Right On Time

At the same time, on top of the hill. 

It was nearing midnight when Rui Ye came out of his house and traced the same path as he had done for the past few decades of his life. It wasn't his usual time to venture out, but last night he had heard the toll of the gong, which signified that a person had passed away on this island. 

For the three days that followed, Ma Boliu would be busy preparing for the funeral, and he would deliver the meal box far earlier than usual since he no longer needed to wait until all the villagers fell soundly asleep. 

Of course, Rui Ye didn't have the slightest idea of it at first, as the villagers were unwilling to interact with him – the one who carried the blood of a demon. If not because they feared him in equal measure, they would have probably left him to fend for himself, indifferent to his life and death. It might even be better for them if he were to starve himself to death.