The Northern Song Yin Contract Case

During the Yuanfeng era of the Northern Song dynasty, a constable named Shen Jiu'an lived on the outskirts of Bianjing. Quick-witted and decisive, he was nicknamed the "Living King of Hell" by his colleagues for his ruthless methods of solving cases. One day, several bizarre corpses appeared in succession west of the city. Their faces were disfigured beyond recognition, strange runes were carved into their bodies, and sheets of yellow paper soaked in black water were stuffed into their mouths. Ordered to investigate, Shen Jiu'an is drawn step by step into a sinister plot that has been unfolding for a hundred years. Every one of the dead, it turns out, is connected to a "yin contract" buried underground. Those who sign it do not find their souls at rest after death, but are instead enslaved by some ancient presence. As the investigation deepens, Shen Jiu'an discovers that his father was involved as well, and that his own name was added to the end of the contract eighteen years ago...