The old rocking chair in the corner began to creak and rock. There was no wind, and all that lay on it was a paper effigy.
Once everyone had stepped into the courtyard, the weather changed in an instant. Fierce winds rose, and dark clouds blotted out the sun.
The sinister chill clung to them like maggots to bone, leaving them trembling with dread.
Bang-
The doors swung open, spilling dim yellow light and a jumble of shadows that seemed to be exchanging toasts. Occasional laughter drifted out.
The entire courtyard was filled with deathly festivity.
It clearly looked like a wedding feast, yet all the paper effigies wore mourning clothes and white hats.
Twelve paper hats lay in front of the doorway, clearly prepared for them.
No one moved. They only looked at Jiang Nuo.
Jiang Nuo found it strange too. He glanced back at the others but found no one had been replaced.
As if something had occurred to him, he craned his neck to look inside the room.
The paper effigies sat upright, drawing closer and closer to the doorway. Their deathly black pupils stared blankly, as if they would charge out the next second.
And this wedding feast was missing its stars.
Realization dawned on Jiang Nuo.
"Two people need to play the newlyweds and go through the wedding ceremony."
Holy shit! This is so scary! I feel like those paper effigies can move!
This feels like it's become Jiang Nuo's show... Could the production team be any more obvious? Disgusting!
Uh... if Jiang Nuo doesn't step up, your precious idols won't dare move either.
I have a feeling! The guests will probably choose Jiang Nuo and... Si Yan! (Sorry, Shuimo! I'm shameless, and I love watching this, orz.)
Sure enough, as soon as Jiang Nuo finished speaking, Yang Xiaoxiao sneaked a glance at him and Si Yan.
Xu Jing said too, "Let's not get hung up on gender. I think you and Si Yan would be great."
Yang Xiaoxiao and Yun Kang nodded along.
Si Yan's expression shifted slightly. He glanced at the room's decorations and frowned in distaste. He was trying to persuade himself when he heard Jiang Nuo refuse.
"Pulling that in an ancient mansion? We might as well line up and jump into that well outside. At least we'd die quickly."
Si Yan: "..."
He withdrew his gaze and remained silent.
The guests thought he had a point too. To be safe, they still needed a man and a woman.
In the end, Xu Jing and Yun Kang decided not to wear hats. Everyone else put on a paper hat and stepped into the room.
In an instant, all the paper effigies seemed to come alive, giggling as they crowded around Xu Jing and Yun Kang, as though congratulating the newlyweds.
Xu Jing's face stiffened. Whenever those paper effigies drew close, she could smell the rotten scent of incense, thick and overpowering.
Yun Kang was no better off. Ever since he had entered the room, he had felt dazed. Now even walking was becoming difficult, and he nearly fell several times.
It was as though something was controlling their movements.
"First, bow to heaven and earth-"
The paper effigy at the very front twisted strangely, its shrill voice reaching everyone's ears.
Xu Jing and Yun Kang exchanged a glance. A professional actress, she managed to adjust her expression and was about to bend forward when Jiang Nuo caught her arm from behind.
"Don't bow."
His voice was quiet, but loud enough for both of them to hear.
"Just stand straight."
"Second, bow to the elders-"
Sure enough, the paper effigy paid no attention to whether they followed the rules, continuing on its own until it announced their entry into the bridal chamber.
Holding Si Yan's hand, Jiang Nuo stayed alert to every movement in the room, especially the blank portrait. Color was slowly appearing on it, and it was still recording them.
Just then, the doors swung wide open again.
The illusory shadows around them seemed to have returned to several hundred years ago, quaint and elegant, yet suffocatingly oppressive.
Everyone seated below wore mourning clothes and watched the newlyweds perform their bows without a smile on their faces.
They were already very familiar with the bride's appearance.
It was none other than the puppet bride ghost.
At that moment, Jiang Nuo suddenly understood her obsession, and why she could not escape this mansion and could only remain suppressed for eternity.
Jiang Nuo suddenly snapped his fingers.
The crisp sound brought everyone out of their daze, and they recalled the scene just now in terror.
Had they... seen the wedding feast from several hundred years ago?
"Get out. Run outside."
Jiang Nuo urged them on, Si Yan included.
Before they could react, their legs were already carrying them outside. But they had only run a few steps when a mass of paper effigies rustled into their path.
Tian Dong, who was in the lead, went pale.
He accidentally touched the body of the foremost paper effigy. It did not feel like paper at all!
It was... human skin! It had to be!
Surrounded by so many ghosts, Si Yan's breathing grew somewhat heavy, and his expression became increasingly agitated and fierce.
Jiang Nuo grabbed Si Yan and pushed him forward, holding the paper effigies apart himself to clear a path for them to leave.
Then the doors slammed shut, leaving him alone inside.
"Jiang Nuo!"
Yang Xiaoxiao cried out and pounded on the doors, her face deathly pale.
Yun Kang tried pushing the doors, but it was no use either.
Si Yan stared at his empty hand, his brows knitting tightly. He seemed to want to do something, but hesitated because of the cameras still filming.
He glanced at the others and quietly left through a corner.
What if Jiang Nuo can't get out?!!!
This is so terrifying, aaaaah, Mommy! What the hell is this variety show doing?!
At this point, I actually wish they were acting...
The instant the doors shut tight, Jiang Nuo relaxed completely, a deep smile in his eyes.
"Finally, I don't have to hold back."
He flexed his wrists, an eerie glow emanating from his left pupil.
The paper effigy ghosts surged at him, radiating thick resentment, every one of them wanting to drag Jiang Nuo down and make him one of them.
Jiang Nuo darted among them, moving so fast he left afterimages. The paper effigy ghosts' resentment stalled, and they let out wails.
The wailing went on and on, as though he were in hell.
"I've destroyed the paper effigies suppressing you."
Jiang Nuo spoke abruptly. No one seemed to respond.
But a few seconds later, the female ghost slowly appeared in the portrait. Much of the venom had faded from her face, perhaps because the paper effigies were gradually disappearing.
Eerie ghost qi was absorbed into Jiang Nuo's body. He did not look comfortable, and his face had grown much paler. Only his left eye shone ever brighter.
"You can't absorb ghost qi."
The bride ghost found it strange. Her voice was icy. "You'll die."
"No, I won't."
Once all the paper effigies had disappeared, Jiang Nuo stopped moving, and his expression actually returned to normal.
"A lot of people have said that. Fortunately, they all died before me."
The corners of Jiang Nuo's lips lifted slightly. "Every single one."
The bride ghost wanted to say more, but suddenly the room shook, and overlapping furniture became faintly visible around them.
She flew into a rage, the reason she had just regained vanishing instantly. She screamed horrifyingly, "You did this on purpose! You broke my yin dwelling!"
Jiang Nuo: "..."
I'm innocent.
I was just about to help fulfill your wish to escape.
He steadied himself amid the violent shaking and spread his hands. "I really didn't do it."
What brave soul had arrived at such a convenient moment, actually finding this ancient mansion deep in the mountains and forests?
"It was you! Damn you!"
The bride ghost flew at him without listening to another word, her face twisted viciously. "I'll kill you!"
Jiang Nuo dodged aside, blocking her ghostly hand with his arm. At the same time, dense, sinister ghost qi blasted from his palm, striking the bride ghost squarely in her vital point.