Throughout the ages, those who can face execution without a change in expression are few and far between, much less being able to chat and laugh.
Yet in front of the bustling market today, there is a man by the name of Jiang, who not only proudly held his head high during his escorted parade but even lifted the wooden cage's grid to gesture to the elderly and villagers on the street.
Look at that demeanor, quite proud indeed!
"I, Jiang, am not talented. At three quarters past si, I caught a twenty-pound mandarin fish at the river mouth of Tanggu. This was witnessed by all the officers of the Government Office. Hope all of you will spread the word."
Beside the carriage station cage, there hung a top-grade mandarin fish over three feet long.
"Amazing, truly amazing! If I could catch such a big fish and have such an experience at the bustling market, it would be worth being beheaded tomorrow!"
Someone shouted: "Empty Cage Jiang! Where did you make your nest? Quickly tell us! Don't let that good spot be buried with you."
"Empty Cage Jiang, if you reveal your spot and help me catch a big fish, after you die, I will surely burn more paper money for you..."
Jiang, with a heart set on fame, refused to disclose the exact location.
But at this moment, a skilled fisherman spoke up: "Empty Cage Jiang, if you honestly reveal, I will go to the funeral store and custom-make a set of paper fishing gear for you, plus a black awning boat, so you can fish in the Underworld river!"
This proposition struck a chord with Jiang, his expression changed several times, but finally, he disclosed the exact location.
"You must keep your word! If you break your promise, I will haunt you as a Water Ghost and ensure you can't catch fish for life!"
The person hearing this showed visible anger: "I, Tian Yonggui, have always been trustworthy. No need for you to utter such malicious oath!"
Not far from the prisoner cart, Xu Qing was watching this farce with little Shiyue.
Even facing death, Jiang strived to shed the title of Empty Cage, yet those acquainted still remembered him only as Empty Cage Jiang. Even though he caught a twenty-pound fish, people referred to him by his nickname.
As for his real name, how could it be more memorable than a nickname?
After watching the spectacle, Xu Qing then took little Shiyue to the Funeral Shop to select a top-quality coffin.
Xuan Yu had met Shiyue before; she was two heads shorter. Upon learning Shiyue entered Bao Sheng Temple's sect, Xuan Yu was overjoyed, gifting her walnut beads and, like a mother cat with kittens, led her around the shop.
Seeing the little girl quickly becoming like a mischievous kitten, Xu Qing felt it wasn't right for her to stay in the Funeral Shop.
After preparing offerings of paper money and storing the coffin in the Mountain and River Map, Xu Qing whistled for the mourning horse to appear eagerly at the shop's door.
Tonight the clouds shrouded and fog enveloped, making the weather unusually oppressive, Xu Qing calculated using Purple Star Astrology, there was still time.
Mounting the horse, Xu Qing sped away with Shiyue, quickly arriving at the Chaotic Tomb Ridge outside the city.
Following the memories of Kong Youde, Xu Qing found the burial site of the Ye family among many similarly shaped mounds.
The little girl felt something, anxiously pacing back and forth around the grave mound.
Xu Qing shook his head and took out a shovel to excavate the grave.
A child does not understand life and death; seeing her dead mother beaten to death after the grave dirt was cleared, she only knew to squat beside and cry out.
Xu Qing initially planned to say some comforting words, but remembering the little girl was no longer among the living stopped him.
Ghosts crying for the dead, even Xu Qing, had never encountered before.
Once the little girl had cried sufficiently, Xu Qing finally spoke: "Your mother is only sleeping. If you miss her, sleep more; you'll meet in dreams."
Children don't comprehend profound logic, so Xu Qing coaxed her: "Shiyue, look up, the sky is about to rain; we must quickly choose a new home for your mother and settle it properly, or it won't be good if rain falls on the coffin."
In funeral practices, there are taboos about rain hitting the coffin implying ten years of sourness; rain on the grave signaling emergence of a noble.
Some daring individuals deliberately choose rainy days for burial, hoping to receive heavenly dew on the new grave.
This dew signifies prosperity, implying heaven-sent abundance.
However, like the unavoidable rain, one's mother marrying, matters in the world are hard to control. Most families timing burials end up getting drenched.
Wet roads and slippery paths cause coffin bearers to become unstable, naturally leading to incidents, making taboos seem increasingly real.
Xu Qing, adhering to customer-first principles, never questioned these taboos' truth, as long as they exist, they have reason.
The purpose for the living is always peace of mind. If overly emphasizing practicality, it becomes distasteful.
Xu Qing timed the rain to rush to Wujue Slope.
Upon reaching the western road of the city, two figures in blue clothing and headscarves blocked his path.
The leader, holding twin hooks, cupped his hands and said: "My companion and I are new to this place, unfamiliar with the routes. May I ask, brother, is Jinmen Prefecture in this direction?"
Xu Qing glanced at them, sensing unstable breaths and hurried actions. The latter person smelled of blood, as if they'd just fought.
Seeing Xu Qing silent, the leader stepped forward, cupping his hands again: "I beg brother for guidance; I would be immensely grateful."
Xu Qing looked at the sky and said: "Jinmen Prefecture is north, along the road, within half a day's journey."
"Thank you, brother, the world of rivers and lakes is vast; hopefully, we'll meet again!"
With those words, the two spun around and sped towards the north.
From their movement technique, they seemed like capable hands of the martial world!