Chapter 23: Out of Control (2)

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When the elderly man suddenly entered and reprimanded them, everyone was momentarily stunned but quickly recovered. It seemed the train had granted them legitimate status to enter the village, which was why the old man spoke that way. Others had similar experiences and immediately understood, while Lu Jinchao half-guessed and half-surmised that this must be the case.

“It appears that as the train’s level increases, the difficulty of the platform changes, and passengers receive different identities during platform tasks?” She quietly listened to the others’ conversation with the elder, confirming her suspicions.

They were classmates of a young villager, having heard about a grand annual festival in the village. Curious, they followed their classmate to Qu Township to witness it.

Lu Jinchao couldn’t help but think this opening was too classic—so classic that she could easily imagine several possible story directions. But would the train’s task be so straightforward as to reveal what would happen next?

She doubted it.

Therefore, when the others finished talking with the elder and prepared to leave the ancestral hall, Lu Jinchao stayed behind, asking, “It seems this place hasn’t been cleaned for a long time. Does no one usually come to offer incense?”

The elder’s face darkened, and in a tone full of meddlesome reproach, he replied, “Our village custom forbids anyone from entering the ancestral hall except on the day of the festival!”

A strange rule...

In Lu Jinchao’s memory, her childhood home was also a small village, where “rules” were strict. During festivals, ancestral rites were always observed, and offerings were never neglected, but she had never seen a custom that allowed the ancestral hall to gather dust.

Could it be because of ghosts?

Because the ancestral hall housed spirits, no one was allowed to enter normally?

It wasn’t impossible.

“Enough! Hurry up and leave!” the elder impatiently chased them away. Lu Jinchao took one last glance before stepping over the threshold and following.

“Your rooms are over there. A young man named A Luo will be waiting for you. Tonight’s festival is important—make sure you remember all the rules and taboos. Don’t blame us if you break any!”

The elder’s face was grim, his gaze clouded yet sharp as he looked at them: “This festival is serious business, not some children’s game in the city. If something goes wrong...”

He left the sentence unfinished, scanning the group before turning away.

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“That old man’s quite arrogant,” Wang Siyuan muttered as the elder walked away.

“Even if we’re outsiders, the attitude seems a bit much, right?”

“Maybe because we already broke a taboo?” Xu Ruolin replied thoughtfully.

Everyone’s expressions shifted at her words.

Indeed, from what the elder said, entering the ancestral hall outside the festival was a taboo in the village. They had entered before the festival even began—no telling what consequences that might bring.

“But we got off right inside the ancestral hall. What else could we do?”

“The train won’t hand out easy tasks. This time, it just said to survive in the village for 24 hours. If we just behaved ourselves and didn’t break any taboos, wouldn’t the mission be too simple?”

One speculated, “Could it be the train deliberately started us inside the ancestral hall to force us to break a taboo right away and increase the difficulty?”

“...Not impossible.”

“Besides, the festival hasn’t started yet. Breaking the taboo now might not be fatal, just a mark on us by the spirits.”

After much analysis, some agreed, others thought it was only one possibility.

Lu Jinchao listened, confirming that this group was indeed more composed and competent than the teammates from the “Summoning Ghosts” mission.

Even if trapped at the start, no one panicked; they analyzed possibilities rationally.

But this also meant this platform would be several times more difficult than the “Summoning Ghosts” one.

“Let’s go meet that guy A Luo and find out what the taboos really are.”

Following the group, Lu Jinchao carefully observed the village.

Judging by the terrain, this was a southwestern village, surrounded by mountains, somewhat secluded, with a humid climate and plenty of insects.

The village was small, with maybe a few dozen households. Many buildings were earthen towers, and Lu Jinchao could smell burning firewood in the air. On the surface, it seemed like an ordinary mountain village.

They soon arrived at the place the elder had mentioned.

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Since most young people in the village had gone out to work, many houses were vacant. A young man named A Luo stood outside waiting for them.

Perhaps due to the season, a thin mist hung over the mountain village morning. From a distance, A Luo’s expression was obscured, his figure motionless like a shadow about to vanish.

Only when they drew closer did Lu Jinchao see his anxious face.

“What’s going on with you all? How did you disappear just like that?”

He hurriedly approached. “Didn’t I say not to wander around the village? There are many taboos in the next two days!”

...We never heard you say that.

“Anyway, the festival hasn’t started yet. Come with me—I’ll explain the taboos clearly.”

Without waiting for a response, A Luo began to chatter as they followed him into the assigned courtyard. It was a spacious compound with two bungalows, a two-story earthen tower, a main hall, kitchen, and woodshed—room enough for ten people, though they’d have to share rooms.

After assigning rooms, A Luo led them to the main hall to burn incense and explained the village’s “taboos.”

“At this time every year, the elders’ tempers worsen. You must be careful not to break any taboos.”

“First, no killing. The festival is a ritual to suppress malevolent forces. Tonight is when they are most active. Killing or bloodshed might attract them.”

The scent of incense floated with his words.

“Second, during the festival, no matter what happens, the ritual must continue at all costs. Remember, if it fails...”

A Luo’s expression darkened, his tone heavy: “People will die!”

If this were a horror movie, someone might scoff at such superstition. But here, on the platform, everyone knew A Luo spoke the truth.

“During the day it’s bearable, but at night, avoid loud noises, don’t light lamps, and don’t go outside. Tonight will be when the forces are most active—don’t get caught!”