Return to the Grave

Shen Du was an orphan raised from childhood by a mysterious old Taoist priest. His master taught him a full range of Taoist arts, but never spoke of his origins. Three years ago, his master vanished without a trace, leaving behind a notebook with missing pages, an ancient jade tablet inscribed with writing he could not understand, and an old watch that never kept the right time. Shen Du made a living in the city’s backstreets by reading feng shui and drawing protective talismans. He thought this was how his life would go on, until one night he saw his pupils spread into pure black in the mirror. He didn't know it wasn't an illness. He didn't know the bluish-black birthmark he'd had on his wrist since childhood was a seal etched into his bloodline. He didn't know his body temperature had always been low and his healed wounds left black scars because a curse called the Graveguide was awakening inside him. This novel and its characters are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to actual people or events is purely coincidental. Do not imitate.