The square coffin was nailed to a wooden platform between the mountain walls, placed off the ground. People could get in and out using rope ladders. If something happened to the person inside the coffin, the villagers could simply close the lid and carry it to the crematorium.
That's really thoughtful and convenient...
When faced with the fact that the so-called single room was actually for six coffins, the villagers showed no sign of surprise, simply smiling and waiting for everyone's reaction as if it were perfectly normal.
Those faces, which had looked kind and gentle just moments before, now inexplicably exuded a chill, their smiles sending shivers down one's spine.
A questioning voice, tinged with mockery and chilling, drifted from their withered mouths: "Guests... are you satisfied? This is the perfect place for out-of-towners to stay."
An ordinary person would have turned pale with fright at the creepy smile and the eerie question, but Yin Xiu simply looked at it expressionlessly before turning his gaze away from the coffin.
He glanced at the elderly men, pursed his lips indifferently, and said, "Is this all the single rooms you've prepared?"
The old men's smiles widened, their wrinkled faces scrunched up together. "This is our village's custom. Is there anything the guests are unhappy about? Or do they prefer rooms closer to the fields?"
Yin Xiu remained unmoved, raising his eyes slightly, "It doesn't feel as good as the coffin I slept in before."
He seemed thoughtful, and replied seriously, "Your village still needs further development. At least you should prepare some double coffins to be respectable. The way it is now is really impolite."
The smiles on the elderly people's faces froze instantly, unable to curve upwards or close up, and they even looked somewhat confused and helpless.
Did they hear that right? This guy said the coffin wasn't as good as the one he slept in before? And he even suggested they get a double coffin?
The old men's gazes toward Yin Xiu turned strange, and the smiles on their faces were no longer as relaxed as before. They began to scrutinize the person in front of them, and their quick shift in their wariness toward the player showed that they were well-trained.
"Ahem." Ye Tianxuan stepped in with a smile to break the awkward silence. "Look at him, what is he saying? I think your village's customs are quite good! I am very satisfied! I am looking forward to resting tonight."
The old men were even more bewildered, their expressions becoming strange and unpredictable, as if the strange thing was not that they had prepared coffins, but that these outsiders in front of them.
Those pairs of eyes, which had lost their smiles and become sharp, were no longer as cloudy as before; it was probably because, in their minds, they had met a tough opponent this time.
But after a few seconds of stiffness, they recovered and stopped talking about the coffin, busy turning to tell them about village affairs.
"Sigh, as long as you're satisfied, that's all that matters. As for sleeping, it doesn't matter where you sleep! It's better to understand the situation in the village first."
"Yes, yes, you are from out of town and don't know our village. For your own good, we need to explain some things as we go."
They reverted to their kind and benevolent demeanor, so gentle and docile that they posed no danger whatsoever.
But Zhong Mu looked up at the coffin hanging on the mountain wall and sighed softly. The people in this village really can spout nonsense. What kind of single room has good ventilation and a good view...
He glanced out of the corner of his eye at the old people in the dilapidated village who appeared to be strolling around, but were actually secretly watching them.
Everyone in this village is shrewd; they've been observing them ever since they arrived, never letting their guard down.
"Hey! What's going on with this roadside?" Zuo Meng suddenly exclaimed, staring in shock at both sides of the village road.
Red candles were placed on one side of the village road, their flames burning softly, casting dappled light that spread along the street. On the other side, many basins were placed, filled with burning paper money. Alongside them, stuck in the ground, were paper effigies with rosy cheeks but pale faces, exuding an eerie atmosphere.
One side was brightly decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, covered in festive red, while the other side was dark and gray, with ashes of burnt coins scattered everywhere. The contrast between yin and yang created an eerie atmosphere in the village.
The left half of the village was gloomy and gray, while the right half was bright red and glaring.
The faint sound of suona horns drifted from afar in the village, making it difficult to distinguish whether it was a joyous occasion or a funeral, but the lingering smell of incense in the air made people feel uneasy.
"Oh, it's alright, don't be afraid. Our village loves to hold celebrations; there's a celebration almost every day. Everyone likes a lively atmosphere, so it looks exaggerated," the old man quickly turned around to explain.
Yin Xiu raised his hand and pointed to the left half of the village, which was piled high with paper figures and ghost money. "Are you bringing ghosts along to join the fun too?"
The old man's smile froze. "This is truly an unfortunate event..."
As he spoke, he sighed, "Our village used to be so lively, with happy events happening every day. But starting about six months ago, a strange illness suddenly broke out in the village, and many people died one after another. Funerals still need to be held, so we've gathered them together to hold them slowly."
As he spoke, he pretended to wipe away his tears, but out of the corner of his eye he was secretly observing the reactions of the others.
The reactions of just a few people standing at the front were quite different.
Yin Xiu remained indifferent and showed no reaction, Ye Tianxuan smiled as if he hadn't heard anything, while Li Mo visibly became excited.
Noticing the strange pleasure emanating from the person beside him, Yin Xiu didn't even need to ask; he knew what was exciting Li Mo.
This village is filled with marriages and graves, weddings and death lamenting together, intertwining fate and death in a strange way that fits Rimmer's romanticism.
Ya Ya is still young and doesn't understand anything. She just blinks her eyes and stares at the little paper figures by the roadside, happily waving and greeting them.
The unusual reactions of the first few people made the villagers even more uncomfortable, giving them a sense of urgency that they were on their own turf but the other side was taking over their home ground.
Why isn't anyone scared? How can anyone remain unmoved by such a strange village?
If we had to find a normal person among this group, it would only be Zuo Meng in the back row.
He didn't say anything, trying to appear calm, but every step he took was weak. He kept muttering to himself, "I'm already a player who has cleared many dungeons! A mere village is nothing, and with a few powerful players with me, there's absolutely nothing to be afraid of. I'm not afraid at all!"
As he walked, he suddenly realized that someone was missing from his side. He turned around, trembling, and saw Zhong Mu standing by the roadside, staring intently at the little paper figure.
Zuo Meng swallowed hard, countless guesses flashing through her mind in an instant, before cautiously asking, "What's wrong? Did you notice anything unusual about these paper figures?"
Zhong Mu turned around upon hearing the sound, scratching his head with a satisfied and comfortable smile. "No, it's just that I was thinking that there's a little paper doll like this in the doctor's house. Seeing these familiar things appear gives me a real feeling that I've finally arrived in the doctor's instance."
"Oh... I miss the doctor so much, I want to see the doctor soon."
He chuckled, and Zuo Meng's fear vanished completely, leaving her speechless.
He might be the only normal person in this group.