The owner of the Incense and Candle Shop, Mr. Cheng, has passed away.
Cheng Caiyun, who had no children and never remarried, should have had no attachments, but when Xu Qing followed the Wang Family's daughter to help with the arrangements, Wang Yue'e said that during Madam Cheng's last few days, she frequently mentioned someone's name.
It seemed to be someone with the last name Lu.
Xu Qing thought of Mr. Cheng's life of widowhood, and guessed something, but what exactly was going on, he would only know when he went there himself.
Just as Xu Qing left the Funeral Shop, not having gone far, two ugly birds came running after him.
The two mourning birds, which Cheng Caiyun watched grow up, were more upset than a son would be upon hearing the obituary.
At other funerals, the two birds never had any unusual feelings, but today, when it was time to say goodbye to their own family, the birds wailed without stopping.
Initially, Wang Yue'e was quite sad, but the birds made such a fuss that it helped more than any words of comfort from others.
Xu Qing led the funeral team and followed the procession to the Wang Mansion. Entering the main hall, he saw a frail little old lady lying on the bed, her face still holding a hint of relieved smile.
Those who live long are often frail.
As people age, maintaining energy and spirit requires a huge effort, and the elderly's weakened organs can't absorb enough energy, nor can they easily expel impurities. Over time, a person naturally becomes thinner and thinner.
When their energy cycle eventually fails, it is time to depart.
Xu Qing, accustomed to performing rituals for the elderly, was prepared, but seeing an old neighbor now so frail gave him a moment of distraction.
As the saying goes, time waits for no one, beauty fades like flowers part from trees.
The woman who, at around thirty, still had traces of early youthful glamour, now truly was but a mere shadow of her former self.
Xu Qing turned to look at Wang Liang, who understood immediately, and dismissed everyone from the Spirit Hall, leaving only himself and his sister inside.
"Every girl wants to look beautiful. Now that Mr. Cheng has left, it's right for her to leave looking beautiful too."
After saying this, Xu Qing began to use the Art of Youth Restoration for Cheng Caiyun's embalming and passage.
The Art of Youth Restoration, also known as the Art of Rejuvenation, is ranked as Earth Grade Lower.
Though youth and beauty fade, with this art, one can make the deceased appear lifelike, even return to their most youthful and radiant appearance.
This miraculous art, like the art of burial, was one Xu Qing learned from embittered foreigners' corpses in the grave of an ancient sect.
Now, this was the second time Xu Qing performed this ritual.
The first time was shortly after he returned to Jin Sect, when he performed a ritual for the madam of Youlan Garden.
Long Lamp Street is famous in Linjiang City as Yanliu Lane, where most of the courtesans have no children. Nearly every one of them arranged for membership Iron Tokens at Xu Qing's shop.
Back then, to retain those girls, the madam of Youlan Garden even included arrangements by the Funeral Shop as part of the girls' 'debut' assurance.
The madam often claimed she was the first courtesan of Jin Sect in her youth, and was celebrated far and wide even before entering the trade.
At first, Xu Qing was skeptical, but he was entirely convinced of her words after using the Art of Rejuvenation during her passage.
Indeed, the madam had a certain beauty.
Now, Xu Qing once again used the Art of Youth Restoration.
In the Spirit Hall, several people who had never seen Mr. Cheng's youthful face now witnessed her charming features and prime youth.
"..."
Wang Liang and Wang Yue'e looked at their godmother as if seeing a ghost, then glanced at Xu Qing, wanting to speak.
In fairness, although they understood Xu Qing wanted their godmother to depart with dignity, seeing her looking younger than themselves and entirely like an unmarried maiden felt a bit absurd.
Xu Qing was entirely oblivious, fully immersed in the experience of watching the tale unfold.
As they say, what's fair is fair; Mr. Cheng spent a lifetime watching others, it's time for others to watch her.
Although some things might sound improper to say, Xu Qing had to admit, he'd been eyeing Mr. Cheng's revolving lantern for a long time.
Now that Mr. Cheng passed peacefully, it was a joyful passing. He was here to offer condolences and relish in the tales of an old neighbor to strengthen the community bond.
Xu Qing was entirely focused; even when passing souls at the Yin River Gate, he hadn't been this earnest!
...
About sixty years ago, when Linjiang City was still called Linhe District.
There was an Incense and Candle Shop on Underground Street, originally run by the Cheng family. But Cheng, the shopkeeper, was unlucky and passed away in his forties, leaving a daughter in her prime to take over the shop.
Fortunately, with help from the neighbors in Underground Street, Cheng Caiyun, the daughter, managed to get by.
On the fifteenth of July, the Zhongyuan Festival, according to tradition, the shopkeeper would go to the crossroads and burn paper offerings for wandering spirits.
Now that the elder master was gone, the task of offering paper to wandering spirits fell to Mr. Cheng.
Growing up in the Incense and Candle Shop, Cheng Caiyun was not unfamiliar with the practices of the supernatural trade.
On the evening of the Zhongyuan Festival, overcast clouds veiled the moon.
Cheng Caiyun lit the incense candles, and alone went to the crossroads, placing the burn offerings and freshly steamed buns on the road.
At the same time, Cheng Caiyun chanted:
"Today on this auspicious Zhongyuan Festival, filial daughter Cheng Caiyun, presents gold and silver paper money, offering to all ancestors and ancestors, passing souls may also partake and gain merit..."
Cheng Caiyun pressed her hands together, eyes closed, speaking, when suddenly a chilling breeze swept behind her ear, lifting her hair, and a strange man's voice came forth.