The old man swung his shovel, digging into the earth in the graveyard.
An oil lamp rested beside him under a tree; a gravestone lay next to the mound of loose earth, engraved with his name: Acheson Rodney.
It was unclear whether Acheson Rodney was the name of the old man or someone he knew.
In any case, the grave was not prepared for Lu Li.
Sensing someone's presence, the old man paused his digging and said slowly, "Please wait a moment... It will be ready shortly."
The digging was nearing its end; the pit was just large enough to hold a person.
Lu Li, holding an oil lamp that scattered the mist, focused his gaze on the old man's back, occasionally glancing up at the Blood-Colored Tentacles that hung over his head.
Whoosh—
The last shovel of earth fell onto the mound, and the old man inserted the iron shovel into the ground, using it as a cane: "This thing isn't entirely bad; at least I still have the strength to dig my own grave."
