Those who can afford to perform plays for the ghosts are no ordinary households; the Hu Family at Wuligang is also a prominent surname, with almost one-third of the people in the village bearing the name Hu.
Li Huowang had already learned from Top Scholar Lv that the one who paid for the opera was Hu Qinghe, the wealthiest landlord in Wuligang and also the one with the highest seniority.
At that moment, he was accompanying Top Scholar Lv and his party as they hurried towards the ancestral temple of the Hu Family.
"Landlord Hu said there's nothing to worry about, he had other troupes perform ghost plays in the past, and nothing ever happened."
Li Huowang glanced at him, not sure whom he was trying to reassure with those words.
Touching the bell on his waist, Li Huowang felt a little more assured; even if something did happen, having that with him was comforting.
Of course, it would be best if nothing went wrong, after all, inviting a Demi Immortal would cost three months of one's lifespan.
Walking along the village's narrow paths, they soon arrived at the Hu Family's ancestral temple, which was lit up with many red lanterns.
The place was bustling, and Li Huowang and the others couldn't squeeze in; looking over the layers of people, he saw many bowing and offering incense to the black ancestral tablets.
"That's landlord Hu over there; he also mentioned he'd treat us to a meal after the play, so we shouldn't leave too soon," said Top Scholar Lv, pointing at an old man dressed in silk at the forefront of those bowing.
As he spoke, those who had been bowing stood up and respectfully carried down the black ancestral tablets, placing them on a table already prepared for the Demi Immortal.
There were many tablets and tables, filling up the spacious three-sectioned ancestral temple.
The tables in front of the tablets were not empty either; they were also set with delicious food, with a great variety of dishes.
Red candles, incense, Gold Ingots, yellow paper, were all neatly arranged in the dish plates, provided for the ancestors to enjoy.
As if fearing neglect, the temple walls were lined with a dozen paper attendants holding teapots, presumably to be placed next to the tables soon.
"Hey, landlord Hu is really generous, personally spending money to invite the opera troupe to perform for the ancestors."
"Indeed, no wonder the houses of landlord Hu's family are free from illness and disaster; it's all thanks to the blessings from the ancestors."
"Ah, I don't know if I'll have such fortune after I die."
"Well, when your descendants can also make big money like landlord Hu, they might afford to hire performers for the ghosts, but it costs quite a bit of money."
Listening to these words from the Hu family members and looking at the solemn scene before him, Li Huowang felt somewhat at ease. This didn't look like a situation where anything would go wrong.
He subtly leaned towards Top Scholar Lv at his side. "Band Leader Lv, having traveled far and wide over the years, have you encountered more ghosts or those petitioning kind?"
"Huh?! What do you mean, isn't it the same thing?" Top Scholar Lv's eyes widened in surprise.
"How can they be the same? One is what people turn into after death, the other is..." Li Huowang began, unsure of how to explain further.
But Li Huowang was certain that neither Master Danyang's great grandmother used for Alchemy, nor Taoist Master You, nor even the small-footed woman from that night, were ghosts, at least not the kind of ghosts he imagined.
Just then, the Hu family tablets had been properly arranged, and Hu Qinghe, leading a large group of the Hu family, was walking towards Top Scholar Lv's side.
"Band Leader Lv, please take the trouble; and Jiao Liang, take the other guys to help Band Leader Lv set up the stage."
"Ah, ah, how embarrassing, Landlord Hu is really too polite."
"Band Leader Lv, you know the rules of performing operas. Once the ancestors come to watch, the younger generation who requested the performance must leave and stay behind closed doors at home. So please, take good care of everything here in the Ancestral Temple," Landlord Hu instructed with a friendly face.
"Of course, of course. Landlord Hu, rest assured, with me here, nothing will happen to the Ancestral Temple," Top Scholar Lv said confidently, thumping his chest.
Although no one was watching, Top Scholar Lv really didn't dare to make any mistakes. If something happened to the Ancestral Temple, the Hu Family could bury the entire Lv's Troupe alive.
"Also, when the opera starts, the living must not talk to the performers, lest it makes the ancestors uncomfortable."
"As for the opera, just pick something joyful. The ancestors have sent dreams saying that the underworld is too quiet, and they want to see something festive."
"You don't need to sing all night long. After the fifth watch, my son will come to take the ancestral tablets home, and then you can rest."
Top Scholar Lv nodded repeatedly like a pecking chicken, "Ah, ah, ah, Landlord Hu, don't worry, we absolutely won't break the rules."
With the Hu Family's help, the stage was quickly set up in the Ancestral Temple. Only five people were to perform on stage tonight; Luo Juannhua didn't come because women are not allowed in the Ancestral Temple.
Then, under Hu Qinghe's commands, the crowd that had been densely gathered to watch dispersed, heading home.
"Clang clang~ Clang clang lift~!" When Lv's Troupe began to take the stage to perform, Li Huowang stayed backstage waiting.
Time passed bit by bit, and the entire village of Wuligang quieted down, plunging into darkness, with only the Ancestral Temple lit.
For Li Huowang, singing for the dead was also a first. He pulled aside the backstage curtain and looked out.
It must be said, this was somewhat spooky. The stage was bustling with activity, yet beneath it, there was dead silence. No applause, just rows of black tablets inscribed with names, and the treasured candles and yellow paper between them.
After having walked through Qingfeng Taoist Temple, such scenes couldn't scare him, but the members of Lv's Troupe were different. In no time, Lv Elevated Man who was performing forgot his lines several times, causing Top Scholar Lv, who was playing the gong, to grow anxious.
However, as time went on, they began to settle into the performance, and it started to go smoothly.
In the quiet depths of the night, the sound of the opera carried far and wide. Li Huowang, with a sword on his back, sat backstage with his eyes closed, resting.
As he listened, Li Huowang, somewhat bored, actually began to appreciate the tune, nodding his head to the opera's melodies.
In such an atmosphere, the second watch passed unknowingly, giving way to the third watch.
By now, Li Huowang had also figured out that the third watch was from eleven at night to one in the morning, the fourth watch from one to three, and the fifth watch from three to five, with the village chickens typically starting to crow past five.
He yawned, not sure why, but he found himself becoming sleepier here than others.
Since he was hired to do a job, he couldn't really fall asleep. Li Huowang simply held the Heavenly Book in his hands, pondering over it to fend off drowsiness.
Lately, he had been studying it during his night vigils, but apart from becoming more certain that it was a scripture encouraging people to be good, he hadn't gained anything else.
As he read, the second watch passed giving way to the third, and everything in the Ancestral Temple was normal; nothing had happened.
Li Huowang looked up at Band Leader Lv, who was changing makeup in front of a Copper Mirror, and thought to himself, "Band Leader Lv must be bleeding inside by now, having lost six Silver Sycees for nothing."
It made sense, after all, nothing should have happened here; this was the Hu Family's Ancestral Temple, and the elders wouldn't likely want to ruin their own event.
Just as Li Huowang thought the night would pass without incident, something unexpected happened. Suddenly, the sounds of opera that had been ongoing without any signs stopped abruptly.