui Fang's corpse grown scales?"
"..."
Before I could answer, someone nearby exclaimed in shock.
Hearing this, others also drew nearer.
Even Qin Bo and Qin Da, whom I had just sent flying with a wave of my hand, hurried over.
Upon seeing the transformed corpse of my second aunt in the coffin, they were greatly alarmed.
They had no idea what was happening.
However, I meticulously examined the body, not engaging in conversation with the others.
Through my observation, I realized that besides the developing abnormalities, the corpse radiated a strong necrotic energy.
If not handled properly, it could reanimate.
"Ze Wa, what in the world is going on?"
"What else could it be? Clearly, Gui Fang's body is about to become a monster!"
"Yes, yes! Where do you see a dead body covered in scales, with gills on its neck?"
"Yes, yes, look at the corpse's arms, there are fins too."
"..."
More than ten people surrounded the coffin.
Some of the braver rural women were also craning their necks to peer from behind.
Although I didn't know why this situation had arisen,
Based on my experience, I could be certain.
The corpse was undergoing a mutation and needed to be dealt with immediately.
Otherwise, once this transformation was complete, something troublesome was bound to occur.
With that thought, I quickly retrieved a talisman for suppressing malevolent spirits from my clothes.
In front of everyone, I placed it directly on my second aunt's forehead, suppressing it.
Simultaneously, I addressed my second uncle and the others:
"Second Uncle, are there any coffin nails left?"
"W-what do you need coffin nails for?"
My second uncle asked.
The others around me also widened their eyes, looking at me with bewilderment.
I stated plainly:
"The corpse has begun to mutate. If I'm not mistaken, it is undergoing demonization.
If left unchecked, my second aunt's body will undoubtedly become a corpse demon.
I need to use coffin nails to break the corpse demon energy within her body,
To prevent it from manifesting..."
"Corpse, corpse demon!"
"Gui Fang was truly killed by a monster!"
"A monster has really appeared."
"..."
Amidst the murmuring, my second uncle collected himself.
He nodded to me and said:
"Yes, yes, I'll go get them for you!"
With that, my second uncle hastily stepped aside.
Standing by the coffin were Qin Bo and Qin Da, their faces blankly staring at my second aunt's body within.
They did not believe in ghosts or spirits, but the scene before them had begun to shake their convictions.
"Ze Wa, what kind of demon is this that could turn your second aunt's body into this state?"
"Yes, yes! Ze Wa, do you have the confidence to eliminate that monster?
If things continue like this, the village will be in turmoil."
"..."
The surrounding villagers began to chatter, all asking me questions.
But at this point, I was also at a loss.
I had too few clues to determine what this entity was.
I could only shake my head:
"I'm not entirely certain, but now that I'm back, please rest assured, elders.
The village's affairs are my affairs.
I will resolve this matter as quickly as possible, ensuring peace for the village."
I gave my assurance.
Hearing this, everyone present finally breathed a sigh of relief, though their worry lingered.
A moment later, my second uncle returned with the coffin nails.
Taking the coffin nails, I thrust them forcefully into the corpse's chest.
Everyone around watched with wide eyes.
But the instant the coffin nail in my hand pierced the corpse,
The body shuddered.
The corpse, with its eyes closed, suddenly opened them.
Its tightly shut mouth parted slightly, exhaling a puff of dark green miasma.
A strange gurgling sound emanated from its throat...
This sight caused those around to recoil in shock and cry out:
"Ah, it's reanimated, it's reanimated!"
"Ah! A zombie, a zombie!"
"It's alive, it's alive."
"..."
The sounds were chaotic, and the atmosphere was tense.
But I, standing by the coffin, remained unfazed.
With renewed force, I drove all the coffin nails in.
The next second, the body stopped moving.
Its eyes remained wide open, but they were no longer human eyes.
They were two eyes, like those of a fish.
The teeth in its mouth were coated in a sticky mucus, and they had also mutated, becoming sharp, like serrated edges...