Chapter 62: Sparrows

sure why the bitterness was so compelling to him, nor could he understand this passion for taking on disciples.But he couldn't understand, and nothing could change either side's situation.If you can't...Noticing the hesitation of the paper figurine shop owner, Xu Xiangqian used his old trick again: "If you really can't do it, go back and ask Lao Zhang together to get money from Qianyebai Garden. Have him bring it back for you!"

Just then, Old Zhang also came back with two young men. He overheard a bit and chimed in: "This is the scholar from the Academy. What's there not to believe"

Jiang Wang couldn't help but glance at him. This person's voice was cold and gloomy, but deep down he was a warmhearted person.

The middle-aged man at the paper figurine shop simply replied, "Alright."

He lowered his head and busied himself with his paper figures again, looking quite practiced.

Over here at the coffin shop, Old Zhang again addressed Xu Xiang with a smile and said, "Mr. Xu, these two lads I found are both willing to work hard. What do you think"

Xu Xiangqian waved his hand and said, “That’s them!”

By the way, don't forget to add: "For one thing not troubling two masters, their wages, you also go to Qingya Courtyard to collect."

"Good." Old Zhang readily agreed.

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Two young men, both powerfully built, were carrying a coffin on their shoulders. It was late autumn, and they were only wearing single layers of clothing. Their muscles were clearly defined under their skin. They moved with ease despite the weight, light on their feet.

It's not that Xu Xiangqian or Jiang Wang couldn't carry a coffin, nor are they pampered and expect others to wait on them.

Instead, having people carry the coffin is a step in the embalming ritual. This is already the most streamlined result.

When burying someone, eight pallbearers were required. These eight had to be respected and influential members of the family, known as "the Eight Pallbearers".

But Xu Fang had no living relatives. His hometown was in Songcheng, Ximing County—those "neighbors" who turned a blind eye to his family's demise for the sake of their "closing-door gold," if they were asked to carry his coffin, Xu Fang's corpse might just climb out of it in anger.

Two young men carrying the coffin walked at the back, while Xu Xiangqian carried two paper figures in each hand, leading the way ahead.

According to the complete burial rites, besides the eight bearers, there are also those who hold the white banner, open the way, send paper people, and scatter paper money...

After these things, Xu Xiangqian was the only one left.

He was not related to Xu Fang at all. This was not a good look, and it also felt a bit unlucky. As a disciple of Qingya Academy, it was even more "beneath him". This is especially commendable.

Jiang Wang followed behind, and at this point, he could represent Chongxuan Sheng to a certain extent. Accompanying him in mourning was the limit, and it was also understandable. After all, Xu Fang was a person worthy of admiration, and he had genuinely helped Chongxuan Sheng. If Chongxuan Sheng remained completely indifferent, it would seem too contrived.

But things like carrying a coffin are even more inappropriate.

Between these, it is necessary to grasp a measure concerning human considerations.

Lao Zhang from the coffin shop also followed, as soon as the coffin was carried out of his shop, he closed the door and hurried to Qingya Courtyard to collect the money. Though he tried to appear confident on his face, his heart was racing anxiously.

It's just a short detour, we'll split up at the intersection ahead.

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Jiang Wang looked around aimlessly and sure enough, she caught sight of her target again, but it only flashed by without alerting the person.

He then feigned nonchalance and asked Lao Zhang, "The paper figurine shop next door to your house, is it just opened"

Old Zhang, the coffin shop owner, was taken aback. "My shop has been open for many years, but Old Li went back to his hometown a few days ago to recuperate. He sent his nephew to take care of the business in his absence. It happened so suddenly, I just returned and didn't have time to say anything... What's wrong Did Old Li's nephew make a bad paper figure We're not familiar with each other, he's only been here for a few days and doesn't talk much."

These people are not to be offended, so Lao Zhang immediately shied away from responsibility.

"Oh, no, no," Jiang Wang explained. "I just noticed that you all seemed a bit unfamiliar with each other, so I asked."

"That's it."

The coffin shop proprietor, Lao Zhang, responded with a sound. The two of them stopped speaking and continued on their way. When they reached the intersection ahead, he turned towards Qingya Courtyard.

While Jiang Wang followed behind the bearers, heading towards Qing Shi Gong.

The middle-aged man at the paper figurine shop had problems, even though he was skilled at making paper figures that looked very realistic.

Jiang Wang noticed that the shop was already very old, and the middle-aged man's clothes were washed white, indicating that he should be a frugal person.

But the two paper figures, they just kept saying "on credit." The amount wasn't much, it wasn't made of expensive rosewood, there was no reason to be on credit at all, and besides, they didn't even know each other.

He doesn't look like a small business owner at all.

Later on, I got caught up in a dilemma because Xu Xiangqian asked for two more loans. If I agreed to that, it would be too insincere.

According to Old Zhang, the coffin shop owner, the middle-aged man was the nephew of the former paper figurine shop owner. This didn't seem like a problem at first glance, but it raised some suspicions when you looked closer.

Isn't it more convenient to recuperate in Linzi Why go back home by land and water, tiring yourself out Besides, wouldn't Old Li be letting his nephew take over his business without even introducing him to the neighbors and asking them to look after things a bit

From all these clues, Jiang Wang could conclude that the middle-aged, taciturn man was definitely not here to live a peaceful life making paper.

But that's none of his concern after all. The safety of Linzi City is the responsibility of the Imperial Guard, and public order is the duty of the Patrol Department. Besides, he might not be a bad person after all.

He couldn't just do something because of suspicion, he would only keep it in his heart.

Carrying the coffin through the streets and alleys, even in the crowded city of Linzi, people would give way.

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On the other hand, Qing Shi Palace was deserted and cold outside. Nobody stopped them, not even a single person.

There wasn't even a trace of abnormality in his eyes, but it still gave me goosebumps.

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Xu Xiangqian led the way, and besides their footsteps, there was no other sound.

The two young men hired to carry the coffin first chatted idly, probably to build courage. But later on, neither of them spoke a word.

Outside the only palace gate in Qing Shi Gong, Jiang Wang saw Xu Fang who was dead.

The person still knelt, facing the palace gate, their hands clasped around a dagger, their chest and abdomen ripped open... Their appearance was extremely gruesome.

Because it had been dead for some time, and no one had come to bury it, the body had begun to decompose... The remains were still mostly intact, and one could still make out the person's features.

Two pallbearers vomited on the spot.

Jiang Wang and Xu Xiangqian were both silent.

Xu Xiangqian directly lifted Xu Fang's body with righteous indignation and placed it in the coffin he had built for him.

Jiang Wang then pinched a seal to summon the Eating Flower, which cleaned up the filth on the ground.

Bluestone bricks, green moss. A cold and silent bluestone palace.

Jiang Wang expressed some concern, saying: "Wouldn't directly using righteous qi affect your cultivation..."

Xu Xiangqian said in a rare serious tone: "A man like Xu Fang, even if he became a corpse, even if his body decayed, would not be considered impure. He is closer to righteousness itself than anyone with righteous indignation. It is an honor for me, Xu Xiangqian, to prepare his burial."

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After all, righteous indignation is just a technique, like the way Master Liu in Jiacheng could cultivate it. But true "righteous indignation" comes from one's character and cannot be erased.

Jiang Wang looked up and saw a sparrow with its head cocked on the eaves, as if it were very curious about them.

“There isn’t even a fly to be seen here, yet there’s a sparrow” Xu Xiangqian seemed to have some thoughts.

Jiang Wang reached out and pulled him: "Let's go. Don't waste time."

Xu Xiangqian, of course, received this warning about the matter. After thinking about it, he still told the undertaker: "Let's go."

When the two young men had finished their task, they lifted the coffin and started walking away. The place felt unsettlingly eerie.

Outside the Qingshi Palace, which had finally seen some activity, footsteps gradually faded away.

The Qingshi Palace seemed lifeless, like the stone itself. It endured wind and rain, and people coming and going, indifferent to it all.

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