Chapter 371: Chapter 318: The Joyous Coffin
After bowing, the ghosts once again congregated, carrying the lantern, and "ran" back along the river’s surface until they disappeared into the quiet village.
At this moment, Yang Xiao and the others were completely dumbfounded. Except for the coffin left on the riverbank, all traces had vanished. It wasn’t until a good while later that someone timidly spoke up, "Should we... should we go take a look?"
The person speaking was Mi Shu, the long-haired art teacher with her hair draped over her shoulders. Her suggestion took Yang Xiao by surprise; he hadn’t expected such a seemingly quiet girl to be so bold.
"If you want to go, go by yourself," Tong Han said without glancing at her, his gaze fixed on the coffin by the riverbank, feeling increasingly puzzled by it.
After being rebuffed by Tong Han, Mi Shu fell silent. Once everyone was sure that the ghosts weren’t coming back and had relaxed, they remembered Quan Doufeng, who was still tied up in the woods.
"What do these ghosts want with a coffin?" Lu Youcheng asked nervously. "Could it be that this coffin has been prepared for us?"
"Could it be... could it be that they want us to sacrifice someone voluntarily, or else they’ll come back next time to kill us all?" Liu Haiping had been terrified when the ghosts ran over, her pale face in the night looked even more ghostly than a ghost.
"Don’t talk nonsense. Those ghosts just now were kowtowing to us, showing great respect, not like they were demanding a sacrifice. It’s more like... more like they were paying homage to us." Cheng Cha paused and his face grew even grimmer. "That coffin is a sacrificial offering for us."
It’s always humans who worship ghosts, but this time, they encountered ghosts worshipping them upon arrival, even bringing a coffin as an offering, creating a deeply unsettling scene that made everyone uneasy.
Staring intently at the solitary coffin on the riverbank, Yang Xiao understood that to clear up all this mystery, the coffin was the only clue.
"No, we can’t just sit around waiting; we must go over there and take a look," Sui Chengguo’s voice was deep and hoarse as he looked around at everyone. "Who’s with me?"
"Now?" Lu Youcheng was shocked, but then he suggested soothingly, "Let’s wait till daylight; we can all go together then."
"I’ll go with you," Yang Xiao suddenly said.
"I’m going too," Cheng Cha stated as well.
"You guys... What are you doing? Have you gone mad?" Hu Yanming’s eyes widened, not understanding this death-defying behavior at all.
Sui Chengguo looked at Yang Xiao and Cheng Cha, then suddenly smiled. "Good, there are still two sensible people. There must be something in this coffin, either an important clue related to the mission, or... it could be a ghost."
Liu Haiping’s throat bobbed. "A ghost?"
"We can’t rule out that possibility, but think about it. Why would the ghosts bring this to us? If there’s something inside related to our mission, that’s one thing, but if there indeed is a ghost inside that coffin, then this ghost is surely not ordinary," analyzed Cheng Cha. "The previous ghosts wouldn’t kill us, but we can’t be sure about the one inside the coffin. If it comes out, we could be in big trouble."
"Consider another angle. Perhaps the previous ghosts were under the command of the ghost in the coffin, sending it out of Ghost Village. The feng shui of this village is set up for the dead. The ghost in the coffin can’t awaken and kill inside the village, but once it leaves the village, with the restrictions lifted, it will wake up and come after us," Yang Xiao speculated, still shocked by the scene of the ghosts bowing to them.
"All of this is just wild guessing. Do you have any scientific basis?" Quan Doufeng chimed in, after being let down from the tree. "There are no ghosts in this world. It’s all feudal superstition. If you ask me, all of these feudal thoughts should be banned."
Since he had been tied up in the woods, Quan Doufeng didn’t get a clear view of the recent events.
"Quan Brother, why don’t you come with us?" Turning around, Yang Xiao looked at Quan Doufeng and asked.
"If we’re going, we’re going." Quan Doufeng’s response was crisp.
Nobody bothered with Quan Doufeng; instead, Tong Han asked the most critical question, "If there really is a ghost in the coffin, what do you plan to do?"
After hesitating for a moment, Yang Xiao had an answer, "The best solution is naturally to find people to carry the coffin and return this ghost to the village. If we really don’t have enough time, we’ll have to throw the coffin into the river. At least we must ensure our safety tonight."
"My thoughts align with Brother Chu’s," Cheng Cha spoke up.
"That’s a good idea. The young fellow has the guts to volunteer to carry such a coffin; truly admirable," Sui Chengguo praised Yang Xiao’s bravery, giving a thumbs-up.
But Yang Xiao didn’t seem appreciative, responding with a businesslike attitude, "Let’s get one thing clear first, it takes at least four people to carry the coffin, and we cannot switch in the middle. Otherwise, if we startle whatever is inside, not one of us will escape."
"Of course," Sui Chengguo nodded.
"No problem," Cheng Cha agreed as well.
Yang Xiao finally turned to look at Quan Doufeng, who had obviously chickened out upon hearing that they might have to carry the coffin, his voice lacking confidence. Yang Xiao didn’t trust him and had to look for someone else. Tong Han was brave and astute, but unfortunately, she was a woman.
It was a major taboo for women to carry coffins.
In the end, it was Lu Youcheng who clenched his teeth and stepped up, "I’ll go with you. If we really have to carry the coffin, count me in."
Lu Youcheng, an experienced player himself, understood that Yang Xiao and the others were not only doing this for their own sake but were also drawing lightning away from everyone in the mission. After all, if the ghost from the coffin was released, no one could say how many would die.
Moreover, if a mishap really occurred and elitist players like Yang Xiao, Cheng Cha, and Sui Chengguo were wiped out at the beginning of the mission, the rest would find it very difficult to leave the Nightmare World alive.
Seeing someone taking his place, Quan Doufeng secretly rejoiced, thinking he had dodged a bullet, but the next second, Yang Xiao grabbed him, "Auditor, where do you think you’re going?"
"You have enough people; I don’t want to add to the chaos," Quan Doufeng tried to free himself, but Yang Xiao’s grip was like iron pincers, firmly controlling Quan Doufeng’s thin arm.
"Don’t worry, you don’t have to carry the coffin; just follow along," Yang Xiao was not about to let this guy get away with an easy ride. He was dragging Quan Doufeng along as an insurance policy, in case an accident happened. For instance, if the ghost in the coffin got out while they were carrying it, then Yang Xiao would kick Quan Doufeng into the river. He couldn’t outrun the ghost, but as long as he ran faster than his teammates, that would suffice.
"Why... why are you looking at me with that kind of look?" Feeling Yang Xiao’s stare, Quan Doufeng suddenly became scared, not understanding which of his actions had offended Yang Xiao.
Yang Xiao ignored him, and after the five of them were ready, they began to descend the mountain. The path was somewhat easier than they had anticipated, and roughly half an hour later, they arrived at the riverbank where the coffin was placed.
The group spread out, slowly approaching the coffin while keeping an eye on the movements from the village across the river. As they drew closer, Yang Xiao’s steps involuntarily paused. By the faint moonlight, he could finally see clearly that the coffin before them was actually an auspicious wedding coffin.
