In this world, life is like a fleeting horse passing through a crack, and when impermanence arrives, whether you are a prince or a pauper, you have no choice but to leave this earthly realm.
Everything in this world will then have no more relation to you.
Perhaps it is precisely because the influence of the deceased on the living gradually diminishes that when relatives and friends depart, the living try their best to give the deceased a grand send-off.
While funeral matters may be cumbersome, they are not just about settling the dead; they are also a way for the living to fulfill their filial duties and to comfort the spirit of the deceased.
In a certain sense, funeral rites are an expression of human warmth, and if one's emotions are indifferent and devoid of any sense of mourning or remembrance, how is that different from being a beast?
Xu Qing loved to talk about these things when he was alive. Who in all of the Jin Sect didn't know that Mr. Xu was a man of humanity and valued etiquette?
Now that Mr. Xu is dead, the funeral will certainly not be held simply.
For disciples of the funeral practices, these matters are trivial, yet they are the most demanding.
Li Tiezhu gazed at Xu Qing's coffin and remains, knowing well that the Sect Leader was putting on an act, but he had to appear heartbroken, or else he might be deemed unfilial in the future.
This put Li Tiezhu in a difficult position; an impressive man of nine feet tall stood out like a crane among chickens in the crowd, with numerous eyes fixed directly on him, waiting for him to wail!
Li Tiezhu gritted his teeth and pinched his thigh hard before he began to howl.
The neighbors nearby saw this and hurriedly stepped forward to console him.
When the crying had mostly subsided, the obituary had already been posted outside.
The deceased's name, date of birth and death, age, date of funeral procession and burial, were all clearly detailed.
Red paper and black characters were posted at every door and alley entrance along Funeral Street.
The neighbors and acquaintances who saw it couldn't help but sigh.
This entire street without Shopkeeper Xu was truly like a loss of its soul.
Who would still spread funeral shop promotions everywhere and stick funeral sale advertisements on people's doors...
But when they thought about it, the sighing crowd suddenly didn't feel so sad.
Perhaps it's better this way, quiet and peaceful!
Of course, this was just a trace of resentment mingled within countless thoughts, most of which were still nostalgia for Shopkeeper Xu.
"Mr. Xu, such an immortal-like figure, how could he have died so suddenly? Could it be the Corpse Dissolving Ascension, performing a Blinding Technique?"
Zhang Shufang, holding the Imperial Decree, suddenly didn't know how to proceed.
By rights, if Xu Qing had truly died, he, as a younger generation, should step forward and pay his respects.
But if there were other hidden truths...
As Zhang Shufang was guessing on his own, there was suddenly another disturbance outside Underground Street.
The crowd turned to look, only to see hundreds of soldiers escorting the carriage of Duke Zhen and the Crown Prince appearing at the street's entrance.
The soldiers were impeccably organized, following orders without hesitation.
Upon arriving at Underground Street, the soldiers instantly spread noiselessly like a black tide, separating the mourning citizens to each side, until a passage leading directly to the funeral shop was cleared, an elderly man over ninety accompanied by a noble stepped out of the carriage.
Duke Zhen, wearing a robe embroidered with a kylin, couldn't be bothered with formalities towards the Crown Prince, and he took large strides forward. Upon seeing the white banner with black characters and the serene corpse in the Spirit Hall, the white-haired Duke Zhen was speechless for quite a while!
The learned man, with all his near-immortal accomplishments, how did he suddenly die?
Wang Liang's heart was filled with astonishment and disbelief.
"How could it be? How could a figure like the teacher die so easily?"
The guests who came to mourn were left speechless.
Look at what's being said; Mr. Xu was a hundred years old, if not now, when would it be his time?
By this time, the Crown Prince had already arrived in the shop; Duke Zhen turned around, his lips dry as he said, "Your Majesty had the old minister accompany the prince to invite Mr. Xu as a mentor to assist in state affairs, yet it was not expected that the teacher would encounter such a change... it seems the prince will make this trip in vain!"
"Your Excellency's words are too heavy, life and death are fated, beyond human power to force. It is merely that fate between me and the teacher has not been met, it cannot be forced."
The Crown Prince paused, his gaze sweeping across the Spirit Hall filled with funeral items, noticing a black cat on the counter staring intently at him, seemingly wanting to know his next move.
"I heard that the teacher and my imperial grandfather were old acquaintances; as a junior, it is only right for me to personally offer incense to Mr. Xu, fulfilling all proprieties."
Having said that, the Crown Prince stepped forward to the spirit area.
Li Tiezhu extended his hand to present incense candles, which the Crown Prince received with both hands, respectfully offering incense and paying homage to the person in the coffin before him.
Wang Liang initially harbored suspicions, but when he saw the Crown Prince offering incense, yet the person in the coffin had no response, he was suddenly overcome with sorrow.
Throughout history, those with extraordinary talent invariably succumb to fate; how could he be sure the teacher could escape the limits of longevity and become a Living True Immortal?
Wang Liang also offered incense, saying, "It is entirely because of the teacher's guidance that I am here today. Without the teacher, there would be no Wang Liang today."
"When the late emperor passed away, it already caused Wang deep grief; now that the teacher is gone, it brings Wang immense despair..."
In the coffin, the long-deceased Xu Qing nearly sprang up to slap Wang Liang when he heard this.
What do you mean by immense despair? Where does that leave the Wang family's descendants and his own younger sister Yue'e?
Back then when Wang Liang followed Zhu Huai'an for years, Xu Qing scolded this kid, yet he's reached ninety and still hasn't come to his senses!
Over here, while Wang Liang was still speaking, a sudden cold wind blew past, and when he focused, he saw that the incense candle he had offered was already extinguished by the wind.
Beside him, Li Tiezhu kindly handed over a candle for Wang Liang to relight.
However, as soon as he began to talk about the relationship between sovereign and subject, teacher and disciple again, another gust of cold wind swept by.