Chapter 169

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Chapter 169: Dust Cleaning Feast

Lin Mohua whispered, "We can’t casually listen to the old lady’s cough, let’s go."

Chu Jiang wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and nodded, leaving with Lin Mohua.

He had a feeling that the ghost inside the old lady, no, even the old lady herself, could very well be an extremely scary ghost of the S-class.

The instinctual fear just now went beyond individual emotions, it was a collection of countless negative emotions from countless humans over many years, imprinted on you in an instant.

If someone’s will is not strong enough, just hearing the cough from earlier would immediately crush them with countless feelings of fear and dread, turning them into a dead person, or even a crazed dead person.

It was only when Chu Jiang had distanced himself from the courtyard that he silently sighed in his heart. He had truly entered the "Ghost Domain," the Lin family members were all terrifying, especially the ones of higher status.

Unable to see the old master, Chu Jiang could only return and rest, waiting for the birthday banquet in three days.

……

As the sky gradually turned dark, even though Chu Jiang was in his room and had lit a kerosene lamp, he still felt the entire Lin Mansion rapidly becoming gloomy and cold.

Outside the window, a faint humming sound could be heard, like the wind or the murmuring of something.

Besides these humming sounds, there were also some rustling noises in the darkness, it’s unknown what caused them.

This reminded Chu Jiang of what Lin Mohua said before, that there were many dirty things hidden underground in the Lin family mansion…

Just then, someone knocked on the door, "Mr. Chu, after hearing about your arrival, the family insisted on hosting a small welcoming banquet for you. May I ask if you would be willing to attend?"

It was Lin Mohua’s voice, she seemed somewhat reluctant, as if hoping Chu Jiang would refuse.

Chu Jiang pondered for a moment, "Who will be at the banquet?"

"Only our Lin family people, besides you, there won’t be any other guests."

"In that case, I’ll make a visit. After all, it wouldn’t be good to stay secluded here when I’m eating and staying at your place."

Lin Mohua felt somewhat disappointed, but still agreed and waited for him outside.

Chu Jiang’s thoughts were simple. On one hand, he wanted to understand why the Ghost Domain was so special. By learning more about the Lin family, it would help him uncover their secrets.

On the other hand, if Chu Jiang had to escape from the Lin family in the end, then the Lin family would become his opponents. He needed to know more about his enemies.

After tidying up his outfit, Chu Jiang walked out the door.

Outside the door, there was only Lin Mohua holding a white lantern with a large Chinese character "奠" on it.

To be honest, this scene was a bit creepy. It was a woman wearing a red cheongsam with pale skin, holding a lantern that was usually seen at funerals.

Chu Jiang remained calm and asked as he entered the door, "Where’s that maid of yours?"

Lin Mohua calmly responded, "All the servants are not allowed to leave their own rooms at night, no matter what happens. It’s a rule of the Lin family, so we’ll manage on our own."

"Alright." Following behind Lin Mohua, Chu Jiang went to the main hall of the Lin family.

"The food is ready and hot. The family members are already seated, waiting for you to arrive."

Chu Jiang agreed while looking at the darkened Lin Mansion.

The more he looked, the more he felt that this place was special. For example, Lin Mohua’s route was a bit strange. Sometimes they walked under the corridor, sometimes they crossed over the railing, and sometimes they went through a quiet pavilion in the garden.

Shadows surrounded them, and there was a cold, faint moon in the sky. Only Lin Mohua’s white lantern in their hand could light the way a little bit.

Suddenly, Chu Jiang heard singing coming from his right side.

It was not like the solo singing they had encountered before at the Little Theater.

It sounded more like a theater troupe performing on stage, with singing, dialogue, gongs, drums, clappers, erhus, pipas… all sorts of lively sounds.

But amidst the bustling sounds, one kind of sound was missing, and that was the sound of the audience.

No one cheered, no one talked, and no one applauded.

It was as if there was no one in the audience, eerily quiet, a theater troupe performing in a desolate place.

When Chu Jiang started to slow down, Lin Mohua reminded him, "After nightfall, no matter what you hear, see, or smell outside, don’t easily believe it, and don’t get lost in it."

"Only those who carry a white lantern like me are true members of the Lin family."

"Understood," Chu Jiang replied, following closely behind the other person’s footsteps.

During the rest of the journey, some strange things happened, like something coming out from underground and grabbing Chu Jiang’s ankle.

But when he stepped on it, there was nothing, so he had to continue moving forward.

……

The Lin family’s main hall was very large, but as soon as Chu Jiang stepped inside, his attention was completely drawn to one thing.

It was a coffin, to be precise, a large black coffin. It was placed in the center of the main hall, completely black, with a golden memorial inscription on the coffin head, surrounded by a circle of circular patterns.

As soon as Chu Jiang saw this coffin, he felt a sense of fear, as if something extraordinary was lying inside.

Even the ghosts inside him, Blood Hand Ghost and Left Hand Ghost, were restless. This was still inside, before they came out.

And black coffins don’t fit the customs here. Most burials here use red coffins, symbolizing a peaceful end to life.

Usually only those who died young, or by suicide or in battle, would use black coffins.

It was strange enough to have such a noticeable coffin in the main hall, but in front of the coffin, there was also a table set with delicious food and wine.

Eleven people were seated around the table, five men and six women. They all had pale faces, wore old-fashioned clothes, and had eerie smiles as they looked at Chu Jiang, who had entered.

It was as if they were hosting the deceased. On the ground in front of the coffin, there was a bowl of white rice with three incense sticks inserted.

Lin Mohua saw Chu Jiang standing still at the entrance of the main hall and whispered, "Mr. Chu, please don’t blame us. My father hasn’t yet found a suitable burial place according to Feng Shui, so we can only temporarily stay at home."

Chu Jiang nodded and walked with Lin Mohua into the brightly lit, yet even more eerie, main hall.

Seated at the head of the table was a woman in her forties, dressed in luxury and adorned with gold and silver jewelry. She stood up as the guest entered.

There was a young man wearing a traditional Chinese suit and glasses standing up with her.

"The esteemed guest has come from afar, and I apologize for not welcoming you earlier." The woman spoke politely, but her eyes were unsettling, with one black and one white, spinning around rapidly.

The man also bowed and said, "The Lin family situation is a bit special, but everyone who should be here has arrived. Please take a seat, Mr. Chu."