"At that time, not only would they themselves suffer, but the deceased would also endure the turmoil, unable to find peace."
Xu Qing said solemnly, "Although I have chosen this line of work, I do not wish for people to suffer needlessly because of some prejudice. After all, parting by death already leaves the heart weary. If I can help them avoid the hassle of funeral matters, I will be genuinely happy for them."
"Brother Xu, such righteousness!" Businessman Shaoyang's eyes glowed with admiration.
Xu Qing waved his hand in response to these words, saying, "It's not about righteousness; it's merely about doing my duty to the best of my ability..."
"Speaking of which, doesn't Brother Shang wish to secure a good burial site in advance? You must understand, a grand mansion of ten thousand rooms cannot match the peace of mind of a small corner. This land for burial is not only a place to shelter from wind and rain, but it is also the foundation for passing down through the generations. If you hesitate slightly, I'm afraid a good residence will belong to someone else!"
"..."
Logically speaking, any person with a sound mind, no matter how convincingly Xu Qing spoke, wouldn't really purchase a burial plot decades in advance.
But this Young Master of a powerful family, Businessman Shaoyang, actually spent a hundred taels of silver to buy a property on Wujue Slope, and it was of a design able to accommodate the entire family for ten generations.
All the documentation was signed and sealed, complete with a red contract, even though it was the sale of a Yin Residence, Xu Qing still strictly followed the rules of a Yang Residence, avoiding any disputes over land.
Businessman Shaoyang was indifferent, he just found it novel and fun, an experience he'd never had while shopping in Qiannan.
"Brother Shang, you have come just in time. Our shop just happens to have a promotion for purchasing a burial plot, which includes complimentary after-sales service for life, and we also offer feng shui stones and burial yard renovation services as gifts..."
"I remember all of these, whether it's ten years, fifty years, or a hundred years, they all work. My shop will run generation after generation, ready to serve Brother Shang anytime, so rest assured!"
"..."
Businessman Shaoyang now felt a strange excitement had passed. At this moment, he stared at the paperwork in his hand, and then glanced at Xu Qing, who had been responsible throughout.
Suddenly, he felt a pang of regret.
Seeing Xu Qing's earnest demeanor, he feared that one day the latter would actually follow the contract and bury his body at Wujue Slope...
With a business deal clinched, Xu Qing's gaze towards Businessman Shaoyang subtly changed.
"Brother Shang, you must cultivate diligently, and avoid wasting time. If you can achieve the status of Martial Champion Scholar in the future, it would be wonderful."
Xu Qing had never encountered a corpse of master quality; the current Businessman Shaoyang had great potential.
From the bottom of his heart, he hoped the other would live long and not meet a premature end.
May Heaven not envy talent, may all men aspire upward...
...
As the night deepened and all was silent, yin energy began to breed.
Xu Qing and Businessman Shaoyang came to Flower and Bird Street, to the home of Second Master Feng.
Second Master Feng's close confidant, Willow Immortal Galloping Immortal Disciple Ji Ruinian, was also at the residence.
"Ashamed to say, last time I bothered Brother Xu for assistance with old issues, and now I am compelled to trouble Brother Xu again..."
"Oh, why mention it?" Xu Qing waved it off without concern, "Second Master Feng and I are true friends; what's a little help among friends? Besides, haven't I often sought the assistance of the Second Master myself..."
Recently, Xu Qing had asked Second Master Feng to find suitable items for calming the Undying Bone.
Without a second thought, Second Master Feng had told his trade caravans traveling north and south to keep an eye out.
These are the workings within the circles of the Immortal Invokers; the ceremonials rely on relationships, so do the Galloping Immortal Disciples and the various Sect Leaders and Hall Masters of the Immortals.
"Second Master Feng, please tell me what this is about. I believe if you sought me out, there must be a reason..."
"Brother Xu is a discerning person."
With a sense of both wonder and respect, Second Master Feng said, "This matter is rather strange. Brother Xu, do you remember not long ago on Flower and Bird Street how those mynahs began to speak and reveal counterfeits?"
"..."
Xu Qing was taken aback, wondering how he was involved in this matter.
Second Master Feng continued, "Not long after that day, rumors began to circulate on Flower and Bird Street of a headless ghost. This ghost's whereabouts are unpredictable. When it appears, it inevitably claims an item is fake.
Those who fear it discard the items that were labeled as counterfeit, and nothing happens. However, those unwilling to forfeit wealth to avert disaster find their eyes eaten by the ghost, turning them into the blind."
Alongside, Snake-handler Ji Ruinian spoke up, "I've heard Second Master Feng mention this. Fortunately, Brother Xu took away Second Master Feng's counterfeit painting, or else..."
Second Master Feng also felt a bit of post-fear, "To speak frankly without fearing Brother Xu's laughter, we haven't dared to fiddle with items lately. If I were to buy a fake object, I'm afraid these eyes would be hard to keep!"
"Brother Xu's depth in antiques and paintings is far beyond my mediocre level, so I thought I would invite Brother Xu over to see if there's a way to expel this ghost that meddles everywhere."
A ghost exposing fakes? Xu Qing was astonished at heart.
Besides himself, how could there be another malicious ghost uncovering fakes?
Are the ghosts nowadays so idle?
"Are all the items the ghost claims to be fake really fakes?"
Businessman Shaoyang, not fully understanding, still picked up on the crucial issue.
Second Master Feng nodded, "Only fake items make it appear. However, there's no harm during the day; it only appears after dusk and before the rooster crows. Without any fake item, it does not appear."
"Has this matter been reported to the Demon Hunting Bureau?"
"The Demon Hunting Bureau recently has no time to handle cases, hearing that a senior official from the capital arrived to establish a new bureau..."
By the side, Ji Ruinian reminded, "It's the Mirror Observing Bureau, this newly established bureau under the direct jurisdiction of the current emperor. It's said that there are Celestial Master's Mansion's Celestial Masters enlisted. With this Mirror Observing Bureau in place, the Demon Hunting Bureau may no longer exist."
Xu Qing shook his head, relying on the authorities was unreliable; in critical times, the commoners of Linjiang County still had to rely on this zombie.
"May I borrow some paper and brush from Second Master?"
Second Master Feng did not understand Xu Qing's intention but called for servants to bring brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.
Xu Qing dipped the brush into ink and said with a cheerful laugh, "Since this ghost enjoys exposing fakes, I'll follow its wish and create a counterfeit painting."
Besides copying paintings, Xu Qing sought a quiet guest room, using Jiang Daqian's forgery skills, even age-distressing the paper.
When the finished work was out, neither Second Master Feng who waited outside nor the expert in paintings and calligraphy, Ji Ruinian, could discern its authenticity.
"Brother Xu, you must have a genuine piece, and you're deliberately teasing us now?" Ji Ruinian half-jokingly said.
"That can't be, Brother Ji, please look —"
Xu Qing flipped the brush end, gently tapped with the penholder, and circled some areas.
Those areas, like those of a master forger Jiang Daqian, bore small characters patched together as marks.
Ji Ruinian looked at the circled lines and thick and thin ink traces, reading word by word: "Funeral Shop Sweepstake, all funeral services at a discount throughout."
"..."
Fortunately, it was a dense pine and longevity painting; if it had been other works, there might not have been room to hide so many words.
Xu Qing was about to head out with the artwork, while Businessman Shaoyang, eager for adventure, carried his sword, ready to stroll down the street.
Second Master Feng, timid as ever, only dared to see them out at the door.
To prevent endangering Xu Qing, Second Master Feng also prepared a night-lit lantern and a fire stick.
"In case things go awry, I hope Brother Xu promptly burns the painting to avoid any harm from the ghost."
Xu Qing cheerfully accepted the lantern, thus setting out accompanied by a fervent second-generation heir.
At this time, clouds obscured the moon, casting darkness all around. Xu Qing deliberately took narrow alleys and paths.
Initially, Businessman Shaoyang was somewhat tense, never relaxing his grip on his sword.
However, after strolling for an hour without encountering any ghostly shadows, Businessman Shaoyang began to relax.
Perhaps the ghost is merely someone pretending, and there's likely no ghost wandering the street exposing fakes.
Compared to Businessman Shaoyang's moments of tension and ease, Xu Qing appeared much more at ease.
Compared to ghosts, Xu Qing was more wary of people; these grotesque specters did not particularly scare him.
Especially those who harm based on some obsession.
This kind of ghost is incomplete in consciousness, acting purely on instinct, so it doesn't possess high levels of skill.
The two walked, one carrying the artwork, admiring the scenery with praise, while the other held a lantern and sword, feeling quite bored.
Until a moment when, walking through an alley, they suddenly heard someone speaking overhead:
"Fake painting! This painting of yours is obviously a fake!"
" "