On the first day of the first lunar month, peach blossoms reflect the old courtyard.
Yesterday, it snowed continuously throughout the night; in the morning, Xu Qing came to the door to shovel snow, followed closely by Xuan Yu.
The cat doesn't like putting her little paws on the snow; whenever her paws accidentally touch the snow, she quickly shakes them off before obediently following the path that Xu Qing cleared.
Crows circle overhead, overlooking the vast expanse of streets below, where the ink-like black cat stands out against the pure white canvas.
The door of the Paper Mache Shop next door opens, but it's not Bai Qiuyu who steps out.
The Nine-tailed Fox and Daoist Yizhen met as if they had known each other forever; now she has long since moved to the Coffin Shop, saying she wants to help Xu Qing manage the business.
As of now, this fox isn't yet an official employee of the Cat Immortal Hall, so Xu Qing lets her be.
At the start of the new year, the whole of Underground Street is experiencing changes in its storefronts.
The Coffin Shop at the street's end is the residence of Daoist Yizhen, who roams the mortal realm, and also Bai Qiuyu's shop.
As for Tao Sanmei, she constantly visits the Shroud Shop, finding more comfort in spending time with Liu Su'e, who can sing and chat, than with the Daoists of Five Elders Temple!
Now, stepping out of the Paper Mache Shop is Iron Pillar, burly and sturdy like a gatepost.
"Sect Leader returned inside to rest, and I've come to clean up."
Xu Qing chuckled and handed the shovel to Iron Pillar, while he fetched a broom himself to sweep the ground that had just been shoveled.
"Where's Little Six, haven't seen it around?"
Xu Qing and his subordinates chat while cleaning outside the door.
"Last night, a little yellow wolf from Yellow Stripe Mountain came by, delivering a message that Little Six's great-grandfather is ill and may not have much time left."
"Upon hearing this, Little Six rushed back to Yellow Stripe Mountain overnight."
Xu Qing puzzled: "Although old Huang is indeed old, it's not like it's been just these past two years; how come he's suddenly unwell?"
Iron Pillar, although silly before, became exceptionally sharp after taking the Wisdom Pill, though he still looks honest and simple.
Upon hearing the Sect Leader's words, Iron Pillar immediately reacted: "Could it be that Little Six's great-grandfather is feigning illness?"
Iron Pillar brainstormed: "These past years, Little Six spent most of his time running around the Immortal Hall, unable to visit Yellow Stripe Mountain, and yesterday was New Year's Eve..."
"Perhaps old Huang missed his grandson and pretended to be sick to trick Little Six into coming home."
Iron Pillar's eyes lit up, continuing: "That's it! How could immortals get sick; even if they were sick, they'd seek treatment from the Medical Hall's immortals or find the White Immortal, Python Immortal..."
Xu Qing shook his head: "That old yellow wolf is proud, thinking that humans can only become Galloping Immortal Disciples, never Sect Leaders. Yet it covets the incense offerings of the Cat Immortal Hall, hoping its grandson will learn how to run the place."
"What it doesn't know is that the reason Cat Immortal Hall prospers, aside from having enough immortals and everyone doing their duties, is the presence of non-immortal humans maintaining order."
Iron Pillar seemed to understand: "I get it now, immortals aren't harmonious with each other and can't run the hall jointly; humans don't belong to any immortal family, so only the Sect Leader can oversee the Immortal Hall and unify the immortal circle, realizing a complete Galloping Immortal Hall."
Xu Qing nodded and shook his head: "Not just that, there are other reasons too..."
Xu Qing didn't elaborate but turned to look at Xuan Yu, who had returned to the shop entrance because she disliked the snowy ground, sitting on the door slab licking her paws.
If there were only humans, the immortals wouldn't easily trust, but including Xuan Yu, the situation changes.
After all, his hall is called Cat Immortal Hall.
...
On the second day of the first lunar month, it's suitable for cleaning and visiting friends; avoid other idle activities.
Later, Xu Qing, with snacks, cloth, and some red envelopes, hurried on a Chasing Mourning horse to visit past friends door to door.
Meanwhile, Iron Pillar and Gu Zixu, among others, brought rice, flour, grains, and oil, visiting those lonely widowers who had handled the membership certificate, sending warmth their way.
Xu Qing knows his identity as Funeral Master, so when visiting friends, he doesn't enter the house, standing outside, chatting and laughing with everyone, bowing his hands to offer New Year greetings, and that's it.
"Thinking back to when I met Second Master, he was still carrying Uncle, fooling around everywhere, like a young man just coming of age. Now years have quickly passed, who would have thought Second Master has become a parent, enjoying familial pleasures."
Second Master Feng held onto Xu Qing's arm, patted it, and laughed: "If it weren't for Brother Xu, how would I be today? Let's not stand outside; come into the courtyard. Recently, I've got some excellent poetry and paintings; Brother Xu must take a good look..."
Xu Qing smiled at the words: "Paintings? Is Second Master planning to cultivate the youngsters at home since childhood, aiming for him to become a scholar lord in the future?"
Second Master Feng laughed heartily: "If he becomes a scholar lord, even if I die immediately, I would rest content in the afterlife."
"During the New Year, don't say unlucky things; I won't enter the house. I still have some friends I need to hurry and meet, or else the opportunities might be few later."
Second Master Feng didn't catch Xu Qing's implied meaning, he let go and said: "Wait, the other day I asked someone to make some Jiangnan snacks that your wife likes. You should take some home to eat."
Seeing Xu Qing trying to refuse, Second Master Feng quickly added: "Even if you don't eat them, they're good for feeding the cat."
After visiting Second Master Feng, Xu Qing went to East Gate, not far from County Lord's Mansion, to see Wang Lingyuan.
This Senior Brother Wang isn't lonely now; his two apprentices, Song Tu and Dou Yun, live next door respectively, delivering food daily, or inviting Wang Lingyuan as a guest.