Upon Master Feng's command, the nursing home servants escorted the man to the government office.
Beneath the word "greed" lies a knife; a single misstep of thought leads to imprisonment.
The swindler was meant to have a tribulation, as there is a rule in the con artist circles: "Never deceive the same person twice." As the ancients wisely stated, "Those who deceive others inevitably expose their weaknesses; if one tries the same deceit, he will fall into the trap."
Nothing should be done more than thrice.
The art of deception is most severe when done once, can you dare to do it again?
Xu Qing had also once conducted funerals for con artists and knew some of their tricks. There are many trade rules, akin to how thieves have rules of not stealing from the sick or prostitutes; the world of deception has similar principles.
The highest form of deception targets corrupt officials and bandit merchants.
Such deception neither harms one's moral virtue nor leaves one with a guilty conscience; even after death, one stands with some justification before the Tribunal of Yama.
After resolving Second Master Feng's family affairs, Xu Qing prepared to return home.
...
Underground Street, funeral shop.
Today, Hu Baosong rose early for a bath and change of clothes, appearing particularly spirited.
Yizhen, seeing the old man's vigor surpass even the past, felt joy in her heart.
"Daughter, come here, I have something to tell you."
Hu Baosong sat beneath the peach tree in the backyard, with a chessboard laid out on the table.
As the old head took his moves on the chessboard, he spoke to Yizhen about the origins of the Hu Yang family.
"The Hu Yang family has two ancestors: one was a Fox Girl who attained the Dao on Tushan, the other was the ancestor from the Yang surname. People only know of fox demons captivating humans and being adept at flattery, but they do not know that foxes cultivate through forming relationships."
"When I was young, it was the same; however, my luck was not good, as the good relationships I formed were far less compared to the bad ones, perhaps the only good tie was with the Five Elders Temple..."
"If I had not been reckless in my youth, and had honestly cultivated at the Five Elders Temple, perhaps I would have turned out differently."
The old saying "the fox exploits the tiger's might" not only has its original meaning, but also hints at the fox's skill in 'borrowing strength.'
The nature of the fox is such that, whether depending on a true Daoist temple or attaching to extraordinary people in the mundane world, it is to cultivate with the immortals and gain protection.
Hu Baosong continued: "I once visited the ruins of Qingqiu Cave Heaven, where I learned a secret: a million years ago, Qingqiu's treasures were countless, wealthy to the extreme, yet no one dared to covet it. Do you know why?"
Yizhen frowned and shook her head, indicating she didn't know.
Hu Baosong looked at the chessboard, baring his teeth: "Because Qingqiu formed many ties with people. At that time, the princess of Qingqiu did not hesitate to lower her status and went to a dilapidated Daoist temple to cultivate with a poor Daoist. In less than a hundred years, that Daoist ascended to the heavens."
"In those days when the heavens and earth were still interconnected, shortly after the Daoist's ascension, he passed down a heavenly book to Qingqiu. By this time, the princess had become the new sovereign of Qingqiu, and after receiving the heavenly book, within a hundred years, the sovereign also ascended and attained the Dao."
"Afterwards, people only realized that the foxes of Qingqiu had the ability to recognize talents. Before founding the country, the emperors were helped by fox immortals; a scholar fallen from grace was also supported with food and clothing by an old fox woman..."
Hu Baosong sighed: "Our Hu Yang family's fox immortal lineage originated from Tushan's assembly, so did the Yang family's ancestor who was also a connection of Tushan's fox immortals."
Yizhen wondered: "Qingqiu was so powerful, why has it turned to dust today, even the Hu Yang family couldn't escape?"
"Because today's world is the Five Filthy Evil Worlds, and the Heaven-Reaching Road has been severed."
Hu Baosong lamented: "Qingqiu or the Hu Yang family were both from a million years ago. The reason they were strong then was because the heavens and earth were interconnected; others feared the celestial ties of Qingqiu and Tushan. When the Heaven-Reaching Road severed and there was no path for people, Qingqiu, possessing a heavenly book and many treasures, was destined for ruin."
Having said this, Hu Baosong looked up at Yizhen and spoke earnestly: "The Five Elders Temple has deep roots and a legacy of celestial ties. You were born in the temple, giving you this fate, but how you walk the path in the future..."
"Rely on yourself."
Yizhen frowned without speaking, uncertain why today's words from Hu Baosong were leaving her with a sense of unease.
Halfway through the chess game, Hu Baosong suddenly stopped.
"Sometimes not finishing a game leaves room for thought; completed games are often not remembered by the world."
Yizhen raised an eyebrow, knowing she was about to win this game, yet the old man seemed to be shirking while speaking so righteously.
She, a Daoist nun, was in no mood to argue with the elder.
Hu Baosong sipped his tea with satisfaction and continued: "Besides the Five Elders Temple, I have some old friends from the past, some may be gone, but there are still bonds left."
"If you encounter difficulties in the future, maybe you can use it..."
After rambling for a while, Hu Baosong again took out some tokens and handed them to Yizhen.
"I've owed you too much, perhaps your master resents me, which is why he never tells me anything about you."
Yizhen's expression tightened as she clutched the chess pieces nervously, but just when she thought the old man was about to reveal something, Hu Baosong abruptly changed the subject, laughing: "I see that young Xu from the funeral shop isn't a simple person, but I'm old, my eyes aren't as sharp as they used to be. I see that kid as quite cunning, you can listen to his words, but don't believe them."
"..."
Can listen, but not believe?
Yizhen blinked her eyes, trying to grasp the logic.
After pondering for a moment, Yizhen suddenly asked: "He runs a funeral shop, deals with funeral business, what was your purpose in forming a bond with him?"
Hu Baosong's expression froze, and he quickly replied: "Who would be idle enough to build ties with him? It's so inauspicious! I just saw him living alone and felt sorry for him; could I possibly have anything to ask of him?"
The way he said it, as if his own funeral shop was so auspicious.
As grandfather and granddaughter chatted, a smile unwittingly drew on Yizhen's lips.
...
In early September, there was little business at the funeral shop today, so Xu Qing opened the Thousand Insect Gu Jar and sat by the counter to observe the jar.
"Let me see, your dog-tail insect surely isn't as fierce as my cat-tail insect!"
When Xu Qing made some space, Xuan Yu moved closer to the jar, concentrating intently.
Recently, Xu Qing and Xuan Yu found a new pastime to ease boredom: watching the insects in the Thousand Insect Gu Jar engage in chaotic battles.
In the process, Xu Qing chose a particularly formidable green insect to represent himself in battle, while Xuan Yu selected a colorful insect as his champion.
The husky and the cat had yet to decide any stakes; if anything, it was just a childish amusement.
"Where's my big cat-tail insect?"
Hearing Xuan Yu's question, Xu Qing calmly replied: "Your little flower insect has been eaten by that six-winged insect."
"Where's your dog-tail insect, let it avenge my loss."
Sigh, this cat was taking things seriously.
Xu Qing helplessly said: "The dog-tail insect was eaten by the unicorn insect."
"But Xuan Yu, no need to worry, that six-winged insect has also been torn apart; now your cat-tail insect might end up winning, who knows."
Momentarily taken aback, Xuan Yu looked somewhat crestfallen, having had high hopes for the little flower insect.
"There are still fifty-six insects left, Xu Immortal, which one do you think will win?"
After a pause, Xu Qing straightened up and said: "It definitely won't be that one which can't move, the white insect sleeping all lazily in the corner."
The white insect was a plump, tender creature, not unlike a lazy pig.
At that moment, Xu Qing cast a glance toward the stove, where the Golden Simurgh still nestled by the stove, sleeping peacefully, as if hibernating.
The husky and cat were busy discussing, while unknowingly, Yizhen let slip a small smile at the corner of her mouth.
...
In early September, there wasn't much business at the forensic doctor's shop, so Xu Qing opened the thousand insect gu jar and settled beside the counter to watch the insects within.
"Hurry up and show me, your dog-tail insect has to get revenge for me and seek justice."
When Xu Qing made way, Xuan Yu brought his face close to the jar, watching intently.
Lately, Xu Qing and Xuan Yu discovered an amusing way to pass the time: watching the insect battles in the thousand insect gu jar.
Xu Qing chose a particularly fierce-looking green insect as his gladiator, while Xuan Yu selected a colorful one as his champion.
Neither had set a definite wager, though if there were any, it might be something as trifling as childlike interest.
"My insect was so big!"
Xu Qing glanced at the stove and saw the Golden Simurgh still nestled there, napping peacefully.
The insouciant chicken just lay next to the stove all day, snoozing away, seemingly in hibernation to those unaware.
As the grandfather and granddaughter chatted away, a small curve appeared at the corner of Yizhen's mouth.
"""