The Blade-Wielding Legend
Chapter 575 - 327: Why the Rush to Slaughter Each Other

Chapter 575: Chapter 327: Why the Rush to Slaughter Each Other

The setting sun cast a slanted glow, painting the lake a faint red.

At the entrance of the village, white banners fluttered lightly on an old willow.

The evening wind swept through, carrying paper money that danced in the air.

Li Yan and others entered the midst of the village, where the faint sound of weeping from various households mingled with the half-hearted chanting of monks, creating an atmosphere that was quite oppressive.

Just past the open space by the large willow tree, there was a stone mill, and on it sat a bare-bottomed child, cradling a small yellow dog, his eyes empty as he stared into the distance.

Shen Jinghong saw this and could not help frowning, "Little dog, what are you doing here? Hurry back home for dinner."

After all, with outsiders present, such a scene was indeed indecent.

As they looked at the group of people, the child was clearly frightened, lowered his head, and said, "There’s... no food to eat."

"Where’s your father?"

"Father is dead."

"And your mother?"

"She jumped into the river."

The child answered truthfully, devoid of joy or sorrow, only numb.

Shen Jinghong’s lips trembled slightly as he restrained his grief and turned around, "Take him with you, and make some arrangements back home."

"Yes, young master."

The servants in the group quickly stepped forward, took the bare-bottomed child by the hand, and whispered comforting words to him.

In such a situation, no one could feel happy.

Wang Daoxuan, with a kind heart, sighed and felt for his chest, but upon reflection, he put the silver he was holding back.

He had traveled far and wide in his youth and had seen many things.

The child was too young to bear such kindness, and if he wanted to help, he would have to find another way.

Shen Jinghong, clearly growing more anxious, hastened his pace and even began to trot, leading the crowd to a large estate at the center of the village.

Shen Family’s complex was named after their surname, a typical clan village.

The main family of the same surname established the ancestry hall at the center after settling down, and other families of different surnames gradually moved in from all around.

Shen Family’s mansion was sizeable, with white powder walls, a mix of brick and wood construction, a Four Pillars entrance tower, a hardtop roof, small green tiles, ornate perforated walls, and imposing ridge ornaments—an air of solemn grandeur.

Especially the entrance tower, unusually towering.

This old house had clearly seen many years, the lower half of the exterior walls was mottled, covered with moss, with an odor of mildewed decay.

Shen Family’s mansion was also in the midst of mourning.

Two banners were placed on either side of the gate, "A lifetime of frugality now forever relinquished, a hundred days of illness leaves a soul longing for descendants of virtue."

The horizontal inscription read: Attend to important matters.

Not only that, but even the prominent door frame had been wrapped in white cloth, all the signs of grand mourning.

What was strange was that the mansion doors were tightly closed; one could only hear the sound of the wooden fish and the chanting from inside.

Li Yan and Wang Daoxuan exchanged glances, already having a certain understanding in their hearts.

This family indeed had issues.

Normally during funerals, the doors would be opened wide.

This was not just custom but also a matter of etiquette since it accommodated neighbors who came to help, and friends and relatives who came to mourn. Closing the doors completely was somewhat bad form.

It meant that Shen Family did not want to publicize this matter.

The group had not yet approached when a servant hurriedly ran ahead to the front of the mansion and knocked several times.

The doorkeeper opened the door with a creak; an old man with a haggard face peeked out, his eyes immediately brightening upon seeing Shen Jinghong, his voice trembling, "The second young master has returned! The second young master has come back!"

With that, he opened the door wide and hurried anxiously into the courtyard.

The behavior of this doorkeeper was quite rude, yet it also showed the dire state of Shen Family.

As for Shen Jinghong, he dashed into the courtyard even more quickly.

"Father! Big brother!"

Soon, the courtyard was filled with loud wailing.

Li Yan and the others followed suit, facing a large screen wall upon entry, adorned with intricate stone carvings in openwork featuring the character "Shou" among the Five Blessings welcoming prosperity.

Not just that, even the water channels on the ground and the stone windows on the walls boasted exquisite stone carvings, in patterns of plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, chrysanthemums, or representations of fortune, prosperity, and longevity.

Such brick and stone carvings were common in Ezhou.

But with such exquisite detail, they surely came from the craftsmen of Daye.

The brick and Buddha carvings from that place were known as the best in Hubei.

Just seeing these, one could tell the wealth of Shen Family.

Passing through the screen wall, one could see the large front courtyard formed by the main house and side rooms joined east to west, with openwork wood-carved patios on both sides leading to other courtyards.

Although ancient, the premises still exuded a powerful presence.

In the yard, a sizable hall for the deceased had been erected, framed with thick bamboo poles and draped in alternating white and black cloth reaching the height of one story.

Not only were condolence banners and white banners hung abundantly overhead, but the surroundings were also filled with paper effigies, paper horses, wreaths, and other items.

Inside were two coffins, supported by sturdy wooden benches and raised three feet above the ground, with a clay pot for burning paper in the front and oil lamps lit underneath.

Lighting these lamps was said to illuminate the path of the deceased in the underworld.

Next to the coffins were two rows of straw mats which were supposed to be for the kneeling of female family members and filial sons and grandsons—both to keep vigil and to thank those who came to mourn.

However, at that moment, the straw mats were devoid of anyone.

The reason was simple.

Both coffins were open, and in one, a middle-aged man lay peacefully, while in the other, an elderly man in fine garments sat upright, his face ashen, eyes wide open, staring forward.

A few monks that had been invited were chanting nearby.

But these monks were ordinary, only bowing their heads and trembling as they struck the wooden fish, not daring to look towards the hall of the deceased.

What was a ghost in the eyes of others, was still a dear one to somebody.

Seeing this scene, not only was Shen Jinghong unafraid, he was overcome with tears and knelt on the ground, banging his head, "Father, your son has failed you, if you have any concerns, please tell..."

Before he could finish, Li Yan had already reached his side, covering his mouth with a hand and speaking gravely, "Don’t talk nonsense!"

In such cases, speaking carelessly is taboo.

A single promise might truly invite the other party into one’s dreams.