I bypassed them and entered the house. In a small room on the side, I saw my deceased uncle lying on a broken wooden bed.

I don't know if it was cold on the mountain or if the room was shaded, but despite the brazier burning beside the bed, I couldn't stop shivering.

I didn't dare to approach for a close look, but from a distance, he looked completely different from the person I had seen before.

Two months ago, my father told me that my uncle had esophageal cancer.

I have seen people who died from lung cancer, colorectal cancer, bladder cancer, and so on.

But I never expected that dying from esophageal cancer would be so horrifying.

A man reduced to a mere skeleton frame, even thinner than my ninety-year-old grandmother, with hair whiter than hers.

It's likely that the cancer cells eroded his esophagus, leaving him without food for a long time.

He starved to death.

I still remember his appearance about seven or eight years ago. He looked quite similar to my father, and both of them resembled our grandmother.

During the Spring Festival when I returned to the village to celebrate the New Year, he seized an opportunity and called me over at a corner.

He had a timid expression but said something puzzling:

"I want to hire you. How much money do you want for the job?"

"Huh? What do you mean? Hire me? What do you want me to do?"

He ignored my question and continued:

"Did you study in Japan? Can you speak Japanese? When are you going to Japan again? If you go, can you help me find my biological father in Japan? I want to meet him if he's still alive."

At that time, despite his thinness, dark complexion, stubbly beard, and one blind eye, he was obviously a healthy old man.

I didn't quite understand his request. He was already half-buried in the ground, yet he still wanted to go to Japan to find his roots?

After so many years, it's highly probable that the Japanese man had died. Who knows, maybe he died in China after the defeat in the war.

Even if by some chance he hadn't died, could he really find him? Would he take this unknown Chinese son seriously?

"You probably won't be able to find him. What do you want to see him for?"

"To avenge my mother." My uncle swallowed his saliva and blurted out, "If he's still alive, I want to kill him."

I was taken aback. So he wanted to hire me to commit murder, but I became even more confused.

Wasn't it Grandma herself who willingly followed that Japanese officer? Where did this talk of revenge come from?

But before I could ask for more details, my grandfather's call scared my uncle away.

Their relationship was very poor, and my uncle was afraid of my grandfather.

Unfortunately, now I don't have the chance to ask anymore.

It seems that he can only bring his desire for revenge to the underworld.

If I follow my father's instructions and burn more paper money for him, in the underworld, he might be able to hire a few more bull-headed horse-faced demons to torment his biological father.

Leaning against the door, I was contemplating how to fulfill my father's request and give my uncle a decent funeral.

Suddenly, a cry came from the corner, a voice cold and old, startling me.

Only then did I notice that there was someone else in the room. When I leaned in to take a look, I fell to the ground.

"Ah—ghost!"

There was something dressed in brown animal hide, with a white ghost face covered in ghost symbols, swaying back and forth in the corner of the room.

The village chief rushed over and helped me up, reassuring me, "Don't be afraid, it's a person."

"But it looks like a ghost!"

"That's a mask for the Nuo opera. It can drive away ghosts and evil spirits and console the souls of the deceased."

"Did you invite him?"

"No, he came on his own."

"Who is he?"

"Master Yang, the most famous sorcerer in the village. With him around, we're guaranteedto have a successful funeral ritual."

I looked at the Nuo opera mask again. It was indeed a mask, but the white face with intricate symbols gave it an eerie and supernatural appearance.

Master Yang noticed my gaze and approached me, his eyes piercing through the mask.

"Young man, don't be afraid. I'm here to ensure a proper send-off for your uncle's soul."

"Thank you, Master Yang. I appreciate your help."

Master Yang nodded and turned his attention back to the preparations for the funeral.

As the days passed, more villagers arrived, and the house was filled with mournful cries and prayers for the departed.

The funeral procession was solemn and grand, with Master Yang leading the way, chanting incantations and waving a sword to ward off evil spirits.

Throughout the entire ceremony, the Nuo opera mask remained on Master Yang's face, adding an aura of mystery and reverence to his presence.

Finally, my uncle's body was laid to rest in the village cemetery. The mourners paid their respects, and I thanked them for their support.

After the funeral, I approached Master Yang and expressed my gratitude for his assistance.

"Master Yang, I am deeply grateful for your presence and guidance during my uncle's funeral. Your rituals and incantations brought comfort to our family."

Master Yang smiled behind the mask.

"It was my duty to help guide your uncle's soul to the afterlife. I'm glad I could be of service. Remember, the spirits are always watching over us, and it is important to honor them."

I nodded, appreciating his words of wisdom.

"Master Yang, may I ask you a question? My uncle mentioned a desire for revenge before he passed away. Do you think his restless spirit will find peace now?"

Master Yang paused for a moment, his eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and understanding.

"Vengeful spirits are tormented souls seeking resolution. It is possible that your uncle's spirit may still harbor those feelings. However, through the proper funeral rites and the prayers of the living, we can offer him solace and hope that he finds peace in the afterlife."

His words brought some comfort to my troubled thoughts.

"Thank you, Master Yang. Your presence has been truly invaluable."

Master Yang bowed his head slightly.

"It was my honor to assist you and your family during this difficult time. Remember, the spirits are always with us, and they find solace in our remembrance and respect."

With those parting words, Master Yang left, disappearing into the distance, his Nuo opera mask leaving an indelible impression on my mind.

I took a moment to reflect on the events that had unfolded and the significance of the rituals performed.

Although my uncle's desire for revenge remained unresolved, I found solace in the belief that his spirit had been guided to a place of peace and that our prayers and ceremonies had honored his memory.

As I walked away from the cemetery, I couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of connection to my ancestral traditions and the power they held in bringing comfort and closure to those who had passed on.