Fresh allegations surrounding the mysterious death of actor Yu Menglong continue to circulate online and in Beijing, with some commentators suggesting that occult or ritualistic practices could be involved. The speculation, though unverified, has deepened public anxiety — particularly as predictions of broader turmoil in China emerge.
The claim linking Yu Menglong’s death to a so-called “sacrifice to the Chinese Communist Party” first appeared in a video by YouTube commentator Ma Xian, who said he had studied ancient imperial life-extension ceremonies.
According to Ma, emperors in antiquity were believed to perform forbidden rituals to prolong their reigns — ceremonies described vaguely in texts such as Lingtai Milu and Yinyang Zhiguai Lu. These rituals were said to involve 49-day cycles, shared birthdates, and violent symbolic acts representing rebirth.
“Each ritual required precise timing,” Ma said, “often involving rare celestial phenomena like blood moons or silent lightning — signs believed to mark success.”
Ma pointed to four alleged coincidences that online users claim connect Yu’s case to these ancient practices:
- Timing: Yu died on Sept. 11 — forty-nine days before October 20, when a major conference reportedly took place in Beijing.
- Birthdate: Yu shared the same birthday as Xi Jinping, aligning with the “sacrifice year” of his zodiac cycle.
- Celestial signs: Beijing allegedly experienced a blood moon, silent lightning, and strong winds near the time of Yu’s death.
- Material offerings: Rituals in ancient times used gemstones; Yu was reportedly found with two luxury watches, interpreted online as modern equivalents.
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No official evidence supports these claims, but the parallels have captured the imagination of China’s digital public.
Echoes of the ‘Ba Cao’ ritual
Commentators have also revived stories of an older practice called the “Ba Cao Sacrifice” — a supposed life-prolonging ritual once attributed to high-ranking elites.
In 2010, a Zhejiang case involving eight boys surnamed Cai, all found dead under unusual circumstances, sparked rumors of such occult activity. Observers at the time noted no struggle, no suspects, and no clear cause of death.
Legend holds that the Ba Cao ritual required the life energy of eight individuals aligned in an “eight-grass formation.” The deaths allegedly coincided with a blood moon and westerly gales, both regarded as omens of success in the ritual.
Some believe the story inspired a subplot in the television series Ten Deadly Sins, in which a high official’s family sacrifices children to prolong an elder’s life — a fictional parallel that fuels continuing speculation.
Building on these theories, some online commentators have speculated that actor Guo Junlong could be “the next target” in this rumored cycle — citing coincidences in birthdates and imagery.
- Yu Menglong shared a birthday with Xi Jinping.
- The late actor Qiao Renliang’s birthday coincided with that of Xi Zhongxun, Xi Jinping’s father.
- Guo Junlong’s birthday falls on Oct. 1 — China’s National Day.
The nine-year interval between Qiao’s 2016 death and Yu’s in 2025 has been described online as part of a “nine-year sacrificial cycle.”
Others note Guo’s androgynous public image and his recent unusual gestures during a live-stream, which some interpreted as a possible “coded plea for help.”
Again, these claims remain unsubstantiated and have drawn no official response.
Warnings of instability
As these theories spread, they have converged with broader prophecies of unrest circulating among Chinese-language online communities.
A self-described prophet known as Mr. Parker recently released a video predicting that China could face major upheaval before the end of 2025, citing signs ranging from economic decline to natural disasters.
“China’s real estate collapse and mounting local debt could reach a critical point between late 2025 and early 2026,” Parker said.
“At the same time, floods and extreme weather continue to intensify. I sense this cycle has not yet ended.”
He also warned that Hong Kong could again become a flashpoint by year-end, describing a vision of “falling Christmas lights” — which he interpreted as a metaphor for social unrest or renewed protests.
The convergence of the Yu Menglong case, superstitious speculation, and grim predictions reflects a growing public unease in Chinese society — one compounded by censorship and the absence of transparent information.
Whether viewed as folklore, political allegory, or social warning, these narratives share a common thread: a profound distrust of authority and a belief that dark forces — earthly or otherwise — are shaping China’s future.
By Qiwen, Janet Huang
