Sure enough, I climbed the large banyan tree and looked for the second-largest branch from the bottom. There were traces of a strong rope wrapped around it, and the rope was still there and had been cut off. If this were true, then someone had indeed set up this trap and frightened people.

I became increasingly convinced that someone was behind all this, creating a barrier to prevent people from entering too deeply into the bamboo forest.

Certainly, there was something hidden there. I became increasingly curious about all the mysteries surrounding the old house left behind by the late Mbah Pati. At the very least, I wanted to clear the good name of the late Mbah Pati, who had been a good person throughout her life and had even helped pay for my schooling.

So, I had to repay her.

There was still time before I had to get ready for work. I slowly entered the bamboo area, sneaking around a bit as a precaution, just in case something happened. The dense rows of bamboo made it feel like we were in the middle of a very dense forest, and the view was obscured by the bamboo trees. There was a footpath, making it easy for anyone to walk, as if there was a path winding through the bamboo trees.

I slowly walked, leaving my motorcycle at the border. I'd locked it and secured it securely under a teak tree. Now, driven by my curiosity, I continued along the path toward the old house, in case I might find something there.

Furthermore, the community was gathered at the village hall, and everyone was busy collecting their share of government fertiliser aid. Now that I'd received it and returned, I had the opportunity to investigate the old house.

Whoosh!

A gentle breeze brushed past me, like a gentle breeze. Of course, the strong wind hit the bamboo trees, and the rest managed to pass through the gaps between them. But this breeze was a bit strange, like tiny needles pricking my skin.

Why did the hairs on the back of my neck suddenly stand on end? I felt like someone was watching me, even though I'd tried to shake it off. I closed my eyes for a moment and recited the verse of the Throne.

For some reason, I suddenly felt goosebumps.

It was midday again. How could this be? Being among the towering bamboo trees felt like darkness. Only a little sunlight penetrated through the dense bamboo. The atmosphere was like late afternoon approaching sunset.

That's when I slowly opened my eyes. A white shadow passed in front of me about 10 meters away. Covered by the dense bamboo, it looked like a person dressed in white.

I trembled and covered my mouth with all my might to keep quiet. Was that a ghost? I sat there, trembling. The person's face was invisible, but they seemed to be walking calmly.

I clenched my fists again. I couldn't be afraid; who knew they were the ones who had created the mystery in my village? I braced my legs and body, and the white flash continued to advance.

This was my chance! Ghost or not, I didn't care anymore.

I was Super Adnan, Mamak's only brave son. Ha... ha... ha... my heart chuckled, but it was actually to mask my true fear.

No matter. I had to follow the person dressed in white. I crept up quickly and lowered my head. Like someone bowing, I continued to follow the white shadow. It turned, and I followed. I hid myself among the bamboo trees.

Scramble! I stopped abruptly.

The white shadow stopped. The person seemed to be looking back, so I immediately ducked and hid. A second later, I lifted my head again, my eyes widening as the person vanished in the blink of an eye.

I glanced around, but there was nothing. Or, he knew someone was following me and was hiding too. I was on guard now, prepared in case I had to confront him.

I slowly approached the spot where the person had disappeared. And there, right at the end of the bamboo tree line, about 30 meters in front of me, was the old house left by the late Mbah Pati. The house was visible from behind.

There were only a few bamboo trees in front of me. About two meters away, and that was the limit of the bamboo trees. I wondered if the man in white had run towards the old house? Or...

No way. If he had, I would have been able to see where he was going. But he had completely disappeared.

I stepped closer to the house and was about to exit the bamboo trees.

Bam!

"Ouch!" I tripped and fell. A short object tripped me, probably because I was too focused on looking ahead. I looked at the object I had tripped over.

This... a wooden tombstone?

I cleaned the wood; it was indeed a tombstone, as there were two of them about two meters apart. I wiped the inscription on the wood. And to my surprise, Pati Nugroho. Is this Mbah Pati's grave?

Why didn't I know Mbah Pati was buried here? I'll ask Mom later. But who was the man in white? I looked around again, trying to confirm whether he was still around. However, my eyes were drawn to a boundary of bamboo trees two meters in front of me.

The bamboo trees seemed to be demarcated from the land behind the late Mbah Pati's house. It looked like they were being cleared. I inspected carefully. Sure enough, the bamboo trees had been cleared to prevent them from spreading. So... who had been clearing this area?

There was a boundary; the marks left by the bamboo trees were visible. Someone had definitely cut down the bamboo trees. In other words, someone was constantly coming here.

As I sat there, I examined the area, and sure enough, after all this time, even though the villagers were afraid to enter, this was a place that had been entered several times by others, and they had been keeping it clean. Although it looked overgrown and haunted from the outside, it was clean and clear of bamboo trees.

There was a small sound. I was startled, so I lay down on my stomach to avoid being seen and retreated among the bamboo trees.

I crept near the gravestone. I hid myself completely, and sure enough, two people were carrying two white sacks behind the old house left by the late Mbah Pati.

Who were they? And what was that white container of incense?

They entered through the back door of the old house and stayed there for a while. Then, they chatted quietly as they left, and the container had been placed inside the old house.

They were gone. This had never been investigated by anyone else. So, there really was suspicious activity in the old house.

I looked at the gravestone, and it was close to my face. I saw the inscription, and I nodded, saying I would help clear Mbah Pati's name. She was a good person. I excused myself and shuffled back.

I'd investigate another time. It was already very late, and I had to get back to work. I couldn't rush. Who were they, and why did they enter the old house? Or were they just leaving something?

It could be aided fertilizer, because the container looked the same. Maybe they left it first and would pick it up later. It could be.

But wasn't everyone afraid of this place?

I was still curious, but I hurried to get my motorcycle and head home. Curious and still curious. But I had to work first; I couldn't skip work. I will continue the investigation sometime.