"What did you say?"

Sha Lifei was taken aback and stood up abruptly.

The "Ghost Theater Troupe" was something that he naturally knew about.

Like them, it was also a team of traveling immortals, but with an even greater reputation, more experts, and it stirred up quite a storm in the Mystical Sect-pugilistic world at the time.

However, unlike them, the "Ghost Theater Troupe" had already tread the path of evil, acting without any moral boundaries as long as it was beneficial to them, and was eventually eradicated.

Among them, there was a "Ghost Face," who hid in the Shu Prince Mansion, later slain by Li Yan, but not before revealing one piece of information:

The "Ghost Theater Troupe" had already been secretly reestablished.

Li Yan had already warned them to be cautious of these people.

Sha Lifei hadn't expected that this matter was also related to the "Ghost Theater Troupe."

"Looks like you all know."

Seeing their expressions, Hou Xuan nodded and continued: "I'm not a member of the Mystical Sect; I only heard this name mentioned in passing while drinking with Brother Lu."

"Thirty years ago, there was a wealthy Yang family in Guan County, affluent with land and property. However, the old master Yang had been ill during his youth and remained childless, despite praying and seeking famous doctors to no avail."

"Later, during a cold wave festival, this old master spent a fortune, organizing a ritual for the True Deity of Manifest Divinity, and succeeded in having his concubine bear a son."

"Upon gaining a son, the old master Yang was overjoyed, hosting a grand banquet on the child's full month celebration and inviting an opera troupe. But something happened that night..."

"Survivors say that strange events were rampant in the Yang Mansion that day, with many suddenly going mad and attacking others randomly; bandits also invaded the city, engaging in arson, looting, and murder..."

"On that night, none from the Yang family survived, the great mansion was burnt to the ground, and even today, some say it's haunted."

"At the time, this was a major case. The common people said it was done by bandits, but as someone from the pugilistic world, I've heard other things. It was later, from Brother Lu, that I learned about the 'Ghost Theater Troupe.'

"So that's how it is..."

Sha Lifei pondered for a moment, then continued his inquiry: "It seems you're quite familiar with Brother Lu?"

"Fairly so, Brother Lu is a righteous man. Whenever I encounter anything strange, I often seek his help."

"Does Brother Lu have any children around him?"

"He does not. Brother Lu has always been alone; I once thought of introducing him to a lady, at least to have someone by his side for care, but he steadfastly refused."

At this, Hou Xuan suddenly chuckled, "Brother Lu, however, was quite fond of a young widow, often bringing her mutton. But after many years, she still wasn't interested..."

Hearing this, Sha Lifei immediately understood and urgently asked, "Where is that person now?"

"Passed away long ago."

"Passed away?"

"Yes, she was quite old, considered a happy funeral. At the time, Brother Lu even had me send brothers to help carry the coffin."

"Did she have any descendants?"

"She had a son, quite robust, not much of a talker. After the widow passed, no one seems to know where he wandered off to..."

"Brother Hou, could you take us to have a look?"

"Certainly."

Hou Xuan was a bit surprised but readily agreed.

...

"This is the old house of that widow."

Hou Xuan led a few people past the patrolling Government Official on the street and arrived outside a small courtyard in West City.

Outside the courtyard, there were piles of broken and discarded items, and from inside came wisps of cooking smoke, along with the sound of adults scolding children, indicating someone lived there.

Hou Xuan explained: "After the widow passed, the house was vacated and Brother Lu sold it. At the time, it was I who helped with the errands. Would you like to go inside and have a look?"

Lv San's ears twitched slightly, he shook his head, "No, let's move on and check out the Yang family ruins."

This place had changed hands many times over the years, and any clues would be unlikely to remain.

"Very well, please follow me."

Hou Xuan wasted no words, leading them past patrols to a secluded riverbank.

"Why build so far away?"

Sha Lifei looked around, somewhat perplexed.

"The Yang family has lived here for generations."

Hou Xuan explained: "This place originally had a village and a dock, plus reclaimed fertile land, which was much more comfortable than living in the city."

"But because of this, incidents occurred. It's said that after the Yang family mansion was destroyed, strange things continued to happen, so the local residents didn't dare to stay and they moved away, leaving the area abandoned eventually..."

Pointing forward, he said, "Look, that's Yang Family Village."

Upon hearing this, the group looked up and saw a small ancient village standing up ahead, overgrown with weeds. Most of the houses had collapsed, with snow covering the crumbling walls.

"Hold on!"

Wang Dao Xuan suddenly spoke up, raising his hand to stop the group, his expression serious. "There are many footprints in the village; someone's been here recently, we should check for any ambushes."

Lv San understood, raising his hand with a wave, sending Eagle Falcon Lidong soaring upwards into the sky, circling above the village, flying back and forth.

"Rest assured, no one is in the village." Lv San shook his head.

With that reassurance, the group drew their weapons and entered the village.

Sure enough, the ground was covered with dense footprints, likely made during the heavy snowfall two days ago, now covered by a thin layer of snow.

"Looks like they've already searched here."

Sha Lifei observed the surroundings and shook his head slightly.

"The 'Ghost Face' once served at the Shu Prince Mansion, so it's not surprising he's aware of what happened back then, and quite possibly the one who disclosed it."

But the strange thing was, the 'Ghost Face' had died some time ago, yet the Shu Prince Mansion only now began searching; it's unclear what exactly transpired...

Sha Lifei was somewhat puzzled but had no time to dwell on it, turning his head to ask: "Where is the old Yang family house?"

"Just ahead."

Hou Xuan led the group to a section beside the ruins.

"Wait."

Wang Dao Xuan furrowed his brow, brushed aside the snow, and picked up some extinguished red candles and half-burnt talisman paper underneath.

"Someone has performed a ritual here."

He looked around, then undid a pouch from his waist, grabbed a handful of incense ash, performed a mantra, and with a sudden flick, dispersed it into the air.

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