Infinite Flow: An Invitation from World B

Chapter 86 The Return of the Dead

"All matters are settled for today, and you have performed your duties satisfactorily. Now, I will explain to you what needs to be done tomorrow."

The butler's words saved Su Wang from his predicament, and everyone stopped talking and gathered around.

"Tomorrow afternoon, all the women of the southeast boudoir shall go and pay their respects to Master Lu. Those who pay their respects according to custom each day will be exempt from ordinary errands to avoid misfortune."

After the steward looked around at everyone, he sent a maid to hand over a bamboo tube for drawing lots.

"Please draw lots in turn."

The maid handed the divination tube to everyone, and everyone present except Jian Yu drew a divination stick.

But after waiting for a while, the butler did not speak.

Zhao Hu asked, "We've finished smoking, so what's next?"

Butler: "Please ask Master Lu's elder brother to draw lots on behalf of his sister-in-law."

The butler's words surprised everyone present.

"Eldest sister-in-law...isn't this Ruan Jiaojiao? Isn't she already dead?" Su Zixu looked at Yue Zheng Fengye beside him.

Le Zheng Feng Ye also frowned deeply, seemingly unable to figure out the matter either.

Su Wang had already developed goosebumps on his arms, but he had no choice but to grit his teeth and draw the lot.

Seeing that everyone had taken their slips, the butler continued, "..."

"By order of Lord Lu: The time for the return of the fallen soldiers is approaching. In order to mourn the fallen soldiers of Fengshu Village, you are hereby ordered to prepare for the sacrificial ceremony."

Those who draw a black slip should go to the North Granary in the Northeast Courtyard at 9 PM tomorrow to make paper figures for the sacrificial ceremony.

The sound of the clapper is used as a signal; upon hearing the clapper, the order of actions must be changed and must not be disordered.

Those who receive the red token should gather here at the end of the third watch tomorrow. All matters and details will be instructed by someone at that time.

All other matters shall remain as before.

Presumably because someone was absent, the butler did not take away the slips of paper.

On the way back, Su Zixu asked in a low voice:

"Senior Liu Ye, does the butler think Master Lu is unlucky? Why is he even trying to ward off misfortune?"

Le Zheng Feng Ye: "He can't say it outright, there must be more to it than meets the eye. We'll find out when we go to pay our respects to him."

"Master, what kind of fortune stick did you receive?"

The person asking the question was Li Na, who drew a black card.

"Blacklisted," said Yue Zhengfengye.

Upon hearing that Yue Zheng Feng Ye had drawn a black lot, Qin Cang also came over, "That's great! Do you know how to make paper figures?"

Lezheng Fengye glanced at him sideways: "Do you think I'm a paper craftsman? Of course I wouldn't know."

Li Na: "Are the three of us the only ones with blacklisted visas?"

"There's also a 'ghost'." Su Wang waved the slip in his hand. "Ruan Jiaojiao also got a black slip, so you'll be doing a mission with a ghost tomorrow."

Upon hearing that she would be doing a mission with something that she didn't know whether it was human or ghost, Li Na immediately became a little flustered.

Back in the courtyard, after giving the two instructions, the three of them went into their respective houses.

It was already daylight. Su Wang had just lain down when he heard rustling footsteps outside the door.

He tiptoed to the door, peered through the crack, and his pupils slowly contracted.

Outside the door, Ruan Jiaojiao limped in, covered in dust, one sleeve torn, her arm hanging limply, seemingly dislocated.

His entire forearm was covered in dark blue handprints, and he looked quite disheveled.

The dead return.

The thought that he was alone in this huge courtyard with only a ghost made Su Wang instantly cower.

He quietly returned to his bedroom and closed the door tightly.

............

Inside the east courtyard.

After seeing that Li Na and Qin Cang both drew black lots, Zhao Hu briefly explained the knowledge of paper-making to them.

Although he wasn't a professional, he had read related books on a regular basis.

As Zhao Hu entered the house, he turned around and saw Qin Cang standing at the door, not coming in for a long time.

Qin Cang was staring blankly in a certain direction outside the courtyard.

He followed Qin Cang's gaze and asked in confusion, "Why are you spacing out? What are you looking at? Come on in."

Qin Cang slowly withdrew his gaze, shook his head, then stepped across the threshold and walked towards the bedroom with his hands behind his back.

For a fleeting moment, Zhao Hu felt that Qin Cang was becoming more and more like an old man.

Zhao Hu originally wanted to chat with Qin Cang a little longer before going to sleep, but for some reason, he suddenly didn't dare to.

Back in his bedroom, Zhao Hu gently closed the door, a sense of unease rising within him.

He recalled the clues he had obtained from the conversation and the scene of paying his respects during the day. As he thought about it, he fell asleep.

"Squeak—creak—"

While Zhao Hu was sound asleep, the bedroom door was gently pushed open.

Zhao Hu instantly snapped back to reality, squinting one eye as he looked toward the door.

At this moment, Qin Cang was standing at the door of his bedroom, staring intently at him.

A chilling aura swept over him, and Zhao Hu's heart pounded faster. He closed his eyes tightly, pretending that he had fallen into a deep sleep.

The two remained locked in this stalemate for a while, and then Qin Cang walked towards the door.

Zhao Hu squinted at Qin Cang's back, his heart clenching again; it was clearly no longer the way a person walked.

Upon further reflection, Zhao Hu finally understood.

Qin Cang always had to be called by the person who called him to come in.

Because he couldn't get in; I invited him in.

............

In the backyard of the Northeast.

Li Zheng spent a sleepless night because he drew a red lot.

It's inevitable to feel uneasy about an unknown task.

Moreover, he knew that the evil creature would definitely devour Zhang Jingjing this time, so he was on high alert to ensure his safety tonight.

But the expected evil spirit did not appear. He only saw a figure on the paper window of the door, and the person made no sound.

The figure lingered at his door for a moment before going into Zhang Jingjing's room.

He only heard the sound of the door opening, but after that, there was no sound at all.

After a long while, the figure walked past his door again and disappeared outside the courtyard.