Nightmare Apostle

Chapter 43: Chapter 43: The Guests

Meanwhile, outside the courtyard, Kuang Hongyi was having a rough time as well. Once he confirmed the changes in the opera singing, he knew Xi Yao had arrived, and the ghostly play was officially underway. He immediately lit the red lanterns to send out a signal, while also lighting the Welcoming Incense in his hand.

Soon after, a thick fog rolled in from the distance, quickly enveloping everything around with its rapid spread. The visibility within the fog didn’t exceed five meters, and gradually, shapes emerged from within it, heading straight towards the courtyard gate.

Kuang Hongyi heeded the old man’s instructions, steadying his mind, holding three sticks of Welcoming Incense, with a slight smile on his face, he nodded gently to the approaching guests.

Not daring to look directly into the visitors’ eyes, Kuang Hongyi could only take sidelong glances using his peripheral vision. Most of the arrivals were men, dressed in gray cloth clothes, black shoes and pants, paired with a hemp belt tied around the waist - the usual attire for the manor’s servants.

These people came in small groups, and aside from their movements being a bit stiff and not speaking to each other, they otherwise seemed no different from the living.

As the opera singing inside the courtyard reached its climax, more and more figures emerged from the fog. There were men with broad shoulders and stout waists, dressed in black short tunics, and young women taking delicate steps, wearing dark blue satin dresses.

The former were clearly the Protector martial masters of the manor, while the latter, Kuang Hongyi surmised, were likely maids from the household.

All of these people were without any apparent external injuries, and if he wasn’t mistaken, they were all unwittingly sacrificed as scapegoats for Master Feng’s family.

Fortunately, most of these people completely ignored him, walking with slightly stiff steps into the courtyard to listen to the opera. The occasional few who glanced his way were also deftly avoided by Kuang Hongyi with a bow of his head.

The fog grew denser, heavy with moisture, and at some point, the ground outside the courtyard door became wet. Upon closer inspection, there were damp footprints that extended from deep within the fog.

Kuang Hongyi took a deep breath, understanding his judgment was correct. These well-behaved guests were in fact Drowned Ghosts who didn’t know how long they had been dead.

Rustle rustle...

A strange noise immediately put Kuang Hongyi on high alert. It was true that the Drowned Ghosts made sounds as they walked, but this sound was different, noticeably more animated.

Looking towards the sound, he saw a head peeking out from behind a crooked tree not far in front. Though the fog obscured the view, Kuang Hongyi was certain the person was watching him.

"Stay calm, act as if nothing has happened," Kuang Hongyi shifted his gaze discretely, continuing to nod to the approaching guests.

Rustle rustle...

No guests appeared for a moment, and the rustling sound approached rapidly. By the time Kuang Hongyi regained his awareness, a sneaky figure had made its way before him. Holding his breath and suppressing the instinct to run, he slightly bowed his head, trying not to look at the face of the newcomer, while holding three sticks of Welcoming Incense and nodding with a faint smile.

But the person unexpectedly spoke, and their first sentence stunned Kuang Hongyi on the spot, "Kuang, there’s trouble at the lake!"

This person seemed to have traveled a long distance, panting heavily and struggling to catch their breath, "Steward Liu sent me to tell you, both of your men at the lake are dead. You can’t continue with the ghostly play tonight, or something terrible will happen!"

Kuang Hongyi examined the newcomer from the corner of his eye - a man, about in his thirties, dressed like a servant and looking vaguely familiar, although Kuang couldn’t remember where he had seen him before.

Seeing that Kuang Hongyi remained motionless, the man grew anxious. His gaze kept darting into the fog, as if he feared something might suddenly emerge, "Kuang, what are you dawdling for? Come on, let’s go inside. The one in the play can’t be saved anymore. Take the other one away!"

At this moment, Kuang Hongyi’s heart settled, and he completely ignored the newcomer, turning away to look in another direction, as if that person did not exist.

This wasn’t a person; it was a ghost in disguise. To be honest, the acting was passable, and the expression was on point, but the timing was terrible.

He had arrived too early.

After all, since the release of the lanterns, at most, only the time it takes an incense stick to burn had passed, and in such a short time, Shi Dali and Shi Guanming couldn’t have died; it was impossible. Considering Shi Dali’s cunning nature, Kuang Hongyi even suspected that the two hadn’t even gone into the water yet.

Moreover, considering the distance from here to the lakeside, coupled with the mist, it was doubtful whether someone with poor mobility could have reached the place in the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, let alone having to avoid the ghosts that they might encounter along the way.

Beyond this, there was another oversight. Kuang Hongyi surveyed his surroundings. Since this person—or rather, ghost—came sneaking over, the mist hadn’t brought forth any new "guests." What’s the matter? Did this person have such an imposing appearance that after his arrival, no ghosts would come? If so, why would Master Feng even bother looking for Blessing Guests to invite over? He could’ve just tied this big brother outside the bedroom door, a Human-Shaped Talisman, a physical ward against evil.

At this point, the newcomer seemed to understand as well, falling silent, with a gloomy expression setting on their face. Cold light emanated from their eyes as they glared at Kuang Hongyi for a few seconds. Then, deciding to give up on Kuang Hongyi, the man dashed inside the courtyard.

After the man had gone, the spot where he had been standing was left with a puddle of water.

Kuang Hongyi knew this was an attempt to deceive him that had failed, and now they were planning to trick someone else. To be honest, his first concern was for Chu Xi, as she was a newcomer after all. However, remembering Chu Xi’s earlier performance, Kuang Hongyi felt he was worrying too much.

At this point, the ghostly play in the courtyard was reaching its climax. Su Tingting on stage, whether it was her posture or her singing, was flawless. The paper figures behind her moved on their own without any wind, making a crisp clapping noise, as if applauding and cheering.

Yang Xiao had already gone up to exchange the offerings once, heeding the old man’s warnings and proceeding with utmost caution, and fortunately, without any mishaps.

These paper figures were all captivated by the ghostly play on stage, paying no attention to him. ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com

The next second, a rustling noise came from behind him, someone was approaching him, Yang Xiao had heard many footsteps before but this was different.

Then came the sound of a wooden chair being moved; someone had taken a seat behind him.

Yang Xiao was on alert, this was not a good sign. Previous footsteps had always approached and then suddenly disappeared; Yang Xiao speculated that restless souls had entered the paper figures. But why now—

"Chu Fukke, there’s been an accident!" The person behind him leaned in, speaking softly but with urgency, immense urgency, "Everyone on the lake is dead, Steward Liu told you to leave quickly!"

After a pause, the person behind him added in a rush, "I’ve already informed Kuang, before he left, he told me to inform you, you better run too."

Yang Xiao quickly regained his composure, his mind rapidly processing the information, realizing what was going on. It hadn’t been long; how could someone have died and already sent word? Moreover, big brother, didn’t you even consider, in a place swarming with ghosts, I had to apply such an ugly disguise, endure three needle pricks, and wear a talisman on my face just to barely blend in, and you just walked in here swaggering?

Do you think I’m an idiot, or are the ghosts blind?

Yang Xiao did not react at all, imitating the paper figures, staring straight at the stage. When a breeze came by, he even coordinated by swaying his body.