The cargo ship was not carrying goods, but rather citizens escaping the military disaster from Jingzhou Prefecture to Jin Sect.
At the end of June, during the sweltering summer season, the weather was exceedingly oppressive. The Corpse Recovery Team dared not delay after dredging up the bodies and, following approval from the Government Office, promptly delivered them to the Funeral House.
Now backed by Xu Qing, the Funeral House has established relations with the Government Office, effectively gaining official endorsement.
The Funeral House replaced the charity manor, offering free burials for the bodies. In the past two years since Chen Guangrui took office, he also curbed the traditional practice at the Government Office of profiting from corpse sales.
Chen Guangrui holds the highest authority within Linjiang County's living circles. Xu Qing, however, has become a dominant figure in Linjiang County's circles of the deceased, able to control a vast domain.
Not only the bodies from Linjiang County, but even those traveling through the waterways from distant regions, passing by Linjiang, might find themselves taken to the Xu family's establishment for forced rites if not careful.
Xu Qing has become the king of the subterranean world of Linjiang County.
After performing rites for the deceased on a ship, Xu Qing witnessed the chaos in Jingzhou: the Cangyi Army, the Southern barbarians, clans, and various sectarian groups have all reached Jingzhou Prefecture!
Were they planning to reverse advance using the waterways? Xu Qing frowned in thought.
Throughout various dynasties, the local armies have always utilized Jianghuai waterways to Linngnan to transport supplies and troops, conquering southern territories.
Now, things have changed. The Southern barbarians have united with the Cangyi Army, starting from Lingnan, spearheaded by the aquatic sect, pushing north, directly threatening Jianghuai.
It's utterly against natural order!
Looking at Dayong's navy, they were no match.
Xu Qing was unsurprised; when he performed last rites for Liao Jinzhong, he learned of a not-so-secret secret: the shipmasters on the Jinmen waterway purchasing 'idle' warships from the Jin Sect navy and converting them for commercial use.
Even under the Celestial's watch, the Jin Sect navy behaved this way, let alone the Jianghuai region.
It's quite possible that the Cangyi Army's aquatic sect uses warships purchased from Dayong...
In the evening, the long-unseen Shang Shaoyang arrived at the Funeral Shop.
"Brother Shang, what brings you here?" Xu Qing noticed the baggage on his back.
Shang Shaoyang, sporting an unkempt beard, appeared quite disheveled.
He sighed, "I've heard that the Cangyi Group has allied with the Southern barbarians and now captured Jingzhou Prefecture. Those claiming to be righteous, the Cangyi Group members, are engaging in treasonous acts. If I do nothing, once they reach Jianghuai, who knows how many citizens will suffer persecution by these barbarians."
"I plan to return to Qianzhou to persuade my family. If I can get support from the clan, with the family's forces assisting, perhaps we can change the situation."
Xu Qing and Shang Shaoyang have known each other for a few years, and he understood Shang's temperament; he was not one to stay idle.
"I have many drinking buddies in Jinmen, but sincere confidants are few. Today I'm here to bid farewell to Brother Xu..."
Xu Qing was speechless, as Shang Shaoyang was a direct descendant of the Shang family in Qianzhou, who connected with him mostly for calculating reasons.
Xu Qing's choice to associate with Shang Shaoyang, to be frank, was not unintentional.
However, Xu Qing was upfront with his intentions, which were that since you and Miss Gu have taken the membership iron coupon from my shop, your matters in the afterlife have to be managed by me.
In short, Xu Qing had already started developing a pre-appointment funeral business, and that membership iron coupon was a contract with the Funeral Shop.
Shang Shaoyang could consider that others approached him for the Shang family connections, and he could foresee their friendship was due to his family background, but he never expected Xu Qing brothered him because he had an interest in his corpse!
"Brother Shang, we met through business and have known each other for three or four years. I know your decision is made, and I won't try to dissuade you."
"Here are some talismans I requested from the temple before; there are two copies, one for you and one for your wife to wear..."
Xu Qing said sincerely, "In these chaotic times, who knows when we'll meet again after this farewell. I hope Brother Shang takes care."
Shang Shaoyang took the talismans, thanked Xu Qing, and then mounted his horse, bowing one last time.
"Giddy-up!"
The sound of hoofbeats broke the silent night. Xu Qing watched Shang Shaoyang disappear into the distance, then turned towards the counter, saying, "I need to visit an old friend in Jinmen Prefecture and will return in two days at most. During my absence, I ask the Profound Jade Immortal Family to look after the shop's business."
Xuan Yu raised his head and replied, "No need for formality, Xu Immortal. I will take good care of the business!"
The two, who met frequently and shared the same room all day, exchanged civil words despite their supernatural presence.
Just returning to the shop, Huang Xiaoliu was unsurprised by the scene.
These were just the playful interactions between the Sect Leader and Hall Master, nothing unusual.
...
Jinmen Prefecture City, in front of the old pear orchard ruins.
Xu Qing clasped his hands towards Guo Dongyang, who was leading the way beside him, and smiled, "Thank you, old friend, for showing me the way. Without you, this remote old residence would have been hard to find."
Having reached the age of sixty, with a slightly stooped back, Guo Dongyang waved his hand and said, "We're friends despite the age difference, no need for such courtesy."
"But I must ask, is it necessary for you to enter this house?"
Guo Dongyang glanced side-eye at the wall's mottled surface, the theater covered in moss and weeds, and said, "Don't think I've made this up; something unclean truly happened here."
"Why do you think this place has been abandoned for years? It's because those who tried to take over this theater met misfortune, preventing anyone from daring to reside here."
Xu Qing laughed, "As a funeral worker, what could be dirtier than what I already handle? If this place is truly cheap, I'd take it over. It would make a fine charity manor."
"Charity manor? Isn't that still businesses related to the dead..."
Guo Dongyang muttered and frowned, "If you seriously want this house, wouldn't it be better to visit during the day? Why come at night? It's much creepier!"
"Well, since we're here, let's proceed."
"I'll accompany you inside! If it truly is haunted, maybe I can write a new travel story about it."
Xu Qing, observing Guo Dongyang's aging limbs, directly refused, "No need! Brother Guo should return to the inn; this place, without inhabitants for long, is damp. I'm young and robust, no matter if there's something dirty or not, I can cope. If Brother Guo comes along, it would make me worry instead."
"But..."
Xu Qing said with a smile, "No buts, Brother Dongyang doesn't need to worry. If there is indeed some eerie tale, I will certainly inform Brother Dongyang."
Guo Dongyang's brow relaxed, and he said no more.
Watching the departure of this old storyteller, Xu Qing turned to face the theater.
For some reason, he felt the old residence seemed familiar, as if he had seen it somewhere before...
Arriving at the theater's entrance, there were official seals pasted on it, and the text was already hard to decipher. On one side of the entrance, there was also a yellowed and somewhat worn notice.
On it, the official's excerpted text could vaguely be seen:
[In the seventy-third year of Qianyuan, a haunted house theater public notice]
Durante the year of the Gengchen, sixteenth day of the lunar month: Performer Xu Yunmi, from Luzhou, playing 'Prince of Chu,' was found dead outside the gate upon returning from the old orchard. His seven orifices seeped vermillion, but upon forensic examination, he was uninjured.
In the year of Renwu, thirtieth day of the lunar month: Guqin master Li Mutang, from Longxi Li clan, rented the old orchard. He composed a new piece 'Night Crying Crow' and was suddenly struck with madness, gouging out both eyes while writing in blood "Do not enter Ghost Realm" before perishing.
In the year of Dinghai, first day of the lunar month: Hu merchant Luo Jia, traveling from the Western Regions, disbelieving ghosts, bet his courage and stayed in the eastern chamber of the theater. The next day, he appeared desiccated, with a belly swollen like pregnancy, and opening it revealed only rotting grass filling the cavity.
In the year of Jichou, twenty-three lunar cycle: Actor Liu Aba, from Hejian Liu clan, invited to play Zhong Kui chasing evil in the theater, found with his head hanging from the stage beam, the body collapsed against the incense table, the candle still burning.
... Nunnery Miaojing, staying at Jing'en Temple, chanting to expel evil, suddenly burned by Yin Fire, leaving only charred bones falling off the altar.
... Seven disciples from Celestial Master's Mansion, including Zhang Yunlong, invited by the Prefect to exorcise demons, came out unscathed. When asked about the theater, Zhang Yunlong replied: "This is ghostly drama, no ordinary person should hear it," and laughed loudly upon leaving.
This house has repeatedly resisted Taoist rites without effect, and the ominous aura hasn't dissipated. A decree: the ward chief leads strong men to encircle with thorns after three drumbeats and strictly bans entry thereafter.
Those seeing this notice, leave quickly. Those violating and suffering calamity, the official won't regulate!