Chen Mu let the ghostly claws tug at his sleeves and followed the village Corpse Charms toward the Ancestral Hall.
The wedding feast was being held in the open space beside it.
Chen Mu had been traveling through a snowy night moments ago, yet now the village lay under a cold moon, with neither wind nor snow.
He knew this was no longer the world of the living. It was likely a recreation of the village as it had been when its people were still alive.
As they walked, Chen Mu casually sounded out the old village headman.
"Elder, your village is called Nine Parasol Village, but I don't see a single parasol tree around."
"Could I have come to the wrong place?"
At his abrupt, seemingly random question, the villagers around him froze as one.
A moment later, an old woman beside him smiled again.
"Parasol trees? Ah, there was a disaster years ago. We chopped them all down for firewood."
"Don't take offense, guest. Come, come, take a seat. Once we've had the feast, it'll be time to send the bride off."
"Oh?" Chen Mu raised an eyebrow and followed her lead. "What year was that?"
The villagers noticed nothing amiss. Taking it for idle chatter from an outsider, they began lamenting all at once.
"Ah, that's a long story..."
"Take your seat first, guest. We can talk while we eat."
Chen Mu did not resist. He followed them to the open space before the Ancestral Hall.
An Old Locust Tree stood there, its lush branches spreading like a canopy across the sky and blotting out the stars and moon.
Red silk and lanterns hung all over it, illuminating dozens of banquet tables arranged below.
Villagers dressed for a celebration were calling for dishes and wine, preparing to